LT Handling Improvements

[yooper01]

I have a 2016 LT and I love it on super deep days. BUT every time I ride a ST I can't help but think about how much more nimble they feel.

My forks are done up just for the snow (springs and valving) and I have TSS. I have not messed with the stock spring settings on my skid.

Yesterday in some pretty well set up snow my buddy's 2015 ST with a fixed strut was noticeably more nimble than my 2016 LT with TSS, if all things had been equal in the engine department his bike would have been the more fun bike for the day, but that 350 just doesn't have the grunt of my 570.

I have thought about buying ST side panels, rails, and a track, and swapping it all over, but that would run about 1500 to 1800 dollars depending on how far I want to go based on retail pricing.

I wan't to keep the rest of my kit mainly because I just put all new bearings in, added avid drivers, and have those money steel idlers from M5.

So my question is this. To improve the handling of my LT should I just turn it into an ST?

 

[9Miler]

i made new side plates moved my track 4.5" forward now its about the same total length of a ST but floatation of a LT powered by 650 Berg

 

[Grr]

If it's a permanent snow bike and has a linkage, cut all the linkage off the frame and make new plates to move it ahead as far as possible. Just like the other post. Or get a 129 and have the best of both worlds

 

[yooper01]

If it's a permanent snow bike and has a linkage, cut all the linkage off the frame and make new plates to move it ahead as far as possible. Just like the other post. Or get a 129 and have the best of both worlds

PDS ktm

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[Grr]

Can you move it forward at all? How much clearance to the frame?

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

I have a 2016 LT and I love it on super deep days. BUT every time I ride a ST I can't help but think about how much more nimble they feel.

My forks are done up just for the snow (springs and valving) and I have TSS. I have not messed with the stock spring settings on my skid.

Yesterday in some pretty well set up snow my buddy's 2015 ST with a fixed strut was noticeably more nimble than my 2016 LT with TSS, if all things had been equal in the engine department his bike would have been the more fun bike for the day, but that 350 just doesn't have the grunt of my 570.

I have thought about buying ST side panels, rails, and a track, and swapping it all over, but that would run about 1500 to 1800 dollars depending on how far I want to go based on retail pricing.

I wan't to keep the rest of my kit mainly because I just put all new bearings in, added avid drivers, and have those money steel idlers from M5.

So my question is this. To improve the handling of my LT should I just turn it into an ST?

I can't help but think the nimble feeling has a LOT to do with being a 350 vs a 570
Thats like 30-40 pounds? And high center of gravity? (Compared to the difference in kit weight being low)

 

[yooper01]

I can't help but think the nimble feeling has a LOT to do with being a 350 vs a 570
Thats like 30-40 pounds? And high center of gravity? (Compared to the difference in kit weight being low)

This might have a little to do with it, but my buddies 450 xcw has a dry weight only 5 lbs less than my 2004 SX chassis (2001 520 motor turned into a 570 but I added electric start and a 6 speed close ratio tranny). Those two are closer in weight and I can still tell a big difference in the nimble feel.

I am thinking of buying the parts to convert to an ST this summer, and trying it out early next winter. If it works i will just unload the LT parts for a good price to someone wanting to do a LT.

 

[M5-]

I went from an ST to LT and I don't think I'd be willing to give up the extra track. I've needed it everyday this season. IMO one stuck is one stuck too many. You are right though the LT pushes hard when the snow sets up. I think the 129 might be the answer for my next kit. A 121 with a 3 inch paddle might work too.

M5

 

[eric82930]

I've been trying to get lt to be more nimble for 2 years. It's not possible. I built a custom skid where the paddles are almost rubbing the engine. played with ski pressure and rail pressure. I can make it feel short and wheelie but still turns like a bus even with the yeti ski. I only need the lt for pre-Christmas snow. After that it's a real buzz kill. If you think you need it just get the st rails and track and use the lt side panels for both. I've never done it but in theory you could zip the right panel off and do the swap in 30 min. As soon as the base sets up put the st on.

I don't worry about getting stuck. It doesn't matter how long the track is i always push past the limit anyway and they are easy to get un stuck compared to a sled. I only have go problems when i ride with sleds and now that i have more bike buddies i refuse to ride with sleds. I'd almost rather ride alone.

 

[capulin overdrive]

I went from an ST to LT and I don't think I'd be willing to give up the extra track. I've needed it everyday this season. IMO one stuck is one stuck too many. You are right though the LT pushes hard when the snow sets up. I think the 129 might be the answer for my next kit. A 121 with a 3 inch paddle might work too.

M5

That's where I'm at, at 50+ years old i'll take less stucks over better spring handling.

 

[UPsnowbiker]

This might have a little to do with it, but my buddies 450 xcw has a dry weight only 5 lbs less than my 2004 SX chassis (2001 520 motor turned into a 570 but I added electric start and a 6 speed close ratio tranny). Those two are closer in weight and I can still tell a big difference in the nimble feel.

I am thinking of buying the parts to convert to an ST this summer, and trying it out early next winter. If it works i will just unload the LT parts for a good price to someone wanting to do a LT.

It's likely your buddy on the 450XCW just has way better skills than you!

 

[J&L Snowhawk]

I would suggest this kit. Just sold this one. Moves skid forward one pds bikes. You can also bolt on shorter rails and track for more fun. Even with big hp lt kills some of the fun. Last Easter on my Sno-Rkt with st was so much fun.

 

[yooper01]

I would suggest this kit. Just sold this one. Moves skid forward one pds bikes. You can also bolt on shorter rails and track for more fun. Even with big hp lt kills some of the fun. Last Easter on my Sno-Rkt with st was so much fun.

I can't find that on the ice age website. Is it a custom setup?

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[needpowder]

I think the 129 might be the answer for my next kit. A 121 with a 3 inch paddle might work too.

M5[/QUOTE]

Yup. I will probably be snow checking this spring.

 

[J&L Snowhawk]

I can't find that on the ice age website. Is it a custom setup?

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not sure its available any more I do believe i have water jet patterns tho. would need to fab the chain cove up. If interested i can do some checking

 

[chumbilly1]

I have a kit for sale that has those Iceage track forward components and 129 iceage rails with yeti 129 track. Never did ride it. Seemed like a great idea. I bought some of the last ones they had. I might slap it on my 300 and try it this spring if it doesn't sell.

 

[yooper01]

It's likely your buddy on the 450XCW just has way better skills than you!

Yeah.....That's definitely not the case

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[yooper01]

Tonight I drilled out the extra saddle mounts on my ski and moved the saddle forward about 1", this moving the ski back towards the track. I also shined the rear of the saddle cushion with a 1/8 " piece of plastic. Going to ride tomorrow and hopefully report a great success.

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[yooper01]

Shimed*

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[eric82930]

I did this on mine and it works fine but I can't say it is more nimble. If anything it seemed more stable.