Plastic skis 94-96 V-max
- Thread starter fishx65
- Start date
Exciter570
Member
is it worth it? depends on what you are trying to accomplish. What do you want to gain out of the plastic skis?
I'm trying to get it to steer easier and maybe track a little better on rutted trails. I've already messed with ski pressure. It looks to me like most plastic skis are shorter from the center to the back of the ski. I would think that this would make the steering effort a little easier. Are there other advantages?
sandmanmike1
New member
USI makes skis and mount kits for the old 94-96 VMAX's. They are a bit pricey. I just used a wood shim that went 1/8 to 1/4 and tapped it in with a hammer. Worked fine and after 200 miles they are still there.
I know there are other posts on this....
I put a set of ski-doo ski's on mine. I forget what model etc. They were decent priced, the mounts didn't require too much work to make them work. I think the ski-doo mount actually was deep enough that I didn't do much other than cut down my sleeve.
I put a set of ski-doo ski's on mine. I forget what model etc. They were decent priced, the mounts didn't require too much work to make them work. I think the ski-doo mount actually was deep enough that I didn't do much other than cut down my sleeve.
baker
New member
This year, I bought the 3 sleds you see in my sig.
The '95 600 came from a good neighbor, who after a month of dickering, wouldn't budge off his "best price". This sled has 1.5" paddles (brand new track) and PLASTIC SKIS. Both were installed by the local dealer, who knew how to get 1.5" under an old VMax.
Anyway, the neighbor was really adamant about the value of the new track and the PLASTIC SKIS!!! The skis "would be like night and day for me, much lighter than the factory skis so the sled wouldn't be so heavy in front, much better flotation, no darting, and just better overall performance and handling." Great! I finally bought the sled from him.
So now I ride all three from time to time. Here's my opinion, especially after removing the factory skis from my '94 sled to replace the skins:
1 - the factory skis are not heavy. The plastic skis are definitely lighter than the factory skis, by about 3 lbs each. That's a total weight savings of maybe 6 lbs off the front of a pig-heavy fat-a$$ old vmax. If 6 lbs is the only thing keeping a rider from having fun in the powder, then lemme lemme tell you, it ain't the equipment, it's something else...
2 - None of my sleds dart after I put the 10-minute, zero-dollar shim-made-from-an-old-belt mod under the two factory-ski sleds. So darting is a non-issue.
3 - the handling on the other two sleds is much better than the plastic skis. The other two absolutely rail on the trails. It's scary. You hit a corner hot, and they are going to make it, with or without you. The plastic-ski sled does not rail. It pales (in comparison). In deep powder, I have almost hit trees a couple of times because i got used to turning one of the factory sleds, and then switched to the plastic ski sled. The plastic skis just don't grab a turn like the factory ones. All have good carbides. The real reason is because the plastic skis are pretty much flat on the bottom, while the factory skis are V-shaped. This v-shape offers more runner pressure on trails, and more vertical profile friction surface in powpow.
4 - flotation - who knows??? The plastic skis are a bit wider than the factory skis. Combine this with the 6 lb weight reduction, and you gotta know that flotation is somewhere between 1% and 15% better with plastic. But honestly, they all float good if you keep them moving. It's stopping in the bottom of a hole that usually causes flotation problems.
That's my personal .02 on plastic skis. YMMV.
The '95 600 came from a good neighbor, who after a month of dickering, wouldn't budge off his "best price". This sled has 1.5" paddles (brand new track) and PLASTIC SKIS. Both were installed by the local dealer, who knew how to get 1.5" under an old VMax.
Anyway, the neighbor was really adamant about the value of the new track and the PLASTIC SKIS!!! The skis "would be like night and day for me, much lighter than the factory skis so the sled wouldn't be so heavy in front, much better flotation, no darting, and just better overall performance and handling." Great! I finally bought the sled from him.
So now I ride all three from time to time. Here's my opinion, especially after removing the factory skis from my '94 sled to replace the skins:
1 - the factory skis are not heavy. The plastic skis are definitely lighter than the factory skis, by about 3 lbs each. That's a total weight savings of maybe 6 lbs off the front of a pig-heavy fat-a$$ old vmax. If 6 lbs is the only thing keeping a rider from having fun in the powder, then lemme lemme tell you, it ain't the equipment, it's something else...
2 - None of my sleds dart after I put the 10-minute, zero-dollar shim-made-from-an-old-belt mod under the two factory-ski sleds. So darting is a non-issue.
3 - the handling on the other two sleds is much better than the plastic skis. The other two absolutely rail on the trails. It's scary. You hit a corner hot, and they are going to make it, with or without you. The plastic-ski sled does not rail. It pales (in comparison). In deep powder, I have almost hit trees a couple of times because i got used to turning one of the factory sleds, and then switched to the plastic ski sled. The plastic skis just don't grab a turn like the factory ones. All have good carbides. The real reason is because the plastic skis are pretty much flat on the bottom, while the factory skis are V-shaped. This v-shape offers more runner pressure on trails, and more vertical profile friction surface in powpow.
4 - flotation - who knows??? The plastic skis are a bit wider than the factory skis. Combine this with the 6 lb weight reduction, and you gotta know that flotation is somewhere between 1% and 15% better with plastic. But honestly, they all float good if you keep them moving. It's stopping in the bottom of a hole that usually causes flotation problems.
That's my personal .02 on plastic skis. YMMV.
Baker, Thanks for the great reply! I know that the shim trick can cure darting but does it also help with the steering effort at slow speeds? Before you ask, my steering is completely free and all lubed up. I'm just always looking for ways to improve trail performance. I'm going to try the shim trick this weekend and will pass on the plastic skis. Just out of curiosity, do you find that the 600s are that much more powerful than the 500s?
I have to disagree on the plastic ski opinion. There are many factors involved. Not every ski bottom is the same, many different carbide options and ski pressure to mention some. Did all three sleds have the exact same carbides and ski pressure?
Anyway, I'm not trying to start a piss'n match, It's just my perspective. For the price of new skins you can get a used set of plastic skis fairly cheep. It's not hard to custom fit them. Look up posts by "Ike", he has explained it pretty well. I put a set of 04 RX1 mtn skis on my 96 and they work 100 times better than my old skis with new skin and new carbides. I also put on an easy steer kit which helps. I can't remember where I purchased it, I think bender or maxx. Sometimes you'll find one on ebay.
Just don't be sold on one opinion, do some searchs and make choice for you and your wallet.
Anyway, I'm not trying to start a piss'n match, It's just my perspective. For the price of new skins you can get a used set of plastic skis fairly cheep. It's not hard to custom fit them. Look up posts by "Ike", he has explained it pretty well. I put a set of 04 RX1 mtn skis on my 96 and they work 100 times better than my old skis with new skin and new carbides. I also put on an easy steer kit which helps. I can't remember where I purchased it, I think bender or maxx. Sometimes you'll find one on ebay.
Just don't be sold on one opinion, do some searchs and make choice for you and your wallet.
I picked up an easy steer kit last year but never had a chance to put it in. Of course now I have no clue where it's at....
sandmanmike1
New member
You can also contact bergstrom skegs. They would probably be your best bet.
Exciter570
Member
I have a 600 and my sis had a 500, that damn 500 seemed faster than my 600!!! Both sleds stock at the time.
fishx65 said:
sandmanmike1
New member
Most of the plastic skis will actually require more steering effort from what i heard. Try www.bergstromskegs.com They are the experts. How is the snow in Irons fish. Almost got my secondary swap done. Putting one from a 96 XT.
Exciter
Exciter, Thanks for the reply. Are you sure it was'nt because your sister is alot lighter than you. ( JUST KIDDING!!!!) My 500 really busts out of the hole but the top end is right around 88 mph. I ride with two other 95 500's and they will catch me at about 70mph and then pull away. Do you still ride these old Max's or have you upgraded? They might be outdated, but we still have a blast on them!!!!
Exciter, Thanks for the reply. Are you sure it was'nt because your sister is alot lighter than you. ( JUST KIDDING!!!!) My 500 really busts out of the hole but the top end is right around 88 mph. I ride with two other 95 500's and they will catch me at about 70mph and then pull away. Do you still ride these old Max's or have you upgraded? They might be outdated, but we still have a blast on them!!!!
baker
New member
wanasrx said:
That's really good advice.
There must be a wide variety of ski profiles and widths and stances available. Then factor in sled set-up, age, nuances, etc. Then factor in riding conditions. There's no set answer for whether plastic skis are a worthwhile investment.
My neighbor insisted that the plastic skis on this 11-year old pig were a $350 value. My point is - no way on a $1200 sled.
Take a modern healthy sled in certain riding conditions, I can see how plastic skis could be worth it.
baker
New member
My 600's both pull harder and faster than the 500.
My kids (girl is 9, boy is 7) ride around on the 600 shortie all the time. We don't have any "new" sleds for comparison, so I guess we don't know what easy or hard steering feels like. We just ride 'em. They seem to work fine.
Bottom line - they're reliable and will go 70+, and do fine on trails or off. Three sleds for less than $4000 total - you gotta love these old yamaha's!
My kids (girl is 9, boy is 7) ride around on the 600 shortie all the time. We don't have any "new" sleds for comparison, so I guess we don't know what easy or hard steering feels like. We just ride 'em. They seem to work fine.
Bottom line - they're reliable and will go 70+, and do fine on trails or off. Three sleds for less than $4000 total - you gotta love these old yamaha's!
baker
New member
...and you gotta love sandman's avatar. That is frikkin heelarious.
