best aftermarket ski for the sidewinder

[dgjr636]

I have tried just about all the different Ski's. Tunner's, Cat, Curve, C&A's And then Finally 6.9 Pilots. It was like adding power steering! This along with getting the suspension dialed it I'm 100% happy with my Winder now. LTX LE

 

[Motorhead]

WVturbo/Motörhead/Sidehogger:

I have the Curves w/ Slim Jims as well. I've put them on every sled I own...and this set-up lets the sled corner like its on rails. But with the SW....its been a bit harder to find the exact sweet spot.

I have just about every trail condition handled....but when I hit fresh groomed snow, or deep granulated snow, the sled seems to float around too much. Long sweeping turns are harder for me to maintain any control. I have 192 studs at 1.325....but I can't imagine they are doing anything in this wash-out type of snow, when the track itself wants to break free and slide out. I'm left with a zig-zag, floating, semi out of control ride. Just as odd, I can get this simply from changing from one trail to another.

I'm re checking my toe out. Second, I may shim my Curves....the SJs seem to be wearing on the front. Third, I'm checking my track alignment...this could be causing me to float back and forth. Fifth: of many tweeks to my suspension, I may add more ski pressure back to my front skis. I took preload to about "middle". (Limiter at 3rd hole, center shock preload very soft, ).

I simply cannot get this SW to handle like my Apex with the Curves....and it causes me to ride extremely cautiously.

So my questions would be:
1: did any of you shim your skis?
2: I thought I read there was an updated rubber pad for the SW? True?
3: do you find any conditions the Curves are not exactly ideal?
4: have any of you noticed improvement at different toe-outs? i.e. 3/8 better than 1/4?
5: do you feel you are floating and bobbing OVER loose "sugary" snow with reduced control?
6: did you make any specific suspension adjustments, specifically since you were installing Curves?

I'm sorry for the long post, but any help is appreciated. I'm struggling to find why I hit 60 and it's like I hit a wall of no control.

Q. Arrius

Made adjustments when I was trying to make the tunas work. They were dangerous once the trail got over 2" if snow on them, they just would not turn, and they were jittery at best on hard pack snow. Took spring pressure off my ski shocks by jacking front of sled and loosening springs and then putting about 1 1/2 turns on them. Springs are short so you can only go about half way with them otherwise spring will damage during full extension.

I also put a bit of preload on my front shock as others had mentioned. Have tried all settings and prefer 2 on all!

Once I installed the curves with SJ I found great handling in all conditions, night and day difference, but yes it stills steers hard on hard pack trails. I am now on the longest setting on limiters and also removed blocks on transfer rod. With that I have lost handling and it still steers hard when you let up off throttle( hard packed conditions) nature of the beast I guess.

still love it when compared to the Apex though.

This thing rides better than any I have owned and can be made to handle exceptionally well, but yes requires much steering effort!!

 

[NOS-PRO]

Myself and SJ are both running Cat ski's. We had no issues with them on our ZR's and I figured wth. Take off's were cheap. I even liked the offset carbides cat used but they wore quickly. I am now running Slim Jims and like them. SJ is running Bergstom triple points and I think he likes those. In either case, go grab a set of Cat ski's.

I'm running the stock Viper skis also (CAT skis) with stock carbide....believe it or not

 

[indysnake1]

I've got the Curve xs with Doolys on mine and love it. You have to dial out a ton of ski pressure but once you get it right it doesn't dart, it extremely predictable, has just a hint of push and you can steer it with one hand. My buddy that has the exact sled with stock skis rode mine in hardpack and loose conditions last week and is ordering the same setup now.

were can I get the complete setup

 

[dgjr636]

Made adjustments when I was trying to make the tunas work. They were dangerous once the trail got over 2" if snow on them, they just would not turn, and they were jittery at best on hard pack snow. Took spring pressure off my ski shocks by jacking front of sled and loosening springs and then putting about 1 1/2 turns on them. Springs are short so you can only go about half way with them otherwise spring will damage during full extension.

I also put a bit of preload on my front shock as others had mentioned. Have tried all settings and prefer 2 on all!

Once I installed the curves with SJ I found great handling in all conditions, night and day difference, but yes it stills steers hard on hard pack trails. I am now on the longest setting on limiters and also removed blocks on transfer rod. With that I have lost handling and it still steers hard when you let up off throttle( hard packed conditions) nature of the beast I guess.

still love it when compared to the Apex though.

This thing rides better than any I have owned and can be made to handle exceptionally well, but yes requires much steering effort!!

BUT it does not have to be the nature of the Beast and have a lot of steering effort. Put 6.9 Pilots on it and you will be amazed. Can drive it with 1 arm in almost all conditions.

 

[Motorhead]

I have Curves on my Attak, not really any more expensive than any other aftermarket ski IMHO.

Has anyone tried the Cat skis? I was looking at all the new Cats on the floor at M&M in Hancock, Mi. last week and comparing them to the Tuners on the Yamaha's. The Cat skis look to be a good couple inches wider, the Tuners look very narrow. I never see any of the Cat riders switching skis. Yamaha needs to dump these and fire whoever designed and spec'd them to their sleds.

It seems like the pilots are much cheaper, but either way, I have never had to change out skis on a new machine before. But on this one it was a must, those stock skis are dangerous to drive with period!!

 

[Motorhead]

It seems like the pilots are much cheaper, but either way, I have never had to change out skis on a new machine before. But on this one it was a must, those stock skis are dangerous to drive with period!!

Just saying any new ski cost me some coin I should not have had to spend, carbides yes!'

 

[Fleecer]

Anybody try the Cat skis yet?

Tried Curve XS skis, worked awesome, but too hard to steer, even after many asjustments.

Went to Cat ski and much happier. They don't turn like curves, but i don't get spasms in my upper back anymore.

 

[Q. Arrius]

Update!

Turns out my dealer installed the stock SW pads on my Curves.....vs the pads I supplied. I knew dropping the skis off and having them do the install during dealer prep was a bad idea. I can't believe I didn't catch it either, until just today.

I called Cody at Curve to ask about trimming the rubber "nub" on the underside of the pad.....and yeah, his discription of the Curve pad sure didn't match mine!

I think this will get my twitchy handling under control. The way it was...the front of my skis were plowing down into the snow.

Q. Arrius

 

[fatchance]

Pilot 6.9's all the way. Can ride standing and signal oncoming traffic with one hand on the bars with ease. Very easy steering. That said, they are not the most aggressive ski, but i think they do damn well in most every condition.

 

[Motorhead]

Update!

Turns out my dealer installed the stock SW pads on my Curves.....vs the pads I supplied. I knew dropping the skis off and having them do the install during dealer prep was a bad idea. I can't believe I didn't catch it either, until just today.

I called Cody at Curve to ask about trimming the rubber "nub" on the underside of the pad.....and yeah, his discription of the Curve pad sure didn't match mine!

I think this will get my twitchy handling under control. The way it was...the front of my skis were plowing down into the snow.

Glad to hear that you may have found the problem! Yeah that handling problem you were having with the curve skis was not typical, they really do handle good in all conditions.

The rubbers supplied by curve are tough to put on. I put mine in hot water for 5 minutes and took them out 1 at a time for easier install.
Q. Arrius

 

[WVTurboLTX]

were can I get the complete setup

I got the skis straight from Curve and the carbides off of Amazon or somewhere for around $57 each.

 

[AXR]

Some info for those interested: Another chance to test Curve skis.

Sunday the 19th 10am - 2pm
The Alpine Restaurant
3008 State Route 26, Constableville, New York 13325

D&D Powersports and Curve Industries will be having a demo day in Constableville at the Alpine Restaurant. Come test out a new Arctic Cat or Yamaha snowmobile paired with the most accurate, predictable handling ski available... or bolt a set of Curves on your sled to feel the advantage!

 

[ctdmax]

Installed the Pilots on my Sidewinder and Viper today..can't wait to see the results tomorrow.

 

[markt111]

what do you need as far as parts to install 6.9 Pilots on a SW?