New flex suspension for Mountain Horse

[retired motoman]

It is called "Z-axis" front arm kit. Avaibable to order April 1st from Timber Sled.
The Priest Lake guys were lucky enough to get a early release of this update.
Installation was easy and straight forward. The most difficult thing was installing the new lower shock bushing. And that was not hard following Allens sugestions.

This is not like the Ski Doo version where the complete suspension leans.

The TS set up alows only the front of the suspension to lean a max of 5 deg and the rear is fixed and follows bike input.
There is easy adjustment for different lean angles or total lock out.

On the trail it was amazing how much improvment there was. The snowbike handled more like a dirt bike and would lean/carve with ease. Following it you could see the front rails lean the desired direction. It also took out most if not all of the track darting from ruts and terrain.
In the powderit looked to be better as it would follow the snow and climb in top.
The only down side was on hard side hills. It was a more difficult to hold a line or cut up in some situations. This is an easy fix being a 20 second adjustment to lock out.

It looks like once again the bar has been raised.

Snow check programs and details on all options will be online April 1st.

 

[mrsnaglepuss]

Z-axis Timbersled MH

GREAT... "Z" being the last letter in the alphabit this will be the last thing I ever buy for my MH.......Yeah right!
OK I'll bite... what was Allens est. retail price $$$$$$
Suggestion: Mount a switch/lever whatever so I can throw it from my handle bar or right or left hand down to the side while riding?
My terrain varies rapidly.
In the True North it's not Z(ee)-axis it's Z(ed)-axis

 

[Rush44]

Got a chance to ride this in Cooke City on our night ride through some tight trails... it's great. You really don't feel the bumps and cuts of other tracks near as much and the bike feels more planted in turns.

 

[BigBoreBoondocker]

That looks WAY! Stronger than ski donts T(iny) Motion suspension good job guys.

 

[oscar]

So i ask if this is offered as a "upgrade" to current kits? And at what cost? Looks pretty slick!! Way to be cutting edge

 

[mtn-doo]

So i ask if this is offered as a "upgrade" to current kits? And at what cost? Looks pretty slick!! Way to be cutting edge

Yes, It is getting a part number and will be available as a simple swap up-grade for existing kits.

 

[thejean]

Will this come standard on 2014 kits?

 

[Jon Mutiger]

What limits the twisting from going too far? Is it the rear arm, and the bushing inserts? Is it completely uncontrolled motion?

 

[mikesnick]

New MH "Z" axis

Tested it with Retired Motoman: Trail conditions were 4 to 5 inches of fresh snow on top of frozen rutted humped out skid road. How I would describe the ride was via what was missing - the darting and the need for a lot of handle bar input-it just went down the trail. I really want to test it on a frozen rutted road with no fresh snow.
I did a short test riding steep side hills and loop turns on boiler plate snow with 6 inches of snow on top - difficult to keep the back of the track from sliding out. Also not a good test as I was not on my bike (KX450 with SK kit) but a new KTM450 which has a totally different feel. Under these conditions I think I would lock the "Z" out. This is real easy to do - 2 allen screws to loosen - push the collars in - tighten the allen screws.
Basically you have cone shaped devices that when moved in or out allow for the amount of tilt which is limited to a couple degrees.
Allen has created a very simple device to accomplish a complicated task. It's light weight, easy to use and sturdy.
With my very limited testing my guess is that I would leave the adjustment out - allowing for the lean - and lock it tight for side hilling in steep hard pack. Thus I would not be changing the settings very often.
From what I know the ket is retrofittable to most existing kits - but not the SX kit.

 

[the gman]

Glad that's out now. Talked to timber sled Monday about the belt drive being on the 14 kits......they never heard of that.....seems to be a pattern here. I also here 2015 is the big change year but that has been foo-foo-ed also. Keep up the great work Allen. Would luv to see the belt drive for 14 but not if its like polaris's.

 

[powdermuncher]

I will wait to see how they hold up first, have a hard time believing

that it can come close to the way the snow hawk track works for handling.

If one really wants a flex suspension the ZX2 has all the flex in the world

and takes a beating like no other but just like the flex system on the ski

( Boivin set up) any flex set up will not carve powder the way a rigid system

does. So my vote goes to the Hawk track for now.

 

[PalousePoo]

Glad that's out now. Talked to timber sled Monday about the belt drive being on the 14 kits......they never heard of that.....seems to be a pattern here. I also here 2015 is the big change year but that has been foo-foo-ed also. Keep up the great work Allen. Would luv to see the belt drive for 14 but not if its like polaris's.

Ouch Tree Magnet, bashing good ole polaris again!!! That bad taste from the 2009 rmk must still be in your mouth!!!

 

[retired motoman]

Z-Axis front flex arm kit avaibable

The upgrade Z-Axis front arm kit is now avaibable from TimberSled for all ST and LT older Mountain Horse models. $300
Will not fit SX models.
This will be a standard issue on next seasons (2014's) ST and LT kits.