[SIZE=7] I need to replace the stock steel skis on my wife's 96 formula sls.
I'm pondering replacing with some used pastic flex skis. One person told me not to bother. He claims there isn't much of a difference in handling or performance.
I ride a 2000 formula z 700 which do have the plastic skis. However since both sleds ride totally different, it's hard to compare.
This same person advised me that even with plastic skis you should have a ski skin on them...
What do you think ? Steel with skins or should i go for the plastic flex ski.

go with the plastics. they absorb the ruff stuff better, u dont get that clinging sound when u go acrossed pavement. they are lighter and more durable. yes steel is strong but the plastic will bend. here is a picture of my sled in a little mishap last spring. thought for sure i broke a plastic ski and probably if i had steel it may have broke because the steel has no give to it. if u notice my lower ski was jambed in that bank. :D

Go with the plastic skis. They look better and they are flexible which helps to absorbs the bumps in the trail. They are float better in powder. You can find these skis all over ebay. I would go one step futher and put a set of Woody's dooley carbides on both you and your wifes sled. Trust me you won't be disappointed. :D

Whoever this person is telling you about skis, has no idea what he is talking about. A plastic ski wil outperform a steel ski in every situation. They will make the sled easier to turn, float better in deep snow, absorb bumps better, they will even make the bars feel lighter. This will be more than welcomed by your wife. I'm sure you wil get a special thank-you from her. (wink-wink)

Plastic skis will be better in almost all situations you encounter. You will not be sorry if you buy them instead of steel skis.

Go Plastics :)

Go with the plastic skis. My brother-in-law has a '96 MXZ 583 with steel skis, and he hates them. He just ordered plastic. See advantages listed above.

gentlemen,
plastic skis and i know you all mean flex skis when you say plastic. plastic skis might as well be steel skis with ski skins on them. flex skis are the way to go and SLEDLEN don't get used flex skis. because who know the history of the skis ? those used skis might have been sitting on a sled during outdoor storage for 5 years.

:)Thanks everyone....I think I'll go with the plastic!

Plastic by far, they look better,handle better, don't rust and are forgiving when you run
to those little obstacles on and off the trails. ;) ;)

Plastic skis rule, but as plastic skis go, flex skis aren't the best. I would still get them if your getting them cheap or something. Otherwise, I would go with Precision (Ski doo dual runner), USI, Simmons, C&A or some of the other aftermarket manufacturers. Why have you chosen the flex ski?

When I had my 96 MXZ 583 I changed the skiis from Metal to the Flex skis, difference was like night and day!! Now I have a 2000 MXZ 700 with precision skiis and they are even better than the flex skiis. I would spend a little more and get the precision.

I would not put C&A's on the wifes sled. Don't get me wrong, I have them on my sled and love them. They are very aggressive though and take a fair amount of muscle to turn, especially at low speeds. I put the flex skis from my Summit on the wifes Formula, and we're both happy. :D

My wifes mxz had stock steels that I put skins on and they were alot better. I then put precision on my Formula z and put my flex on her sled. She said it was so much better, easier to turn and they do suck up the small bumps, her arms and shoulders after a long days ride were a lot less sore.. PLASTIC - precision if you can... I also suggest looking on ebay.

the plastics will make it handle better, and will float better in deep snow. I have the plastics on mine and it really helps.

Can you get plastic skis to fit an old 89 Formula plus?

If I was you, I would say to your pal there...

1]...Oh yeah, you're right. I have no idea why all the oem's and aftermarket are making them. I'll bet there are more people complaining about the plastic than steel skis.
Yep, what was the oem thinking by using plastic???
2]...Ugh...just another way for them to jack the prices on our sleds for something that is not needed.
3]...And yeah....there are many companies that make ski-skins. Holy cr@p there are sooo many I don't know who makes the best. Maybe I should look for some "Steel skins" for my skis.
...end sarcasm

Look there Doc, I usually don't bash anyone but im gonna stick my neck out here just a little because I don't know if I'm gonna be able to sleep tonight if I don't say anything about "this guy" you are talking about.
Umm..."this guy" has his head up his own a$s. Sorry, but I have to say it for my own peace of mind. He cannot give you one reason WHY you should stay with Steel.

There are too many reasons to list why plastic is drastic for the better.
*Unsprung weight, so your front suspension reacts to the bump quicker and has more shock travel per impact.
*Vibration dampener, being that when the ski impacts, they have a much lower natural frequency to vibrate at compared to steel. You don't get that "teeth gnashing" when you drive over small trees or hit rocks.
*The tip of the ski starts to bend upon impact of a bump, dampening the force, so the shock reacts slowly then quickly as the ski centerpoint goes over the bump...
*Plus if you buy a bomber ski and say happen to get in an accident, you can remove the aluminum bridge from the ski skin and take the bent/twisted skin then throw it in your Home or Garage heater duct for an hour, then pull it out and VOILA!!...the ski skin is STRAIGHT again.
Fasten it back on to a new ski bridge and Hammer down.
I've bent a few ski bridges, but never replaced a skin from twisting. A 1/2 hour to an hour in some heat and she straightens right out.
*I installed a pair of Bomber plastic skis on a buddies 95 XLT touring Polaris and he loves them. Could not believe the difference. Being the aggressive nature with a 8" carbide, he could let his limiter strap out even more for better suspension travel. After Alan did this, there are 4 more guys with polaris in our area that bought the same Bomber skis. I cut the bushing adapters for them on my lathe. Installed and happy sledders.

Buy a bomber ski..
...check ebay for the best deals.

And that's my short rant on plastic skis.... :D