Quandary, I regret I only found this thread today, but glad to read you seem to be enjoying the skis!
As you’ve noticed, not a lot of folks own these! I’ve been on my 193 Ripstick 116’s (OG green/black topsheets) for 3 years. I ski Whistler ~30 days/year and these are my only ski. I’m 6’1, 175 lbs, 43 years old. I have mine mounted at the factory line, so 5.35cm from center. I don’t ski switch and had never skied a ski even remotely so center-mounted before, and it did force me to adapt my style and stance, if only slightly, to be a bit more neutral. The result? Nothing but fun.
As you've written, this ski isn't a burly crud-buster and it is prone to deflection, so I've resultantly found myself adopting a more active, finesse-y style with these. The tradeoff, of course, is it’s heaps of fun in the trees and the deep. And it must be said, I’ve found it remarkably good at carving the groomers – so much so that, again, I’ve been happy using the 116 all over the mountain and on any day.
With all that said, after 3 years of dutiful service as my only ski, I’m now on the hunt to add something a touch narrower and with a bit more backbone, for when it hasn’t snowed in a while, and I’m charging (or my version of charging, ha). Lots of demoing to do, but frontrunner would be something like an Enforcer, Mindbender, or Ranger.
But that’s not to discount the Ripsticks in any way; they’re about as versatile and fun as a 116mm (technically 114mm, according to Blister) has any right to be. Hope you get as many happy miles out of yours as I’ve gotten out of mine.