Hi All,

Well, here's the first topic in the trail/touring category.

Last season, I had my first accident. I purchased by first brandy new snowmobile, ever, as part of the Snow Check program. When I finally got it on the snow, I noticed that the steering was very sluggish. I'd turn the skis and it would take a quite a bit of time before the snowmobile actually started to turn. The accident occurred when I was not paying great attention to where I was going, I wasn't going more than 15 or 20 mph at the time, when the left ski got just off trail, heading toward an exposed rock. I turned the skis to the right and nothing happened. I ended up hitting the ski purpendicular to the rock right at the ski saddle. This pushed the suspension back about a foot, bending the trailing arm quite a bit and tearing it out of it attachment point and destryong the bushing. It cost me $700 to get fixed.

Compared to be previous sled, which was a 1995 Indy Trail Deluxe, this new sled, a 2005 Trail Touring Deluxe, the new sled turns like a dump truck on ice (without chains). I looked at the front spings and noticed that the pre-load has almost nothing on it. I tightened it about one inch, but was unable to test the changes out. I still have about another inch of adjustment available. I'm hoping that this will make things better. I was hoping others here would have some more insight. What other options do I have to improve the steering. What other adjustments that can help are there? Should I look at dual runner carbides or some other option. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

FWIW: I'll be putting the snowmobile on the trailer and getting it ready for the season this weekend. We've already had out first snowfall here in Massachusetts (7 inches in a few places), but it was 70 degress the next day. I can't wait to get some riding in. I've yet been able to do it before January, even though I tak between Christmas and New Years off in the hopes that I can get some riding in.

Take it easy.

Jon.

Adjusting your srpings on the front should help out.If you find you still don't have enough ski pressure you may want to adjust the front shock under your sled.It's the front shock under the track and all you need to do is turn the spring counter clockwise if I remember correctly.Try it and see what happens.

I would just tighten up the front limiter strap on the rear suspension. That should give you some more ski pressure.

Both putting more preload on the track spring and tightening the limiter strap will put more pressure on the skis. But tightening the limiter strap will stiffen the suspension more than putting more preload on the spring. So I'd suggest trying the spring first. Ony make small changes at a time so you can see what the effect is on the handling. If you go for it all at once you won't know what worked, or not.

all of the above suggestions are correct, however if you really want that front end to bite I would highly suggest new skis and/or longer carbides, especially if you are riding the sled as a two-up.

Check your carbides, make sure they are long enough for your conditions/riding style, and also look into new skis if the suspension adjustments dont work.

With my skis (C&A pro) there is NO pushing with just a 4" carbide.

I would just look at my Limiter strap. In your manual it should say how to adjust your front spring also..But if your drivng two up alot you may need longer carbides...Or maybe you got a bad pair? or not the right ones put on or something.

hi, i'm not really an expert when it comes to suspension setups, but the advice from other members seems worthwhile. i have the '06 edge touring dlx, had it about 3 weeks now & i live on mackinac island. the day i brought it across to the island there wasnt really much snow or ice to ride on, but i must admit that my sled ,which i'm assuming is the same as yours apart from colour, turned on a dime on bare asphalt & then ice. i have made no adjustments of any kind & two of my friends who have ridden it tell me it turns & handles great, solo & two up. today i drove downtown on nothing but an inch of slush & where others are bouncing off the curbs to make the corners it took very little input from me to turn on a dime.
hope you can sort it out, i think they are great sleds. perhaps mine was setup differently by my dealer than yours was. be interested to know how it works out for you.
cheers