Zollinger 1" Offset Spindles? Narrower A-arm kits?

[MTN Powderhound]

Shock set up is big in the handling. I found mine a little harder to ride than my pro also. I'm 6 2 and thought the stock bar height was good on mine. Hopped on my boys sled with the 2"riser and it was more comfortable. Added a 2" rise and tipped it back a little and it was a hole lot better!(at least for me) just have to do some tinkering to get it right for you!

 

[aksledjunkie]

I guess a lot of it has to do with how you ride too. If you often ride wrong foot forward, use the motor to engage changes in direction etc and are over 180lbs I just can't see how the narrow front end would work...

Everything you just said is how all the "Pro" riders ride and they run a narrower front end though. I don't know what they weigh ha but that's the only thing that kind of varies.
I don't have a narrow front end which is why I said the ZRP on paper looks like a sweet deal. I'm content with the stock front end 39" and when I break something then I'll look at changing things around.

 

[aksledjunkie]

http://powderbuggies.com/buyers-guide-aftermarket-suspension-solutions/


Good write up JJ

 

[JJ_0909]

Ha. Thanks.

I'll be doing an aftermarket front end guide shortly too.

On the topic of narrow front ends, I'm clearly against the idea on the Axys unless you lower the sled.

I need to ride with someone who is utilizing OEM suspension successfully with the narrow front end. I am yet to see someone personally have success with it.

 

[JJ_0909]

Everything you just said is how all the "Pro" riders ride and they run a narrower front end though. I don't know what they weigh ha but that's the only thing that kind of varies.
I don't have a narrow front end which is why I said the ZRP on paper looks like a sweet deal. I'm content with the stock front end 39" and when I break something then I'll look at changing things around.

Keith keeps his stock in width

Burandt went narrow, but he also is light hell and running suspension tuned for the narrow width. Those Skinz a-arms might be the exception to the rule anyway as they lengthen the "wheelbase" if you will, adding stability.

Dan isn't light but again on custom shocks and that Skinz front end.

Point is, I think you've got to think in terms of a full package.

 

[aksledjunkie]

Keith keeps his stock in width

Burandt went narrow, but he also is light hell and running suspension tuned for the narrow width. Those Skinz a-arms might be the exception to the rule anyway as they lengthen the "wheelbase" if you will, adding stability.

Dan isn't light but again on custom shocks and that Skinz front end.

Point is, I think you've got to think in terms of a full package.

I don't know anyone personally running the narrow front end on the AXYS, whereas with the Pro I know quite a few.
Seems the skinz is the most used, Burandt, Robinson, Chris Brown with Whistler, and many others that ride with them all running the skinz front end. Sahen Skinner has the ZRP offset spindles with some other goodies as well.
Keith Curtis is a monster on RMSHA course and can throw down a widetrack bearcat through technical terrain ha.
Personally I think clutching and Suspension should be everyone's starting point on mods. Especially since you can do both relatively cheap in regards to revalving and a clutch kit and they serve to be the best bang for buck mod. Other than boost ofcourse haha.

 

[Ihaveadragon]

Came from a dragon, never road a 11-15 pro.
I find the axys terrible on trails unless your sitting, super tippy.

Sidehilling i dont even want to wrong foot forward, its so easy with a normal 1 foot on each side stance that when i do go wrong foot forward it feels like it wants to roll into the hill....but with that i might be setting myself up for disaster when it comes down to a near vertical side hill and i need my body fully on one side.

I have my skis all the way in, even doing 180s on side hills with normal stance is super easy. i couldn't imagine going any narrower....just my opinion

 

[JJ_0909]

I don't know anyone personally running the narrow front end on the AXYS, whereas with the Pro I know quite a few.
Seems the skinz is the most used, Burandt, Robinson, Chris Brown with Whistler, and many others that ride with them all running the skinz front end. Sahen Skinner has the ZRP offset spindles with some other goodies as well.
Keith Curtis is a monster on RMSHA course and can throw down a widetrack bearcat through technical terrain ha.
Personally I think clutching and Suspension should be everyone's starting point on mods. Especially since you can do both relatively cheap in regards to revalving and a clutch kit and they serve to be the best bang for buck mod. Other than boost ofcourse haha.

Agreed.

I only know Keith personally - I am one of the only people who can claim I beat him up snowking (just was in the summer...on a mountain bike )

Either way, Keith and I have a similar "lens" on things. He's a far better rider than me, not even comparable in any sense, but still, we are of similar height/weight/build type and partake in other sports besides sledding.

I know people can get the narrow front end to work, again, I just think people are hasty to go narrow thinking it'll make them a better rider when really, its one of the last mods they should consider.

Clutching, suspension, ride height, making sure you are "used" to the new chassis - all more important.

 

[aksledjunkie]

Clutching, suspension, ride height, making sure you are "used" to the new chassis - all more important.

Yeah very true. I feel like those few things will make you feel like your sled "comes to life" or that "seat of your pants" feel you hope you get from every mod.


That's funny, my folks live in Seeley Lake and see him often around Kurt's Polaris. Say he's a really good kid and very humble.

 

[jeffthebuilder007]

Thanks again for all the input. My 1" offset spindles and ice age pro motion supposed to arrive this weekend.

And just an FYI: I have ridden sleds for 33 years now (and dirt bikes for 45) ...... but still consider myself to be just an average rider. I never messed with my '15 Pro Rmk 800 suspension settings (155" track), I felt it was spot on from the factory in pretty much every snow condition I was in. I also installed a Boondocker turbo on it. Hands down my favorite sled to date. I removed the turbo and sold the sled because with the turbo installed the engine would randomly shut down a few times per ride. Threw me over the bars climbing at least twice (great entertainment for my buddies ha ha).... plus I was also really wanting to trade up to the Axys.

My '16 Pro Axys has a 163" track, and I also have a MTNTK turbo on it; perhaps those changes are also affecting the way the sled handles compared to my '15. I know the turbo kit is heavier than the base Boondocker kit by perhaps 20 lbs (I did not have an innercooler on BD). But it sure rips; no messing with fuel controllers, almost zero lag, and fueling/acceleration is smooth from idle to wheelies without any hiccups.
Absolute blast on hill climbs!

I will report back after my next ride
Jeff

 

[cmxuser]

Shock set up is big in the handling. I found mine a little harder to ride than my pro also. I'm 6 2 and thought the stock bar height was good on mine. Hopped on my boys sled with the 2"riser and it was more comfortable. Added a 2" rise and tipped it back a little and it was a hole lot better!(at least for me) just have to do some tinkering to get it right for you!

I did the same thing on mine 2" up and rolled back a touch. Put me in control of the sled not the sled in control of me. Stock front end ski's in the center position. I'll probably be moving the ski's in, in the future but only making one change at a time to get it dialed in.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

I could not get used to my 2014 pro until I put the kmod 37" front end on it. Then I loved everything about it. Got on an Axys and it felt 90% the same as my pro with the 37" on it. Have not put the kmod on it..... been on the fence. I did slightly tweak my upper and lower a-arms this year (right side) and went ahead and replaced them with the stockers. At $400 for the upper and lower, it is damn tempting to go with the sturdier KMOD arms. But at $700.... just could not pull the trigger.

One thing I see mentioned in this thread is the riser. I am 6' and also added the 2". I don't know why everyone is so insistent that we should not add a riser on the pro or the Axys chassis. I don't care what Burandt says, it was night and day for me. I also don't understand why every picture I see in snowest the rider is wrong foot forward, 98% of my riding is straddled. Wrong foot forward is almost never needed. The only time I get on one side is if I am creeping around something.

 

[snobyrd]

Thanks again for all the input. I have decided to copy "bailer" and going to try the combination of the Zollinger offset spindes and the Ice Age Pro-Motion Link

I have the same complaint that my sled feels squrilly, uncontrollable in tight circumstances. I find it hard to thread the needle like i could on my pro or even old m8. Iv got a 155 2.6 and now im thinking i should had gotton longer trax. Let us know how the ice age motion works out for u, funny thing is, the guys posting here are mostly older lol, i wonder if were just past our prime and should be trail riding on a grocery getter lol

 

[JJ_0909]

I have the same complaint that my sled feels squrilly, uncontrollable in tight circumstances. I find it hard to thread the needle like i could on my pro or even old m8. Iv got a 155 2.6 and now im thinking i should had gotton longer trax. Let us know how the ice age motion works out for u, funny thing is, the guys posting here are mostly older lol, i wonder if were just past our prime and should be trail riding on a grocery getter lol

Higher COG of Axys is the reason.


One fix for this is to simply lower your front end 1/2" or so. I'd also wager a slightly stiffer IFS valving would help.

 

[jeffthebuilder007]

Interesting! I am also 6'2" (180 lb no gear)....good observation on the handlebars, they do feel a bit lower compared to my '15. Hmmm. That 2" riser is a very cheap mod too. But one thing at a time: trying the spindles first (because they are already on their way), then adding the pro motion, then perhaps the handle bar risers. And yes, older than dirt ha ha (52 here next week) so that does not help matters. However, I was very comfortable on my '15 Pro last year all of the time; one year older just can't make that much of a difference. Plus my 21 year old nephew (that I ride with) just switched from his '14 Pro (163") to a brand new '16 Pro Rmk Axys 155" and he is also struggling with the handling (and he is an incredible motorcycle rider; could have raced motocross just like his dad did if he wanted to). Most likely we just need to get out for a few more rides and learn this new chassis

Thanks again to everyone for adding their input!
Jeff

 

[MTN Powderhound]

Get out there and have fun! When you get things dialed, it will be awesome!

 

[aksledjunkie]

I don't know why everyone is so insistent that we should not add a riser on the pro or the Axys chassis. I don't care what Burandt says, it was night and day for me. I also don't understand why every picture I see in snowest the rider is wrong foot forward, 98% of my riding is straddled. Wrong foot forward is almost never needed. The only time I get on one side is if I am creeping around something.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I'm 6'1" bare footed and I don't like the risers. I also keep my knees bent at all times. Maybe more than the next joe.
Plus I got the tall bars when I snowchecked. Maybe other people didn't.

 

[jeffthebuilder007]

Update as of Feb 10: I ended up selling my mtnk turboed Axys Pro (snow check, PIDD, clicker shocks, 163" track).

I just purchased a new '16 Axys Pro with the shorter 155" track. I have also copied what bailer did to his sled and installed the ZRP 1" narrower spindles and the Ice Age Promotion Link and all I can say is wow! Feels like the sled is 50 or 60 pounds lighter, super easy to initiate and hold steep sidehills, radical improvement on the off camber firmer snow pack conditions. Riding is fun again Thanks for your input bailer!!!
Jeff

 

[Norway]

Also just switched from pro to Axys. 155 pro with Exits in rear and float Evol R up front. Ran ZRP spindles and replaced pro-taper bars with IQr bars with finger throttle on a Doo adjustable riser.

Really liked this setup, initiated sidehill real easy and held it.

For bar height I'll repeat Rasmussens words, about how to tall bars can work against you on a sidehill. It affects the angle of the sled related to you. It can also disguise wrong suspension setup as it gives you a physically bigger leverage, making it feel lighter to initially pull over.
There is also something about leg strength; if you can ride with bent knees then lower bars will feel better.

I find my Axys a bit to wide on the bars now and feel I have to lean even more into the hill to prevent dropping down. Will mess around with suspension and try out a 2" riser after that.
Also over riding it now when trying to go straight up.

Remember the taller tunnel on the Axys when comparing.

 

[FrankTheTank]

Jens Andersson likes our offset spindels with the ZBroz 36" that makes it 34"