Sidewinder 174 build and season ride report

[Turblue]

Awesome thanks for the info...I’ve pulled mine off before to see if it was sticking....haven’t noticed anything.

 

[Turblue]

***update on oil in air filter*** last 2 rides haven’t had any oil in the air filter ...probably rolled it over 3-4 times getting unstuck...

 

[Turblue]

I got the fox float QS3 and going to give it a try.(thx Kibbels) Right away noticed it’s longer by almost an inch. Compared the rear suspension part numbers from 17-18 and only number I can see different is the control rod. Must be a tad different . (Thx Climbmax for confirmation).

 

[Lund]

Looking into possibly changing mine out, did you have to change the control rod to compensate for the length difference?

 

[Turblue]

Yes I believe the control rod will be different ...I don’t have it yet to confirm that.

 

[Turblue]

I initial thought must be longer rod, but guessing shorter to compensate for the added shock length.

 

[iceback]

Longer rod , did the the QS all the way around , love it.

 

[Turblue]

Longer rod , did the the QS all the way around , love it.

Thanks man

 

[Turblue]

I want to get a set of qs3 front shocks and compare to the Elkas I have. Probably do that this summer ..

 

[Tuesday]

Interested to see how the qs3 works out for you. I am running a coupler for now but think the qs3 would be the ticket. Just the ability to run higher pressures would be nice. With fuel on the tunnel doesnt take much in the whoops to bottom out. I find when climbing steeper pulls esp with deep snow the coupler definitely helps. But as soon as I am not climbing I dont enjoy the extra ski pressure. I love the easy feel when in the stock configuration when just messing around in basic terrain. After 12000km on my nytro with a skid I am not missing heavy ski pressure. Skid was great for climbing but the rest of the time just made you work against the weight of the sled. I did put on a CAI and evo flash. Only gives a couple more lbs of boost up top but does help to get back up on plain in the deep days. CAI I feel to also gives a bit more hp/throttle response. Only time it would ever struggle for air is on a tight powder turn left at max throttle but the snow was crazy deep that day.It didnt stumble or bog you could just feel it was getting less air in that situation. So far it has been the most fun sled I have owned. Very responsive, good handling, decent power.

Following this thread, good write up TB.

 

[Turblue]

Yeah I’m trying to capture everything...even the small details. I like the posts that give you all the info not partial and have to search for the rest.

 

[Turblue]

Confirmed that the rod length is 16.750 on the 18 and 14.250 on the 17. So the added length rotates the lower mount further away for the added shock length.

 

[Lund]

Confirmed that the rod length is 16.750 on the 18 and 14.250 on the 17. So the added length rotates the lower mount further away for the added shock length.

I figured so, i looked at it last night and it only made sense that the only way was to have a longer control rod to rotate the lower mount.
I'm installing a heavier center spring in mine to help ease marginal snow handling. I suspect doing so will increase wheelie's so after testing this i will probably have to install the 18 QS3 shock or a lock out at the scissor.

 

[Turblue]

Yes I have my front rear skid shock spring cranked almost 2/3 of the way ...so I assume you have the same shock?

 

[Lund]

Yes I have my front rear skid shock spring cranked almost 2/3 of the way ...so I assume you have the same shock?

Mine is maxed out, no more adjustment. Yes the same, the suspension is generic and generally the oem will use the average rider weight of 175-180lbs. So most sleds are sprung to light for a 200lb+ rider.

 

[Turblue]

Does Yamaha have a heavier spring?

 

[06yamahaapex]

Does Yamaha have a heavier spring?

I put a 180lb cat spring in my viper. Cat had a chart at the time it was easy to pick a spring.

 

[Lund]

Does Yamaha have a heavier spring?

I put a 180lb cat spring in my viper. Cat had a chart at the time it was easy to pick a spring.

I got the spring from Zbroz. 240+lbs. Yamaha has nothing other then what ever selected model sleds they offer to pick from.
Zbroz on their web site will ask for rider weight and anything you carry on the sled. This way you get the appropriate spring for you.
I put 300lbs and they said the 240+ is the spring required.

 

[Catman10]

Sometime, somehow we need to get together and do some sled swapping to see how these different setups handle. I think the qsl shock may be the ticket to give most all around riding with the flip of a dial but it would be interesting to see if it absorbs the whoops like my baker skid, so far nothing I have done to my rear skids works as well as this and it is pretty playful but maybe not as good as the qsl can be on the lowest setting. I am not married to my skid if I can find something better I would be happy to change it but as it is setup I would give it a 8.5 outta 10. We should have a winder ride sometime this year, what do you guys think?

 

[Lund]

Sometime, somehow we need to get together and do some sled swapping to see how these different setups handle. I think the qsl shock may be the ticket to give most all around riding with the flip of a dial but it would be interesting to see if it absorbs the whoops like my baker skid, so far nothing I have done to my rear skids works as well as this and it is pretty playful but maybe not as good as the qsl can be on the lowest setting. I am not married to my skid if I can find something better I would be happy to change it but as it is setup I would give it a 8.5 outta 10. We should have a winder ride sometime this year, what do you guys think?

I'm good for that. It depends when and i need to get the suspension dialed in first. Will be swapping the center spring then test riding next week hopefully. Then i'm almost 100% that it will wheelie stupid so i'm going to have to resolve that. The Qs3 might be the ticket. I won't change it till i test first.