Seconded. I demo’d the M6 and the K108. Was impressed with both. I’m buying the M6 and am serious thinking of replacing my current 105ish ski with the Katana.Quote:
Originally Posted by YoEddy
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Seconded. I demo’d the M6 and the K108. Was impressed with both. I’m buying the M6 and am serious thinking of replacing my current 105ish ski with the Katana.Quote:
Originally Posted by YoEddy
So who's had the K108 in powder? I have no doubt it can carve, but I wonder how it performs in the deep.
(Apologies if I missed somebody's post about this.)
ETA: I see there are some powder reviews in the other thread.
I’ve skis the m6 184 on 10-12 days in the past few weeks. Ridiculously good ski. It’s definitely not the tank the 102 is, but is more nimble and maneuverable in equal lengths and can still rip at super high speeds. Feels like less intense of a ski than the 102 even in 177 but can do it all. doesn’t bulldoze the snow the way the 102 does. If I had to pick one I’d pick the m6 but would rather have both.
Very impressed with the M102, mounted on the line. We've had a few inches of fluff here this week, on top of mostly chalk. Skied Enforcer 110 first thing this morning then switched to Mantra. Honestly can't think of anything the Enforcer did better than the M. And the edge hold on hard snow is impressive. If I was going to limit myself to 3 resort skis (haha) the M102 would be right in the middle.
Crazy how the M102 has been an “under the radar” ski. But you really have to ski it to get it, the on-paper specs and shop hand flexing test don’t provide the correct perspective on the high performance versus versatility of that ski.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beder
Now go try the K108...I dare you. [emoji41]
Yup. Both M102 and K108 are quiver killing mother fuckers. To the question above re: K108 float. I haven't had a chance to try it in anything deep but I did get to take a couple of demo laps on the 191 M102 in bottomless and was amazed how well it floated for a ski that width. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to take the K108 out in 18" of new....and not need to change skis when it's 18" of old. Like I said, quiver killer as long as you don't want to jib...whatever the fuck that is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
And by the way, for you bigger guys, don't be afraid of the 191's in either the 102 or 108. They are more ski than the 184's but not that much more. You'll still probably die but you will have a speed induced grin on your face when you do.
Thanks for the feedback on float. I'm very temped by the K108 but with already having the M102 and a 118 powder ski, I am just not sure if I need it. Unless I dumped the M102 in favor of the K108. But the thing is I already dumped the M5 in favor of the 102, so I'd just be getting farther away from a dedicated low tide ski.
Oh well, First World problems. If I see them on sale I will probably be unable to stop myself.
The interesting characteristic of the K108 in powder is how loose the ski feels. It does float well for a 108-waist, but that 3D sidecut (34-m in the tail on the 184) is like a multiplier in soft, deep snow...and the tail is only slightly rockered and turned up. Gets you the benefits of the rockered Katana without the drawbacks of full reverse camber. The M102 does the same thing, just to a slightly lesser degree (narrower with smaller radius).
If anyone’s looking for 191 M102s, Larson’s has a few pairs discounted to $535.
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I'm trying hard not to buy the K108. You are an influencer Bandit, but I'm not sure you're a good one :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
So Tuesday at Targhee, about 4 or 5 inches of fresh on top of softish crud and bumps. Sun comes out and it's quiet because the highways are all closed. Really nice. I grab the Enforcer 110 and it's all good for 2 hours. I switch to the M102 for another 2 hours and it's even better. Where the E110 would occasionally feel hooky in the wind-affected, the M never did. Once or twice I was ripping through the chopped pow and thought, I'm skiing this snow faster than I normally do. I guess I would say the M102 is more confidence inspiring. Very easy in transition.
I also own the OG Bodacious, which I cherish and feels somewhat similar.
So for today I'm gonna successfully resist the K108. Just don't need it.
Bandit Man or others who have skied both the M102 and K108: room for both in a quiver or are the tradeoffs between the two minor such that having both isn't worth it?
But just think how fast you would have been on the K108....Quote:
Originally Posted by Beder
CouQuote:
Originally Posted by STLHD
I have limited time on both but if it were me (working on it) I would get one or the other. Right now I'm thinking K108 with M6 as a kick ass 1-2 punch. Haven't skied the M6 myself but shop owner friends just did and liked them very much. Could cover a lot of conditions with this combo. If it was only one ski I would probably just get the M102.
I should have added that I own the 102. (Basically I'm just looking to rationalize another ski.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Thomas
Agree with Lord Thomas. You don’t NEED both.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Thomas
But I am so glad that I took the plunge on the Katana K108. It fits my style and the conditions and terrain I frequently find on my skis days even better than the M102. They ski very similarly...the Katana is just so much closer to the Reverse Camber Katana while still being more resort friendly.
I mean that 3D sidecut on the K108 is 39-m in the shovel and 34-m in the tail (on the 184...on the 191 it is 43-m and 36-m)!!! It rails just like the M102 on firm snow...but is looser in crud and soft snow. I haven’t skied the M102 since I bought the K108...so that says something.
Made my mind up today to get some K108’s.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
I can't say enough about the m102. I have both and are keeping both for now but find the k108 to be if anything an indulgence, because the m102 delivers across the board. It's an awesome ski. If I wanted fewer skis I'd take the katanas but since I have so many soft snow skis the m102 is a better fit if I had to play sophie's choice. They are making me consider dumping some of the other metal chargers I've been sussing out the last few seasons. Get them both! [emoji2]
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You are on the 191’s in both? Are you skiing them in the Sierras (Mammoth)?Quote:
Originally Posted by bry
Yes that's right. Admittedly I skied the m102s all last season and shelved them until this week to ski other skis.
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I grew up in LA and skied Mammoth all the time until I moved to the Seattle area 15-years ago. A 191 M102 would be the perfect Mammoth daily driver. I bet it kills it in the Mammoth wind blown.Quote:
Originally Posted by bry
Like banditman I own the M102, Rustler 11, Enforcer 104 and Proto 118s. So we do agree on lots.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
I do not own a K108. And don’t think I need/want one.
My M102 is my "no new snow", groomer ski. For when snow conditions are tough and you need a solid ski that will hold/bite on harder snow. Or when you don't want to find a speed limit on groomers. I really like the M102 for those conditions. You can push the speed limit on them.
But I prefer the E104 and R11 when there’s been fresh in the past few days. And Proto for pow days. They're just easier to ski.
Maybe I really don't want an K108 cause I’m damn tired after skiing the M102s for 30,000 ft in a day at Whistler? I think it's cause you ski M102s like you are being chased each run? I feel like James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me....
This vid up until 0:37 is me on E104s/Rustlers....super chill....then in the vid after 0:37 is me on M102s....you will start to ski like there are people shooting at you. So I’m scared of what I would do to myself on a 6mm wider M102.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaEU_A405zA
I have the e104 and the m102 too. Love the e104 when its softish all over or there’s 6-12 inches of fresh snow.Quote:
Originally Posted by kc_7777
On the east coast, under 6 inches of fresh snow and chances of firm snow mixed in or ice/windswept sections - gimme the m102 every day.
Or split the difference and take the bonafide 97. Love that ski for mixed conditions including up to 4-5 inches of new snow with firmer sections around. And if it’s heavy new snow - oh boy the bonafide is incredible.
Fwiw- I have the e104 in 186 (mounted -1.5), bonafide in 183 and m102 in 177 (both on the line).
Totally! Just got back from skiing the past four days. Also skied Pro Riders and the new Cochise 106. 191 M102 to me stands out as a perfect DD there and the most versatile and fun of the lot for sure. Always great to see all the previous gens of mantras and katanas out on the hill there too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
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Thanks for the replies. I sold my e104 191s because I loved the 102 so much. I've burned through a bunch of skis trying to find the perfect mid-100s ski: enforcer 100, 104, woodsman 108, kartel 108, skinny quixote, rustler 10. The 102 is definitely the best I've skied for my style and mountain. That said, will likely end up trying the K108 just because I'm so curious and/or have self-control issues.
What length M102 are you on?Quote:
Originally Posted by STLHD
Just got my first morning on my M102's. Damn impressive skis. For as burly as they seem, they have a big sweet spot and are surprisingly easy to ski. They have just the right combo of dampness and energy. The new sidecut design is legit. Granted, this was 3 hours on firm groomers, so haven't really put them through their paces. Initial impression is very positive.
Another convert...I suspect you will grow to like them even more over time based on initial impressions.Quote:
Originally Posted by ripvw
184s (6', 185#)Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliBrit
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Anybody posting up what length you're on, maybe post up your weight and height if you don't mind. Your ski length is irrelevant without at least the former.
177's, 5'10", 167#
191s (6'2", 180#), 43yo
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I skied a 184 and really loved it. 5’10” 165. Going to buy the Katana 108 184 I think unless I hate the Enforcer 94 I’m about to mount. Then I’ll just get the Mantra in 184.
184’s, 5’8”, 165, 56 yo, north Tahoe
Perfect ski for this low tide yr.
177’s 5’11” 175.
177cm, 5’7”, 165 lbs, 54 years old, ~60-70 days at Whistler/Blackcomb
This ski allowing me to avoid owning a groomer ski that is sub 100mm.
And the 177 is really a 179.5
I laugh a little at the comment. Earlier this year, my son and I bumped into an older (mid-50’s at least) gal who was like 5’ 2” and about 160-lbs and she was chatting us up about her 102’s. We looked at the tails and they were 184’s. She said she loved them and they were easy to ski.Quote:
Originally Posted by FlimFlamvanHam
I’d be on the 191 if I skied a bigger resort like Mammoth or Whistler on the regular. I sized down to the 184 due to the tight spaces of my resort.
BTW - Bandit Jr is 5’ 10”, 170# and rips the shit out of the 184’s. [emoji6]
[emoji1303]Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliBrit
Haha. So true.
I recently posted in this thread that my 5’6”, 127 lb wife (48 yrs old) skied my 177cm M102s for two days when my knee was tweaked. She really liked them and found them “easy to ski”as well.
Not gonna lie I was a bit humbled when she said that.
5’8”, 140 #s, 177. They’re awesome. ETA: i have 183 metal katanas I adore and was worried for a minute the 177 102 would be too short, but it’s prefect.
I didn’t have a strong preference between the 177 and 184. Just found a better deal on the 177’s. I’m sure I’d be equally happy on the longer version. Even on the shorter sticks, their speed limit is faster than I’d want to go at an open ski area.
5’7” 175lbs 50years on a 184cm mounted -1cm from the rear line.
FWIW I also started skiing on a 178cm VWerks Mantra mounted on the line this year which is a great complimentary ski to the M102. The M102 stands and punches while the VWMantra dances and jabs. Damp with weight vs playful with lightness. If you ever wanted to hike/skin with your M102 but were realistic with the weight of it, the VWMantra is a great answer.