Question About Old Sled Suspension And Backs. - Snowmobile World : Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Spanky414 · 01-09-2004, 07:50 PM

Hi guys, reading through the tread about a long trip with a group of older sleds alot of people were talking about sore backs.

So my question is would the sore backs be from the older suspension or from the combo of the older suspension and high speed to keep up with the newer machines?

In other words is an older machine/suspesion design ok for long trips as long as you keep the speeds down? Or is it just no good at any speed?

I'm asking cause I'm looking at older machines and would like to go out on full day rides.

MXZOOoom · 01-09-2004, 07:59 PM

Then and now the suspension just don't add up. The rear travel went fom nothing to 12 inches. So no mater what speed ,if there is no travel you are gona feel that bump.

1350CFM · 01-09-2004, 08:04 PM

It's all about INCHES of travel! The older sleds with 4-5" of travel will KILL your back trying to keep pace with newer machines. If your riding groomed smooth trails your OK, But when the going gets rough your in trouble.

Mr-siv · 01-09-2004, 08:05 PM

well depends on your definition of older... mid 90's+ suspention is very good. it is not as developed as the stuff today, but is comprable to the sleds that were being sold new 2 or so years ago. the fcat and the rev kind of raised the bar.

we rode old sleds (late 70's early 80's) sleds for a long time. no way would any of us have been able to keep the pace we do with our "new" sleds now (i use that term loosely, because what we own now is still considered older to many) yes, my parents (i was/still am young) were in pain at the end of the day usualy.

if you get a sled that is newer than 8 or so years old than your back will be fine. if you get a 20 year old sled than i doubt you even will be able to keep up with newer sleds, much less be able to walk at the end of the day.

my sister has a 1996 polaris with an xtra 10 rear skid in it. that is the same suspension, if i am not mistaking, that is still put in some polaris sleds today. just for comparison ;-)

- Jason

Spanky414 · 01-09-2004, 08:12 PM

I'm not talking about keeping up with new sleds though, none of my friends ride so I will be setting my own pace and possibly have my kid in a trailer so I won't be going very fast.

Just an older sled by itself out for a couple hours, how would that be?

What kind of design features should I be looking for in a good suspension? And I'm I worried about the rear or the front or both?

Thanks.

phat_cat800 · 01-09-2004, 08:15 PM

I rode a 91 cougar last season and it did fine on the groomed trails until they got full of moguls or hit some sudden dips. In the moguls basically took it really easier and tried to stay on the side of the trail as much as possible. Its no comparision to the newer sleds.
I would suggest getting an early 90's sled. If your going to be setting your own pace and wont be banging around then they would have good enough suspension.

Spanky414 · 01-09-2004, 08:19 PM

Even a 91? Wa that sucks, I thought the newers systems with sliders instead of bogies would be ok? I guess its more then that, is it just the amount of travel in the new ones that help or is there more too the new ones like dampning and stuff?

phat_cat800 · 01-09-2004, 08:25 PM

The longer travel really helps in the moguls where you can just flog it over them and let the suspension do the work. With my 91 it was ok for the first couple hits then after that it got to rough to handle. The newer sleds also have much better shocks with more adjustments which really helps for getting the best handling and ride.
Had a 93 jag z before and it had pretty good suspension that would suck up some pretty good size bumps.

WKinneIII · 01-10-2004, 01:52 AM

Don't let these guys scare you, if you get a good cushiny seat you will be fine to ride for a few hrs. it is almost kind of nice to ride without a suspension and really feel the trail, favorite thing about our old MF is banging through the woods riding where i wouldn't dare the poo. It is fun ridin the old irons on trips. People have just become too pampered with this new 12 inches of travel B.S. I guarentee that when bogies were the way to be, people complaining about back pains didn't keep the 50+ companies selling sleds. As long as you know the limits of the sled and aren't racing every rev you see you and your sled will be just fine. Remember Edgar Heeten made an awfully long trip well before rear travel was even an idea, and his first words didn't talk of back pain. Go have your fun!!!
Wayne

slimy007 · 01-10-2004, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WKinneIII@Jan 10 2004, 01:52 AM
Don't let these guys scare you, if you get a good cushiny seat you will be fine to ride for a few hrs.* it is almost kind of nice to ride without a suspension and really feel the trail, favorite thing about our old MF is banging through the woods riding where i wouldn't dare the poo.* It is fun ridin the old irons on trips.* People have just become too pampered with this new 12 inches of travel B.S.* I guarentee that when bogies were the way to be, people complaining about back pains didn't keep the 50+ companies selling sleds.* As long as you know the limits of the sled and aren't racing every rev you see you and your sled will be just fine.* Remember Edgar Heeten made an awfully long trip well before rear travel was even an idea, and his first words didn't talk of back pain.* Go have your fun!!!
Wayne

You said it all. I would ride anything be it new or old. It's still fun no matter what you are rideing.