How do you guys set up your suspension??

[Attak man]

I understand that it's personal preference (just like carbides)...but I had to learn how to set up ski-doos this fall...totally different than the Yamaha or Cat's I'm used to...Was a learning experience for sure....I always thought the XRS was the really stiff "racer type" set up....but it isn't.

How many of you find a happy medium...set it and forget it? Or do you mess with it all the time??

 

[1fujifilm]

I understand that it's personal preference (just like carbides)...but I had to learn how to set up ski-doos this fall...totally different than the Yamaha or Cat's I'm used to...Was a learning experience for sure....I always thought the XRS was the really stiff "racer type" set up....but it isn't.

How many of you find a happy medium...set it and forget it? Or do you mess with it all the time??

Have had 8 850 Doo Gade's since they came out in 2017.
Set-up; ride it out of the box with almost zero issues.
I am 6'3 288 lbs and I still ride the front as set from the factory and the rear torsion's set on number one. If the trails turn to moguls at the end of the day, I may temporarily set the blocks at 2 or 3.
Remember, Doo gives this same advise and it has worked for me. If I can keep up to Harvest and Polaris Dan, you know this sled is running hard. Doo says infrequent bottoming out is normal as you know you are getting the full motion of the R-Motion (no pun here).

Additionally, this year I have an "X" pack and will be using the 4 position handlebar riser to move my self forward as the trails deteriorate.
With non-adjustable risers, I have always set the bars a bit forward as this helps move your weight forward and on to the front end.

I will also fiddle with the 20 pre-set settings on the rear skis shock as the trails get rough too.

Bear

 

[Attak man]

What I found was sit in sag (2 to 3 inches according to ski doo) is important...and what I was shown was to adjust starting at the middle (though some say to go to the softest settings on the shock, and work up) ...but you definately want your suspension stroking through it's travel...so light bottoming does occur..really easy to set up on the xrs

 

[old abe]

What I found was sit in sag (2 to 3 inches according to ski doo) is important...and what I was shown was to adjust starting at the middle (though some say to go to the softest settings on the shock, and work up) ...but you definately want your suspension stroking through it's travel...so light bottoming does occur..really easy to set up on the xrs

Thee R motion is amazing to ride. Even XRS is cushy. And a bunch of things to adjust, and fiddle with. SC-4 skid was when they started really gaining on the rear skid working.

 

[5_spot]

Suspension setup really comes down to 2 things, shock travel & rider weight. A general average is static sag (just sitting on it) should be about 30% of the shocks travel. Air shocks are quite straight forward, more air/less air, but heavier riders may require a re-valve for proper adjustment. Coil over shocks are adjusted by adding/removing preload with the spring retention ring. If you cannot get close to the 30%, you have the wrong size spring. If shock has clickers, setup in the middle of adjustment range. Once setup correctly, small condition adjustments can be made with the clickers, which is a rebound/compression adjustment (their intended purpose). Non-clicker shocks, no adjustment really as you'd be changing the static sag. Most people who have not done proper setup and say it rides great, have never ridden with properly setup suspension, but some just may not be sensitive to the difference. One of my friends, I could basically lock out his suspension at one stop, soften all the way out at the next stop & he just thinks the trail conditions are different.

 

[eagle1]

I like light steering and my sled to transfer weight. First time rode my renegade x thought it was boring front end was so planted.

 

[Attak man]

I know so many people who won't even change their spring settings let alone set proper sag...I rode a friends X package ski-doo, and I thought it rode horrible...we are about the same size, but he always goes super stiff (like sno cross stiff on the shocks)..the thing rides like a brick, and I told him that...he just laughed and said he was a far more aggressive rider than me, and he needed it like that...I'll admit he does ride pretty hard...but there is no give to his suspension, and stutter bumps will kick the snot out of you...I would cringe everytime I rode that sled....if a person didn't know any better, you would assume ALL doos ride like that, and it would leave a real sour taste in your mouth...fortunately, I've ridden doos set up more to my liking (and cats and yamahas), and they ride very nice. I know its personal preference but man did that suck...I know alot of people that pick up their new sleds from the dealer, and never touch them...they just ride them how they got them...smh

 

[5_spot]

I know so many people who won't even change their spring settings let alone set proper sag...I rode a friends X package ski-doo, and I thought it rode horrible...we are about the same size, but he always goes super stiff (like sno cross stiff on the shocks)..the thing rides like a brick, and I told him that...he just laughed and said he was a far more aggressive rider than me, and he needed it like that...I'll admit he does ride pretty hard...but there is no give to his suspension, and stutter bumps will kick the snot out of you...I would cringe everytime I rode that sled....if a person didn't know any better, you would assume ALL doos ride like that, and it would leave a real sour taste in your mouth...fortunately, I've ridden doos set up more to my liking (and cats and yamahas), and they ride very nice. I know its personal preference but man did that suck...I know alot of people that pick up their new sleds from the dealer, and never touch them...they just ride them how they got them...smh

The whole intent of the X package or similar is to be setup aggressive, but still supple. I like my setup aggressive too, proper sag, then I adjust clickers for slower compression and faster rebound. Rides aggressive, but not bone jarring. I have friends setup like your buddy too & don't take advantage of their upgraded shock package, they may as well have steel rods for shocks. Proper setup should use all of your travel, without you noticing. Makes sharpie marks or put zip ties around shaft after setting up, you'd be surprised how much travel you do or don't use. If you don't use it all, it's too stiff, even for ditch banging style riding. If not using all of the travel was how an aggressive setup should be, the "upgrade" would just be a huge spring on simple shock.

 

[xsledder]

I weld every joint in my suspension so they don't articulate, that way I can be reminded of riding on trail 3 no matter where I am at.

 

[mezz]

Have you ever considered a heavy-duty spring & adjust your shocks accordingly? Just a suggestion. -Mezz

 

[russr]

a good starting point is go to Monsterperf.com
Monster is the Shock god for ski doo
he has a great write up on his page
for suspension set up. this worked great for me.
he can also revalve an set up your stock shocks to your weight an style and budget friendly

 

[1fujifilm]

The whole intent of the X package or similar is to be setup aggressive, but still supple. I like my setup aggressive too, proper sag, then I adjust clickers for slower compression and faster rebound. Rides aggressive, but not bone jarring. I have friends setup like your buddy too & don't take advantage of their upgraded shock package, they may as well have steel rods for shocks. Proper setup should use all of your travel, without you noticing. Makes sharpie marks or put zip ties around shaft after setting up, you'd be surprised how much travel you do or don't use. If you don't use it all, it's too stiff, even for ditch banging style riding. If not using all of the travel was how an aggressive setup should be, the "upgrade" would just be a huge spring on simple shock.

Had the first ride on the 2020 Gade 850 X tonight, had 4 inches of snow in Green Bay; yahoo.
Anyway, compared to the non X, the rear is set up stiffer even with the torsion blocks on 1. Each turn I could feel the front end leaning and being softer than the rear. Gonna look at the other rear skid settings tomorrow.

Bear

 

[Attak man]

Good stuff guys...hopefully it will help people set up their sled this winter...I agree...doesn't matter what brand, sit in sag is important...and your shocks need to stroke through their travel or you aren't getting the ride you could or should.

 

[dothedoo]

I think just about every new sled I've purchased over the years, has been set up pretty well by the dealer. Sometimes, I've made changes then regretted not writing down where they had it because like a dummy I changed everything at the same time, and couldn't remember where they had it. lol

I will say the air shock on the Enduro is going to make me very lazy and I simply screw around with that on the fly to get the desired result.

 

[old abe]

I know so many people who won't even change their spring settings let alone set proper sag...I rode a friends X package ski-doo, and I thought it rode horrible...we are about the same size, but he always goes super stiff (like sno cross stiff on the shocks)..the thing rides like a brick, and I told him that...he just laughed and said he was a far more aggressive rider than me, and he needed it like that...I'll admit he does ride pretty hard...but there is no give to his suspension, and stutter bumps will kick the snot out of you...I would cringe everytime I rode that sled....if a person didn't know any better, you would assume ALL doos ride like that, and it would leave a real sour taste in your mouth...fortunately, I've ridden doos set up more to my liking (and cats and yamahas), and they ride very nice. I know its personal preference but man did that suck...I know alot of people that pick up their new sleds from the dealer, and never touch them...they just ride them how they got them...smh

I agree! Have witnessed trading sleds due to not knowing, or finding someone who knows how to adjust the skid so as to ride properly. You be surprised how many riders don't even come close to the sweet spot.

 

[whitedust]

I think just about every new sled I've purchased over the years, has been set up pretty well by the dealer. Sometimes, I've made changes then regretted not writing down where they had it because like a dummy I changed everything at the same time, and couldn't remember where they had it. lol

I will say the air shock on the Enduro is going to make me very lazy and I simply screw around with that on the fly to get the desired result.

Yep me to the air shock needs little adjustments but I’ll mess with it a bit this season mainly to see if I can lighten the steering a bit and still get good carbide bite. The rear was good or great depending what setting on the fly and trail conditions. As far as my Yamahas the mono ec was pretty sweet but took a lot to tune in. The Ck 144 was a lumber wagon no matter how much I messed with it. Lol

 

[Attak man]

Yep me to the air shock needs little adjustments but I’ll mess with it a bit this season mainly to see if I can lighten the steering a bit and still get good carbide bite. The rear was good or great depending what setting on the fly and trail conditions. As far as my Yamahas the mono ec was pretty sweet but took a lot to tune in. The Ck 144 was a lumber wagon no matter how much I messed with it. Lol

That Enduro is sweet...the air ride does make it easy. The CK 144 was rough...if u set it soft, it would bottom hard and kick, and if u kept it stiffer, stutter bumps would pound your spine like A JACK HAMMER...I won't miss that this winter..but I still miss the sound of the yami 4 cylinder...it was like no other.

 

[1fujifilm]

Had the first ride on the 2020 Gade 850 X tonight, had 4 inches of snow in Green Bay; yahoo.
Anyway, compared to the non X, the rear is set up stiffer even with the torsion blocks on 1. Each turn I could feel the front end leaning and being softer than the rear. Gonna look at the other rear skid settings tomorrow.

Bear

Looked at the set up of my sled from the Dealer today, they had the rear skid clicker on 15 out of 20, now I know why the front end felt soft.. the rear was not matched close enough to the front.

Bear