Adjustable Remote Coupling (ARC)

Turning the Coupling On or Off at the Handlebars

     Mountain sled riders, pay attention here. This one is pretty cool. What we have here is a way to adjust the coupling of the rear arm, or more importantly, be able to turn it on and off with a lever at the handlebars. You can choose from three settings; coupling, no coupling, or a middle setting for some coupling. What is coupling? It is limiting the movement of the lower link of the rear scissors, causing the front and rear arms of the ream suspension to (couple) and collapse together rather than independently.

     Imagine no longer having to choose between a coupled or uncoupled suspension. Coupled keeps the skis down and locks the front and rear arms together as they compress, producing a firmer ride and a better handling machine, and also better at hill climbing. Up-coupled lets the suspension arms move independently, better for popping up in deep snow, more ski lift, flotation, deep snow ability, sidehilling, with a softer overall suspension action.

     Lock it in for riding down a trail, turn it off for when you dive into the powder. Engage it when you get into a climb, turn it back off again coming down the hill for more suspension play. You get the best of both worlds.

     Instead of using fixed blocks or rods for the coupling, the ACR system uses a small Fox air spring shock with adjustable rebound damping. The shock mounts behind the rear arm and provides progressive rates of coupling with three positions – uncoupled, partially coupled, fully coupled. It always remains active with about 15 psi in the air spring, so it is truly a coupling damper.

     With the ARC installed, you control coupled/uncoupled state from the handle bars A cable-operated lever is mounted up under the left handlebar so the rider can engage or disengage the coupling, on the fly, at will. This is really cool.

     You now can make your sled work even better across a wider range of conditions, and riding styles. It enables improved control when riding all terrain styles & conditions. The rider can adjust and setup the rear suspension for their specific riding style, with a far broader range that it will excel at.

     The Kashima-coated Fox shock offers infinite preload adjustability. By varying the air pressure you can vary how softly or firmly the coupling action becomes.

     All parts are included in kit for complete installation, along with a special cable tool for custom-cutting the length specifically for your exact install. Installation is fairly easy, but does require attention to detail as you will be replacing the lower section of the rear arm and be running a cable up to the handlebars.

     The ARC system needs enough room behind the rear arm for the extra cross-shaft and Fox air shock to be mounted, so it only fits sleds with long rails and long tracks. Currently the standard cable-actuated system is offered for Polaris RMK, Ski-Doo XM, Arctic Cat M-Series (including Yamaha SR Viper M-TX) and Yamaha FX Nytro Mountain sleds for $1249.95.

     New for 2016 is the ARC Electronic. Instead of using a steel cable with a lever, an electronic switch is positioned on your left side handlebars and is engaged and disengaged with your thumb while riding. This new switch offers the three position control of the rear ARC shock and your ability to switch on the fly to control your machine to suit your riding terrain has never been more dynamic.

     The ARC Electronic provides the same coupled/uncoupled control of your OEM rear suspension but with a faster, dynamic control system that allows the rider the quickest switching of the rear suspension coupling. This new system is controlled by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery located under the hood which electronically engages the ARC shock. A wire harness replaces the cable actuator and the steel cable for smooth and seamless operation. A green indicator light located by the thumb switch lets the rider know the system is operational.

The kit comes complete with battery, charger, wiring and switch. Battery life varies with frequency of use, but a typical charge lasts 2-3 months. $2,249.95 except the Ski-Doo 174”, which requires an extension kit for an additional $134.95.

     ARC Adjustable Remote Coupling comes from Skinz Protective Gear in Paynesville, Minnesota. Contact them at 320-243-8771 or visit
www.skinzprotectivegear.com

From the December 2015 issue of SnowTech Magazine. (November, 2015)

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