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Introducing A.R.C. from Skinz Protective Gear

m1kflyingtiger

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Jan 28, 2010
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Soldotna, AK
Sorry it took so long, but I has been a busy two weeks.

I got my ARC system a couple weeks ago:

29074494-3A96-426E-8CF6-7BD296018A64_zpsgxm4nwyt.jpg


It came in a nifty suitcase like box of very well packaged parts
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Everything was included for a nice clean install. The only thing I didn't like is that there was no float pump. It wasn't an issue as I had just upgraded to floats on the sled and had one, but if I had the stock shocks or any other aftermarket shocks and didn't have one I wouldn't be too happy.
F1780DAB-0D23-49EB-B56F-1112FA67B074_zps6uuh3baa.jpg


I started by stripping the sled down, loosening the track, and removing the stock scissor and rear cross brace.
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Next installing the new scissor, and the rail braces. This was kind of a PITA with the suspension hung, but I used a ratchet strap to compress the RTS a little bit and everything lined up great.
69A3AA7F-01D8-4664-B292-F950FBE9DF3E_zps3bvk1ud7.jpg


Before tightening the lower bolts of the scissor arm you need to put the rear shock mount/cross brace in. The directions were spot on and they were easy measurements to pull. Once the rear mount was in it all got lock-tited and tightened.
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Next the shock clicker, cable and shock went in. the cable run up the rails, up the front swing arm, and through the tunnel. Then up the over structure tube to the handlebars. Nice and tucked away so it couldn't catch on anything.
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m1kflyingtiger

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Jan 28, 2010
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Soldotna, AK
The cable got routed through the sheath and connected at the handlebars
B6344677-1C86-44E5-9199-7EBE45CDD7DE_zps5ir1v66x.jpg


Then pulled tight, trimmed, and connected at the new CTD shock:
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Track got cleaned and tightened up
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and full range of motion was checked at the lever and shock.
ABEB5850-14D1-43CB-A721-CDF7EA64450F_zps5v7lw8dq.jpg


So that's it for the install... Now for the ride report:

WOW! everything they advertise is true about it. This system, if proven reliable, will be a game changer. I loosened my RTS a bit more, made somewhat of a wheelie monster out of her for playing around in the flats and sidehills, then engage it as your kicking the nose strait up a wall and it keeps the skis down and you don't come over backwards.

I wanted a little more controlled test so I cut a side hill in a steep, wide face. The spot where my Mt. Tamer shined was hitting these cross tracks in a climb so I lined up and hit it uncoupled. I almost came over backwards, had to let completely off the throttle and get back into it nice and easy to make it up. Then I engaged ARC and tried it again. never let off the throttle and it climbed strait up through it like I had traction control. I repeated the test again and again with the same results.

The big use is when sidehilling around an obstacle and having to go up steeper than you are comfortable, but that's a little tougher to explain or prove without getting on one. I know a lot of people are pushed off by the price, but If you are looking at an aftermarket skid, back arm kit, or anything of the sort this should be included in your list of options. I have a decent amount of time on a Mt. Tamer with exits, and K-Mod with raptors, and after one ride I MUCH prefer the ARC system on my stock Pro skid to either.

Thank you Skinz for such an Innovative, cool, functioning new product. And thanks Chad at A2D Sledworks in Anchorage for the hook up with the kit!
 
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E
Apr 30, 2011
69
8
8
I'm a little less than happy with mine. I got 20 mile before the rear arm turned into scrap metal. if your running a pro rmk they have a new arm just a heads up.


Posted from Snowestonline.com App for Android
 

Dirty Steve

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Feb 3, 2012
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Central MN
What happened with your rear arm? A big hit or did it fail during normal riding?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
 
E
Apr 30, 2011
69
8
8
Normal riding use It 1 time on a hill and failure I will post a pick after I get the kids to school


Posted from Snowestonline.com App for Android
 
E
Apr 30, 2011
69
8
8
Here are a couple of pics. The one thing I can say is that Skinz took care of this immediately. They mail a new updated arm that day to the dealer. No questions asked.
 

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S

samsquatch47

Well-known member
Dec 2, 2007
335
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St. Paul, AB
Bump! Anyone one else have any experience with this kit? Thinking of it for my turbo M8. But not spending the money if its weak crap. I understand how it works just want to know if it's holding up.
Thx
 

Sled Solutions

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Dec 3, 2007
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Traverse City, MI
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Bump! Anyone one else have any experience with this kit? Thinking of it for my turbo M8. But not spending the money if its weak crap. I understand how it works just want to know if it's holding up.
Thx

I know I sell the product and in this case I've not used it, BUT. All the feedback we've gotten from the public including pro riders is that this thing is AWESOME. I hope some others will post up that have used it.
 
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samsquatch47

Well-known member
Dec 2, 2007
335
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St. Paul, AB
Yea, hard to know whether some of the pro riders opinions are truly unbiased or biased due to sponsorships. I prefer real world customer input. No offense to the pros.
 
S
Jan 16, 2008
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Lincoln MT
Meh... bicycle parts for your sled. A decent, brand new, full suspension mountain bike can be had for $1,200.

Looks like a gimmick to me.


I was wondering if i was going to be the only person to notice this... the complete set up for a bike is $450 with the shock cable and lever. all you would need to build is the two arms for it to connect to. And before anyone says so, I would bet money that skinz did not do a single thing to the internal valving of the shock. I ordered the set up for a bike and will be building mine and happily saving the $800.
 

Sled Solutions

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Dec 3, 2007
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Yea, hard to know whether some of the pro riders opinions are truly unbiased or biased due to sponsorships. I prefer real world customer input. No offense to the pros.

I totally understand. I will say in private speaking with Burandt and Adams love it for what its worth.

I was wondering if i was going to be the only person to notice this... the complete set up for a bike is $450 with the shock cable and lever. all you would need to build is the two arms for it to connect to. And before anyone says so, I would bet money that skinz did not do a single thing to the internal valving of the shock. I ordered the set up for a bike and will be building mine and happily saving the $800.

Those rear shocks are customer built for them by Fox....that's a fact.
 
S

samsquatch47

Well-known member
Dec 2, 2007
335
74
28
St. Paul, AB
Is there a weight difference between the electronic and cable activated versions?
Any benefit to the electric version other then no cable to route?
Thanks
Dustin
 
S

suitcase

Well-known member
Nov 9, 2008
2,409
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In the great part of OR.
My only question, would be this.
What if you have the A.R.C. shock set at 20lbs, and you blow a landing and completly bottom your supsension out. I mean completely compress everything. What does this do to the rear mounting bracket. does it blow your arc shock apart, or what do you think the out come would be. Because Im sure that little shock is not designed to handle alot of force.
I love the idea, and would entertain putting one on my sled. But this is a question that I would need addressed.
 
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