Thumper1
New member
just got back from the UP. put on over 500 miles. some of the trails were good, some were not so good. all the corners were icy.
'04 Viper S, Simmons skis with 6" carbides and boss flattop seat.
found out with the airwave and the boss flattop that it is ALOT more tippy in the corners even with a 48" ski stance (with the simmons skis). gonna have to go with a 44" wide kit to get the ski stance out to 50". also going to put some hooks on as well. hopefully, it will help some in the corners.
it was nice have the air compressor adjustment to let some air out on smooth trails. 60 lbs seemed about right as i go 250 lbs myself. this helped get the ride height down some and was able to corner better. ran into a rough trail between Rockland and Ewen that hadn't been groomed in a couple weeks. went up in 5 lbs increments and settled on 75 lbs running 60 mph through that rough stuff without bottoming. definitely handled the bumps and it got quite a work out.
the first thing you notice is the amount of travel that you are using. it is like they say, riding on air. it is very cushy!!. buddy had a 136" M-10 ohlins and the airwave definitely rode better and used more of its travel. the airwave also set up higher than the m-10 and as a result it was tippier in the corners. the biggest difference is the amount of usable travel the airwave has over the m-10.
hifax wear was extremely good even in crappy snow conditions and i think a lot of that had to do with the cooling fins on the simmons skis. wasn't able to find any good place to top end it so don't know how much top end suffered. will determine that next trip to WI, if i can find good enough conditions. last year, i saw 127 mph on th dream meter in ideal road conditions, so i will be hunting for that again to compare how much top end i lost but i really don't care, just curious.
didn't have any problems with the air line on the running board and didn't seem to ever get in the way. only real concern would be a catastrophic air line failure as the suspension would completely collapse and would be unrideable. so i am hoping that doesnt' happen any time soon. also the middle rear wheel is not offset in the drive knobs but sits right in the middle. didn't have any problem with the track derailing but going to put on another wheel kit to help anyway.
buddie's 136 m-10 has more ski pressure than he wants and it is set on the lightest setting possible. the airwave could use a little more ski pressure for the way i ride. will be calling FAST and having them send me a strap to help with that problem.
overall, the ride quality was excellent and exceeded my expectations. i was definitely glad to get the compressor as it makes life so much easier in changing trail conditions. just need to do a few little tweaks before the next trip to help in the turns. will be putting on the marginal snow wheel kit as the bolts that came with it were too short. don't think i really need them but they can't hurt.
'04 Viper S, Simmons skis with 6" carbides and boss flattop seat.
found out with the airwave and the boss flattop that it is ALOT more tippy in the corners even with a 48" ski stance (with the simmons skis). gonna have to go with a 44" wide kit to get the ski stance out to 50". also going to put some hooks on as well. hopefully, it will help some in the corners.
it was nice have the air compressor adjustment to let some air out on smooth trails. 60 lbs seemed about right as i go 250 lbs myself. this helped get the ride height down some and was able to corner better. ran into a rough trail between Rockland and Ewen that hadn't been groomed in a couple weeks. went up in 5 lbs increments and settled on 75 lbs running 60 mph through that rough stuff without bottoming. definitely handled the bumps and it got quite a work out.
the first thing you notice is the amount of travel that you are using. it is like they say, riding on air. it is very cushy!!. buddy had a 136" M-10 ohlins and the airwave definitely rode better and used more of its travel. the airwave also set up higher than the m-10 and as a result it was tippier in the corners. the biggest difference is the amount of usable travel the airwave has over the m-10.
hifax wear was extremely good even in crappy snow conditions and i think a lot of that had to do with the cooling fins on the simmons skis. wasn't able to find any good place to top end it so don't know how much top end suffered. will determine that next trip to WI, if i can find good enough conditions. last year, i saw 127 mph on th dream meter in ideal road conditions, so i will be hunting for that again to compare how much top end i lost but i really don't care, just curious.
didn't have any problems with the air line on the running board and didn't seem to ever get in the way. only real concern would be a catastrophic air line failure as the suspension would completely collapse and would be unrideable. so i am hoping that doesnt' happen any time soon. also the middle rear wheel is not offset in the drive knobs but sits right in the middle. didn't have any problem with the track derailing but going to put on another wheel kit to help anyway.
buddie's 136 m-10 has more ski pressure than he wants and it is set on the lightest setting possible. the airwave could use a little more ski pressure for the way i ride. will be calling FAST and having them send me a strap to help with that problem.
overall, the ride quality was excellent and exceeded my expectations. i was definitely glad to get the compressor as it makes life so much easier in changing trail conditions. just need to do a few little tweaks before the next trip to help in the turns. will be putting on the marginal snow wheel kit as the bolts that came with it were too short. don't think i really need them but they can't hurt.
xsivhp
Active member
sounds like a sweet S - could you post some sled pics - oh and some ride pics too?
give some thought to a stiffer sway bar kit over widening the front out. CB Perf sells one and it really makes a difference. I have the medium on mine with the rear all jacked up, and it feels stock. I'd guess they could tell you which you would need. Maxdlx ps where at i n th up
two things i noticed, one, you said your sled was tippy. tippy sleds are caused by four things, soft sway bar, soft front springs, loose skid, or too much front track shock preasure. since you didnt change anything up front and the suspension is new, you have front track shock preasure too high. to check this, if you set on the sled and the front end lifts any at all this preasure is too high. if the front track spring is too stiff this will throw off all your other adjustments in the way of making the sled too high.
as for sway bars, if you want stiffer, install a venture sway bar. might be a bit stiff with the ohlins straight rate springs but will make it corner better.
m10s are not tippy when they are adjusted correctly. the air wave is just an m10 with a different spring. it will get better. just sounds like it needs to be lower with less front spring preload.
let us know what you find.
as for sway bars, if you want stiffer, install a venture sway bar. might be a bit stiff with the ohlins straight rate springs but will make it corner better.
m10s are not tippy when they are adjusted correctly. the air wave is just an m10 with a different spring. it will get better. just sounds like it needs to be lower with less front spring preload.
let us know what you find.
Thumper1
New member
maxdlx - we stayed at Gogebic Lodge.
BTV - the instructions from FAST sells to tighten the front shock preload to raise the front of your sled 2". i am going to tighten them a little as they are still stock preload and get back to you.
the center spring is just right as i was able to bottom it a few times, so i don't really want to go any softer there. i like the idea of a stiffer sway bar. definitely might try that.
i think the main problem is that i weight 250 and to keep it from bottoming i have to really jack up the pressure which raises my ride height a lot. the m-10 sits a lot lower without bottoming because of the overload spring in it.
i will tighten the preload on the front shocks and see how that does. going riding today as we got 3-5" here of real snow.
when you say the venture sway bar might be too stiff couldn't i just decrease the preload on the front shocks?
BTV - the instructions from FAST sells to tighten the front shock preload to raise the front of your sled 2". i am going to tighten them a little as they are still stock preload and get back to you.
the center spring is just right as i was able to bottom it a few times, so i don't really want to go any softer there. i like the idea of a stiffer sway bar. definitely might try that.
i think the main problem is that i weight 250 and to keep it from bottoming i have to really jack up the pressure which raises my ride height a lot. the m-10 sits a lot lower without bottoming because of the overload spring in it.
i will tighten the preload on the front shocks and see how that does. going riding today as we got 3-5" here of real snow.
when you say the venture sway bar might be too stiff couldn't i just decrease the preload on the front shocks?
Thumper1
New member
just sat on the sled and the front end does not move at all. tighten the front shock preload 1/4 inch and that stiffened up the front considerably. will give it a try tonight. got a feeling i might have to go stiffer on the front springs as i was stiff able to turn them by hand when i was increasing the preload.
this is all new to me so just trial and error....
this is all new to me so just trial and error....
Thumper1
New member
never messed with a sway bar before. do you just unbolt and pull it out? if that is the case seems pretty simple for $85.
Thumper1
New member
Thumper1 said:
meaning the bolt on the each connected to the drag link?
Millinocket Rocket
New member
undo the bolts at the links- then drill out the rivets where it goes thru the bulkhead. sway bar slides right out. you'll need to re-rivet the new one in. i switched to a venture sway bar on my viper, and it is a tad siffer, but much less body roll in the corners. also nowheres near as much inside ski lift-- more of a slot car feel for sure-- thanks to BTV! 
wisviper
New member
Airwave
Regretfully, I will be selling my new Airwave Diamond package. ( Fast's top
of the line set up with adjust-on-the-fly system).
I have some major back surgery that will put an end to my snowmobiling for
awhile.
Was hoping to get more riding in before my operation but the lack of snow
changed that plan.
The 40ish miles I put on this suspension is everything they claimed...small
stutter type bumps to whoops were pretty much gone! I could stay seated and
be in total comfort.
The adjust on the fly airshock with the onboard compressor is simply
awesome. I placed the air switch behind the high beam switch...so you can
adjust without removing your hands from the grips!
This unit has the mount kit for a Ski Doo, if mounting in another brand you
will need to obtain that from Fast. All extras I have purchased to make this
setup look factory will be included. From the air line protector to the
custom gauge mount. I will also include the optional gauge mount and limiter
strap that is available from Fast (both brand new and never used).
I was told there will only be 200 of these made this year.
This setup is the 136" version and costs over 2,000.
I would sell the sled too if I wouldn't loss my shirt. But the price drop of
used sleds is just nuts. Figure I can get pretty much most of the $$$
invested in the suspension.
Want the most comfortable and ultimate ride for your sled? If you do this
is it!
Again it only has about 40 miles on it...My loss your gain.
If I don't get a REASONABLE offer I will just keep it until I can sled
again.
Will post some pics later. More and better quality pics available upon
request.
kustomklocks@aol.com 262-370-6376
Regretfully, I will be selling my new Airwave Diamond package. ( Fast's top
of the line set up with adjust-on-the-fly system).
I have some major back surgery that will put an end to my snowmobiling for
awhile.
Was hoping to get more riding in before my operation but the lack of snow
changed that plan.
The 40ish miles I put on this suspension is everything they claimed...small
stutter type bumps to whoops were pretty much gone! I could stay seated and
be in total comfort.
The adjust on the fly airshock with the onboard compressor is simply
awesome. I placed the air switch behind the high beam switch...so you can
adjust without removing your hands from the grips!
This unit has the mount kit for a Ski Doo, if mounting in another brand you
will need to obtain that from Fast. All extras I have purchased to make this
setup look factory will be included. From the air line protector to the
custom gauge mount. I will also include the optional gauge mount and limiter
strap that is available from Fast (both brand new and never used).
I was told there will only be 200 of these made this year.
This setup is the 136" version and costs over 2,000.
I would sell the sled too if I wouldn't loss my shirt. But the price drop of
used sleds is just nuts. Figure I can get pretty much most of the $$$
invested in the suspension.
Want the most comfortable and ultimate ride for your sled? If you do this
is it!
Again it only has about 40 miles on it...My loss your gain.
If I don't get a REASONABLE offer I will just keep it until I can sled
again.
Will post some pics later. More and better quality pics available upon
request.
kustomklocks@aol.com 262-370-6376
