Suspension Tuning

[Tha_Stepside]

I have a 2017 Mountain Cat, I live in BC and want to work with my local tuner to re-valve my Float EVOL shocks.

What is lacking in the valving on these shocks? What are the areas needing improvement? I can communicate what needs to be improved on my dirtbike suspension, but I honestly don’t know what is needed for sled suspension.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[MountainCat1]

I stayed with the stock Fox Evols on my '17 MC, but installed the Ice Age Elevate kit and it handles like a dream; even guys riding the Alfa monorail just love my Elevate MC!

 

[AkEclipse95]

I stayed with the stock Fox Evols on my '17 MC, but installed the Ice Age Elevate kit and it handles like a dream; even guys riding the Alfa monorail just love my Elevate MC!

I've been heavily contemplating this elevate setup. Sounds like it comes highly recommended from everybody that has it? Any cons to installing it?

 

[Reeb]

I always like to take my Arctic-Cat issued Floats apart and compare the internals to Fox specific internals. Usually find a few things that are plastic that should be cnc'd aluminum.

I'm a chunky guy according to my kids and fully loaded probably tip the scales at 300lbs in the parking lot. With that being said a heavier shock oil might be needed(I traded big air for cheeseburgers - so same weight oil as I used to run) and I like a "compliant" feel......what I call a dead feeling rear end so it doesn't kick up and start swapping when I'm on the brakes on a bumpy BC trail. Basically a slow rebound. Helped a ton in keeping the rear from swapping side to side when flying into a corner way too hard. Added benefit was that the skid doesn't react as fast when climbing or traversing old lines cut by another sled.

As far as the front end goes - a lot of sledders don't know to change or that their sled can be better. A lot of us just run what we got and use PSI numbers from the internet to set up our sleds. And then never touch them. Again I like to have less rebound and more plush feeling at the beginning of the stroke. The air shocks makes this easy as it's progressive. But can still be made better. A lot of guys like their front ends to "bounce" and "pop" however I'm not that way. If I want the skis in the air I'll adjust my limiter strap and not have my shocks set like pogo sticks.

I wish I had actual part#'s or even just shim stack numbers etc etc for you but I don't. Much like you I can describe what the sled is doing, and what I feel, then Rod takes over and sends me a package that's damn near spot on.