1000 km ride report

[dabensmiller]

First off i will let you know exactly what im working with.
2016 Axys SKS, 155x2.6, Mid rise bars, Sly Dog ski's, sway bar removed, walker evans piggy back shocks.

At first i was not a fan of the sled after 3 years on XM chassis' But after a few rides i started to get a good feel for the sled. I am going to make a list of the likes and dislikes in point form.

Likes;
Power is solid throughout.
Clutching works well.
Narrow body allows for much steeper sidehills than the XM allowed.
Trail mannners are just ok but i assume the sway bar removal has something to do with that.
Deep deep pow performance is almost perfect, had a few hiccups here and there.
Fuel economy is good, 70 miles and no need to touch spare fuel.
Headlights are nice and bright.

Dislikes;
Sucks oil back worse than my '11 Cat (4 riding days per jug)
Suspension is crap, rebounds way too fast and feels like i am riding a pogo stick.
Hand warmer settings are too limited for some days.
Ice builds up behind throttle causing high idle on deep days.
Grips hold ice easily.
'Goggle warmer' compartment has a crap latch and doesn't seal well.

I have heard and read lots about the A arms being weak, i have hit two stumps hard enough to blow me over the bars and they are still looking great. Hoping it keeps ticking along for me how it has been. I am going to get the suspension revalved most likely. I was spoiled after riding Exit shocks for a few seasons. Also i am going to get some frog skinz to cover the larger holes once they release their product for the axys. I think i have most things covered, i will add them as they come up.

 

[bjd68]

Gotta ask what made u make the switch from a xm to a axys? Just curious I'm thinking of switching from the xm to something else

 

[davelaw1982]

I made the seitch this year too, old because, I tried a buddies pro for half a day. Got back on the doo, and it felt funny weird, even after riding the same sled for 3 years. So i thought maybe the poo was just a natural fit. So far so good, really starting to like mine.

 

[davelaw1982]

First off i will let you know exactly what im working with.
2016 Axys SKS, 155x2.6, Mid rise bars, Sly Dog ski's, sway bar removed, walker evans piggy back shocks.

At first i was not a fan of the sled after 3 years on XM chassis' But after a few rides i started to get a good feel for the sled. I am going to make a list of the likes and dislikes in point form.

Likes;
Power is solid throughout.
Clutching works well.
Narrow body allows for much steeper sidehills than the XM allowed.
Trail mannners are just ok but i assume the sway bar removal has something to do with that.
Deep deep pow performance is almost perfect, had a few hiccups here and there.
Fuel economy is good, 70 miles and no need to touch spare fuel.
Headlights are nice and bright.

Dislikes;
Sucks oil back worse than my '11 Cat (4 riding days per jug)
Suspension is crap, rebounds way too fast and feels like i am riding a pogo stick.
Hand warmer settings are too limited for some days.
Ice builds up behind throttle causing high idle on deep days.
Grips hold ice easily.
'Goggle warmer' compartment has a crap latch and doesn't seal well.

I have heard and read lots about the A arms being weak, i have hit two stumps hard enough to blow me over the bars and they are still looking great. Hoping it keeps ticking along for me how it has been. I am going to get the suspension revalved most likely. I was spoiled after riding Exit shocks for a few seasons. Also i am going to get some frog skinz to cover the larger holes once they release their product for the axys. I think i have most things covered, i will add them as they come up.

IAgree with you on the suspension. I had enzo on my doo, this stock setup does not work for my fat azz!

 

[dabensmiller]

Gotta ask what made u make the switch from a xm to a axys? Just curious I'm thinking of switching from the xm to something else

I get a new machine every year and after have a 13, 14 and 15 XM i was looking for a bit of a breath of fresh air so to speak. I am not brand loyal at all, my fav sled is the one that gets me up and down the mountain with no issues. Will i buy another Poo next year?? Well, the jury is still out on that. haha

 

[jeremy]

I usually get a new one every year as well and, two years ago was a pro rmk 162 and last year's was a hcr. Went to my local dealer 3 times to buy a doo in the fall and left my card and no one called or emailed or nothing. Bought a 16 m8000 limited from the guys at Northgate. Those guys went above and beyond to get me what I wanted since I didn't snow check and always take care of me. Big fan of that new 16 suspension. Don't like the over fueling at startup but really like the sled and the dealer I bought it from

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[mountainsledmania]

I get a new machine every year and after have a 13, 14 and 15 XM i was looking for a bit of a breath of fresh air so to speak. I am not brand loyal at all, my fav sled is the one that gets me up and down the mountain with no issues. Will i buy another Poo next year?? Well, the jury is still out on that. haha

So are u unsure if you like it enough to keep on that chasis or are u considering going back to the doo

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[dabensmiller]

So are u unsure if you like it enough to keep on that chasis or are u considering going back to the doo

Basically my plan is to see what is offered next year, if Doo is close to the same then most likely another Axys, maybe a Cat tho too. If Doo does what i expect and come out with something different then ill give that sled a try.

 

[dabensmiller]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvfmyeupi3I

Here's a little action clip.

 

[mountainsledmania]

Looks rad dude. I'm curious to try one out but I'm just not sure if I got it in me to switch from my xms

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[FranktheTank]

I rode one for a short time. Wasent impressed on how they got on top of the snow compared to my XM. The axxys just chainsawed through the snow where I know my XM would of gotten on top. Probably due to the 16"track. Power and clutching was good on it. Steering felt off but I am sure I would get used to the flat steering. Just not sure I want to spend 15k on a sled I have to get used to or keep riding Doo that feels natural to me.


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[LennyR]

I rode one for a short time. Wasent impressed on how they got on top of the snow compared to my XM. The axxys just chainsawed through the snow where I know my XM would of gotten on top. Probably due to the 16"track. Power and clutching was good on it. Steering felt off but I am sure I would get used to the flat steering. Just not sure I want to spend 15k on a sled I have to get used to or keep riding Doo that feels natural to me.


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Wow, if your XM gets on top quicker , you must have been on a very poorly set up Axys, cause i don't believe thats the norm.

 

[Bnorth]

Wow, if your XM gets on top quicker , you must have been on a very poorly set up Axys, cause i don't believe thats the norm.

Lots of guys are saying the skid needs a bit of setup or they perform as he described. It was probably showroom setup and needed some love.

 

[rightsideup]

Lots of guys are saying the skid needs a bit of setup or they perform as he described. It was probably showroom setup and needed some love.

both are great sleds

 

[jeremy]

I think all the big 3 make a good sled. Even those Yamahas with a turbo go good

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[neilsleder]

I think all the big 3 make a good sled. Even those Yamahas with a turbo go good

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They go good but I think a bigger rider is more suited for them. I tried a few Yamaha and 1100 cat turbos and I can't make them do nothing other then go strait. But I only weigh 170ish.


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[jeremy]

I'm 6 4'' and depending on rum and pizza intake around 230 and I was impressed with the 153 I took for a rip last year. Don't know if I could adjust to a 4s.i love the smell of 2s and the way they rip

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[rcbc]

I've got around 800 kms right now on a unit with a 163" X 2.6". The front end has survived a few good blows. The belt isn't wearing any worse than the ones for my 2012 pro. The rear skid could use some adjustment for weight transfer.

 

[dabensmiller]

I've got around 800 kms right now on a unit with a 163" X 2.6". The front end has survived a few good blows. The belt isn't wearing any worse than the ones for my 2012 pro. The rear skid could use some adjustment for weight transfer.

I have heard a lot of people say the weight transfer isn't satisfactory on the Axys. I have to seriously pull on the bars to make it wheelie, i think its great!! Keeps the track in the snow and the sled chugging forwards.

 

[dabensmiller]

I ordered some 8" ODI grips, they have some more texture to them so i'm hoping they don't ice up as bad. Also since they are a bit longer it will cover the bare bar that is exposed. I moved my brake in probably 1.5" to gain optimal leverage on the lever and i like a narrower grip. The throttle is also moved in, the hand warmer wire always accumulates a chunk of ice. Have a tether coming as well for the WCHA races this spring.