m8 Suspension? Stock,Float conversion,Ti,bersled?

[fasta76]

m8 Suspension? Stock,Float conversion,Timbersled?

Can you guys give me a little advice on witch is the better way to go? Is the stock setup really that bad "trenching"??? Is the float that much better?? OR just the weight loss? OR is the timbersled the way to go? THe sled is new to me! Its an 07 M8 162. I just installed floats on the front and did the powerclaw track with a 2-wheel kit.

Any help would be great!

 

[M-Rider]

I had a 2006 M7 with the stock rear suspension. It would always bottom out in the moguls but wasn't bad as far as trenching goes. I bought a 2007 M1000 with a timbersled rear suspension already installed. The timbersled suspension is smoother in the moguls and it does not give me problems with trenching. It is very adjustable for weight and riding style. I run a 162" challenger extreme and weigh about 205lbs with all my gear. Hope this helps.

 

[blackcloud2k]

the stock suspension sucks with out some revalving of the shocks, and the float suspension looses weight but is even worst then stock on the trail. In my mind timbersled would be the way to go from what I have read, but it also comes at a pretty good price tag compared to the other alternatives.

 

[aktreekiller]

hey

I was going the problem of bottoming out, and fixed it by making sure theres always oil in float shock. I also had the pressure in the zero increased from stock. This made a huge difference. I weigh 220. The oil in the floats needs to be refilled around 300 miles for me, or it won't work properly at all.

 

[nuckinfuts]

06 M7. I got tired of messing with the floats, so I installed front arm relocator, found a set of remote rez shocks off of a factory mod sno pro, used F A-arms/spindles and put it all together. Now I have a 162" bump sled that still works great in the deep.

 

[ripsass]

So what's that, like four different answers in as many replies?

Ride it and make your own decisions. You may not find anything "wrong" with it. I personally don't think the M-sleds got the reputation they have for being the best mountain/powder sleds made by having a rear skid that more or less needs to be completely replaced or re-designed.

Too many people are looking for some "magic pill" part that's going to make them ride like Buandt. They need to sack up and learn to ride.

Pretty sure Burandt was running stock rear skids and geometries in his Cats. Looked like they worked OK to me.

FWIW: I like my stock Float skid fine, with the exception of the front Zero-Pro needing some valving and spring rate changes.

 

[M-Rider]

So what's that, like four different answers in as many replies?

Ride it and make your own decisions. You may not find anything "wrong" with it. I personally don't think the M-sleds got the reputation they have for being the best mountain/powder sleds made by having a rear skid that more or less needs to be completely replaced or re-designed.

Too many people are looking for some "magic pill" part that's going to make them ride like Buandt. They need to sack up and learn to ride.

Pretty sure Burandt was running stock rear skids and geometries in his Cats. Looked like they worked OK to me.

FWIW: I like my stock Float skid fine, with the exception of the front Zero-Pro needing some valving and spring rate changes.

There's nothing wrong with searching the aftermarket to improve one's sled and riding experience. The M-Series sleds can be improved upon, that's why the aftermarket industry is there.

I agree there is no magic pill to make you ride like Burandt, but that doesn't mean you have to set up your sled like his. If any aspect of your sled doesn't work for you...modify it until it makes you happy.

 

[ripsass]

I agree, but I get tired of seeing threads by people saying " I just bought (or an about to buy) xxx-sled, what do I NEED to do, to make it work."

Go ride the thing and see if you have issues. If you have issues to address after riding, then find solutions for them.


The current M-sled is an amazingly capable machine. 6 years ago a sled that performed like that was unheard of.

That being said. I don't leave mine stock either, but more cause I just can't leave things alone. Not so much because this sled needs it.

 

[SledheadPaul]

Does anyone know if the zero pros are extremely stiff from the get go? Is this why they need to be re valved? Re valved to what spec. ? I have a new to me 07 M 1000 162. This sled rides sooo stiff it doesn't feel like the shocks even give, sucks bad on a trail. The guy I bought from probably was only about 160#. The shocks are almost brand new not the original shocks. All the springs are on the softest setting. I heard that these weren't the best on a trail/road/bumpy stretch,but I didn't think it would be this bad.Thinking of doing the Float Conversion , does anyone know if this will help matters?
Thanks

 

[fasta76]

Ripsass...

The reason i asked is because i have a pretty messed up back from an accident!! I have been out of riding for the last 8 years trying to get back in shape enough so i can injoy riding agian!! So sorry if i posted somthing that was a bore or upset you!! With comments like yours.. I surprized why people are leaving snowest for greener pastures!!!

 

[Blk88GT]

I'd like to know more info on this as well. Looking to drop some weight and improve the ride on my 05 M7.

Is the float setup the way to go? It can't be worse and it doesn't cost a whole lot.

 

[ripsass]

Oh don't getting all butt-hurt over it.

I was trying to save you money.
There are so many people on here that are always trying to reinvent the wheel for no good reason, I just meant see how you like it first.

You didn't mention your back though. In that case, I guess I'd recommend the Float conversion maybe.
I like mine quite a bit, and once you find an air pressure that's right for your weight/riding style it's pretty tough to bottom out.

It is a bit "firm" but beats bottoming out hard and taking a big hit in the spine.


You may also want to try giving Fett Bros. a call. They do great shock/suspension set-up's and are a wealth of knowledge just to talk to.

 

[cles]

The suspension on my 07 would hardly budge when I got it home, so I changed the rear springs and shock to ones from an 06 M7. It made it borderline too soft, but much easier on the back. This year I'm changing to a Timbersled setup, for weight savings only...I was happy with the ride with the 06 setup.

 

[Blk88GT]

Can anyone comment on what their M rides like after the float upgrade? I've heard of people having to max out the front spring collar etc? Is this the case?

 

[ripsass]

Not sure if the stock spring on the float skid is the same as the one in the upgrade kit or not, but it sucks big time.
I think it's a straight 100 # rate.

This is a 170 # straight rate spring from Cat for it: 0704-936 that I'm going to try. SHould be much better.

I've broken two retainer collars on my front shock from pre-loading it too much. Apparently using all the threads on the adjustment causes the spring to bind at full compression. Which is very frequent with that wuss spring.

That however is my only real complaint with the float skid though. I wouldn't mind if it rebounded a bit quicker. Some people really complain about that, but I don't think it's bad. If you were already getting your shocks re-valved for rider weight or just preference then sure I'd have the rebound valving quickened up while they were at it.

I'm satisfied enough in general with the float skid that I'd never go back to a conventional one again FWIW.

 

[catmechanic]

i hate to be that guy thats beating the dead horse, but all this talk has me wondering. just bought an 07 M8 153 out of the box. my impression was pull the rope and go. until i read all this stuff about revalving shocks and bad attack angles. i hate to tear this sled in half before it has 1 mile on it just to "make it right".

my big question is not of shocks, but of the "trenching problem". some speak of drilling another hole in the tunnel to make the skid bolt up lower. changing the attack angle and making it more flat i presume. others talk of a relocating bracket. but, i thought that was for the M7 05&06. does this work on the 07?

was it a trenching problem in 2007 when this sled came out. or did it become a trenching problem in 2008 when the sleds got some updates?

 

[catmechanic]

bump. for some reason this morning when i posted this it stayed a few pages back.

 

[RichardCranium]

^^^^I have an 07 m and never had a problem with trenching, i moved the skid to the lower hole in the drop brackets just to get some more ski pressure and raise the tunnel some, still no problem with trenching....but imo ride the sled a few times and see what you think of it all conditions are different and no one setup works for all

 

[fasta76]

Bump

 

[furthur]

On my M7, I like the float conversion slightly better than the stock skid. Lil better transfer, more control in the bumps, just as good in the deep. For the money, good mod. Got the fett airchamber now, would like a new front skid spring, but I'll prob. ride it a bit, as it's on and season is short for me.