I gave up on the pilot 5.7 too. I run C&A XPT skis now. Steering effort is a little harder, but they go where you point them and are a ton better in loose snow than the 5.7s. I found you don't need nearly as much ski pressure for them to work, so readjust your suspension and transfer blocks to make the steering effort lighter without sacrificing grip on the skis. If you really want to make steering effort easier, install some mechanical power steering plates (I did), highly recommend.

 

ok this was an answer I was looking for something along this. And yea I know exactly what you are talking about for steering plates.
Thanks! What carbides are you running?

 

I had the same issue and this was my solution. These are the 'old' Pilot R skis that came stock on the 2012/2013 XRS. Push is almost gone, but steering effort is not bad. It's a good median between C&A and the stock Pilots. You can use the same carbides as the stock Pilots too.

Ski-Doo OEM Black Pilot 5.7X Performance Ski, REV, 505072205

 

Awesome thank you another great answer and option for me! Trying to stay with ski doo ski so I can reuse my carbides and bregstrom shims.
Thanks

 

I ran the old 2012 pilot r with 6 inch shaper bars on that exact sled and it handled awsome.

 

Awesome thanks! Did you get any push in loose snow?

 

My go to all around ski was the pilot 6.9 ski. Deeper keel, stock carbides on the outside and studboy shapers in the middle. The Lynx XC ski also works surprisingly well.

 

I picked up a set of the 5.7R (5.7X) skis but haven't tried them yet. They look like they would be a good balanced trial ski... not sure why they aren't stock instead of the trash 5.7 skis!

 

IN order of aggressiveness, the skidoo skis are:
Pilot 5.7
Pilot X
Pilot 6.9
Pilot RX (similar to curves)
Pilot R (similar to slydog / C&A)

I'm right at the bottom of the list and happy about it. I don't care about steering effort, I care that the sled turns no matter what.

 

IN order of aggressiveness, the skidoo skis are:
Pilot 5.7
Pilot X
Pilot 6.9
Pilot RX (similar to curves)
Pilot R (similar to slydog / C&A)

I'm right at the bottom of the list and happy about it. I don't care about steering effort, I care that the sled turns no matter what.

Awesome great list to see! Also they do sell plates to put behind the ski leg to help with steering effort(makes it easier to steer)

id like to stay with brp skis so I can use my beegstrom rubber ski dampeners and still use my new carbides if possible. But I will look at the sly dogs as well

 

Polaris pro steers for the win. Steal a set off ur buddy's sled for a test drive.

 

Haha that is a great idea may he wont notice lol

 

Pilot R's for me here too on my 20' Mxz Xrs. I use those with the Woody's Duallys and am very happy with the handling and darting (none). Works great and is just like my 14' ZR8000lxr was. Doo it you'll be happy too.

 

Awesome thanks this ski was mentioned a few times now. So must be a good option! How about push in loose snow?

 

There are some other adjustments I use for ski pressure. I like to loosen the front skid spring preload and also make sure the torsion springs aren't set too much sag.

 

Yea I have tired that stuff as well. I have center spring as loose as possible. I have coupling blocks on 4, 2” of sag, and tightened front springs some as well

 

I had the same issue and this was my solution. These are the 'old' Pilot R skis that came stock on the 2012/2013 XRS. Push is almost gone, but steering effort is not bad. It's a good median between C&A and the stock Pilots. You can use the same carbides as the stock Pilots too.

Ski-Doo OEM Black Pilot 5.7X Performance Ski, REV, 505072205

I had the same issue and this was my solution. These are the 'old' Pilot R skis that came stock on the 2012/2013 XRS. Push is almost gone, but steering effort is not bad. It's a good median between C&A and the stock Pilots. You can use the same carbides as the stock Pilots too.

Ski-Doo OEM Black Pilot 5.7X Performance Ski, REV, 505072205

can I reuse my rubber ski stooper/block from the pilot 5.7 in the pilot R ski you recommended? Also can I reuse my ski loops as well? Thanks!

 

Yes, they can both be used. I found it easier to bolt the ski loops on instead of using the rivets. But ski loops are cheap so I'd just buy a new set so you can keep the stock skis to put back on if/when you sell the sled.
Ski-Doo New OEM Grab Handle Loop Ski Toe Flex Pilot Composite Plastic BLACK Pair

 

DS-2's with HRP profiles in loose snow. Bergstroms in tight.

 

Well I ordered a set of RX skis getting great feedback on facebook about them. It looks very similar to the blade XC+ ski. seems they don't require an aggressive car bide either. So we will see how they do! I'll be back with an update next weekend lol

 

Well guys put the rx skis on thursday night and they are much better then the pilot 5.7s! played around with sag and coupling blocks on the first ride till I found a setting I really like. Steering is not to bad probably just as hard as I had with my set up on the 5.7s but going to build or buy some mps plates as well.

I also found when I found the sweet spot steering was lighter and I had the best steering control

Driving across a lake in deep snow I had a considerable more steering control in the loose snow when making a wide turn as well

I can finally enjoy my sled after 2 seasons lol

Will try to fine tune it some more to see if i can make it better

Thanks for everyone's input!!

 

DS2 skis are great with a 6" + carbide.

 

Well guys have a great update for you

After adding pilot RX skis and 7.5" sharper bars, took slack out of limiter strap and flipping crossover spacer on elka center spring.
Steering was ok but not what I wanted, I think elka dual rate spring was not correct for my weight. I had same problem with oem ski doo center spring as well

Found a great deal on a set of XRS shocks for my sled so threw those on. Went to Cochrane Ontario this past week and the sled felt like it was magnetized to the ground stuck to anything.

What a blast I had with the sled this week!!!!

 

5.7 with shims, 8 in the middle 6 on the outside, stiffen up the front spring, traded half the cost of new skis on NEW BRONZE A Arm bushings and ball joints, center shock adjustment. RAILS the corners.

 

1. Pilot RX
2. Pilot R
3 CA XPT