Skinz A Arms

[REV2XHEART]

Was thinking about switching to the RAS 2 front end next season. Rode a sled with it and I did like it a bit more just don't know if it is that big of a deal though.

Was looking at the skinz a arms. They push the skis 3 inch more forward.

I tend to agree with their claim that it is better as far as a pivot point.

Don't know anyone that has them though. Most things I find on dootalk a a few years old on it. Anyone have some recent experience with them?

 

[Woodsie1984]

I built my own 3 1/2" forward 36" stance for my 1200 turbo 4 stroke. It made a huge difference for me. I havnt tried one on a 2 stroke but I would think it would work the same.

 

[REV2XHEART]

Any issues for the mounting locations of the shocks after some use with it? i wonder about the difference forces acting on the shock connection points

 

[Woodsie1984]

Havnt had any issues with the shock mounts. I really like how it handles now, I find it's kind of like a pro, sticks it's line better while side hilling. I personally couldn't go back to stock after riding on them now.

 

[REV2XHEART]

do you find initiating a carve to be smoother? Like you can control it better without the sled just tipping too far over?

 

[Woodsie1984]

Mostly I find the back end doesn't wash out near as easy as before, didn't really notice any difference for initial tip over for carving, but once tipped I find it's easier to keep there while side hilling.

 

[IFSM8]

I had the skinz on my 2013 with exit shocks. I really liked the set up and found it really tippy but I like to ride a lot in a side hill anyway so that worked well for me. the only thing that i found was that with the orings for your shock eyelets would push out because of the angle of the shock. I also had to get my shocks longer due to the three inches forward, the stock ones do not pivot and are only 16.5 inches long so iff you plan on buying the skinz kit it will cost a lot more than the RAS2 kit.

I now own a 2015 with the RAS 2 and I could re use my exit shocks because the length is correct and I do not find a difference between the skinz and the RAS 2. The feeling between the two is so close that I would say they are about the same for pivot point. I know the difference is significant because a friend of mine went from a 2014 to a 2015 and he had a hard time finding the sweet spot again be cause the pivot point was changed.

other things to consider is if you break the skinz a arms they are a little bit more complicated to get(know from experience) compared to a stock doo item.

Just my two cents

 

[Rotax_Kid]

I had the full Skinz setup on my 14 XM. I rode it about 100 miles with it and didn't care for it. It felt too much like a Pro to me and felt slow to respond compared to all of the Doo front ends I was used to. It was also pretty pricey for what was there, but my not liking it takes price out of the equation. Maybe it does sidehill a little better, I didn't end up with armpit deep to test it in, but it seemed to take the playfulness I liked in the front end out. Shocks were lighter but he arm were heavier than stock.

 

[towerrigger]

You can't beat the price of the RAS2 front end. Best bang for your buck. I did notice that it made the steering feel lighter. The kit did jump up in price this year in the catalog.

 

[REV2XHEART]

Leaning towards RAS 2. I rode a buddies T3 with it and I did like it better even with just riding it for a bit.

I still couldn't find the sweet spot to carve with it though. Its like its all or nothing with me on the sled I just find the sled to be taller than the old rev I am used to.

The old rev also had the wider ski stance like the Freerides (well wider than them I think)

Probably sounds crazy but I think I am going to go with the wider front end.

IF anyone is looking for a 36 inch summit front end with raptor shocks let me know

 

[oler1234]

You know I can pull over a regular summit without the RAS with 1 hand. We all seen the videos in 2013. The summits with the RAS suspension takes two... I honestly don't belive the RAS pulls over easier. Goto th dealer and try it out for yourself and you will see

 

[sarem]

i need front shocks on my 2014. dont care about rest of front suspension, actually just painted mine but we should talk. whats the protocol on contacting someone

 

[REV2XHEART]

You know I can pull over a regular summit without the RAS with 1 hand. We all seen the videos in 2013. The summits with the RAS suspension takes two... I honestly don't belive the RAS pulls over easier. Goto th dealer and try it out for yourself and you will see

I agree with ya really. I don't find tipping it on its side any easier. I remember they always used to talk about centering and lowering the weight of a sled. They now all seem to have gone against the lowering of weight and instead making them skinner. I dunno I guess I would have to put them side by side to tell for sure. Its like the handlebars are the same height as they used to be you just used to have to get a taller riser before.

New technology is good though. Sure I would love for skidoo to just make a better rev as that was my sled of choice. Not gonna happen though and I am not going to build one. I don't like to "fix" things all day long.

Guess I am just trying to make what I got a bit more like what I used to have.