Simmons or Ski Doo Pilots?

[Chaos]

Howdy Gang,

I am looking for user reviews and comments based on your experience. My wife and I, new to riding in Colorado, ride Ski Doo MXZ’s, her’s a 2003 600 and mine a 2005 800, modified with longer tracks . They have the original ski’s on them. As newer riders our problem have been in the powder and “getting stuck”. As "older" riders it is a challenge to dig out and continue riding without dreading the next dig out.

My wife is a petite individual and does not have the muscle and weight to muscle the sled, not to mention like me, has little powder experience.

I am seriously considering upgrading the ski’s to a set of Ski Doo Pilot 6.9’s or a set of Simmons generation 1 or 2. Right now I am favoring the Simmons Gen 2 just because of the flotation provided.

We truly enjoy the sport and I would really appreciate any advice or comments based on my desire to put new ski’s on to improve performance, and, time riding, versus, digging out.

Thank you in advance.

Chaos and his better half.

 

[skidoochick564]

I had an '03 600 summit last season and went from the original skis to the pilots. With the original skis and the older chasis style, I felt like the sled was trying to dive into powder, and I'd get stuck. When I put the pilots on the difference I saw was amazing, both for flotation in powder and boondocking to control while trail riding. It made riding the sled so much more enjoyable and effortless. I upgraded to a '05 800 summit for this season with a 159" track and also have the pilot skis on this sled. I don't think I could ask for a better ski for the type of riding I do.

I also was debating between the simmons and the pilots. I made my decision based on the opinions of a few of the guys I ride with, who are also sled mechanics. I haven't heard anything bad about the simmons, but I have heard the Gen 2's are better if you decide to go that direction.

Just my opinion and my experience, hope this helps. I think either way you go, you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how big the improvement is you'll see.

 

[BackCountryBob]

I've been riding Simmons GEN 1 on DOOs since 02 and on CATS since 93. The single best feature of the Simmons is the amount of flex it has and its ability to take a big hit and not damage the A arms or nun.

The Simmons are excellent floaters but you have to tune your suspension to make them work on the trail otherwise they tend to be hard to steer at slow speeds. High speeds they do not dart around following other ski tracks.

Your MXZs have a wider ski stance than the REV mountain sleds that most of us have. I would recommend removing the sway bar and soften up the front shocks. Probably loosen the limiter strap to give more weight transfer away from the skiis = less diving. You can't go wrong with either the Simmons or the Pilots with my nod going to the extra flex of the Simmons.

You need to find a dealer that knows how to adapt the MXZ for powder as that sled was designed for high speed tail racing. Matt at RPM in Lakewood used to race MXZs and might be a good place to start.

BCB

 

[SledGimp]

Love my USI X2 Triple Threats

 

[Joe Mama]

I swaped out my pilots for simmons in 05 and would never go back. The newer pilots seem to be a little better, but its hard to beat the simmons in the powder. The new wider simmons may be to harder to get the sled up on its side for a smaller rider. I have absolutly abused my simmons skis to the tune of replacing (6) A-arms over the years and never damaged a ski. Just my $.02

 

[Chaos]

Ski information

SkiDooChick, BackCountryBob, SledGimp, Joe Mama,

I can't thank you guys and gals enough. You have provided a wealth of information in just a few emails and I thank you kindly. Which way would I go right now? Gen II's, but then again, what do I know I'm just an old fart handling a mid-life crisis.

Stay in touch if you have other opinions and experiences. Thanks again to all of you. Sincerely.

Chaos