Take my money. Dual ski suspension

[barefooter]

http://www.raptorshocks.com/store/products.php?product=X2-Dual-Ski-Snow-Bike-Suspension

Why do I think that this will be the best $999 i ever would have spent? I had been musing on this over the winter if there was a way to get independent fork travel.....

And in the video........ "First project I ever worked on for Polaris was a snowbike" Damn - I have a feeling thinks are going to get interesting.

 

[TheHilltophood]

Looks very cool, I like the idea of an independent front suspension... I wonder how (if) this setup will work with some of the newer forks that have the spring in one fork leg, and damping in the other.

Also, what happens when you (accidentally) try to fit a tree in between those ski tips?

 

[barefooter]

Looks very cool, I like the idea of an independent front suspension... I wonder how (if) this setup will work with some of the newer forks that have the spring in one fork leg, and damping in the other.

Also, what happens when you (accidentally) try to fit a tree in between those ski tips?

Well. I ordered one. Talking to Jake at Raptor he says it is really not a huge issue. The skis are close enough that they are going to make the fork legs work together after the initial 2 inches of stroke. Some guys have kits for the 4C forks to put compression and rebound in both tubes. might be a little worse in the situation you described.

Never thought about having to be a little more careful in using the trees as berms.... That could lead to rapid deceleration instead of just bouncing off.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

After getting to ride them I can say that they definately glide through choppy spring snow way smoother then a TS, how it will handle the hits and deep snow, I can't say.

All in all some very outside the box thinking from Raptor!

 

[05900]

Looks good, how did it do on sidehill,predictable or loose?
Made for Grippers?

 

[Jakethesnake125]

My completely blind(never ridden TS or this) prediction is that this is over engineering at its finest. sometimes simple is better.

 

[capulin overdrive]

Does that price include the skis?


If not, and it's made to work with deferent skis, how wide of skis could a person use?


Also what diameter of fork tubes are these built for, 48mm?

 

[snowmobiler]

cool stuff

 

[backcountryislife]

Looks super neat & stuff, but no thanks. I can think of a few reasons this is a poor idea, one being the ability to hit a rock with one leg of the fork, which should be nice & pricey, another being the difference from one fork leg to another on nearly every bike on the market, another being the over complexity of the system, another being the sapling that sticks itself between the skis (it will happen) and the last being the fact that I don't want to ride a quad... I want a bike.

Forks are meant to work together, they are NOT a arms from a sled, they are NOT independent... anyone else ever noticed that the rebound and comp valving are on different legs??? There's a reason for that.

No thanks. Hopefully they'll sell the skid setup separately though, it looks pretty good to me, I'll take a T-sled front end though.

I will say though that for trail riders, I bet this would be HUGELY better, and if it helps the market expand to the midwest... I'm glad it's out there.

 

[jskattum606]

I have ridden this front set up for about half an hour in fair snow. Honestly it feels like a dirt bike with a steering stabilizer. Handled everything I rode better than the t sled front end, more predictable in every situation. Also like that it is wider (2 -7" skis) which helps it glide over the snow better instead of plowing.
I see your point on the small trees and the stress concentration on one fork in a hit , but in my opinion the positives out weight the negatives

 

[mikew5945]

I was really lucky to ride this front end most of the winter. Someone asked about the Grippers....NO..NO..NO. They were by far the worst ski we tested. Jake's ski is one of the best. I don't know how he will work the ski so I would call CMX for the front end for mountain riding or ask Jake about getting it. Like most items, Mark makes them better with a little work. A novice rider will be WOT 5th gear on trail within 1 mile. Off trail is no different.
Riding a QUAD??? This handles like a dirt bike. If you like TS you will love this. With this ski setup, each ski rides the side hill with the up hill ski's carbide working for you. It holds a side hill like no other. The skis respond to up hill turn with ease. There is less shoulder stress on the rider, it turns easier, doesn't launch you over the bar when running on dirt.
Small trees and rocks? Never a problem. We just rode the rocks at Cooke today. The trees, rocks, dirt and even the creek brush was no problem.
You will never ride a single ski again.

 

[wwillf01]

I have an interest because for me when you are early and late season it sucks riding the one ski on dirt and asphalt... Also I think when the snow conditions get compact and hard there are issues.. Finally the $&@&&$$&&& bolt in the ski coming loose is an issue for me I am tired of checking in the thing...


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[wwillf01]

I was really lucky to ride this front end most of the winter. Someone asked about the Grippers....NO..NO..NO. They were by far the worst ski we tested. Jake's ski is one of the best. I don't know how he will work the ski so I would call CMX for the front end for mountain riding or ask Jake about getting it. Like most items, Mark makes them better with a little work. A novice rider will be WOT 5th gear on trail within 1 mile. Off trail is no different.

Riding a QUAD??? This handles like a dirt bike. If you like TS you will love this. With this ski setup, each ski rides the side hill with the up hill ski's carbide working for you. It holds a side hill like no other. The skis respond to up hill turn with ease. There is less shoulder stress on the rider, it turns easier, doesn't launch you over the bar when running on dirt.

Small trees and rocks? Never a problem. We just rode the rocks at Cooke today. The trees, rocks, dirt and even the creek brush was no problem.

You will never ride a single ski again.

...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[iowa827]

Looks super neat & stuff, but no thanks. I can think of a few reasons this is a poor idea, one being the ability to hit a rock with one leg of the fork, which should be nice & pricey, another being the difference from one fork leg to another on nearly every bike on the market, another being the over complexity of the system, another being the sapling that sticks itself between the skis (it will happen) and the last being the fact that I don't want to ride a quad... I want a bike.

Forks are meant to work together, they are NOT a arms from a sled, they are NOT independent... anyone else ever noticed that the rebound and comp valving are on different legs??? There's a reason for that.

No thanks. Hopefully they'll sell the skid setup separately though, it looks pretty good to me, I'll take a T-sled front end though.

I will say though that for trail riders, I bet this would be HUGELY better, and if it helps the market expand to the midwest... I'm glad it's out there.

If you understand how forks on dirt bikes work you would agree with this guy. This wouldn't work out so well on SFF forks!

 

[mrsnaglepuss]

No, no, not two skis again!

Very interesting. Let me ride it installed on my bike one full day any condition, then and only then will I pass judgement. Ride a mile or two in another mans shoes er.. I mean skis.