My XP's seem to turn harder than they should?

[Steelhead Slayer]

I never really noticed it until I injured my arm pretty bad a while back but on hard pack or groomed trail the XP is very hard to turn sharp. There is a heck of alot of steering pressure. My wife is a small woman and complains that her shoulders and neck hurt after riding. I let a friend ride my XP the other day and I got on his M7 and well.. it did not turn worth a sh!t on the trail but not much steering pressure either. Is this all in the skis or is it just the nature of the sleds. I was thinking of trying a set of SLT skis on my 09, what do you all think?

 

[Chubbydog]

You need to loosten your limiter strap, but I found that really doesn't do anything unless you move your rear shock forward. Try that, and you'll have a lot less ski pressure. Get some skis with agressive carbides if you do this, because your skis seem to spend a lot more time in the air.

 

[Teth-Air]

I never really noticed it until I injured my arm pretty bad a while back but on hard pack or groomed trail the XP is very hard to turn sharp. There is a heck of alot of steering pressure. My wife is a small woman and complains that her shoulders and neck hurt after riding. I let a friend ride my XP the other day and I got on his M7 and well.. it did not turn worth a sh!t on the trail but not much steering pressure either. Is this all in the skis or is it just the nature of the sleds. I was thinking of trying a set of SLT skis on my 09, what do you all think?

Don't blame the ski's, I put Simmons on mine and it is still heavy. This ski change worked great for my zx so I thought it would be better for the xp. Take weight off with suspension adjustments.

 

[MT boondocker]

You need to loosten your limiter strap, but I found that really doesn't do anything unless you move your rear shock forward. Try that, and you'll have a lot less ski pressure. Get some skis with agressive carbides if you do this, because your skis seem to spend a lot more time in the air.

1) How far forward did you move your rear shock, and 2) did you just move it forward on the rails or the tunnel or both?
Thanks

 

[Chubbydog]

1) How far forward did you move your rear shock, and 2) did you just move it forward on the rails or the tunnel or both?
Thanks

Just on the rails, and it's about 2" or so. There's already a hole, you just have to drill it out a little bigger. Just pushes the shock more vertical which gives you less ski pressure.

 

[MT boondocker]

Just on the rails, and it's about 2" or so. There's already a hole, you just have to drill it out a little bigger. Just pushes the shock more vertical which gives you less ski pressure.

Thanks for answering my questions.

 

[ReTodd]

I would look at your bars first.....most XP's I have seen have them rotated way forward. Unlike the 07' and earlier revs, the steering post could not be moved forward on the XP, so everyone just pivots there bars. Well, if it is pivoted a little bit that isn't an issue but if you end up with a big offset joint, the steering angle changes and gets very hard to turn. My 07 bar shoots straight out of my steering post while most xp's I've seen pivot forward like 30' or so!!!

Rt

 

[Steelhead Slayer]

I run my bars just a smidge up from being strait with the steering post so I do not think this is the problem, but I see what you mean.

 

[Steelhead Slayer]

Would SLT skis make any difference? Or would they be a waste of money on my 09? I have had trouble buckling the plastic in these pilot skis on our last 2 sleds so I am not in love with them. And now that they are leaving out the second carbide it seems to me that that open slot for the unused carbide on the outside edge of the ski would create drag.

 

[Griz]

As per the manual, tighten the front skid shock to reduce ski pressure. Limiter strap affects weight transfer, if you loosen it you might find the skis come off the snow too much when climbing.

 

[Idaho Slim]

My wife is 5'3" and 108 lbs. She has no problem wiht handling her 800 XP with the way I have set it up.

IMO, you dont need to spend the cash on SKI's, but we have just cause we like to.

Try this: (Don't know your wifes weight AND wont ask!)

• Front shocks on the middle notch
• Ski's on Narrow install. (They come on wide from the factory!)
• Front shock of rear skid on the lightest
• Limiter strap in the last hole, Let it out.
• Front shock of rear skid on lightest
• Rear cogs on 1st notch up form lightest.

If she is over 130 lbs. notch up both the front shocks & rear cogs 1 notch until the sled does not bouch her off on bumps

 

[Steelhead Slayer]

Slim - Unfortunately my wife is a big ol' girl...5' 2" about 275 on the hoof....Do you have additional setup specs for her? No just kidding!!!! Thanks for the help. I will try messing around with the limiter strap to see if it helps. Her sled is an X so it does not have the shock notches but I can use my judgment on about where to set them.

 

[Goose Lake]

The muscle soreness she is complaining about is common to all sledders and the gym workout is the low row and scap retractions (straight arm), both to fatigue, three sets twice a week. Amazing stuff. In fact...hit all 13 major muscle groups while at it. She will kick that XP butt and enjoy her new freedom as well. Goose