Ski keels different heights

[onrof]

has anyone checked under their rx1's and found the ski keels are a certain height? I have a 03 and 05 and they are both somewhere around an inch, My friends 03 and another's 04 has a higher keel height, probably 1 and a half inches. I've also found I don't like how their sleds steer with the additional heights. I've read about alot of different opinions and wondered if this has something to do with it.

 

[RX1 Yooper]

The main complaint about the skis is hard steering. I was thinking an aftermarket product to reduce the keel, would be popular.

 

[LazyBastard]

The problem with the stock skis is NOT hard steering, its TOO DAMNED SMALL no flotation. Those skis are about big enough for the front end weight of a typical 300.

 

[onrof]

your right they are small, the sled practically cuts the snow with it's belly pan in deep snow, but how did they decide which sleds would have deep keels and which would have shallow ones. And I'm not talking about mountain skis. I don't even know about different part #'s

 

[4phsyco]

I have wondered if top end is affected by the big keel under the skis. Seems as though as soon as the sow softens or an accumulation of mosre that a couple of inches and the top end drops by 10-15 mph. I wonder if Viper skis would still work on the trail and give better top end.

 

[onrof]

I have shallow keels and my sleds steer fine, my buddy thinks he steers hard and he has deep keels. how bout others?

 

[LazyBastard]

The skis don't affect the speed nearly as much as the approach angle. Yamaha skids have steep approach angles, m10/12 has extremely steep approach angles. The steeper the approach is, the more tendency the skid has to drive like a bulldozer THROUGH the snow rather than being like a ramp to CLIMB UP on top of the snow. When the snow is shallow, the skid doesnt NEED to climb, so top end isn't as badly hit.

 

[RX1 Yooper]

Lazy says hard steering isn't a problem with the stock skis. Didn't I hear that most people are switching to aftermarket skis because they steer easier?

 

[Sasquatch]

Lazy says hard steering isn't a problem with the stock skis. Didn't I hear that most people are switching to aftermarket skis because they steer easier?

Don't know why most people switched. I do know that the stock 05 ski's turned fine but dug in and tried to roll the sled. The Simmons steer way harder on hardpack trail but tendancy to roll the sled is reduced to almost nil. Stock ski's had no floatation at all. Simmons get on top and stay there.

I love my Simmons.

 

[Anonymous]

Lazy says hard steering isn't a problem with the stock skis. Didn't I hear that most people are switching to aftermarket skis because they steer easier?

I believe alot of the guys went to Simmons skis to elimate some of the inside ski lift.....

 

[LazyBastard]

I went to Simmons skis entirely to eliminate the danger of sinking through crusty snow at high speed. At low speed its no big deal, but if you break through a crust with one ski doing 60 mph, you could end up dead.

 

[Convert]

My 03 had the deep keel steered ok but liked to roll a lot going into corners hard. Put the Simmons on the 05 I like the way they eliminate the roll and the how they seem to get on top that much better