I need some opinions on what skis to put on a 98 venture. The wife drives it and says it hard to steer. I've aleady taken as much weight as I can off the front with rear susp adjustments. I was looking for some plastic skis which I think would help also. Anyone have any ideas. Thinking about wider handle bars also. Thanks for any advice. 
Got Simmons On My 02 700 Ven I Like Them No Complants 
vmaxjohn
New member
Wanna, here's the scoop. The venutre and other sleds of that vintage with steel skis has super heavy front bias on the skis. If you look at your wear bars, you'll probably see the front of the bars and skis wearing much faster than the back. I've seen these sleds go across a parking lot and the only thing touching is the front 2" of the wear bar!
This results in hard steering, and darting. The fix is to shim the ski bumpers behind the spindle bolt, on your sled, I'd take an old drive belt and cut it to fit snug inside the spindle. Then use a stainless screw to fasten it to the bumper. You should shoot for an even ski runner pressure bias, or slightly to the rear. I thihnk this should help a ton, and might save you a ton of cash.
The next thing would be to add SkiSavers from www.bergstromskegs.com they bolt on between the bar and the ski, and will help those stock skis go where they are pointed, resulting in less steering effort underway. She'll have to steer the bars less!
Good luck! BTW, there is a right up about the shim on the Tech page.
This results in hard steering, and darting. The fix is to shim the ski bumpers behind the spindle bolt, on your sled, I'd take an old drive belt and cut it to fit snug inside the spindle. Then use a stainless screw to fasten it to the bumper. You should shoot for an even ski runner pressure bias, or slightly to the rear. I thihnk this should help a ton, and might save you a ton of cash.
The next thing would be to add SkiSavers from www.bergstromskegs.com they bolt on between the bar and the ski, and will help those stock skis go where they are pointed, resulting in less steering effort underway. She'll have to steer the bars less!
Good luck! BTW, there is a right up about the shim on the Tech page.
Thanks vmaxjohn,
I'll try that shim first and then the skisavers. Nice directions in the Tech Page also.
If I where to go with some plastic skis later, what would you recommend? The more reasonable the better.Like maybe a used set off another yamaha?
I'll try that shim first and then the skisavers. Nice directions in the Tech Page also.
If I where to go with some plastic skis later, what would you recommend? The more reasonable the better.Like maybe a used set off another yamaha?
I feel that the SLP Straight Line Tracking ski is one of the best for that application. Eliminates darting, and steers very easy. If you stay on the trails, go with the keel blades. However it can easily outmatch the track on that sled, and become loose in the rear as the skis cut so well, the solution for this this brings even more benefits if done correctly.
The forward ski bias that John talks about is a huge part of the problem, but the weight and design of the ski are also a contributing factors.
The forward ski bias that John talks about is a huge part of the problem, but the weight and design of the ski are also a contributing factors.