FINAL REPORT ON THE APEX SHOCKS REVISION
Hello fellow-snowmobilers,
Here is my final report about the revision of the Mega Float air shocks of the 2011 Yamaha Apex. I started the 2012-2013 season at 16 600 kms and ended it at 20 400 kms. The revision has been made by Mr Robert Véronneau, owner of Star Suspensions.
The reason for such a revision was to improve our comfort and to increase the riding stability. The suspension is adjusted according to our weight; this way, our rides are more pleasant with less fatigue mostly on bumpy trails at the end of a day.
The increased riding stability provides a better control of our machine.
The manufacturers are responsible for the maximum comfort of their products. However, it is not easy for them to satisfy everybody as there are many types of snowmobilers by weight, height, riding style, etc…). This is why there are settings on a suspension; we can adjust it according to our own riding style and to our greatest comfort.
A serious inspection of the front and rear suspension once a year is very important if you want to get a good performance out of it. It could prevent damages during the season. Personally, I trusted Star Suspensions with the revision of the Apex shocks in order to calibrate them to my weight and my usual type of riding.
Thanks to the suspension adjustment, I did notice some difference. The riding was more stable and more precise, and I was more comfortable on the snowmobile.
Here are Mr Véronneau’s comments about the adjustment of the suspension.
«The main feature about the Yamaha Mono Shock rear suspension is that it is regressive. This means that the shock absorption decreases as the suspension digs on the bumps. This is an excellent way to absorb moguls at high speed, but the suspension reacts more to bottoming due to the pilot weight and luggages.
With the Mega Float shock, the air that acts as a spring for this suspension, comes into action progressively. At first glance, it seems perfect. The fact that air flow is progressive counterbalances the regressive action of the suspension to avoid bottoming.»
«If you think about it, you will realize that at the last inches of the suspension travel, air becomes a powerful spring but the shock is not enough powerful anymore to control this spring. So, compromises on the calibration must be made if you want to keep control of your snowmobile in big bumps and this will really change your comfort in «washboards». We have developped an auxiliary shock piston to add inside the original one. This auxiliary piston comes into action at the end of the suspension travel and when major impacts occur.
This mechanism offers a wide range of calibration of the suspension. One of the options is to make the shock absorption progressive. We may increase the Mega Float air chamber volume. The shock decreases its progressiveness. This way, the suspension benefits from an improved calibration for a better performance in all situations. Also, you can optimize the shock settings according to your type of riding. In brief, this suspension increases the snowmobiler pleasure to ride because it is better adjusted to the pilot.
