Driving on road advice? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

robr · 02-18-2006, 04:41 PM

I have to ride down the street about 200 yards before I get onto the trails here. My sled (98 yamaha VMAX 600 XTC with studs - not sure how many - and year or two old carbides up front) doesn't even try to turn on the pavement. I had the thing in full lock with my weight centered, full forward, full backward, etc, going as slow as the sled could possibly go. It didn't matter, it just kept going straight. I haven't tried it with the polaris yet (93 indy 440 sport with brand new - never riden on yet - carbide and plastic ski cover things up front) since I just got it up and running. I would think it'd be the same thing though.

Towards the middle of this on-road adventure, I was able to put the right ski up against the tiny bit of snow/mud on the side of the road and that seemed to work beautifully. I could get good speed and control it doing that. But as soon as I needed to cross the road to get back into my driveway, I had to get off and pick the front up to angle it straight across (a few inches off the road is a ditch).

But, is there any special technique if there is no snow at all on the side? There has to be an easier way. Help!! Thanks

Formula_Canuk · 02-18-2006, 05:07 PM

Nope it plain sucks either way you put it. Best chances are to use the gas, and not turn full the way you wanna go. I always ride the snow banks.

AvroAero · 02-18-2006, 05:21 PM

I get off on the outside side of the sled, regarding the turn. And push the sled in the direction I want while giving it a bit of gas.

robr · 02-18-2006, 05:31 PM

That would make sense to me, but seeing that the ditch is right there (unless I'd be in the middle of the road), my eyes would be perfectly level with the handlebars.

I feel better knowing that it just sucks! Atleast I won't feel like such an ass if I know everyone else suffers just as much. Thanks again guys

rgoers · 02-19-2006, 01:07 PM

Sleds don't turn on pavement. Do what you are doing... grab some of the edge with a ski. Even a couple inches onto the edge will do - that's enough to get you to turn. Gas helps some, but with studs, you risk bending/ruining them.

BRPforlife · 02-19-2006, 01:14 PM

You can always jump off the sled in the middle of the road and give the arse a good swing over!

Just make sure no cars are coming!

illwerral · 02-19-2006, 09:23 PM

You can also buy little sets of wheels that you can get on the skis for those pavement excursions. I don't have a link, but I've seen them before and some people think they're decent investments. Others hate the things.

ppolaris98rmk · 02-19-2006, 09:26 PM

lean hard forward and try duel carbides they work well.

ITriumph · 02-19-2006, 09:34 PM

With fresh carbides, I have no problem turning on pavement. It's not the best, but it turns. If I have to take a sharp turn then I'll jump off, and swing the backend around just to save the carbide.

**RJ Gleason** · 02-20-2006, 08:20 AM

Have you tried leaning hard into the direction that you want to turn? It works for me, but it does take a lot of distance to make the arc.

camarors8992 · 02-20-2006, 04:19 PM

I can control my sled nicely on pavement. I can't turn sharply but i can throw it around enough to ride right down the center of the road if i wish.

robr · 02-20-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RJ Gleason
Have you tried leaning hard into the direction that you want to turn?

Yes, of course. Just forgot to mention that (figured it was obvious).

camarors - if I'm in the middle of the road, I can go perfectly straight too! That's the problem. lol

Thanks again guys

camarors8992 · 02-20-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by robr
Yes, of course. Just forgot to mention that (figured it was obvious).

camarors - if I'm in the middle of the road, I can go perfectly straight too! That's the problem. lol

Thanks again guys

I can run right down the road and control which side of the road i want to get on, it takes some time and leaning but i can throw this sled where i want it.

||AlpineStars|| · 02-22-2006, 09:53 AM

Turning is easy... Just lean over the sled with all your wight so the sled also leans... or the u just use gas and brakes

needs some training

||AlpineStars|| · 02-22-2006, 09:55 AM

this is doesn't belongs to the thread but!!! xD i was with my firend on the ice and drove. .we was both on my sled.. it was heavy fog! suddenly i saw land in front of me and hit the brake and turned and we both fell off xD and then i saw that a few meter from where the sled has stopped there was water xD