Appreciate the insight- especially about the Brahma sizing. A 177 ski that’s still stable for big guys like us sounds like a blast to ski.
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Brahma 82 or Kendo 88 for East Coast
- Thread starter MikeM.
- Start date
I do have Nordica Unleashed 98s, which is why I was leaning toward the Brahma 82s
Ha - I wish. I can get a set of new earmark 82s for $425.
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- May 31, 2018
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It’s hard for me to believe that, if you demoed a Brahma or Kendo, you would be this uncertain. For ostensibly similar skis, quite a few people have a strong preference for one or the other. I personally dislike most Blizzards because they feel, to me, like cheaper versions of the old Kastle stuff. The Volkls don’t feel like “budget” versions of a premium ski to me by contrast because they are a bit more “fun.”
Some others accurately (IMO) cite the Volkl layup as being sort of annoying. My least favorite part of the Volkl Mantra 102 is that it is less damp than I would prefer (but it seems basically impossible to make a ski too damp for me).
Some others accurately (IMO) cite the Volkl layup as being sort of annoying. My least favorite part of the Volkl Mantra 102 is that it is less damp than I would prefer (but it seems basically impossible to make a ski too damp for me).
Never discount the price of happiness.
My other suggestion would be a have a custom ski built based on your preferences. (My preferred option)
I obviously meant Brahma 82- custom skis not in my foreseeable future, but Stockli ARs, very possibly.
Problem is that I haven’t had an opportunity to demo either, so I’m just gonna wing it.
Just because a ski like these costs less does not mean it is a downgrade.
For example, to me both the Kendo 88 and the older versions of the Brahma 88 are much more comparable skis to the Monteros and Lasers I've tried or owned, not cheaper downgrades. There are pluses and minuses to each of these skis, on an equal or near equal footing.
And the preferences are partly subjective, including those surrounding such huge cost differences.
Nonetheless, they tell me that the new Montero AR is improved from the previous Laser AR models - more versatile maybe?
Less confined or glued to its own particular carve perhaps?
Also, the newer Kendo 88 is much improved, really a standout, but still with pluses and minuses.
(And to me, the newer Brahma, in particular the 88, is less dialed in than the previous version of a few years ago - don't know about the 82s.)
A buddy of mine in the business, whose ski choices I learn from, loved the Kendo 88s and owns last year's, downsized (170) version
for bumps and trees, and steeps.
He has just gotten this year a pair of current Montero ARs in 180.
That has put that ski, at that length, back on my radar.
(I could easily have owned the Kendo 88 ski, which is really good; but I own instead a downsized pair of the earlier version of the Brahma 88/173s.)
(For what it's worth, a carving front side biased ski this narrow (like the AR) in 175 or so is often likely to be too quick from edge to edge, in an "in between" sort of way that is to me a bit awkward, unlike the same ski in 168 or less - or in 180 or more.)
For example, to me both the Kendo 88 and the older versions of the Brahma 88 are much more comparable skis to the Monteros and Lasers I've tried or owned, not cheaper downgrades. There are pluses and minuses to each of these skis, on an equal or near equal footing.
And the preferences are partly subjective, including those surrounding such huge cost differences.
Nonetheless, they tell me that the new Montero AR is improved from the previous Laser AR models - more versatile maybe?
Less confined or glued to its own particular carve perhaps?
Also, the newer Kendo 88 is much improved, really a standout, but still with pluses and minuses.
(And to me, the newer Brahma, in particular the 88, is less dialed in than the previous version of a few years ago - don't know about the 82s.)
A buddy of mine in the business, whose ski choices I learn from, loved the Kendo 88s and owns last year's, downsized (170) version
for bumps and trees, and steeps.
He has just gotten this year a pair of current Montero ARs in 180.
That has put that ski, at that length, back on my radar.
(I could easily have owned the Kendo 88 ski, which is really good; but I own instead a downsized pair of the earlier version of the Brahma 88/173s.)
(For what it's worth, a carving front side biased ski this narrow (like the AR) in 175 or so is often likely to be too quick from edge to edge, in an "in between" sort of way that is to me a bit awkward, unlike the same ski in 168 or less - or in 180 or more.)
Well, I wound up going w the Brahma 82s in 180. Tested them out at Stratton today and holy sh!t do these things rip. We had some firm conditons, ice and a several inches of fresh snow later in the day. These things are EASY to turn as any speed, support my big ass body carving at higher speeds (30mph), and did fine in 3”-4” of pow - my Unleashed 98s obviously get the nod there, but I could still rip through the soft stuff w the Brahmas. Had so much fun on these things today. Appreciate all the feedback. Apparently, at my size I need to take reviews about skis like this being difficult to ski in a relaxed fashion w a grain of salt. Shiiiiit. I bet I’d love a set of HRCs, but enjoyed the versatility of the Brahmas today.
Having now had a taste of a ski that rips, and loving it, wondering how I’d like a Bonafide 97 or some other powerful ski w no speed limit for those days in the East that warrant a wider ski. I found the Brahmas much more stable than my Unleashed, so now wondering if I should be looking at more powerful skis for my wider option, like the Bonafide, Mantra M6, Enforcer 94 or 100 perhaps??
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What kind of day “warrants a wider ski” for you? It seems increasingly, to me, the wider all mountain skis like the Bonafide differ from there narrower brethren mostly in turning radius (wider skis are longer radius) and how easy the tail is off piste (wider skis are usually less flat).
You ain’t floating on the east coast often and if you could, you won’t on a ~100 underfoot metal laminate ski.
Yeah, I absolutely love my Brahma 82’s.
The 183cm Bonafide 97 would add a bit longer turn radius and similar feel to the Brahma 82 but with MUCH more mass. The performance in crud or variable snow would be improved greatly.
Available on insane deals deals too at $400 CAN/under $300 US.
2021 Blizzard Bonafide 97 Mens Skis
Shop the 2021 Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis. Corbetts.com offers you the best selection of mens skis at unbeatable prices. Free shipping over $100!
www.corbetts.com
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- Mar 20, 2017
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I own it. I ski Australia 20-25 days a year and that’s the ski I use there at least 90% of the time. Oz skiiing is typically early morning ice moving through to late afternoon sugar bumps and slush. There’s occasional fresh snow days too but it’s mostly that ice to slush cycle. The Brahma 88 covers all that very well.
If by with no speed limit you mean maintain precise control at irresponsible speeds: M6 in 184 or 191 yes. Bonafide 97 no. Enforcer
? If by with no speed limit you mean go more or less where they are pointed at high speeds without feeling unstable, then pick whatever turns your crank.
That's coming from a lightweight, btw.
High speeds while still feeling stable. No to Bonafide huh?If by with no speed limit you mean maintain precise control at irresponsible speeds: M6 in 184 or 191 yes. Bonafide 97 no. Enforcer
If by with no speed limit you mean go more or less where they are pointed at high speeds without feeling unstable, then pick whatever turns your crank.
That's coming from a lightweight, btw.
Wow - didn’t they change them a bit in either 2022 or 2023?The 183cm Bonafide 97 would add a bit longer turn radius and similar feel to the Brahma 82 but with MUCH more mass. The performance in crud or variable snow would be improved greatly.
Available on insane deals deals too at $400 CAN/under $300 US.
2021 Blizzard Bonafide 97 Mens Skis
Shop the 2021 Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis. Corbetts.com offers you the best selection of mens skis at unbeatable prices. Free shipping over $100!
Ah, I see. That’s the trade off. Soft snow spring days and the occasional 4”-8” powder days, sometimes more. The Unleashed 98s are a pleasure in soft stuff and moderate POW.
It depends on what you want to do at high speeds. They feel fine; they just won't allow precise smooth long turns, the kind of turn you might want to make at high speeds. Other than that, they are great.
I believe the 2015 Bonafides were good to go (going on hear-say), but for me the and later ones, when traveling along at mile a minute speeds gave you a choice between not turning or trying to make a too-small turn for that speed. They did change them and changed them again at least once more, imho every time in the wrong direction (for me). They made them "more accessible to all skiers and easier to initiate and release turns dynamically" (paraphrasing). A good marketing decission, as most skiers don't ski fast and would never know how bad they are at high speeds.