Late last season I bought a new Polaris XC 800. Coming out of a ZR 800 EFI, I was very disappointed with how it handled. It feels very tippy in the corners (lots of inside ski lift) and does not handle the bumps well at all. It bounces all over the place. I have not touched the set-up since new. What changes can I make to get this sled to corner better? Do I need to adjust the limiter strap? Does the sled need to be lowered? I weigh 155 pounds. :banghead: :help:

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

My 02 don't like too much preload on the ski springs - it then behaves somewhat like you describes.
Also I guess the rear suspension is setup way too stiff for your weight.
Which shock do you have in the rear , PS5 clicker?

Did you get the owners manual with the sled? If not, I think you can download one from www.polarisindustries.com
There is also a suspension tuning video available from polaris. Check with your dealer.

BTW, how many miles on the sled? The suspension will loosen up some when broken in.

The rear shock is a PS3. Do I need to get softer rear springs?

I'll need to look into that suspension tuning video.

First of all the shocks and suspension take about 500 miles to "break in". They are a little stiff until then. For your weight, you may need to go to the lighter rear springs, you need to check the sag or ride height dimension in the owners manual. You can also lower the front and rear scissor stops (on edge rear suspension, not M-10) on the rear suspension arm, due to your weight they may be making the ride "harsher"
On the front springs, lift the front by the bumper to get the skis of the ground, and set the front spring pre-load as light as possible, so the top washer is just touching the spring. Recheck it later as the springs may shorten up some after they get some miles on. Too little tension will allow it to come apart on bump when the shock extends.
Don't worry, that suspension will out do the ZR when you learn how to set it. You can keep the skis planted while on the throttle once you figure out what rear scissor stops position to use, after you get the ride height set.

There's a ton of stuff that can be done. I can't agree more about the cure for inside ski lift. Those springs have to be soft enough for the sway bar to work. Springs should not be used to control ride height if you want it to rail.

Sag dimension also very important. Sounds like you don't have enough? If you are unable to get into proper range with the directions holler. There are still a couple of things that can still be done without replacing any parts.

Hello ZRPilot.
The best mod I made to my XC for handling and inside ski lift was to install a AD Boivin ETS kit. The most important part of the kit is the set of brackets that relocate the lower radius rods. The sled will corner flatter and the ski tracking will be more positive. Makes a huge difference. Their PH. # was 418-838-3783. Good Luck.
Bull

Change to the 5/8" sway bar.

I put the 5/8" bar in mine and the AD Boivin kit in it. Have a extra boivin kit to sell if your interested.
ckck4@mwci.net

On my 03 700 I had to set the rear springs at the lightest setting to get in spec (listed in owners manual). I am using the 7 (?) position block. I had bad ski lift in the corners. I ended up tightening the strap as a last resort. That took me from about 12 inch lift to maybe 6. I'm still not happy. I'm using 8 inch carbides this year instead of 6. Should be interesting. Do alot of river and lake running. Probably get it figured out this year in time to get rid of it for a different sled.

Tiresmokin, that suspension should handle nearly as well or better than anything out there. If you aren't happy with it, there are several of us that have been there/done that with that suspension. If you'd give an idea of your weight, where your settings are now (spring preloads, sag, shock type, RRSS/FRSS, etc), and what your issue(s) are, somebody may be able to give you a hand.

Not trying to hijack a post but ZRPilot may benefit too.
I am 170 lbs. Have about 3.5 inches of rear sag. In slot "1" of my 7 position block. Rear shock is PS3. FRSS stop is in the front hole with the knob pointed to the arm. The RRSS is in the middle hole with the knob pointed to the arm. The front strap is in the middle of the range. This is the best set up so far for trail. I turn the rear block when on the lake for more transfer. I have been up and down with the front springs with no real difference. I do notice one spring loosens up on its own. I have some fast rider friends on REVs who go thru the twistys sitting still. I tryo to keep up and I'm sliding all over my seat and hanging a ski thru the turn.
Help....... :frech32:

<<<Not trying to hijack a post but ZRPilot may benefit too.>>>


That's what I was thinking too...


Not sure of your 7 position block. This is the torsion spring adjuster? #1 is the
most or least tension? Whatever, if that's as light as you can get it, you might want to consider moving the torsion spring rollers to the front hole (check it out!). That should let you get a little more sag and a better ride if you are looking to go that way. Sag you have is good for a fairly firm ride with your weight.

I would use the back hole/low for the FRSS to get a little better forward coupling in the chop.

RRSS should be good the way you are using it. You may want to move it to the front if you can't keep the front end down - or use your strap at the expense of suspension travel.

That brings us to the steering. Try this if you haven't already. It's a good reference point I use when I get lost in what I'm doing with my adjustments here. Back the front skid spring off until it will rattle, then tighten just enough to take the rattle out. This adjustment is the primary one for ski pressure, and with no preload/tension will give you the most ski pressure. Start with too much, it might be a little darty, but awesome in the twisties. Go from there if it's too much for your preference. I'd let the strap out all the way unless you can't get enough ski pressure.

Good place to start with the ski springs is something like an inch of preload.

If that doesn't get the front end under control, I'd be wondering about your studding. Too many and it will act top heavy, want to high side. Too little and the back want's to come around. Good luck

I'll give your idea a shot. I failed to mentioned that I did back off the front track spring all the way. I ended up tightening the strap too. I've only got 144 studs. I'll use your ideas and adjust from there. Will be awhile, we have no snow.
Thanks for the help! :beerchug:

where can i get a 5/8'' sway bar ? does anyone have a part # ?

The 5/8" sway bar comes as a kit required to install the bar. Your Polaris dealer can order. Maybe someone on here might have a used set-up, but likely have to be a person that's getting out of a sled. Anyone I've talked with including myself wouldn't give one up if they still have a machine it will work on. Mine went from my '01 to my '05.

jim-- i called my dealer and he was no help... i figured it would be a kit as i will need the larger plastic parts that it rides in too. hopefully someone can help with a part # or knowswhere i can get it! thanx, kurt

Kurt,

You might try my previous dealer before we moved. Myers Polaris 888-282-9992. Randy or Roger should be able to provide you with a part number. That's where I got mine for the LE800, now on the 50th 600.

Michachicks is correct about the front track spring. That will contribute to inside ski lift big time. You should do what he says and if that does not help, tighten up the front limiter strap.

I haven't played with one of the 5/8" bars yet, but have heard enough about it to jot the number down the last time I saw it -

Heavy duty swaybar for Edge - pn#2900069

I've never ordered one. Have your dealer check it out, verify number to see if it's what you are after.

michahicks-- i checked the part # and it is the 5/8'' bar but it does not appear to be a kit. i'll need the plastic parts for the bulkhead and the trailing arms or do i just drill them out from 1/2'' to 5/8'' ????? thanx, kurt

OK-- WITH THE HELP OF MICHAHICKS AND NELSONS SPEED SHOP WE FOUND THAT PART# 2900069 is the HEAVY DUTY 5/8'' SWAY BAR KIT FOR THE EDGE CHASSIS. IT COMES WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED INCLUDING THE PLASTIC PARTS AND THE RIVETS TO INSTALL THEM. FYI - ALSO FOUND THAT THE 5/8 BAR COMES STOCK ON THE EDGE CLASSIC TOURING SLEDS. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP. KURT