9" or 11" ski skin performance?

[gno1996]

I have a 2009 VK Pro and am thinking about buying the ski skins from Yamaha to help float the front end better. Does anyone have any experience with the 9" or 11" skins? Are the 9" enough or are the 11" needed? How do they handle on trails? I have the front rack on the sled, so am thinking the 11" may be better especially when carrying a load. Otherwise I am considering Simmons Gen 2 or SLP Powder Pros. The ski skins are a lot more economical if performace is similar.

 

[dilligaf]

I put the Simmon Gen II on my '12 VKpro and they work great.

 

[backwoodsman]

I found that the 9" Yamaha skin was not much wider then the ski, threw tones of snow up on the hood filling the engin with snow and ice when in the powder (I had to make vent covers to keep the snow out), and dart like crazy on the trail without an aftermarket runner. I don't recommend the 9". I have heard better about the 11" with aftermarket runners. I have gen2's, awsome skis for breaking trail at speed, but I'm selling mine because they don't meet my needs for breaking trail at slow speeds threw cut overs, swamps and tight bush trails when trapping and fishing. The tip doesn't lift at those low speeds and just plowes along under the snow. I've been looking at the new 2013/14 vk factory skis, they are around the same cost as the skins.
The best ski and runner set that I found for riding on packed trail is, the factory ski with cobrahead runners. There is absolutely zero darting at any speed.
But I'm still looking for somthing that has good all round flotation and no darting.

 

[northof50]

I have a 2009 VK Pro and am thinking about buying the ski skins from Yamaha to help float the front end better. Does anyone have any experience with the 9" or 11" skins? Are the 9" enough or are the 11" needed? How do they handle on trails? I have the front rack on the sled, so am thinking the 11" may be better especially when carrying a load. Otherwise I am considering Simmons Gen 2 or SLP Powder Pros. The ski skins are a lot more economical if performace is similar.

I have run the 11 inch on mine and I did like it.

 

[gno1996]

I am considering either the 11" or the 2014 VK Pro skis. My dealer said they would run aound $300 for the skis and extra hardware needed to install. Has anyone seen how the new skis handle floating the front end and do they dart around?

 

[eric3793]

I am considering either the 11" or the 2014 VK Pro skis. My dealer said they would run aound $300 for the skis and extra hardware needed to install. Has anyone seen how the new skis handle floating the front end and do they dart around?

I bought a pair of the 11" skins from Yamaha Parts Canada and I like them. I also tried the dually carbide runners to help with darting and they also helped. The issue I had was in deep powder...the heavy front did not get on top like other W/T sleds I've owned. The wide skins help in this regard. $80 each plus shipping.

https://www.yamahagenuineparts.com/Snow ... lass=Multi Purpose / Touring&Year=2008&Model=VK Professional

 

[gno1996]

I decided to go with the new VK Pro skis. They do help float the front end better and have less darting. The good news was that I did not need any additional hardware to mount them. My dealer ended up selling tem to me for $115 per ski + carbides for $70. I am pleased with the performance.

 

[jjmoneysauce]

This thread is a bit old, but curious about aftermarket skis on a 2018 VK540. Considering getting the 11". Saw some guys were running dual runner skis. Any tips?

 

[chateaupitsie]

I went with the 11" ski skins helps with the tippyness and also tune down front suspension from setting 1 to 3rd setting helps stability and no darting. Looks kind of goofy but works good. The mod on the exhaust has kept ice build up in tunnel at a minimum.

 

[jjmoneysauce]

Hey thanks for the tips, that's much appreciated. I will do both of those things.

 

[geriatricridesagain]

Just my 2 cents... on crusty uneven non groomed trails you may find the wider the ski the more noise comes with it. More surface to scratch the ice/snow. Otherwise they obviously work great for floatation. On a sidenote the other day at a trail intersection I actually had a guy stop and get off his sled because he thought I was a CO. I too have 11 inch skis.

 

[jjmoneysauce]

Ha! That's great.

Will bolt them on right away.

 

[jjmoneysauce]

Update: the 11s give the VK540 obscene flotation. Time to rivet them in,

 

[ArcticRider]

Ive been scouring the internet for the 11” skins, anyone have any idea where i could find some?

 

[christoph]

Ive been scouring the internet for the 11” skins, anyone have any idea where i could find some?

They used to be only available in Canada. Not sure if that's still the case though.