New SKS owner :) Ski Question

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jmaxdox

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• Apr 9, 2015

• #1

I'm the worst kind and Love it!! I'm an East Side rider that's been pounding the crap out of our Absolutely Awesome Western Mountain trail systems here in Maine. Right now I ride a 2015 Axys Switchback S 800 H.O. and I live for this sh*t. I know how to set up a trail sled for my style of riding and that has always required me throwing away the stock skis immediately.

I just SnowChecked an SKS Voodoo Baby w/ Black tunnel & blue rails. I'm 45 years old and completely new to Mountain riding. I've done a little off trail with my Switchbacks from time to time but that really doesn't touch the same bases in comparison with riding style or sled build. That's why I'm hear on SnoWest picking brains.

Here is my Question: Are these stock Gripper Skis any good? Some good opinions here would be appreciated? I will need all the help I can get. HAAA! :face-icon-small-win

 

C

Carls Cycle

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• Apr 9, 2015

• #2

Gripper Skis

Best OEM ski on the market.

 

sledheader

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place

• Apr 9, 2015

• #3

Grippers are the best stock skis on the market IMO. An upgrade would be SLP mohawks, but not worth the money when the stockers are EXTREMELY close anyway.

I would work on setting up the stock suspension the way you like, then upgrade shocks if you feel the need. Personally, after dropping 14k on a sled, I don't plan on dropping another 2k on shocks. I would rather just ride it!

 

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jmaxdox

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• Apr 9, 2015

• #4

Oh I like to spend money. It's actually Fun isn't it?

On a Serious note.... I'm 280 pounds dressed and had to change all the springs in my brand new Switchback Pro-S. Would you say the Suspension has weaknesses for a Heavy guy like myself? If so where? Center? Rear? Ski's? All? Lets hear it.

 

Reg2view

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• Apr 9, 2015

• #5

jmaxdox said:

Here is my Question: Are these stock Gripper Skis any good? Some good opinions here would be appreciated? I will need all the help I can get. HAAA! :face-icon-small-win

Click to expand...

The 16's are supposed to fix the major design flaw of the grippers in years past - saddle ribs blowing out stock rubber bushing when set in narrow or wide, creating a lawn dart effect. Running it narrow or wide in heavy, wet, crusty snow accelerates the issue. Other bushings like doo or C&A can negate the problem. If this is fixed with the production skis like they said it will be, there is no reason for a rational person, or someone who doesn't work for a competing ski manufacturer or just likes to be different, to ever consider another ski for the RMK - they work, are tough, and are light. Congrats on the order - the drug you're going to be taking will cost you alot more money in the future...

 

Last edited: Apr 10, 2015

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SRXSRULE

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• Apr 9, 2015

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280 lbs....your gonna need 4 spring at a minimum. Should revalve all 4 shocks to go with it. Stock skis work great, you almost never seen a Pro RMK with anything other then the stock skis. Eric

 

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jmaxdox

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• Apr 9, 2015

• #7

SRXSRULE said:

280 lbs....your gonna need 4 spring at a minimum. Should revalve all 4 shocks to go with it. Stock skis work great, you almost never seen a Pro RMK with anything other then the stock skis. Eric

Click to expand...

Sounds like people really like the Gripper skis. Thanks.

 

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Pine-sol

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• Apr 9, 2015

• #8

Mohawks will serve you much better. It's just a better ski.


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sledheader

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place

• Apr 9, 2015

• #9

Pine-sol said:

Mohawks will serve you much better. It's just a better ski.


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Click to expand...

....how?

 

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Sheetmetalfab

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• Apr 9, 2015

• #10

Carls Cycle said:

Best ski on the market.

Click to expand...

Fixed it for you.

 

NorthMNSledder

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• Apr 10, 2015

• #11

jmaxdox said:

Sounds like people really like the Gripper skis. Thanks.

Click to expand...

Seen tons of them on the Doo sleds also. They are a great ski!

 

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snowmobiler

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• Apr 10, 2015

• #12

id try dual keel simmons if i rode alot of trails

 

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nosajlleb

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• Apr 11, 2015

• #13

snowmobiler said:

id try dual keel simmons if i rode alot of trails

Click to expand...

Not unless grandma is driving it. Them things are way too aggressive, woody's dually carbides beat the crap out of them and your grandma!!

 

Cooksend

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• Apr 11, 2015

• #14

Grippers are great Ski's however the X2's from USI are amazing. Tuneable and an improvement on and off the trail.