[Gunny]

I've heard of guys removing their anti-sway bar for better offroad trail performance.

Has anyone here tried this ??

If so, what were your impression about the handling of the bike ??

Did you reinstall the anti-sway bar ??

Are there any safety issues that you know of when removing the anti-sway bar ??

What about speed handling issues ??

Hope to hear from everyone on this ...

Later ...
:headbang:

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

Yes you can remove the anti-sway bar for better handling over technical terrain where the vehicle may articulate a lot. When driving it up on car ramps it is interesting to note that all 4 tires constantly touching ground stable. With the anti-sway bar installed only 3 tires would touch and it was "teeter-tottering". Handling at hight speeds is horrible ion my opinion though so I re-installed the anti-sway bar.

The only issue I can think of is placing additional stress on the frame when the vehicle is twisting a bit on the uneven terrain.

YMMV

GW

 

[Koko]

Or the extreme articulation could pull the axle out of it's ideal operating range and put undue stress on the axle joints.

 

[Gunny]

GW, I was thinking that's about how it would handle. And I have ten foot ramps I drive up to get the Grizz onto my flatbed. I don't need any teetering ...

Koko, you don't thik the rear shocks travel limit would keep the axles from pulling out ?? I never thought of that.

Out here we have these steep mountains & sometimes a guy has to go across the mountain on more of a goat trail than anything .... & let me tell you, sidehilling over uneven terrain with any size rocks gets one attention real quick. That "Teetering" GW mentioned would be a very bad thing ... sometimes it's a LONG ways to the first tree (that would stop the bike from rolling into the next state).

So, it sounds like one person has tried it, but didn't like it, & one person (two if ya count me in) who doesn't think it's even anything he wants to try.

Thanks guys.

Anyone feel differently ??

Later ...
:headbang:

 

[Koko]

I don't think you'll have enough droop to pop an axle out but I think you might go to such an angle that the operating angle for the CV could be pushing it's limits.

 

[Gunny]

Good point ... And I ageree.

Later ...
:headbang:

 

[Gunny]

One more question ... these guys that run the High Lifter lifts in what, 6" or 10" or however high they are ... do they run the anti-sway bar ??

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

Some do....Some Don't.

 

[Gunny]

Interesting ... but they use those machines for mud trench type running .... not for trails, rocks, logs, etc. .... correct ?? Probably not as big an issue for them as a "Wild & Crazy Guy" zipping thru the woods looking for challenges .... right ??

 

[1Bad1000Xxc]

I don't think when we get to talking major lifts that we're comparing apples to apples, but rather apples to melons.

The primary reason for those lifts is mud and rarely, if ever for trails. So, if they do or don't keep the sway is a moot point.

The question is, what is your intended use. If it's primarily trails and zipping around, then you'll need the sway bar. If it's primarily technical stuff including logs, and very little if any trails and/or fast runs, you'll be better without it. Without the rear sway bar, the quad is gonna get squirrely at speed and around turns will get loose at speed and plain out dangerous with a large lift like you were mentioning if such high trail MPHs are involved.

I know it was just a question so I wasn't being negative or abrassive, but rather making the simple points of it for the intended usage.

Buster

 

[Gunny]

You're so right, the question (about lifts & sway bars) just popped into my head & I put it out there.

I was thinking that there was more riders removing their sway bars from what I had read in some other forums & mags. I guess that's not the case.

And the reason I think most riders (so far from this thread) leave the sway bar alone is ... they use thir machines in a variety of situations & terrain. Which makes having the sway bar connected a necessity as well as a safety factor.

Thanks for all the replys.

Later ....
:headbang:

 

[Thom]

Funny. I did the oppositte with the Arctic Cat. The H1's did not come with a sway bar and I went out and bought one after all the hype about it on AC Chat. I ran it for a year and never saw the benefit of it on that machine so I took it off. I liked the articulation better. On Brute Central a lot of the members took theres off and felt it was a whole better ride. I have not taken mine off nor do i plan to so I really cannot comment on it.

 

[Gunny]

Now that's interesting. I wonder if those other machines have stiffer shocks ?? I wonder if that would make a difference even ??

I may have to try this (disconnect my sway bar) on my Grizzly just for Sh*t's & Grins so I'll actually know for myself, if it's a thing to consider .... for the Grizzly owner, or if one should leave well enough alone .... wait, I can't do that already .... scratch that last remark.

Thanks for the reply. Funny how the different machine owners feel about this subject.

Later ...
:headbang:

 

[Koko]

PArt of the reason, is that Arctic Cat's are like tractors. They don't handle well compared to other machines (not including the thundercat 1000 or redesigned seat height). Needless to say if you don't ride "spirited" on the trails and are just into slow cruising, then I don't think you'd ever notice that the sway bar is removed. In rocky situation you should in theory have more traction. If you are not articulating to extreme angles I really don't think it's a bad thing.

 

[whatwasithinkin]

I rode my Brute for @ 20 mile maiden voyage with sway bay. As soon as i got home off it came and Ive never regreted it. I run 27" tires and most of the time I never noticed any roll. Except when speeds over 45-50ish then the combo of speed/tall suspension/no anti sway/large tires makes my bf push like a dump truck in comparison to some of my friends on lower sitting machines with smaller tires.

 

[Gunny]

Thanks for the reply Koko & WhatwasIthinkin,
I think I'll give it a try, but not for a while cause I still have tracks on. When I switch to tires for the summer I'll see how my Grizz reacts without the sway bar.

Thanks again for the replies.

Later ...
:headbang:

 

[Bear Humper]

On the grizzly the sway bar isn't really a bar is it? I looked under mine and saw more of a connecting rod type contraption with tie rod ends. Is this considered the sway bar?

 

[Gunny]

Yup, the sway bar is actually a bar.

Mine, on my 660, is on the rear of the machine. It is a fairly thick bar attached to the lower frame forward of the rear tires. It is connected to a "Link" on each side of the machine, which is connected to the lower rear A-arms.
Bacially, it looks just like one on a truck ... to me that is.

If you have a 700 Grizz, you have the same thing. Check out this link, it shows a picture of it.
http://www.yamahasportsplaza.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/default.aspx

Later ...
:headbang:

 

[1Bad1000Xxc]

Attached is an diagram of the 660 rear suspension. item #4 is the sway bar.

 

[1Bad1000Xxc]

And here it is on the 700.