Tune for the Moment

No matter how much you garage tune, having the right set-up for every ride is nearly impossible. Changes in temperature, snowpack and trail conditions can all impact how your sled handles and the ride quality you feel. Fortunately, some simple trailhead or on-the-trail tuning along with a well-stocked tool-roll and some tuning know-how can get you several steps closer to the perfect ride in just minutes.

Close Enough Tool for the Job

You may not always have the right tool for the job but having a carefully planned toolkit along on every ride should provide you with enough to get the job done. We’ve built our tool bag over several seasons of riding, and we continue to subtract and add to it as time rolls on and sled technology evolves.

Get the Shift Back

Sure, you could pony up for a clutch kit and start down the rabbit hole of the nearly endless nuances of CVT performance tuning. But before you go down that path, may we suggest a simpler start. Two major components can have a dramatic impact on performance, especially acceleration and top speed. One is making sure your belt is fresh. While there are lots of different types of belt wear and reasons for it, a good rule of thumb is if your belt has over 1,500 miles on it, replace it. Keep the used belt as a spare and start the season fresh. Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, is making sure belt deflection is set accurately. Improper deflection can result in poor acceleration, reduced top speed, and sluggish backshift, not to mention premature belt wear. Check deflection after the belt is at normal operating temp and keep checking it throughout the season.

Push Through the Corners

There can be lots of reasons for the dreaded push in the corners – from snow conditions to worn wear bars, or an improperly tuned suspension. The key for on the trail tuning when you do encounter this negative handling trait is to focus on one component at a time and make small adjustments. When it comes to a slight push in the trails, we like to start by applying a bit more pre-load to the front suspension versus starting at the rear suspension, which can also alter ride quality. Additional front suspension preload will deliver added bite to the front under deceleration, thereby further reducing the pushy feeling.

Goldilocks Ski Pressure

With today’s ridercentric or rider-forward snowmobiles, the job the front arm shock has when it comes to ride and handling has become paramount. To add or subtract front ski-pressure, the oldschool method used to be the limiter strap. However, altering the length of the strap is now frowned upon by most manufacturers unless you want to make extreme alterations to handling. The smarter approach is adjusting the preload of the front arm spring. A softer setting will deliver additional ski-pressure on deceleration, while more pre-load will lighten pressure. As always adjust one component at a time and keep the increments small.

Adjust the Transfer

Most snowmobilers are familiar with adjusting the rear suspension springs on their snowmobile. Increasing or decreasing the pre-load, be it a torsion spring with cams or a coil-over design such as the one found on older Polaris Pro-Ride suspensions, has a direct impact on the ride quality of your sled. However, it’s important to recognize this adjustment also alters the weight transfer characteristics and front ski-pressure accordingly. A softer setting will deliver greater weight transfer and will result in greater “unloading” and “loading” of the skis on acceleration and deceleration accordingly. Greater pre-load will have the reverse effect.

Adjusting the Effort

Changing out the ski-rubber to fresh versions, shaving or manipulating the existing rubber, or shimming the rubber are all tricks you can use to change the “bite” of your ski and wear bar. The idea of “shimming” started in an attempt for some riders to have their carbide wear evenly, however this adjustment also impacts handling. As a rule, the more pressure you apply to the rear of the ski (the wear bar behind the spindle) bite and steering pressure will increase as well.

Fall Highlights

2022 CAN-AM DEFENDER LIMITED can-am.brp.com

The Can-Am Defender family has improved, with new engine options like the HD10, 976cc, V-twin with 82hp, found in the Defender Limited models. Ready for every challenge of the day-to-day and hunting trips, showcasing increased hauling and cargo capacities to endure anything you throw at it. The Defender Limited comes standard with air conditioning. Work and play in complete comfort, and loaded with features like front electric window, flip-up windshield, 4,500-lb winch, 7.6-inch digital display and capability you’d expect from Can-Am’s most refined all-weather workhorse. Let’s not forget a hunter’s favorite color - Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo.

2022 KAWASAKI MULE PRO-FXT EPS kawasaki.com

The MULE PRO-FXT series of UTVs offer six trim variations for 2022 and feature three- to six-passenger Trans Cab system and can easily transform from two rows of seating to a single row for additional cargo storage. MULE PRO-FXT models are powered by an 812cc three-cylinder, fuel injected gasoline engine delivering 48 lb-ft of torque. Power from the engine is passed through a precisely tuned Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with an electronically selectable 2WD/4WD system and dual-mode locking rear differential, enhancing driver control in a variety of conditions. Available in Realtree Xtra Green camo.

2022 POLARIS XP 1000 HUNT EDITION polaris.com

The XP 1000 Hunt Edition is purpose-built for those who live for fall days, the smell of gunpowder and the comradery of the season. Factory equipped premium features enable the ultimate hunting experience including Kolpin stronghold gun scabbard with quick-release, front and rear rack extensions to haul more gear safely with more tie-down points and creature comforts like integrated hand/thumb warmers.

RJ Anderson and Polaris RZR

hoonigan.com

RJ Anderson is the ultimate adrenaline thrill seeker and embodies what RZR Life is all about! Born into racing, and driving UTVs at an early age, set RJ up for unprecedented success in multiple off-road arenas. At the young age of 28, RJ is an acclaimed off-road superstar, barreling through whoops in his Pro 2 or Pro 4 short-course trucks that’ve won him a slew of podium finishes. He’s won everything you could imagine; The Crandon World Championships, two LOORRS Pro Lite championships, a UTV world championship, and his team’s won Lucas Oil Team of the Year the last two years running. He’s one of the brightest stars in the sport, having achieved so much at such a young age, but all that success didn’t come easily. Hard work and hustle led RJ to be atop the podium at some of the biggest and most prestigious UTV races in the world and while RJ is most well known for being a 5-time off-road racing champion, he has also made an impact through his precision performance driving skills showcased through a series of viral videos including the all-new Hoonigansponsored flick Polaris teased out with information about the exciting new RZR family tearing up the streets of Long Beach, California. In the video screen captures included here, this is a glimpse at the new RZR Pro R with all-new 2.0Liter engine! Next issue, we’ll share a deeper look. Until then, check it out at polaris.com.