No. I have the new ITP holeshot ATR radials on mine. They don't seem to make the steering any different than stock

 

I thought it was in my head I had to look at the 4 wheel drive indicator 3 times when I went to the dunes last weekend. I havent had a chance to look at the bike or check anything, but it sounds like I need to. I pulled on the front diff lock a few time when I set the brake I wonder if that thing is hanging up I used 4 wheel drive a few times, i am wondering if its still partialy ingaged. I road my grizz in colorado all last weekend and it does have easier steering but I didn't remember it being that much easier.

 

I'm starting to lean towards the diff lock as the problem. I had problems when the quad was new and the dealer adjusted it but i don't think it was done right. if you look in the owners manual you will see very specific instructions on adjusting the lock lever. mine is not close to this adjustment.It seems that they only want you to be able to pull it in so far and with a certain amount of pressure. i can put a lot more pressure on mine because it is adjusted so far out. i am going to readjust mine soon

 

The LSD clutch torque is supposed to be 11-14 ft-lb without pulling the diff lock lever.
It is supposed to be 116 or more when pulling the lever.

You check it with one wheel off, and the other one on the ground (with a really fat guy weighing it down if neccessary for the 116 ft lb). You put a torque wrench on the spindle nut of the side you took the tire off of. A dial indicating torque wrench is better. Turn torque wrench to read how hard it is to make the diff slip.

The diff lock lever is adjusted by pulling it back with 7lb force and measureing the clearance between the handlebar and the back of the lever. It should be .6 to 1.0 inches.

You don't really do anything to adjust the diff lock plates other than measure the overall thickness

Maybe your cable is too tight? Maybe they put to thick oil in it?

Anyone ever wonder if the 650 could be modified to have easier steering like a 300/400? Is there nothing we can do? Steering knuckle geometry? Maybe the front diff is the only reason our machines steer harder.

Using synthetic 20w50 (mobil v-twin) in the front diff on mine has really helped it not steer so hard when cold, yet not loosen up so much when hot. It is lot better than the lube that was in there from the factory.

 

Hi YoeSeaOh,

Where do you go riding at? I'm picking up my machine on September 30th, and I will be looking to get together with some people in November.

Also, has anyone had any complaints of hard steering on the 2003 models?

Thanks,

IronBear [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Again, I from my experience the amount of torque to steer the wheels is greatly related to the fron tire's grip on the ground. Mine felt like it had power steering when I added the dirt devils. My wife's Kodiak became much easier to steer when we shedded the dunflops and replaced hers with Bear Claws

 

I'm willing to bet jlpier01 is closest to the correct answer for hard steering. Yes it is possible to have the lock cable adjusted too tight, but it would have to be extremely over tightened.

I've ridden quite a few bikes with many different tires. It seems, believe it or not, any tire that is great on hardpack (very stable) makes steering very tight due to the stability of the tire on the road combined with the normal drag of the diff lock. On the other hand, the more agressive mud style tires, due to less stability because of a more open tread design, give steering a much lighter feel. It's a shame it can't be the other way around but it's not.

Anyone who does't believe this, feel free to come ride with us. We've got the proof. Or swap tires and see for yourself.

 

too add to danger:

your driving style, body weight, tire pressure/temp, and weight on the racks also change steering
and how about a bent rear axle?

 

I've run stock tires and 589's on my quad before putting the radial ATR's on. I may have noticed a slight improvement with the 589's.I really think it's in the diff lock and am going to check it the way nyroc suggests. Iron Bear there are several places to ride in Ma. that are legal. Pittsfield State forest,October mountain state forest,Savoy state forest are all in western Ma. which probably 1 1/2 to 2 hour ride from North Haven Ct. I hear also there are a lot of ride spots in western PA. I ride mostly on power lines around my house. It's not legal but no one bothers you.

 

Those things all have a factor in the steering difficulty.

However, since Tires are a like a religious subject, I won't give up tread for anybody (I have faith, therefore I am saved by tread). So lets stop talking tires, since there are other factors that we know we can to improve, and other factors that we have not investigated yet.

When my steering was unbearable and made my arms ache after a while, I had changed 3 things: tread, spacing, difflock oil viscosity (it was in the winter too). When I fixed the oil viscosity problem and the wheel spacing, it became relatively easy, even with my 28" mudzillas. The oil viscosity had a much bigger effect than the wheel spacing (1" per side).

It still is not as easy as other machines with the same tires. I wonder if I could shorten the steering arm just a little (it could take some machining, maybe have to make a new one), so that I would have to move the steering further to get the same motion. I would make sure that I still had them same total steering angle so I would not loose turning radius, just more handlebar motion to get there.

The Prairie 400 steers as easy as a 660 grizly (same tires here too). So I am SURE it can be done without double wishbone. We are talkin 8 year old girl easy (it isn't my 400 or I wouldn't let such a youngun on it). I have tried other tires on this 400, and although some tires steer harder, each tire is harder on the 650 than the 400 or Yam660.

Why could the 650 be harder than the 400 with the same tires?
Diff lock is a heck of a lot stiffer. I tried it. It is stiffer on mine.
Caster? Steering geometry? Steering ratio? I haven't measured these things and don't know if they are different on the 400.

I don't mean to be rude to you guys talking tread, It is just that we all know that it plays a big part and I feel that none of us is willing to give up our tread ("And ye shall ride the tires, and the tread shall make you free" Johndeer 8:32). Plus there are definitly other things to mess with.

I'm not willing to mess with my diff. My diff is pretty stiff, and I like it. My steering is not very hard now anyway.

anybody wanna shoot down my idea of modifying the steering ratio? You would have to turn the bars further to turn it?