Powder Pro's on a M8....
- Thread starter duc848
- Start date
Do a search and you'll learn plenty about skis on the M8.
I was new to Cat last year too with a new 09 M8 Sno Pro and I am looking to replace my stock skis too.
Basically in a nutshell, this is what I remember from all the ski posts I read (and there were a lot of them).
The MODS skis work best on the M8 but, the design looks extremely dated.
Guys love the looks of the Slydogs but, they reviews on their performance is far less than stellar.
The Simmons Gen I have a fair amount of followers yet, the remarks about hard steering are etched in my brain.
The Simmons Gen II also have their fair share of followers but, the added width to the front of the sled makes some question their boondocking ability in tight trees. If only the ski mounts were on the outer edges adding the additional width to toward the center of the sled.
The USI Triple Threat with interchangable fins on the rear (rudders) have some followers. They are fairly narrow (by comparison) to be called a mountain ski but, the ability to tailor your skis to conditions is appealing (if the fins aren't prone to being kocked off by rocks, stumps, etc).
The Powder Pros have been referred to as "darty" or "twichy" on the trail by some. My understanding is they are fairly aggressive on the trail (too much so in the mind of some) yet their off trail prowness is nearly universal. I have read nothing but good about how they work in the powder. My plan is to buy a set of the powder pros and lower the front bolts of my rear skid to the lowest hole (can be seen inside the tunnel) to remove a bit of ski pressure to get rid of some of the darting and make the front end even more light and nimble while climbing and playing in the powder.
Unless there's something better that I am missing?
I was new to Cat last year too with a new 09 M8 Sno Pro and I am looking to replace my stock skis too.
Basically in a nutshell, this is what I remember from all the ski posts I read (and there were a lot of them).
The MODS skis work best on the M8 but, the design looks extremely dated.
Guys love the looks of the Slydogs but, they reviews on their performance is far less than stellar.
The Simmons Gen I have a fair amount of followers yet, the remarks about hard steering are etched in my brain.
The Simmons Gen II also have their fair share of followers but, the added width to the front of the sled makes some question their boondocking ability in tight trees. If only the ski mounts were on the outer edges adding the additional width to toward the center of the sled.
The USI Triple Threat with interchangable fins on the rear (rudders) have some followers. They are fairly narrow (by comparison) to be called a mountain ski but, the ability to tailor your skis to conditions is appealing (if the fins aren't prone to being kocked off by rocks, stumps, etc).
The Powder Pros have been referred to as "darty" or "twichy" on the trail by some. My understanding is they are fairly aggressive on the trail (too much so in the mind of some) yet their off trail prowness is nearly universal. I have read nothing but good about how they work in the powder. My plan is to buy a set of the powder pros and lower the front bolts of my rear skid to the lowest hole (can be seen inside the tunnel) to remove a bit of ski pressure to get rid of some of the darting and make the front end even more light and nimble while climbing and playing in the powder.
Unless there's something better that I am missing?
S
shredjim
Active member
Here in the NW, PP's seem to be the ski of choice, no matter what brand of sled. I have them on my Doo 06 Summit 800 and they came on my slightly used 09 M8 Sno Pro. It seems like EVERYBODY with an AC sled around here uses them. Yes they are a little darty on the trail, but once you get used to them, its no problem. If I lived in the lowlands I might consider something different, but here in the mountains, the PP's rule.
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sunbather1969
Well-known member
pp
pp with the rear outside edges cut
pp with the rear outside edges cut
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BigRed118
Well-known member
I think part of people's issues with the Powder Pro's are there carbide choice. The 6-1/2" x 90 degree is about the best all around .They offer more aggressive options but for mountains they are not needed. What I found this last year is if you are running the 2 wheel kit, cut the outside edges of the PP's. It was a pretty nice difference. All in all, I have been able to try several different skis and I keep coming back to the Powder Pros.
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shredjim
Active member
I've never heard of cutting the outside edges. Please explain and if you could provide a picture of the finished cut ski, it would be much appreciated! Thanks!
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Bearcat
Well-known member
Pic tels more than 1000 words. Check pics at timbersled home page. I'm going to do this mod too for next winter. Sounds it's a winner mod
A
ACMtnCat
Well-known member
Here's another great mod! It's a spring from a '04 snopro Costs $5-6 for both of them. Remove the spacer bushings from the ski spindle and the ski floats from side to side. Keep the rubber lubed up good at all times so it slides nice and easy. It also cuts down on darting that some have mentioned.
Wide stance to narrow stance in a spit second! I really like this mod!
Wide stance to narrow stance in a spit second!
I really like this mod!
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sunbather1969
Well-known member
easier sidhilling
takes less effort to maneuver in powder
takes less effort to maneuver in powder
W
love the powder pros
they do dart a little but like sledslut said, its a mountain machine!!!!
i like the floating ski idea though..
they do dart a little but like sledslut said, its a mountain machine!!!!
i like the floating ski idea though..
Here's another great mod! It's a spring from a '04 snopro Costs $5-6 for both of them. Remove the spacer bushings from the ski spindle and the ski floats from side to side. Keep the rubber lubed up good at all times so it slides nice and easy. It also cuts down on darting that some have mentioned.
Wide stance to narrow stance in a spit second!
The spring worked good?
I have been wanting to do this for a while but haven’t. Does the spring wear down? To me it would be the best of both set-ups.
I'm just going to throw this out there.....don't overlook the SLP SLT's. They are a bit narrower but still plenty wide for a sled like the M6-7-8 that isn't too nose heavy. I have ridden about every ski and this is probably my favorite on a lighter sled, whether in the deep or on the road, and I also had the anti-dart carbide "wing", the thing turned like on rails with ZERO darting.
And they are lighter-
And they are lighter-
I'm just going to throw this out there.....don't overlook the SLP SLT's. They are a bit narrower but still plenty wide for a sled like the M6-7-8 that isn't too nose heavy. I have ridden about every ski and this is probably my favorite on a lighter sled, whether in the deep or on the road, and I also had the anti-dart carbide "wing", the thing turned like on rails with ZERO darting.
And they are lighter-
I have to agree with you. I bought them a few years ago and put them on a 800 mountain cat. Great all round Ski. I would buy them again.
AcMtnCat, you blew the big secret!!! This is a great addition to any of the Cats. They used to do this on the sno pros like he stated and it works really well. In my experience the Powder Pros are the best aftermarket ski for Boondocking and backcountry riding. Cutting the backs works well.
The Simmons skis work really well, but don't sidehill like a powder pro.
The Gen II skis are just too much for a Cat, they work very well on a Yamaha, but it has a lot more girth up front.
Skis are a lot of personal preference as well, and the carbide choice is very important based on your riding conditions.
The Simmons skis work really well, but don't sidehill like a powder pro.
The Gen II skis are just too much for a Cat, they work very well on a Yamaha, but it has a lot more girth up front.
Skis are a lot of personal preference as well, and the carbide choice is very important based on your riding conditions.
I have powder pros on my 07 m8 and love them in the powder. I didn't notice too much darting on the trail but I'm only on the trail for maybe 2 minutes so who cares. I'll be putting powder pros on my 2010 as soon as it gets here. Buy them you won't be disappointed
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dre
Member
Powder Pros
Put them on my Polaris & Cat. Definite improvement on both. The Cat isn't great on the trail & these skis don't really improve it's trail manners much. But in the pow you'll notice the difference... & off camber cornering seems better. Have heard from a few folks the SLT are good on the Cat. I'd try them for sure on my next Cat.
Put them on my Polaris & Cat. Definite improvement on both. The Cat isn't great on the trail & these skis don't really improve it's trail manners much. But in the pow you'll notice the difference... & off camber cornering seems better. Have heard from a few folks the SLT are good on the Cat. I'd try them for sure on my next Cat.
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