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XT vs X...XT handles better

6899 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  LBR
Seems like most people are waiting for an X model. Don't overlook the XT. I know the X has supposedly better suspension, but the XT handles way better. The X experiences lots of body roll even with the added sway bar while the XT maintains more composure while driving it hard on the trail. I was shocked to be honest. Maybe it's the 12" wheel and tall tire, maybe it's the increased travel, but the X is squirrely even with the preload and clickers being messed with. The Xt feels like it accelerates harder too.
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Welcome aboard. I would say that it is the taller tires and they will need to be run with a few more PSI that the XT would.



Hey, welcome to the site Jason.....that is kind of hard to figure out without knowing for sure the tire pressures were the same.....be curious to do a SxS comparison of the XT and X with varied tire pressures (PSIs of like 3,6,9,12) and handling characteristics.....

I will definately be doing a sway bar/no sway bar comparison after owning a Rhino with the rear sway bar on vs. off......Lance
We thought that as well, and increased it to the max on the side wall, then let some out etc. No difference really. We just got it the day before yesterday and I'm sure it will be gone by tomorrow, so I don't want to drive it too much more, but all of us here at the dealership share the same thoughts on it. I guess my point is, fancier is not always better as far as suspension. Granted, I haven't and probably never will jump either one to compare, but as far as going fast on a trail, the XT was far superior handling wise. Not beating up on the X, but I think people overlook the XT because of the winch and not very many people have had the oppurtunity to drive both to compare, hence my post. BTW, we have an X in stock.
Shorter sidewall on the 14in XT tires would explain it. I can promise you though that those Fox shocks are way superior to the XT Kayaba's when the going gets rough.
The shock properties I would imagine also play a roll. Could it be that difference in the rebound and compression that is causing it? Also, does anyone know if the Kabay's and the Fox share the same coil weight?



My XT handled great out at Glamis last weekend. All I did was increase the preload on the rears after my bud and I managed to bottom out the rear getting some air over a little dune. We are kind of,, well, wide in that department. kekek.
I felt the same thing in my X when I got it home. So I started playing around with the tire psi and I dont know if you guys have checked the owners manual or not but they recommed like 10 front 12 rear for the minimum pressure.
Mine was set at 5 all the way around and aired them up to 12 front 15 rear just to see what would happen and it made a WORLD of difference in the body roll.
I plan on playing around with the pressure some more and adjust the shocks and see what happens, but I am pretty happy with the way it handles for now.


Chris
I felt the same thing in my X when I got it home. So I started playing around with the tire psi and I dont know if you guys have checked the owners manual or not but they recommed like 10 front 12 rear for the minimum pressure.
Mine was set at 5 all the way around and aired them up to 12 front 15 rear just to see what would happen and it made a WORLD of difference in the body roll.
I plan on playing around with the pressure some more and adjust the shocks and see what happens, but I am pretty happy with the way it handles for now.


Chris
It is disappointing that the tire pressure was 5 PSI if that is the way you received it from your dealership.....their bad that could have caused your mis-handling......it should have been per the manual, then up to you to vary from then on.....did they fall short on the prepping of your machine anywhere else that you have noticed?.......Lance
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