Skis...again?

[rocky18]

I know there is a ton of ski stuff on here. I'm looking for the BEST for my style of riding. Any and all opinions will be greatly appreciated. I'm old and ride over my head on groomed trails only... exclusively in northern Wisconsin and the U.P. I'm looking for easy steering and skis that will turn. No push! Seems my choices are Curve, Arctic Cat, Pilot 5.7 or Mohawk. I am partial to Bergstrom triples but interested in all opinions. There seems to be some discussion on whether the Arctic Cat skis are single or double skeg skis. Sled is "0" time 2018 SR Viper LTX DX. As you all know, this forum is the place to go for Yamaha Sled info that can be trusted. Many Thanks
Semper Fi and Fairwinds
Mike (aka Rocky18)

 

[SRXSRULE2]

Well I will say that you will have to find some balance as you will not be able to have a ski that has the easiest steering and zero push as these things are on the opposite ends of the spectrum. It’s hard to tell how aggressive of a rider someone is from a forum and everyone has a different opinion haha.

I have no experience with the curves or mowhawks. I believe you will have the tuner skis stock however and the best advice I have is to take them off and put a set of stock Arctic Cat skis with snow tracker carbides on it. It will definitely feel lighter/easier/less darting and more predictable yet they won’t push like i found the tuners do. I believe there are different lengths of carbides available for them, it’s up to you how aggressive you want to go.. I would probably go with aggressive kit since you have the LTX model.

I see they also have a kit for the factory tuner skis but I can’t comment on them as I haven’t tried them.

 

[NewViper]

I put C&A's with 6" shapers on my rtx,have Bill Mohr front skid spring, love the way this thing corners now,hated the tuners ( tried several different wear bar setups) This works for me!

 

[Carla 123]

Best thing I ever did is ditch those deadly tuners.picked up a set of new take off cat skis and added dual 6 in of carbide on them and it's great.it turns easily and no pushing or darting.

 

[Kkurz]

I run the Cat skis with semi-aggresive Sno Trackers, Bill Mohr center shock spring. Mines an LTX and I love it. The Tuners work fine on a groomed trail but it doesn't take much loose snow for them to push, and forget about off trail with them!

 

[ishpeming fan]

I have Curve skis with 4inch leading edge and 6 inch stud boy shapper bars. no darting,great corner traction,with no push and no increase on steering. Your sled set up will have alot to do with ski pressure that can influence easy steering . You can go with alot of options that will improve your ride over the stock tuner ski. My sled is A 2014 so it came with single runner not tuner ski,and still pushed and darted to much for my tastes. I was using woodys slim jims with the stock skis. Put the curve set up on and been very happy with the ski and carbide combo for trail riding.

 

[cannondale27]

6.9 Pilots with 7.5 shapers middle and 4in Woodys outsides. When they push the rear slides at same time so for me its perfect balance and steer easy.

 

[Wannaviper]

You mentioned the Mohawks and Bergstrom skegs; nice combination, but they require a lot of steering effort. I originally bought that set up for my LTX-DX and it worked well, but steered hard! I bought an XTX and put the Mohawk/Begstroms on it, and it is a great combination, but still takes a some steering effort. I replaced the Mohawks with a pair of AC skis and semi-aggressive Snowtrackers on my LTX-DX, and it was a perfect combination. There was very little steering effort, and no darting or push in most conditions. Unfortunately, my LTX-DX was borrowed and totaled in an accident a week ago. I am replacing it with a Sidewinder LTX-DX, and I have already ordered new AC skis and Snowtrackers to put on before it hits the trail!

 

[cannondale27]

You mentioned the Mohawks and Bergstrom skegs; nice combination, but they require a lot of steering effort. I originally bought that set up for my LTX-DX and it worked well, but steered hard! I bought an XTX and put the Mohawk/Begstroms on it, and it is a great combination, but still takes a some steering effort. I replaced the Mohawks with a pair of AC skis and semi-aggressive Snowtrackers on my LTX-DX, and it was a perfect combination. There was very little steering effort, and no darting or push in most conditions. Unfortunately, my LTX-DX was borrowed and totaled in an accident a week ago. I am replacing it with a Sidewinder LTX-DX, and I have already ordered new AC skis and Snowtrackers to put on before it hits the trail!

Hope no one got hurt and I guess congratulations!

 

[DGZRT]

You mentioned the Mohawks and Bergstrom skegs; nice combination, but they require a lot of steering effort. I originally bought that set up for my LTX-DX and it worked well, but steered hard! I bought an XTX and put the Mohawk/Begstroms on it, and it is a great combination, but still takes a some steering effort. I replaced the Mohawks with a pair of AC skis and semi-aggressive Snowtrackers on my LTX-DX, and it was a perfect combination. There was very little steering effort, and no darting or push in most conditions. Unfortunately, my LTX-DX was borrowed and totaled in an accident a week ago. I am replacing it with a Sidewinder LTX-DX, and I have already ordered new AC skis and Snowtrackers to put on before it hits the trail!

Sorry to hear about your sled being totaled but at least you get a new one!! I lent my older brother my sled for a trip I couldn't go on. Big mistake ! Slides were shot, boggie wheels destroyed , the handle bars were out of alignment. One ski was so worn down the keel was almost gone , and he killed the battery .. All of which he denied doing saying it was about time I replace some things . lol . So in the end It cost me a lot of time and money and I will never lend my spared sleds out unless I'm riding along . If these winters get any worst I'll never buy a new one Doesn't Pay

 

[Wannaviper]

Hope no one got hurt and I guess congratulations!

My brother in law was riding the sled. He was off balance and caught a ski in soft snow; he wasn't able to correct before hitting a tree. He spent a couple of days in the hospital with two broken ribs and a contusion on his lung, but he should not have any long term injury or effects. My stepson and grandson were right behind him and saw the whole thing happen; it was a sobering experience for them.

 

[yamaha4sea_fan24]

I also ride Northern WI and UP, I run the C&A Pro skis with 6 inch doolys, sled doesn't push and I don't find the steering heavy. I also have the Bill Mohr center shock spring.

 

[twyztid]

I run Pilot 5.7's on my Apex and love them. Some push if ridden super aggressive but it is predictable. I never ran my Viper with the junk Tuner 2 skis that came on it. I had a set of Kimpex Rush skis w/ 8" Woody's Ace carbides that I tried out first because I had them on hand. They didn't dart and have pretty easy steering but were a bit unpredictable as sometimes they would bite good entering a corner and break loose part way through. I just installed a set of Pilot 6.9's on the Viper last night and will be trying them out this weekend. Woody's 8" Ace carbides in the center and Kimpex Jagged Edge 4" on the outside (both have rectangle host bars).

 

[rocky18]

You mentioned the Mohawks and Bergstrom skegs; nice combination, but they require a lot of steering effort. I originally bought that set up for my LTX-DX and it worked well, but steered hard! I bought an XTX and put the Mohawk/Begstroms on it, and it is a great combination, but still takes a some steering effort. I replaced the Mohawks with a pair of AC skis and semi-aggressive Snowtrackers on my LTX-DX, and it was a perfect combination. There was very little steering effort, and no darting or push in most conditions. Unfortunately, my LTX-DX was borrowed and totaled in an accident a week ago. I am replacing it with a Sidewinder LTX-DX, and I have already ordered new AC skis and Snowtrackers to put on before it hits the trail!

You mentioned the Mohawks and Bergstrom skegs; nice combination, but they require a lot of steering effort. I originally bought that set up for my LTX-DX and it worked well, but steered hard! I bought an XTX and put the Mohawk/Begstroms on it, and it is a great combination, but still takes a some steering effort. I replaced the Mohawks with a pair of AC skis and semi-aggressive Snowtrackers on my LTX-DX, and it was a perfect combination. There was very little steering effort, and no darting or push in most conditions. Unfortunately, my LTX-DX was borrowed and totaled in an accident a week ago. I am replacing it with a Sidewinder LTX-DX, and I have already ordered new AC skis and Snowtrackers to put on before it hits the trail!

Hey Wannaviper...Thanks for the reply. Actually, thanks to all the ty4stroke folks for their input. I've decided on AC skis with Semi Aggressive Snowtrackers for the LTX-DX... partly because of your recommendation. There were lots of good recommends related to this post. I was going to go with Bergatrom Triples, but they are having a supply problem and I didn't want to wait. I do have a mounting question however. The AC skis are attached to the sled with smaller diameter bolts, so all the holes are a bit smaller on the AC skis. I am thinking of just drilling out the holes on the AC skis and using Yamaha bolts and bushings etc. What did you do? Oh, one other thing. I'm switching to a new sled because late last year I totaled my '12 Vector which I loved. I'm 76 and that PS was awesome. Oh well...
Semper Fi & Fairwinds
Mike

 

[Kkurz]

I wouldn't drill them, I'd just get the right bolts and bushings. That's the ski/carbide combination that I use and I love it.