2017 Mototrax suspension setup

[madmini660]

Can we get a thread started about everyones setups mototrax kits setup since the factor has really given much
bike,

track length

Snow conditions

 

[Norma Stitz]

One note about an issue I'm having on the skid. When I try to back up the bike it will roll and then bind up severely. I noticed it when unloading it a few times but also out riding sometimes I've wanted to back up. Well, the back end of the hyfax is catching on the metal clip things on the track and stopping it. SO, I'm going to try to radius those somewhat so it will roll back as this is important to be able to do for me at least.

 

[L.Hughes]

One note about an issue I'm having on the skid. When I try to back up the bike it will roll and then bind up severely. I noticed it when unloading it a few times but also out riding sometimes I've wanted to back up. Well, the back end of the hyfax is catching on the metal clip things on the track and stopping it. SO, I'm going to try to radius those somewhat so it will roll back as this is important to be able to do for me at least.

I noticed that as well yesterday when I was unloading at home after riding. It wouldn't move, and I kept thinking it was in gear!

 

[dooman92]

Regarding mototrax suspension setup. My initial exposure to deep snow was disappointing. I have the 120 enduro on a 450fx. I have since reduced shock spring preload, verified track is properly adjusted and most importantly I made a rubber bumper out of a shock bottoming bumper and slid it over the shaft in front of the rear swivel bushing. The rubber bumper is about 5/8 inch thick and acts to limit how far the front of the rails can collapse toward the shock. Essentially it increases the attack angle of the track and puts more track on the snow. The difference is truly hard to believe. It is much better in the deep and when climbing. Followed a 129 yeti all day and went everywhere the yeti went.

 

[Norma Stitz]

Regarding mototrax suspension setup. My initial exposure to deep snow was disappointing. I have the 120 enduro on a 450fx. I have since reduced shock spring preload, verified track is properly adjusted and most importantly I made a rubber bumper out of a shock bottoming bumper and slid it over the shaft in front of the rear swivel bushing. The rubber bumper is about 5/8 inch thick and acts to limit how far the front of the rails can collapse toward the shock. Essentially it increases the attack angle of the track and puts more track on the snow. The difference is truly hard to believe. It is much better in the deep and when climbing. Followed a 129 yeti all day and went everywhere the yeti went.

Any chance you could post a pic?

 

[dooman92]

Any chance you could post a pic?

I will try. Never have. Might need help from younger partners.

 

[sledhappy]

I like the idea of the bumper please post a pic. I think there is a lot of untapped opportunity with this skid. Set up seems to be key.
How much ski pressure do you have? ( strut longer or shorter)

 

[HalfBrit]

sounds like we are all thinking alike. I just built a new shaft that has a little side play to keep it from breaking. I also put springs top and bottom. not enough spring pressure to keep the rails from sitting level on the trail. but hopefully enough to help the track from trenching. no pics I'll try and get some tomorrow.

 

[sledhappy]

sounds like we are all thinking alike. I just built a new shaft that has a little side play to keep it from breaking. I also put springs top and bottom. not enough spring pressure to keep the rails from sitting level on the trail. but hopefully enough to help the track from trenching. no pics I'll try and get some tomorrow.

I like your spring idea I put a washer in to limit the movement. I thought about a rubber bushing to dampen hard hits. In the spring I can see that the movement will work good and give it some playful characteristics but in the deep we need something to lock it out like the arc so it stays on top. The ez ride suspension works great it does not pivot like MotoTrax. But it is not as playful either.
The kit has a lot of potential.

 

[dooman92]

Not having much luck trying to post a photo of my rubber bumper mod. Another full day of riding and I don't think I need the 2.5 paddle.

 

[w74bronco]

Here are the bumper pics from Dooman92

 

[dooman92]

Thanks 74bronco for posting my pics. As follow up, I spent another day riding with 154 and 163 pros. Climbed a couple things a couple of the pros could not. I have gone from wanting to sell my mototrax to enjoying it more than my timbersled. I can ride the trees much better with this kit. The less ski pressure makes monuvering in the trees easier and with the additional pivot of the skid tight turns are easier. Also my seat height is reduced as a result of reduced shock preload. If mototrax can make this kit durable it will be a winner. After my first few rides I thought I needed a 2.5" paddle. Now I am not sure it is needed.

Regarding the rubber bumper. It is taking a lot of pounding and I may have to reengineer something more durable. This swivel joint area takes a lot of pounding at both ends. Mototrax must strengthen and build in an energy absorbing system for this joint. But, wow what a difference that bumper made. Only about 5/8" thick and limits compression of front of rail. It is a different kit with that little adjustment.

 

[dooman92]

I like the idea of the bumper please post a pic. I think there is a lot of untapped opportunity with this skid. Set up seems to be key.
How much ski pressure do you have? ( strut longer or shorter)

Not certain on ski pressure but is noticeable lighter than my timbersled. I used the strut as sent from mototrax. Initially I had 7psi in my air forks but didn't like that now have 0. Reducing shock preload seemed to reduce ski pressure a bit also..

I agree on opportunity. I enjoyed my timbersled but, I enjoyed this kit more today than I ever enjoyed the timbersled. For me, no comparison in the trees. If it can be made durable, it will be a winner.

 

[L.Hughes]

Were you having any issues with trenching? If so, did it help? I was thinking about adding some limiter straps but the rubber bumper seems simple enough! Trenching and excessive track spin is my biggest complaint so far.

 

[eric82930]

Dooman, I like the rubber "coupler" Idea. The thing I think is stopping the trenching though is the rubber behind the joint that is coupling back to front to keep the rails from pushing out which helps in deep snow. But in the spring will probably kill the fun factor a bit.

Also If the rubber in front is touching when the bike is on level ground then it may be pulling the back of the rails up slightly giving it a slight rearward weight transfer under power. The old style timber sleds could be set up the same way with washers on the telescoping bars. But I never felt it helped climbing in deep snow much. But It made easier to wheelie the skag over the edge of the trailer.

I compared a mototrax to my timbersled back to back in really baseless snow and without any coupling the stock mototrax did seem to suffer a bit. but compared to my TS the mototrax feels like it has a tire on the back so it was a worthwhile trade-off for me. The TS has way more ski pressure and a less playfull attitude but will probably be the best chute climber if that's your thing.

 

[dooman92]

Were you having any issues with trenching? If so, did it help? I was thinking about adding some limiter straps but the rubber bumper seems simple enough! Trenching and excessive track spin is my biggest complaint so far.

Yes, I had terrible trenching issues prior to install of the rubber bumper. Again this bumper actually puts additional pressure on the front of the rail which increased the track footprint slightly and increased the approach angle. It helped substantially with the trenching and ability to get up on snow.

 

[dooman92]

Dooman, I like the rubber "coupler" Idea. The thing I think is stopping the trenching though is the rubber behind the joint that is coupling back to front to keep the rails from pushing out which helps in deep snow. But in the spring will probably kill the fun factor a bit.

Also If the rubber in front is touching when the bike is on level ground then it may be pulling the back of the rails up slightly giving it a slight rearward weight transfer under power. The old style timber sleds could be set up the same way with washers on the telescoping bars. But I never felt it helped climbing in deep snow much. But It made easier to wheelie the skag over the edge of the trailer.

I compared a mototrax to my timbersled back to back in really baseless snow and without any coupling the stock mototrax did seem to suffer a bit. but compared to my TS the mototrax feels like it has a tire on the back so it was a worthwhile trade-off for me. The TS has way more ski pressure and a less playfull attitude but will probably be the best chute climber if that's your thing.

First, absolutely not a chute climber, no interest whatsoever, actually anything but chutes. Second, yeah conventional function of TS skid doesn't appear to generate the same result in the mototrax. As to the rear rubber portion creating the improvement. I installed that rubber bumper portion first and it was in there when I experienced the trenching, poor deep snow performance. It was only after I installed that rubber bumper in the front of the bushing that I experienced the improvement. Again, that bumper results in more pressure on the front of the rails when suspension is compressed, increasing approach angle slightly and track footprint. I experienced ski lift on a climb with the front bumper that I did not experience prior.
Reference sitting on level ground, the track contact with the current bumper is consistant across the contact area and the bumper is just contacting the sliding bushing housing. If one wanted more pressure at the front of the rail one could increase the thickness of the bumper or, conversely make it thinner and reduce pressure on the front of the rails. I plan to experiment a bit with different thickness. But, the current setup is a vast improvement over stock.
Yeah, mototrax much more like a bike. Love it in the tight stuff.

 

[HalfBrit]

Here's a pic of what I built. The shaft is longer to maintain factory travel , Has the ability shift sideways about 10° and has springs top and bottom to center the rail tilt fore and aft. Haven't tried it yet because I hurt my throttle hand. Hopefully better by next weekend.

 

[L.Hughes]

Yes, I had terrible trenching issues prior to install of the rubber bumper. Again this bumper actually puts additional pressure on the front of the rail which increased the track footprint slightly and increased the approach angle. It helped substantially with the trenching and ability to get up on snow.

I'd love to get some more specifics on your setup! I'm sick of getting passed by my wife on her Timbersled when climbing.

 

[dooman92]

I'd love to get some more specifics on your setup! I'm sick of getting passed by my wife on her Timbersled when climbing.

Try finding something for a rubber bumper that is about 5/8" thick, dense, fits tightly over the shaft and seats against the washer under the bolt at the front. Then test and give us your feedback. I used a rubber bumper off an automotive shock absorber. I drilled the center out so it fit tight over the shaft. The bump stop on many sled shock shafts would work also. The short piece on the rear side of the slide bushing is just a tight fitting about 1/4" of heater hose. I will replace both ends as they are both getting pounded out.