I had the opportunity to run this skid most of the season. I had the gen 2 prior to this and one of my main riding buddies has a new gen 2 with titanium arms and Kmotion. We have identical sleds (turbo Axys 163), only difference is the suspension.
First off, the gen 3 with chromoly arms is the same weight as by buddies gen 2 with ti arms and kmotion. This is also the same weight as a bone stock Polaris skid (regular 1/2" shaft walkers, no anti stab, flimsy rails, etc). Getting to this weight was a big achievement. A handful of RMSHA guys have been using it in practice and racing so you know the durability is still there.
Secondly, the new skid handles a lot more similar to the stock skid in the technical tree riding terrain. The ride height change is noticeable hopping from the gen 2 to the gen 3. The shock angles and leverage rates are also changed and we have all found the new skid to float better and climb steeper terrain with the same coupler level as the gen 2. That being said, it is also more playful. The way I have mine setup, it hangs the skis 6" off the ground on moderate slopes with proper body position, very similar to the stock skid. But it can easily lift the skis more if you want. Coupler 1 is less coupling than before, nearly 0% in practice. Coupler 2 and 3 are also less than before but coupler 4 is still the same as gen 2 which a lot of chute climbers and big HP guys will appreciate. With similar handling characteristics as stock (on coupler 1), I find the Kmod gen 3 more predictable than stock. Kevin made me run the stock skid for 2-300 miles so I could get some honest back to back feedback. Higher coupler levels of 2, 3, and 4 are obviously different than the stock skid, those are reserved for deep powder, high HP, steep slopes (both climbing and sidehilling). On setup snow, with Kevins 37" a arms and the gen 3 skid in a 163 length, I was sidehilling and maneuvering through trees on an honest 40°+ slope (measured with angle finder). It is really impressive and if you're not careful can get you in trouble in a hurry haha! There are 2 different FTS mounting locations in the front rail, I have ran both positions. Front position makes it super playful whereas the rear position has more of a climbing/floatation bias. The two positions just change the leverage ratio and shock rate to dial in what you are looking for.
Thirdly, shock tune. Kevin has sent me 6 different rear track shocks to try. He's also been an integral part of Keith Curtis mod sled setup, as well as his own and others gen 3 skids. There has been a big effort to get the best tuning on this skid before its released. I think people will be real happy with it.
Here you can see the difference between coupler 3 and 4. First is 3 and second is 4. As you know, videos don't do justice but this slope is relatively steep, probably around 35°-40°, but the route I was taking didn't have a run in and there are a few trees to dodge so I was in and out of the throttle.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B76OIOnHZTBDZXVPd1FwaUFXamc
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B76OIOnHZTBDRWZTNzg0dTcwbk0
