Considering Mantra M6 or Kendo 88 - need a little help

[KingGrump]

The Kendo 88 is more planky and mostly great for groomers.

You must be thinking of the gen 4 Kendo. A bit of a dog.

From what I've read the current M6 and Kendo 88 are exactly the same except for width. I wonder what makes the Kendo more "planky".

I own the 2022 M6 & he 2023 Kendo (gen 5). Both are big improvement over the previous gens.

As all mountain skis for skiing Lake Tahoe areas. Go with a M6 177.

 

[Ken_R]

You must be thinking of the gen 4 Kendo. A bit of a dog.



I own the 2022 M6 & he 2023 Kendo (gen 5). Both are big improvement over the previous gens.

As all mountain skis for skiing Lake Tahoe areas. Go with a M6 177.

I shouldnt but I think I need to get on a 23 Kendo to check it out lol Monster 88's getting a bit old

 

[BC.]

I shouldnt but I think I need to get on a 23 Kendo to check it out lol Monster 88's getting a bit old

Hey Ken..I’ve been skiing the 23’ Kendo this season,…it is making me forget my Moment C98 infatuation. It really is a great ski for me here on the EC/ as stated in other threads..very versatile/ can make all types of turns in many different conditions…and as @KingGrump has so eloquently described…intuitive.

I‘ll be out at Breck over Easter…hope to see/ski with you and Doug again.

 

[Jeff P]

Bought the M6. Demo'd both. Easy choice. 177.

 

[BMC]

Bought the M6. Demo'd both. Easy choice. 177.

Curious to hear your thoughts on both skis, and why you preferred the M6.

 

[Jeff P]

Curious to hear your thoughts on both skis, and why you preferred the M6.

*My Opinion*
The M6 in a 177 is plenty of ski for me. It was as solid at 45-50 mph GS turns on a high edge, then they were perfectly happy to tighten it up when I rolled to a steeper face section. Point and shoot and I loved the weight. Took them to some windblown chop, soft moguls, firm snow most in the west would call icy conditions and they didn't miss a beat. I'm sure a 184 would have been fun, but that's not the point with these skis for me.

The Kendo's were just less of everything. I know what I e read and heard - it's the same ski minus some width and some adjustments to radius but for me.... It's just not. They felt like a toy next to the M6. I don't know how else to put it. Probably easier to initiate and they ski much shorter but initiation isnt a problem for me. I didn't trust them as much as the M6.

There is absolutely a scenario where this would be all I NEED, but I'm fortunate enough to have a choice.

I'm a pretty decent skier and know how to bend a ski pretty well. I can't outski the M6.

And I got them with some Markers for 30% off, but don't tell anyone ;-)

I really appreciate everyone's input. Happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability

 

[Yarecki]

*My Opinion*
The M6 in a 177 is plenty of ski for me. It was as solid at 45-50 mph GS turns on a high edge, then they were perfectly happy to tighten it up when I rolled to a steeper face section. Point and shoot and I loved the weight. Took them to some windblown chop, soft moguls, firm snow most in the west would call icy conditions and they didn't miss a beat. I'm sure a 184 would have been fun, but that's not the point with these skis for me.

The Kendo's were just less of everything. I know what I e read and heard - it's the same ski minus some width and some adjustments to radius but for me.... It's just not. They felt like a toy next to the M6. I don't know how else to put it. Probably easier to initiate and they ski much shorter but initiation isnt a problem for me. I didn't trust them as much as the M6.

There is absolutely a scenario where this would be all I NEED, but I'm fortunate enough to have a choice.

I'm a pretty decent skier and know how to bend a ski pretty well. I can't outski the M6.

And I got them with some Markers for 30% off, but don't tell anyone ;-)

I really appreciate everyone's input. Happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability

Congrats, and interestingly that aligns with my impressions after trying ~90mm vs~100mm versions of “same” skis over the years. Kendo vs Mantra, Brahma vs Bones, Enforcer 88 vs 100. I always end up preferring the wider option (and I’m an east coast skier…). Bones, and now Enforcer 100 been my daily drivers for close to a decade.

 

[KingGrump]

I already had the M6 last year when I demo the 2023 Kendo in April. I decided to pick up the 2023 Kendo because they are different skis.
he M6 is generally a more forgiving ski. Can be over skied easily.
The Kendo skied cleaner. Needs proper input for it to ski well. Finesse helps.

 

[Max Capacity]

I'll agree with the easier on the knees, comment earlier. I have had Kendos since they first came out and been on Volkl's since the G30. I have friends that have the M5 for everyday here in New England. I have wider Volkl's for those few days we need them.

While talking with them about replacing my 2017/2018 Kendo's after skiing my 110 Enforcers and my old Gotama's, those seemed to be harder on my knee's, I decided when I do buy new skis they will be the 23 Kendo in 177cm. I'm 68y/o 200lbs 5'11".

I demoed the 23 Kendo a couple of weeks back. Loved them.

 

[Jeff P]

I already had the M6 last year when I demo the 2023 Kendo in April. I decided to pick up the 2023 Kendo because they are different skis.
he M6 is generally a more forgiving ski. Can be over skied easily.
The Kendo skied cleaner. Needs proper input for it to ski well. Finesse helps.

I didn’t find that to be the case. Who knows, maybe it was the tune or ???. I found the Kendo fairly uninspiring. I wanted to like it more than the M6.

 

[KingGrump]

I wanted to like it more than the M6.

I do. Depending on terrain and snow condition.

 

[Jeff P]

I do. Depending on terrain and snow condition.

Perfect.