Snowmobile Suspension Set up by Accelerated Technologies - Dual Springs Explained

Snowmobile Suspension Set up - Dual Rate Springs explained. Often when setting up a groomed trail or off trail snowmobile's suspension and chassis, we will install Dual Rate ski and/or centre shock springs. Dual rate springs have a softer 'start' rate than stock but can then go stronger than stock at a selected point in the shock travel. This ability allows us to provide a solution that is both more comfortable and compliant than stock, but also more support for more aggressive riding without bottoming. In essence we can provide a spring solution that doesn't move the 'window' towards performance or comfort, but that makes the window larger! Rare indeed.

[@K9bitten2]

The math equation finally set the lightbulb off over my head. Great information. Thank you for your knowledge.

[@robkoenig]

Outstanding video John! Excellent explanation of dual rate springs and how they affect handling.

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

Thank you Rob, that means a lot. We will the videos coming! We appreciate any input on what you may like to see next.

[@robkoenig]

Accelerated Technologies Will you have a lowering setup for 2021 XRS owners who desire the KYB shocks but a lower ride height similar to the MXZX?

[@FNofafn]

I will be making an appointment in the New year. You are doing some amazing work for suspension needs. You are way ahead of the curve then other shock builders in this part of Ontario anyhow.

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

Thank you! We sure try hard LOL.

[@caseymaxwell7645]

Just booked an appointment for two sxs, you guys seem knowledgable and customer service has been great already, can’t wait to get our buggys in for some needed treatment!

[@bsanford8]

Man, I’m really glad I found this. Bought an xrs and have really been trying to learn how everything was supposed to work so I can set it up for myself and make the right adjustments. Glad I learned a little something. Just looked at my a arms though and it looks like I have some work to do. Definitely not level!!

[@robdonald1246]

This info is what I've been looking for. I appreciate your expertise. As we sledheads age a lot of people quit sledding because our bodies can't take the jolts anymore. The industry is loosing customers. If you would have a Renegade with the full set of recreational Elka shocks installed available to test drive on a typical (read rough) Ontario trail, I believe you would increase your sales. I would pay for a test ride. Please do more videos on the comfort side of riding.

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

Thanks Rob. That's a great idea. We have a pretty rough ungroomed trail on the property we use for testing. There is usually a couple of sleds here that have Elkas on them available for a ride if anyone is interested... Conditions pending of course lol.

[@paulnicholson3221]

Thank you so very much for all the information. Spoon fed to make me understand easier.

[@fredbishop9434]

This is great info! Your videos are so incredibly informative. I guess the guys at @SnowTrax were spot on in their assessment of the Ski Doos front end handling, despite all the hate they received. 🤔

[@guyzoun]

Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing!

[@thatalaskaguy]

Great explanation! Thanks for putting this video together 👍.

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

Thanks!!

[@joecrackel8616]

Looks like I will have to consider a spring package for my polaris 800 Switchback Adventure.

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

Thanks Joe, give us a ring. We have fitment for most Walker Evans bodies and will get them on our website when i can!

[@spyder3777]

Love my setup you did on my X RS. Works amazing. I should have done the dual rate springs to make it even better. One thing i did for rear shock is put new torsion spacers in. The stock rear springs are too soft and tough to get the proper pre load. So I cut the old stock spacers off and put on the red Hygear Suspension torsion spacers and it definitely helps. I'll be back for sure.

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

Great to hear. Yes, we usually adamantly discuss the torsion spring rate when doing a set up. We stock 6 different BRP spring rates to try and make sure we closely match the spring rate with the application. You don't want to mask a soft spring with too much preload, that is a band-aid that has negative ride consequences. The scissor system on most snowmobiles doesn't like to aggressively 'top' up over bump crests at speed, it can give a bang that is just as disconcerting as bottoming out. An overly pre-loaded torsion spring has too much 'top up' energy and needs to be re thought. We want to ride 'in' the suspension, not hit off bottom... or top.

[@LADYGURRLL]

I used some biteharder polytune rings for a progressive front along with hygear spacer in the rear. 2019 Backcountry 850. I'm now adding some ski contours. ZRP summit widening spindles have it sitting parallel with ground looking at the a arms.

[@toysareforboys1]

Awesome work Jen! Be careful not to put your finger over the microphone hole on the camera. Other than that, nice work guys! Can't wait for more videos :)

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

LOL, ya we get better at everything with practice!

[@robkoenig]

Have you had a chance to take a close look at the 21 MXZ XRS suspension? I would like to bring the ride height of the XRS down a little over an inch to the ride height of the MXZ X without upsetting the balance.

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

Yes we have Rob. Our dual rate spring kit drops onto the 2021 RasX front end nicely.

[@codhackzWII]

Do you have a setup for wanting a more playful ride?

[@Upracefan]

Something seems wrong with this theory, if the tender spring was in fact 4.0 and the main a 2.0, the tender spring would not compress before the main spring. Tender springs are supposed to be softer, not harder than the main spring.

[@acceleratedtechnologies9801]

Hello MiT. I get your confusion, and you are not wrong. What happens is the 4.0 Tender compresses at half the rate of the 2.0 main spring, as you are correct it is stiffer. So, if the shock strokes for example 10mm, the main spring stroked 6.5mm and the tender around 3.5mm to take up the (approx) 10mm of travel. Follow? Now that we know the 2:1 travel ratio (in this example) we can plan when to lock the tender out to shift to our stronger 'end' rate. That is why Tender springs are usually much shorter than mains, because we don't want them to stroke very far before we lock them out of the equation.... Make sense now? They both compress together whenever the shock moves at all, just at different rates depending on their spring rate.... John.

[@gregseamen2165]

MIT, I had exactly that question. Thanks John for the explanation. Greg.

[@Upracefan]

@@acceleratedtechnologies9801 Great explanation, thank you. Now i just need to make the call to get a set for my sled!