Are current mt. sleds too far rider forward?

[diamonddave]

I think rider forward sleds have the benefits and their pitfalls. I've ridden doo's since 85 and the REV chassis took me quite a while to figure out. My younger, less experienced buddies figured them out very quick. I think younger riders or riders with less overall experience (for the most part) have gravitated to the newer sleds a lot easier than peeps like me. Would I ever go back? NO F'n way. What's funny is to hear guys say, "I don't care how, what it does on the trail!" If this were the case, those same peeps would be on old school sleds still.

As far as the XP goes, I can't stand the way they handle. It is too rider forward for me. And this comes from a doo HOMER. If Holz would put the effort into this machine the way they doo the poo's, it could very well with some suspension, handling upgrades, be THE awesome sled. Doo may be onto something with the 2010 it's going to be interesting.

This year is the first year I've ever owned anything other than a doo (polaris IQ) and have to say it's much easier to ride, boondock, etc. than the REV's and RT's I've owned. But as far as the overall quality of the sled and how it's built, it's not even in the same league as the doo's are.

 

[ACMtnCat]

Go more forward! It makes you a better rider!2012 XP.

 

[freekweet mods]

Adrenalin Addict I am afraid that I am done for the year. I must focus on work now (construction) and hopefully sqeeze in a motorbike ride now and then.Thanks!! and keep grindin away with your (old) trailing arm sled,that's what I am gona do, when its this good why change!!

 

[JROD]

Definitely a good topic. I think this is the first one where there was a disagreement and we're not all name calling in the end

 

[DaveB]

Yer all d!nks. There. hahahahaha.

 

[snowmobiler]

rider oldschool?.

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

Rider is oldschool, but I think if If I was 20 years younger the pro's still wouldn't outway the con's. I'm also surprised how civil this thread stayed. I figured I'd be a geriatric oldschool, hardheaded as a bag of hammers, brain damaged som#b!tch along time ago. Could it possibly be that there is some truth to what I've been whining about? FYI, the lawn dart is almost back to full flexibility in both knees. He was actually thinking about giving that thing another go this weekend until his brother lost it last weekend and totaled that engineering marvel.

 

[mountainhunter]

truth of the matter is the sled is still only part of the equation.skills take time to develope and i have been trying to snow check some bigger ballzz.they told me that they are sold out.guess i will have make do ,cheers ...

 

[sledhed]

Good thread. Last year I purchased a 08 700 RMK after riding an 03 VE for a few years. Looking at the newer IQ RMKs they look more rider forward but when I messured the two chassis they were nearly the same (within a 1/2 inch) measuring the horizontal distance from the handle bar to the ski bolts. I think that what makes them handle so different is the higher center of gravity with a higher seating position. Since I've been riding the IQ RMK I have generally liked it better but I don't feel as confident in areas with more risk as I did on the edge, especially on firm or set up snow.

Good thread, I agree.
Riding 08 Dragon 155 this week on spring snow conditions and steep climbs (sometimes bumpy), I would agree with your assessment, in areas with more risk like this it does not feel as stable as my ZX Skidoo, cutting across some bumps in the snow kinda gives it fits as the track tries to decide if it wants to kick out or hook up, making it a bit of a rodeo ride. Not sure I would have done the same sidehills on the ZX, some yes, some maybe not, but the rodeo ride is very disconcerting.

The ZX has a D&R and suspension set down and back and can carve great for older style chassis. In the pow, the IQ carves great and climbs great too.

I am almost thinking I need two sleds - my ZX for spring, IQ for the rest of the season... *L*

 

[freekweet mods]

Holy Shat!! snowmobiler I might be old school but I think that old girl rolled of the assembly line way before I did. I don't even think that Adrenalin is that old school. I would like to see that comparison with something like an edge or ZX chassis.

 

[snowmobiler]

 

[sledhed]

*LOL* That is pretty funny, snowmobiler...

 

[AKrider]

Over the years I've recalled reading posts how guys say that even though an Apex is heavy, it is well balanced. Here are some overlays of some short tack Apex sleds compared to an RX-1.

 

[snowmobiler]

with the 500 pound engine up front.you need to sit back on those.