Ski Upgrade

2datrl

2datrl

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Jan 12, 2005
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NE IL.
I'm thinking about upgrading from the deep keel skis that came with my Viper S to something that is offered in Red. Any suggestions on what brand and model of skis will carve the groomed trails of WI. and the UP better than the stockers?
2datrl
 
The flood gates will open with a bunch of opinions on this...lol.. Read through it all and see what sounds the best to you. But you will find one general consensus is that the stockers just aren't any good compared to aftermarket skis.

But I can personally recommend my C&A Razors, if you like to ride real aggressively. But the Razors will increase the effort it takes to steer. You will get similar results out of a pair of Curve XS's, supposedly minus the increased steering effort...also similar to the C&A's is the Slydog skis (they offer a trail and powder version). If you are more of a trail cruiser, I hear the Simmons or Pilot's are good ski to go with.

All depends what kind of riding you do and what kind of performance you are looking for.

--Steve (O.C.)
 
I was just in the same boat looking for new skis for my SRX. After much delibration on the subject I was convinced to get a pair of c&a razors from rich motorsports here on TY. i have yet to try them out but i have to imagine theyre gonna be a world of difference as compared to the stock skis. like nyattakGT said there are a million different options and opinions out there it all just depends on what kind of riding you do. If you have more questions you should get in touch with richierich from rich motorsports and he will help you out.
:rockon: :letitsnow
 
I have some slydog trail skis with 6" woody's on my 04 Viper S - I love them. A little more forgiving when ridden slower, but bite great when ridden aggressively as well. I don't miss the stock deep keel viper skis as all.
 
quyestion is will any of the aftermarket skis work with stock wear bars.reason is i just last year bought a new set for stock skis and havnt installed em yet!there the double bars any thoughts?
 
I have PowderPros's with 8" of carbide on my SRX with a 151x2 inch track. They bite hard enough on the trail to drift any corner I want if I leave the swaybar hooked up. Lots of steering effort....but you arms will look like Arnold's by the end of winter. Not the best choice for a trail only sled, but if you do some off trail/powder they work awsome.
 
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personally I think the stockers are pretty good on my SRX with a 8" carbide, it might be how you have your skid set up also? I have C&A's on my Doo and they are more aggressive and really hook up, but the stock Doo ski's are pretty poor. The C&A's really help the front end in powder, that's the main reason I went with them.
 
for on trail there is nothing i have tried so far as good as an Arrow by kimpex. they track like a train, dont push, turn as easy or a little easier than the stock skis, look better than the stock skis. they use two sets of skidoo style carbides. leading edge of carbide is guarded so you dont have to worry about rail crossings and bridges.

you can get them in red swirl, stainless mounts.

sell the duallies, unless they are the arctic cat offset version they are a trail hazard in agressive situations.

rich on this board could probly get you some arrows. most anyone who sells kimpex.
 
I have slp slt skis with 6" bergstrom runners and really like them.They have light steering , but with more bite and precision in the corners no darting either.They also float better being 6" wide as opposed to the stockers which were 3.5" on both ends and a little wider in the center.
 
BETHEVIPER said:
for on trail there is nothing i have tried so far as good as an Arrow by kimpex.
Click to expand...

Noob question but could one use the same yamaha handle on those skies? Not sure their blue is the exact same color as OEM.
 
for the price of the saddles i wouldnt bother, the stainless saddles that come with them are lazer cut and have a nice modern look to them. i have not seen the blue ones. i always buy black skis.

the yamaha tips from viper style ski can be modified to fit. ill post some pictures of this when i get mine done.
 
BETHEVIPER said:
for the price of the saddles i wouldnt bother, the stainless saddles that come with them are lazer cut and have a nice modern look to them. i have not seen the blue ones. i always buy black skis.

the yamaha tips from viper style ski can be modified to fit. ill post some pictures of this when i get mine done.
Click to expand...

What sled did you try them on BTV?
 
i used them last year on my superventure, it was a kind of viper/sx/136ish conglomeration of all the good things in sledding mixed together in an ugly turdish colored sled. i junked it this year and am moving on to another conglomeration.

i have tried, simons, 301 and standard usi, c+a, slp, stock, viper s, curve, pilot, percision, rx1 with cat carbide and arrow. Arrows win hands down over all i have tried so far. Im going to give the slp some more testing with different carbides this season as well as sly dogs if i can find a deal.

this winter i an some friends will be getting some skis together for a head to head, speed and handling test. be wary of people who recomend things as being the best at anything that have only tried very few or no other brands. all aftermarket skis work better in some regard to stock skis so when someone buys skis and compare them to stock they almost allways think they are the best thing in the world.

Arrows have about the same footprint as a stock ski so flotation is about the same as stock and a little less than a simmons or curve. the on trail handling is far better than the curve and the steering effort is less than the simmons.
C+A that i had were the straight bottoms and I dont feel I had the best version to try as far as easy handling. The C+A and Curves both use the same exposed front carbide and I dont feel they are safe. the front of the carbides can catch on rail crossings and bridges or loading on the trailer. For that reason I wont bother to buy another set to test them any further. If anyone wants to give me a set of the C+A pros with the drop down bottom I would love to try a set. If I end up with a set Ill make them over so the carbide tucks up inside.

ill give a better report on the slp powder pros after a few ride with jon. they are his skis and I sure will be having fun destroying them on him.

hi jon
 
Thanks for the great info-- my buddy's got a Fusion 900 with skis(runners) that reminded me of those Arrows-- two carbides a little ways apart if I'm remembering correctly, and it handled nice on the trails.
 
Any one that has the C&A razors experience a loss in gas mileage? Seems like theres more drag in the snow with the side edges hanging down.
 
BETHEVIPER said:
for on trail there is nothing i have tried so far as good as an Arrow by kimpex. they track like a train, dont push, turn as easy or a little easier than the stock skis, look better than the stock skis. they use two sets of skidoo style carbides. leading edge of carbide is guarded so you dont have to worry about rail crossings and bridges.

you can get them in red swirl, stainless mounts.

sell the duallies, unless they are the arctic cat offset version they are a trail hazard in agressive situations.

rich on this board could probly get you some arrows. most anyone who sells kimpex.
Click to expand...


Lookin into those skis, do these skis slice through the groomed hard pack easily? or is there more drag then stock skis? do i get 4, 6, or 8 inch carbides?

I'm assuming 8
 
i used 6 inside and 4 outside because of cost difference but would not do it again, the 4in carbides i got were a smaller host bar so i had to shim under it to get the same height as the 6in carbide. if you mix and match, make sure the host bar is the same size. inside carbide takes the load, this is the one that bites the hardest, i would go with 6in on both next time.
 
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