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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
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    Mammoth Lakes
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    3,638

    What is a more damp, smoother Kastle MX 89???

    With our complete lack of snow here in the Sierra's I have been skiing narrower skis this winter. Bought some Kastle MX 89's on ebay this summer. Most reviews all say how damp and smooth the MX series is from Kastle. Admittedly this is my first Kastle, but they aren't remotely as smooth as my old skool Stocklie Stormrider 95's. These are the green/black one's from approx '13, back when the tips weren't super soft.

    What is a smoother/damper mid 80's underfoot ski? I'm a very traditional skier, like the old skool Legend Pro's and these old Stormriders for perspective. I'm 5'9", 160 so don't need a 2x4, but just love how the Stockli's just smooth out all chatter, vibrations, etc. Super confidence inspiring.
    He who has the most fun wins!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    ne pennsylvania
    Posts
    4,860
    they're talked about a lot here - the monster 98's i loved in a 184 but a bit too much ski for skiing in Pa., wish i got the 177 in it. never had the 88 but the 98 was the most damp/stable ski i've been on - granted i never skied a stockli or kastle but i'd recommend trying the 88 monster. i believe it was the same construction as the 98. good luck in your search.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Gaperville, CO
    Posts
    5,844
    Monster 83 or Monster 88. Given your weight, I'd downsize them (177?).

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    9,850
    Well ..... if stockli is the standard to be met ........ you will always be disappointed; so just get a stockli.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    2,036
    Brahma 88. This years has less early rise.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    NCW
    Posts
    4,577
    Honestly, the SR95 is one of the dampest, smoothest skis I have ever been on, so if that's the bar, I'd say track down an SR88. The monster 88 is very damp, but lacks the energy of the MX or SR IMO.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Chamonix
    Posts
    67
    Aluflex Ephemere, medium flex. But expensive and long delay (custom made).

    Monster 88 is also a good choice, more stable and solid on edge than SR or MX, but a bit less damp or lively.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Posts
    228
    Do you mean the Stormrider 95s shown below? I had a pair of these a few years back. They were damp and smooth but I wouldn't call them stiff at all. The tails were pretty solid but the tips were super soft (like Soul 7 soft).

    I actually owned a pair of Kastle MX88s during the same time period and don't remember them being much less damp than the Stormriders. My recollection is that they both had a similar smooth snow feel, with the MX88s providing more energy and rebound. That flat square tail was like a slingshot out of turns. But the Stormriders did have a certain muted snowfeel that I haven't encountered in other skis.

    The Monster 88 and 98 (at least the versions I skied) were stiffer than either the MX88 or the Stormriders, also super damp but not as energetic or as easy to bend into different turn shapes.

    Brahmas are more versatile but a tier or two below any of the above in terms of dampness, IMO.

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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Posts
    1,295
    I have pairs of monster 88’s and SR88’s. Both cheap. Let me know if interested.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    900
    Salomon x-drive 8.8 ?


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    NCW
    Posts
    4,577
    Quote Originally Posted by slowroastin View Post
    Salomon x-drive 8.8 ?


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    I have a pair of these in 184 If anyone is looking. They’re super powerful and quite damp, but not as fun as the Kastles. More of a narrow charger than a carver.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    346
    Quote Originally Posted by Marshal Olson View Post
    I have pairs of monster 88’s and SR88’s. Both cheap. Let me know if interested.
    Pm’ed you about the stormriders.


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Mammoth Lakes
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marshal Olson View Post
    I have pairs of monster 88’s and SR88’s. Both cheap. Let me know if interested.
    PM'd last night. Super interested.

    My SR95's I think are older than those Jongle. I tried some a few years ago with the silver top sheet and you are right, the tips were SUPER soft. Mine aren't stiff, but way stiffer than the last few years. They are definitely softer than Monster 98's by a fair amount. Just so smoooooth.

    You are right about the square tail on the MX89's. They do give some finish to a turn. The MX's aren't soft, but definitely not super stiff either. Just the feedback or feel of the ski is not nearly as smooth as the Stormriders. The Monster 98's are also smoother than the Kastle's.

    Thanks all for the suggestions. Praying for snow so I don't need to worry about this and can bring out my new Proto's!
    He who has the most fun wins!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Posts
    1,295
    Hey all!
    Just going to post a few thoughts on 184 M88 and 186 SR88 here.

    184 MONSTER 88
    Of the 88s on the market, probably most like the OG legend pro that the Comish mentioned.
    21m radius is nice and round. Hooks up very nicely.
    Stiffer pattern, so it needs a skier to bend them.
    Very smooth ride, great at skiing fast on rough snow (like all monsters).
    Less tactile edge feel, so more like an SUV than a sports car.
    Not a lot of rebound out of the turn (neither good nor bad, just their flavor).
    Happy to smash bumps and spring snow.

    186 SR 88
    Very nice carver.
    More tip rocker than I expected + relatively softer (maybe medium-ish overall) which is nice in that you can bend it into all kinds of turns.
    Super nice feel. You can tell exactly what type of snow you are on and how to pressure the edge no matter what.
    Less ideal pointing it and skiing off edge, but highly functional all mountain for a more precise/finesse skier.

    Hope that helps.

    Regarding the skis I have, both are drilled a few times and $100 flat or $175 with bindings. Comish has right of refusal on each.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Mammoth Lakes
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    This is the Stormrider generation I have, poached the pict from the Stockli thread:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    He who has the most fun wins!

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Posts
    2,571
    I’ll get in line on Marshal’s SRs

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    1,887
    Fwiw, I think you were looking for the mx88 not the mx89.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    SkiTalk.com
    Posts
    3,369
    Augment AM88 is the ski the old MX88 wanted to be.
    Click. Point. Chute.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Wasatch Back: 7000'
    Posts
    12,964
    Following.....
    and hoping that I like my new MX89 as much as my MX98. I have been on either Stockli or Kastle carving skis since 2005. (a couple of pair of SS Stormriders and a couple of pair of MX98). I can't say that I preferred the Stormriders to the MX98. Both fantastic sticks. It's been a long time, but both skis do the same things well (i.e. charge down the fall line quickly with incredible stability). I think that for corduroy and inbounds steeps, I will always be a squaretail with metal man
    “How does it feel to be the greatest guitarist in the world? I don’t know, go ask Rory Gallagher”. — Jimi Hendrix

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
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    Mammoth Lakes
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    Quote Originally Posted by mattig View Post
    Fwiw, I think you were looking for the mx88 not the mx89.
    Interesting. Tell me more. What was the change to the 89's besides a mm?
    He who has the most fun wins!

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    monument
    Posts
    6,910
    I have a 186 Scot Schmidt Pro StormRider that would let go cheap.
    123-91-111
    Metal, damp.
    2 mounts, one is a Pivot that fits a 307mm.

    Prefer my KastleMX98s

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    1,887
    Quote Originally Posted by comish View Post
    Interesting. Tell me more. What was the change to the 89's besides a mm?
    I have not yet skied the newer versions (mx89 and mx99), but they're allegedly somewhat castrated versions of their predecessors, not necessarily in a bad way for the average buyer of these skis, but in a more accessible way.

    The magic of that previous version is hard to quantify. I would agree that monster 88/98 is stiffer and apparently burlier, but in the same way that a 2x4 is stiffer than fishing pole. I've never wanted for dampness and chargeability in the mx98 and I only have the girly 184s.

    Anyway, we need official maggot beta on the differences between the two generations. I won't pay for the damn things until they go on sale. Schindler, our nation turns its eyes to you.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Chamonix
    Posts
    67
    Aluflex PasseMontagne are the skis you're looking for. But I guess very hard to find or even try in US.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Mammoth Lakes
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    yep, Marshal Olson was right. The Head Monster 88 184cm is perfect for this use. Tips are stronger than the Stockli with a lot more bite for the firm / chalky upper mtn or groomers. Very damp. Pretty stoked on these skis. Thanks mang!
    He who has the most fun wins!

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Access to Granlibakken
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    11,184
    I freakin loved my orange/red im 88 monsters....was that 2008? Stiffish but round flex, damp, great skis for Mammoth firm snow but they delammed. This thread got me thinking I’d like a new pair but 184 is the longest length? I’d prefer a few cm more for my 190 lbs.

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