M-10 pro's and con's? Is it better than OEM?

[skippydoo]

m-10

Trust me do what ever you can to get the airwave. I've been on an m-10 since 1993. My last m-10 had ace and I was constantly moving the rear arm shock. Airwave once set up (air pressure) its over. Just ride regardless of terrain. On an m-10 if its smooth and then get bumpy you need to adjust . $500 for jact vs 700? for airwave upgrade kit is a no brainer.

 

[AKrider]

Re: m-10

Trust me do what ever you can to get the airwave. I've been on an m-10 since 1993. My last m-10 had ace and I was constantly moving the rear arm shock. Airwave once set up (air pressure) its over. Just ride regardless of terrain. On an m-10 if its smooth and then get bumpy you need to adjust . $500 for jact vs 700? for airwave upgrade kit is a no brainer.

Cool, I'm happy to read people's opinions. It makes me wonder why the M-10 is so sensitive to different terrain? Is the ride envelope a lot more narrow than an OEM rear skid?

My primary reason in considering the used M-10 is because it already has 136" rails. As long as it doesn't ride worse than stock I'll be happy.

 

[Doomsday_sled]

It's extremely sensitive to weight changes but once you have it set up you don't "have" to adjust it but the option is there. I would bet that 90+% of those who don't appreciate the ride difference of an M-10 have either ridden someone else's which was not set up for them or they have not taken the time to set it up properly for their iding style and weight. And they are a pain on the trail to adjust unless you have upgraded. I've yet to ride anything better though after one is properly set up.

Where can I get the upgrade to air-wave for $700, last I checked it was $900!

 

[cannondale27]

M10 is falling rate design that is why it is so sensitive to adjustments.Other suspensions are rising rate which get stiffer as compressed.M10 is just opposite so that initial setting is very important.I had a M10 on FormulaIII and loved it.Jack or the new Airwave would have been used by me alot.Without it I ended up setting the M10 up for when wife was on back with me and leaving it there just because it was such a hassle to adjust but all the while I was riding alone I was always thinking of adjusting because it rode better than anything when adjusted correctly.Just the fact that it will never ever buck the backend up in my mind was well worth it.The transfer would be a issue if you are drag racing but only at a top level.Local radar runs and buddy races it wont be a issue and it is always easy to pick the M10 sleds out since when they leave the rearend goes up instead of down.Keeps your skis planted so you can steer!

 

[AKrider]

That addresses some of my concerns about improper set-up influencing people's opinions about the skid. I was thinking about things and my sled is presently set up too stiff front and rear for my wife's significantly lighter body weight. I wouldn't matter whether I had an M-10 or stock, the sled will still be too stiff.

I think I'm going to pull the trigger and get the M-10 this week. I like the idea of it not bucking up since I've been bouced off the back of a sled a number of times at high speeds resulting in really painful wrecks. I'm curious to see how the skid will work for me. Besides, it is only a matter of time until I break the front arm (again) in my stock rear skid and the replacement parts arn't exactly cheap.

 

[BlueBlood]

AIR WAVE all the way! Best money I ever spent. Still amazes me every time I ride through the rough stuff. One question that pops up with any of the M-10s is if there is a loss of top end speed. I don't know what my top end is with the Air Wave, but even if I lost 10mph, I don't care. I'd sacrifice top speed for comfort any day.

 

[DKBrigs27th]

AIR WAVE all the way! Best money I ever spent. Still amazes me every time I ride through the rough stuff. One question that pops up with any of the M-10s is if there is a loss of top end speed. I don't know what my top end is with the Air Wave, but even if I lost 10mph, I don't care. I'd sacrifice top speed for comfort any day.

No question, the airwave is the way to go. Best riding sled I've ridden.

2004 RX1

 

[AKrider]

Thanks for the comments but the airwave is way outside of my price range. For that kind of money I think I'd probably go with an E-Z Ride since I've read good things about it and it saves a bunch of weight.

The ZX2 shows a lot of promise but I want to see how it holds up over a season.

 

[jzack]

For what its worth, the Airwave actually weighs about the same as the ZX2, costs a few hundred$$$ less than the EZ ryde and is infinitely adjustable. I put over 1200 miles on mine and its the only suspension I've ever ridden (and I've ridden a few) that just makes you say "WOW, did I just hit that? I hardly felt anything!" Just my 2 cents.