I use to own a 94 xlt sp 580 that was all stock. The sled ran extremly well for what it was! why does a 95 xlt 597 seem so much more like a dog! is it the Xtra 12 suspention or the 38mm carbs or what? i have riddin alot of xlts and the ones with the x12 seem like a bit doggy compared to any other 580 ive riddin

Its the extra 12 suspention.....when the track has more angle more power is lost. but....It is a trail sled. Although my xlt goes 90 and it has alot of power I loose to different 600"s in the long run. raced my friends ac zrt 600, kept up untill 70 then got smoked.....but these sleds only have 90 hp. Due some clutching and it will really improve...I'm looking into that now, for mine

Thats pretty good considering the horsepower differance. have you ever thought about switching to a Xtra 10?

well If I want to go really fast really quick I'll get a 01 yamaha srx 700. But I must say I do like the suspention in my xlt... I smoke alot of sleds on bumpy trails where you can only go 50 or so. I've never rode an extra 10 but I hear they are preaty nice with speed and suspention. next year If I can find a 98xc 700 with low miles I'll get that. I think that has th extra 10 in it.

The xtra-12 scrubs a lot of top end speed. I haven't noticed the low to mid-range perfromance to be any different then any other xlt.