Xtx deep snow setup/skis?

[hardcor_32]

looking to setup my '14 xtx for more deep snow riding than trail riding. Wondering what people have preferred for their setups or ski. Not sure if anyone has used ski skins or just altered stock components? Seems to dive instead of float more in exceptionally deep snow....next one will be mtx lol

 

[walter]

If your looking for some powder riding just stand on the old wallet and buy some new skiis. there are plenty of other guys on here that will agree on the aftermarket skiis. curves or c and a s

 

[stingray719]

Been there done that, converted two XTX to deep powder sleds. First, you have to change out the front skid shock spring to a 160 pound spring. The exceptionally weak spring makes the Viper nose dive on braking...along with heavy front feel and awful trenching. Change spring no more white outs when you let off the gas.

Next, change out twig skis. Many choices there but I suggest Polaris Gripper skis that a lot of the M8 guys run.

Info in this thread,
http://www.ty4stroke.com/threads/interesting-skid-shock-spring-info.131147/

 

[hardcor_32]

Walter - do u run either ski? which the cna xtx one? Does one mount easier than the other? Heard guys havin to shim or alter to make things work.

Stingray - I was reading the majority of ur posts and threads last night. Your the first one I've heard mention the polaris skiis or used arctic cat front end...right now I'm just hoping to better the performance not Frankenstein the machine as I'm running on a newborn budget. The spring makes sense but how does it ride when not in powder

 

[walter]

Mounting can be a pain if you do not buy their mounting kits.. you can make it work though with shimming and altering the rubber support that runs between the spindle and the ski... I ran the crossover C and A skis last year and I thought they floated really well for a crossover ski while being great on the trails as well.

 

[hardcor_32]

I was considering the slp Mohawks too. So as long as u get their mounting gear it's just bolt on?

 

[yamahaguy]

Lots of ski opinions on here but my vote is go with Slydog 8inch. They work awesome in the deep and on the trail. Many colors to choose from and decent price also. I have not tried the heaver skid spring that Stringrays talks about but it sure seams to work well for a lot of guys. I am going to try it this season.

 

[stingray719]

Walter - do u run either ski? which the cna xtx one? Does one mount easier than the other? Heard guys havin to shim or alter to make things work.

Stingray - I was reading the majority of ur posts and threads last night. Your the first one I've heard mention the polaris skiis or used arctic cat front end...right now I'm just hoping to better the performance not Frankenstein the machine as I'm running on a newborn budget. The spring makes sense but how does it ride when not in powder

The spring change lightens pressure on the skis and the result I had on the road as a lot less darting and better balance. Still no idea why Cat/Yamaha put a 110 pound spring in there when most snowmobiles have a 160 pound but at least it is an easy fix.

If you are in the flatlands don't change the front end, only advantage with narrow front is sidehilling. You didn't list your location so I am guessing.

What I did for skis really is "frankensteining" as I took the old blow molded Camoplast all terrain skis and drilled the spindle bushing for the bolt to fit and then added shims to the side to narrow my 38 to 37 inches. The Camoplast are very light and very cheap, 200 bucks delivered to my door with carbides, mounts, and skis. NOW, I am not suggesting you do that but I really like mine. Polaris Grippers are very much like the Camoplast all terrain but are bolt on, check the Cat forums to see how many guys run them. But we are talking about Powder skis, for trail skis see the comments above.

I was suggesting the New Old Stock cat front ends not used, I had bought two of them on Ebay. Cat put a 40 inch front on 2012 cats and then sold an update kit to 38 inch and some of those kits are still around. Gave $200.00 a kit for mine and then $100.00 to have shocks shortened.

 

[hardcor_32]

Sorry I'm from northwestern Ontario. I'm going to look into the grippers and spring but with our dollar being so low the Mohawks are around $750 here and imagine the spring to be over priced too....this flatland burdrandt might just have to stick with what he's got for another year if he can't find a good deal on parts.