Curve XS or Simmons Flexi-Ski?

[4jwv]

Thanks for the help guys, I just placed my order for a pair of Curve XS Skis with 6" Stud Boy Shaper Bars! These should make my Attak even more fun to ride.

 

[gunny]

skis and suspension

Thanks hondo for the education on curves.I met you in N.H. at the grass drags.I bought the Curves..can't wait to try them.You also mentioned the setting on the front shocks of my 09 venture but I forgot....was it 2 turns soft?

 

[Super Sled]

I have no doubt Curves are a great product, but Simmons Gen 1 "Flexi-skis" are top notch and extremely popular for a reason.

Mike

 

[AKrider]

Years and years ago I rode a friend's sled with Flex skis for around 30-40 miles and wasn't very impressed. I ended up ripping one off the skags off on a creek crossing. I was pissed when I found out how much the replacement was! My buddy's Summit went through the same creek crossing and had no damage to its single keel skags.

I also noticed the Flex skis built up snow inside the "tunnel" on the bottom after running through water. I know there are guys who swear by them, but for me, I wasn't impressed with the handling or quirks. IMO, the only thing they will do better than the Curves is float in deep snow.

The Curves do corner well and hold a line. They are some of the nicest quality skis I've seen and are very well built. For trails I think they are great. If a guy primarily rides off trail in deep snow than I'd have reservations since they don't float as well as a non-parabolic shaped ski of at least 6" in width. They certainly float better than the stock 5" wide Yamaha skis.

Basically a guy just has to determine what conditions he rides on the most as it is a give and take. No ski does it all perfectly.

 

[yamaha1]

AK..

I agree that the Curve XS ski is not specifically designed for deep powder riding. However, with the variable geometry technology of the keel the XS has unique powder handling charicteristics that no other skis have which help the powder floatation without having to add width to the entire ski.

As soon as you start moving the XS ski forward the profile of the bottom of the ski and keel start "working" the snow which helps create a stable base and drive the ski tip upward towards the top of the powder.

I ran these skis on my Phazer MTX out in Wyoming and in the UP of Michigan last year that is exactly what I found. You could stand up and just lightly feather the throttle and watch the ski tips drive themselves to the top of the powder without using the torque and transfer of the rear suspension.

So in my opinion this makes for a great trail/crossover/light mountain riding conditions.

But you are correct in that it was not specifically designed for hardcore deep powder mountain riding.

Y1
Curve Industries: Mid-West Sales

 

[AKrider]

On another forum there was a guy with a Rev who really liked the Curves for deep snow. I've run the Curves on both my Vector and Nytro and experienced them knifing in, particulary in deep, wind blown snow conditions. The knifing in didn't occur at the front of the ski as they keep the tips up. Rather it is in the middle where they'd break through. It is an effect you can also feel when making a slow speed turn in unpacked snow and the weight is on the outside ski.

Perhaps the lighter front end of the Phazer and the Rev lessens the effect? I've found the Nytro and Vector need a 7" wide ski to float the front end where with my older 2-stroke sleds, a 6" wide ski was adequate.

The Curves are nice skis and have a lot going for them as they are strong, well built, have excellent product support, are less darty and grabby than C&A's, and they definitely grip the trail in the corners. They just don't float as well as a traditional ski that maintains its width for the full length of the ski. They are worlds better than the stock 5" wide Yamaha skis for off trail riding. The stock 5" wides are basically worthless for deep snow riding. I think you said it best that they work as a crossover ski but not for hardcore mountain riding. Unless a guy rides in deep, unpacked snow a majority of the time, the Curves are a good improvement for their sled.

 

[yamaha1]

Thanks AK for the more detailed explanation of what you are seeing that is helpful information.

I don't know first hand, but you are correct that the lighter weight chassis are probably affected less by what you are describing and can probably get by with more of a crossover type ski in the powder than a heavier chassis.

I just wanted to point out how the design of the ski helps it float.

Thanks again and I hope you have a great season on your Curve XS skis!!

Y1

 

[Yamadog]

Re: Skis

I went to the Curve XS and sold my Simmons skis. The Curve XS have it all, no darting, great carving, and best of all they do not steer hard when the snow gets heavy (wet). I kept my Simmons while I was testing the Curve skis and then sold them after all of my testing was complete. Good luck with your decision!

I had a set of simmons, USI and C&A Pros that I tested on my 07 attack GT last yr. I have to say that the Simmons far outshined the others.

I have not tried a set of Curves yet.

I am running 3 sets of simmons on all of my RX's and nothing will handle like them. A lot has to do with riding style and suspension setup. I run Ohlin clickers upfront with 13 mm swaybars and 8" carbides on the outside edges and 6" on the insides.