questions about running USI triple threat skis on a viper?

[RTX]

I Did not like the way my 14 viper rtx handled with the stock skis so i switched over to a set of simmons i had been using on my apex and absolutely loved on the apex.
The simmons were better but did not make the kind of improvment i had hoped for.
So i tried a set of pilot 6.9 skis i had from my apex. In my opinion on my apex the pilot 6.9 were awsome on hard pack but scary loose in fresh or loose snow.
On the viper the the pilots made the sled rail. I love the way it handles in pretty much all the conditions i ride these skis worked great.

I had a pair of usi triple threat skis kicking around that i had run on my apex.
I have to say These were the most aggressive skis i ever tried on my apex. No matter what i did, i had too much bite in the fromt end and wrestled the steering all day. I moved mounting holes forward back and center. Shimmed the skis. Added power steering plates. Nothing worked. They just hooked up too much and were a real handfull. Usi suggested changing out to a round bar carbide but i eventually gave up on them and tossed them in a corner of the shed.

Since its summer time and im bored i decided to swap out the pilot 6.9 skis for the USI triple threat skis, just to give the triple threats a try since i already have them.
My triple threats are set up on the sled with modified/trimmed cat rubbers. Mounting hole is the center hole. 6inch stud boy shaper bars. The #2 fin kit and the power steering plates
Just wondering if anyone has a good set up for the viper with these skis
If you had any luck running them on other sleds i would also be interested to hear your set up.
Thanks

 

[mtotguy]

I tried the USI skis on my Nytro and returned them after one week. They wore me out and no amount of adjusting would make them steer easier. The Nytro is a different animal but I wouldn't expect them to be significantly better on the Viper.

 

[RTX]

I tried the USI skis on my Nytro and returned them after one week. They wore me out and no amount of adjusting would make them steer easier. The Nytro is a different animal but I wouldn't expect them to be significantly better on the Viper.

Do you remember your setup?
What stage fin kit?
Brand and length of carbides?
Did u have power steering plates installed?
Usi claimed a big part of my issue was the skis were very agressive to begin with and the fact that i installed shaper bars amplified the aggressiveness of the ski. They suggested going to a 4"round bar carbide but at that point the season was almost over and i was tired of playing around with them.
Curious to hear what your set up was

I think the viper weight is a little better balanced than the apex or nytro. Not as nuch weight over the skis.
thats why i am hoping i can get them working on the viper

 

[EnticerRider]

RTX are you studded?
I just picked up a 14 rtx viper.
I was considering putting on pilot skis. What carbide setup were you running on your pilots?
I will be studding my sled for sure and would like to start with a decent ski/carbide setup.
I have been on some cat forums reading a lot of guys run slp powder pro skis or curves.
I had curves on my nytro and was not impressed because they darted like crazy. I was reluctant to buy a leading edge for the curves.
Thanks

 

[**sj**]

rtx, did you ever run the triple threats?

 

[RTX]

Yes,
I ran them and really liked them.
Unfortunately my wife rides my sled from time to time and they were a bear to turn at low speeds. And absolutely impossible for her to turn when parked.
It was never an issue for me, but since she could not handle it, i pulled them and went back to the pilot 6.9 skis i had on it previously.
I actually liked the usi skis more than the pilots, but gotta compromise. Happy wife happy life. Lol

It was an awful snow year for me and i work oncall every third weekend so i was completely uninterested in tinkering with my set up when i already had it working with the pilots.
It was just easier to swap back.

I think maybe a little less carbide, or even swapping from the shaper bars over to round bars might have lightened up the steering at low speeds but like i said. I never bothered to adjust my suspension or change carbides.
I just went back to what was working previously.

I have had run 4 different skis on this sled so far
the triple threats, with stage 2 fins, power steering plates and 6"shaper bars
6.9 pilots. With dual 6"shaper bars
Simmons flexi skis with dual 4" shaper bars
Stock cat skis. With stock carbides
The triple threats were by far the most aggressive of the 4. Ther are a very planted ski, they really hook up.
They really seemed to do well everywhere except for an excessive amount of energy to turn them.
Powersteering would have resolved that. Lol
This year i might try them again with round bar carbides and some suspension adjustments.
I am also definately going to try snowtrackers on the stock skis

 

[**sj**]

I'm intrigued by them...and if I can score a deal on a set will dial them in..Like all aggressive skis..suspension tuning is a must and pays huge rewards...thanks for the reply

 

[nadekeys]

I have a set lying around that I think I'm going to throw on the new sidewinder this fall. I think I can get them set up right. Steering effort doesn't bother me as long as I can get it so that I have no darting. Can't stand that.

 

[RTX]

I have a set lying around that I think I'm going to throw on the new sidewinder this fall. I think I can get them set up right. Steering effort doesn't bother me as long as I can get it so that I have no darting. Can't stand that.

To be honest, i think if you take some time and work on it a little you will probably love them.
They are a great ski that likes to be ridden hard. But because they are so aggressive They just take a little effort to get set up properly and i was short on time and just plain lazy. Lol

 

[nadekeys]

To be honest, i think if you take some time and work on it a little you will probably love them.
They are a great ski that likes to be ridden hard. But because they are so aggressive They just take a little effort to get set up properly and i was short on time and just plain lazy. Lol

RTX, what did you have to do to mount your USI X2's on your viper? I have the set I own set up for the Apex right now and I'm wondering what all I need to get them to fit on the Sidewinder. New rubbers? Will the apex USI saddles still work? You said you got a set of cat rubbers and modified them, care to elaborate for me? Thanks!

 

[RTX]

RTX, what did you have to do to mount your USI X2's on your viper? I have the set I own set up for the Apex right now and I'm wondering what all I need to get them to fit on the Sidewinder. New rubbers? Will the apex USI saddles still work? You said you got a set of cat rubbers and modified them, care to elaborate for me? Thanks!

Its been a while, but if i remember correctly.
Yes my skis had the yamaha/apex mounts. I used stock cat/viper ski rubbers
On the cat rubbers i had to cut all the little rubber knubs off on the bottom side of the rubber with a sharp razor blade.
Once thats done i think i had to trim the sides just a tiny bit to get them to fit.
They were real tight but fit. Just go slow with trimming and keep trying them in the ski pocket for fit.
The triple threats will require some suspension adjustments to get less ski pressure.
They have a ton of bite and are real tough to turn if you dont adjust your suspension to lighten up the steering.