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A few quick highlights from the WWSRA demo. Conditions: shitty. Rained on and refrozen (think standing water and slush on the groomed runs) Spent almost all of my time on the groomed as the off piste would give you a concussion just from the sound alone, only got off the groomed track a few times for testing purposes. Need to in their natal environment before any firm opinions can be drawn. For reference, me, 5'11 and 220lb. Haven't been on the metal 191 in years but, until last year, did own the previous 190 (plastic tunnel on the tail and slight reverse camber). The 190 always struck me as a capable, fun ski, but kind of reminded me of a big, heavy puppy. Really easy to get along with considering what it could do when you kicked it in the ass.
Now on to the 108. Rocker/camber profile looks pretty similar to the 102, just a little deeper. Will post pics if I get off my ass. First off, anyone who was worried that they made it too light, don't. Didn't put on a scale but it's no featherweight. Flexes similar to the 102 but didn't spend much time playing with flex, more interested in how it skis. So, with the conditions in mind, on to that part.
* 184 - Actually, a really easy to manage ski. Much like the 102 it pivots with little effort, decent rebound out of a turn and can be driven into a really tight arc when asked but really likes to turn on an arc. Big sweet spot with respect to how you stand on it. Can drive the tips, stand in the middle, or tailgun and it won't kick your ass. Damp and stable about like the 102, but as you might expect, the 102 is a touch quicker edge to edge and might have a touch more pop out of the turn. The 184 has a big speed limit but, at least preliminarily, I think I got it there a couple of times.
* 191 - Need more test time but this could be the killing machine you've been waiting for. In terms of table manners it was much like the 184 but there was noticeably more swing weight. Not punishing at all, easy to pivot, could go slow or fast as desired....... Now, the thing that really struck me with the 191 was how strong it was on edge. Like crazy strong....like it should have had WC or FIS printed on the tail. Couldn't/was'nt willing to hit the speed limit on this thing. Maybe it was the tune or??? but the 191 was stronger on edge than the 191 Mantra 102. Felt totally confident putting it on high edge angles at SPEED. Really damp and tracks REALLY well. NOT EASILY DEFLECTED. Can't wait to put it in some deep, heavy chop.
Overall I would say that it is cut from the same cloth as the Mantra 102, just a little bigger "feeling" and a touch more damp. 191 tracks like a champion. In the conditions available at the demo this new Katana 108 is a better ski than the old 190 in every way.
Now on to the 108. Rocker/camber profile looks pretty similar to the 102, just a little deeper. Will post pics if I get off my ass. First off, anyone who was worried that they made it too light, don't. Didn't put on a scale but it's no featherweight. Flexes similar to the 102 but didn't spend much time playing with flex, more interested in how it skis. So, with the conditions in mind, on to that part.
* 184 - Actually, a really easy to manage ski. Much like the 102 it pivots with little effort, decent rebound out of a turn and can be driven into a really tight arc when asked but really likes to turn on an arc. Big sweet spot with respect to how you stand on it. Can drive the tips, stand in the middle, or tailgun and it won't kick your ass. Damp and stable about like the 102, but as you might expect, the 102 is a touch quicker edge to edge and might have a touch more pop out of the turn. The 184 has a big speed limit but, at least preliminarily, I think I got it there a couple of times.
* 191 - Need more test time but this could be the killing machine you've been waiting for. In terms of table manners it was much like the 184 but there was noticeably more swing weight. Not punishing at all, easy to pivot, could go slow or fast as desired....... Now, the thing that really struck me with the 191 was how strong it was on edge. Like crazy strong....like it should have had WC or FIS printed on the tail. Couldn't/was'nt willing to hit the speed limit on this thing. Maybe it was the tune or??? but the 191 was stronger on edge than the 191 Mantra 102. Felt totally confident putting it on high edge angles at SPEED. Really damp and tracks REALLY well. NOT EASILY DEFLECTED. Can't wait to put it in some deep, heavy chop.
Overall I would say that it is cut from the same cloth as the Mantra 102, just a little bigger "feeling" and a touch more damp. 191 tracks like a champion. In the conditions available at the demo this new Katana 108 is a better ski than the old 190 in every way.
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