I have seen this asked a lot lately and have been asked a lot about it.
Skid setup for dummies.
Easiest and best overall performance- put the rear of the sled on a track stand so the track is hanging. Loosen the front skid shock until loose(spring wiggles freely) then snug it up and add 3/8" pre load. start out running 145 - 155 psi in rear shock. Then when your riding and after the snow has built up on the tunnel, stop on flat ground get off and pick up on the rear of the tunnel. If the suspension rises more than 2" add some more air to rear shock. 1-1/2" is what I like.
All this is up to you and can change a little for every snow condition but its the starting point.
Here is how it works, What you want is as much of the track on the snow as possible and a very gradual approach angle. Such as, if you sucked up the limiter straps to hold the front of the skid off the ground and it would be a straight line from the bulk head to the rear of the track. thats how much snow would be in contact with the track. (just think how much 4" on the ground makes from a 153-162 makes) you would be adding a lot more this way. But with the limiters up the suspension cant work with the terrain( may work well in some cases) further more, if the front of the skid has to much pressure it will dig down and throw the snow out the back and leave nothing for the rest of the track to hook up on. (you want the track to pack the snow under you not spit it out) So the trick is to get the front of the skid to work with the terrain and the rear to maintain a full suspension stoke. How you do it is going to depend on how you ride.
There are other mods to do that you can research, this is a basic explanation.
Also the stock valving sucks and any valving helps, Mine is done by holz with the dual spring on front skid shock, makes the suspension find the terrain a lot better. I would see if your local shop does it because they know the terrain and what works(if they do it).
On the 07 m1000 I had about 3/8 pre load on front skid and the rear spring set in the middle and loved it.
This should get you started and I hope it helps.
Skid setup for dummies.
Easiest and best overall performance- put the rear of the sled on a track stand so the track is hanging. Loosen the front skid shock until loose(spring wiggles freely) then snug it up and add 3/8" pre load. start out running 145 - 155 psi in rear shock. Then when your riding and after the snow has built up on the tunnel, stop on flat ground get off and pick up on the rear of the tunnel. If the suspension rises more than 2" add some more air to rear shock. 1-1/2" is what I like.
All this is up to you and can change a little for every snow condition but its the starting point.
Here is how it works, What you want is as much of the track on the snow as possible and a very gradual approach angle. Such as, if you sucked up the limiter straps to hold the front of the skid off the ground and it would be a straight line from the bulk head to the rear of the track. thats how much snow would be in contact with the track. (just think how much 4" on the ground makes from a 153-162 makes) you would be adding a lot more this way. But with the limiters up the suspension cant work with the terrain( may work well in some cases) further more, if the front of the skid has to much pressure it will dig down and throw the snow out the back and leave nothing for the rest of the track to hook up on. (you want the track to pack the snow under you not spit it out) So the trick is to get the front of the skid to work with the terrain and the rear to maintain a full suspension stoke. How you do it is going to depend on how you ride.
There are other mods to do that you can research, this is a basic explanation.
Also the stock valving sucks and any valving helps, Mine is done by holz with the dual spring on front skid shock, makes the suspension find the terrain a lot better. I would see if your local shop does it because they know the terrain and what works(if they do it).
On the 07 m1000 I had about 3/8 pre load on front skid and the rear spring set in the middle and loved it.
This should get you started and I hope it helps.
