View Full Version : Radar RS-1 boots
D3skier
10-01-2009, 11:53 AM
Just got a pair of Radar RS-1 boots and put them on for the first ride last night. I feel like I'm having to learn how to ski all over again. I was told there was going to be a learning curve with these thing but wow!!! I know a lot of factors are playing in to this as well such as weather temps changing etc but didn't realize it would be this extreme. I got the boots mounted as close as I could for my old Connelly Vision boots but when I hit the apex of the turn it just feels like the ski is riding so much deeper than before. The water is breaking right at the center point of my front foot and the ski seems to be riding level through the turns. Do I just need to shut up at this point and ride them more to get use to the feel or is there minor adjustments that I can try? I think one key point I need is to get some video to see how the ski is actually riding through the turns.
shepherd
10-01-2009, 12:15 PM
I switched from Wileys to the RS-1s last month. The biggest difference I noticed was that the ski seemed a lot more responsive in the edge change/preturn. During my first few sets, I was turning inside the balls because I was initiating my turns too early. But they are comfortable and the booties should help keep my toes warm when the water gets cold.
If the ski seems to be riding deeper, you can tweak the fin to make the ski ride higher in the water. I can't remember exactly what adjustment to make -- but I think you can to increase fin depth to get more lift from the fin, or decrease DFT to make the ski "longer." Your ski should ride higher in the water as the water temps cool (i.e., the water gets denser).
88 PS190
10-01-2009, 12:27 PM
When I went hardshell I moved the boots back one hole, and had to work alot on being still on the ski in the turns.
I was moving too much through them.
D3skier
10-01-2009, 12:41 PM
uugghh!!! here we go again... having to break more bad habits..sounds like it might just be a learning curve for how it responds and less movement. less is more
M-Funf
10-01-2009, 12:45 PM
You can also contact Radar. They have some really knowledgeable people there who can help. I believe that Chris Rossi and Wade Williams also ski on Radar with RS1's. You can find them on proskicoach.
rodltg2
10-01-2009, 12:59 PM
I couldnt get used to them. I felt like I was too far back . I had a hard time getting them on and off as well. I think I'm just a wet wrap guy. Did not like my FM's either. I'm done experimenting with new bindings for now. Lose too much time trying them out !
D3skier
10-01-2009, 01:40 PM
I really didn't want to switch bindings either but Connelly doesn't make the Vision plates any more and already tried the 07 version of the draft boots and didn't release in a hard OTF fall last fall so away they went especially after reading several posts on the internet about people blowing out their ankles on these boots so got rid of them quick. I didn't have a choice now but to switch because my Vision plate ripped.
rodltg2
10-01-2009, 01:57 PM
i think i may be screwed soon as well. d3 doesnt make the same bindings anymore either. and mine are ready to go
88 PS190
10-01-2009, 02:00 PM
I think its good to learn how to use new stuff.
Don't want to find out after 4 years of use that you cannot replace old faithful and then be stuck with the learning curve.
Its good to demo skis, and take sets on your neighbors stuff. They feel weird, so its good to do this when you still have old faithful.
I like to start the year exactly where I end it, then try new stuff once things are normal in my skiing, but its important to not try to force the new stuff to be like your old stuff.
D3skier
10-01-2009, 03:59 PM
I've been able to adapt pretty quick with different skis but have always stuck with old faithful for my bindings to help keep costs down. I just rode a new D3 Z7 and felt just like my Nomad and have also jumped on F1's and a few HO's with not too many issues but I guess when you switch types of bindings there's a huge difference. I remember when I switched from a toe plate to a rear boot what a difference that was but the ski still felt the same just responded quicker. But that's been so long ago now and didn't expect this big of a learning curve just for switching bindings.
Kevin 89MC
10-01-2009, 06:07 PM
Very interesting to read these stories. I'm surprised to hear the binding changes are harder to adjust to than ski changes. I just switched from a 1997 KD 7000 with rear toe plate, to a 2008 D3 Nomad RCX with D3 leverage double boots. Talk about a change...yikes! I absolutely love the ski, but I'm not sold on the D3 bindings, yet. They work pretty good, as I'm back to my previous best after only 4-5 sets in the course. I do notice that one part of the back boot cuts into the side of my foot sometimes. I'll have to take them apart this winter and see what's up.
I demo'd a Sixam with whatever O'brien double boots came with it. Ski was super fast, but pretty squirrley. The bindings were nice, but can't get those on my D3 now. I almost demo'd a Radar ski, mainly to try the bindings, but ran out of time this year. I tried my buddy's older D3 X5 with the older D3 bindings (forget what they were called), the ones that laced up the front. I remember liking those bindings, but he ripped one, and they are not available anymore. Bummer! He's now on a HO front binding & D3 rear, so that's an interesting set up! That HO binding is nice, though.
So many choices, so little time (& money!)
Kevin
TNH2oSkier
10-01-2009, 10:25 PM
I demo'd a Sixam with whatever O'brien double boots came with it. Ski was super fast, but pretty squirrley. The bindings were nice, but can't get those on my D3 now. I almost demo'd a Radar ski, mainly to try the bindings, but ran out of time this year. I tried my buddy's older D3 X5 with the older D3 bindings (forget what they were called), the ones that laced up the front. I remember liking those bindings, but he ripped one, and they are not available anymore. Bummer! He's now on a HO front binding & D3 rear, so that's an interesting set up! That HO binding is nice, though.
So many choices, so little time (& money!)
Kevin
Its very easy to change hole patterns on bindings. All you need is a $20.00 dollar plate and your in business. I wrode Animals on my D3 with the kd pattern for a long time. Switched the plate and moved into a sixam with the ho/obrien pattern. Call any good ski shop and they can set you up.
Kevin 89MC
10-02-2009, 11:48 AM
Its very easy to change hole patterns on bindings. All you need is a $20.00 dollar plate and your in business. I wrode Animals on my D3 with the kd pattern for a long time. Switched the plate and moved into a sixam with the ho/obrien pattern. Call any good ski shop and they can set you up.
Cool, I did not know that, thanks for sharing! Good to know my options are open.
Kevin
D3skier
10-03-2009, 07:13 PM
ran my second set on them today... it was pretty choppy out there but I seem to be much smoother today in the boots but still struggling with my 35 off and 38 off passes. I'm sure it doesn't help that my knee is bothering me right now either.
ran my second set on them today... it was pretty choppy out there but I seem to be much smoother today in the boots but still struggling with my 35 off and 38 off passes. I'm sure it doesn't help that my knee is bothering me right now either.
You sure have come along way in a short time...35 & 38...damn I gotta get me some of these boots!
shepherd
10-05-2009, 05:04 PM
You sure have come along way in a short time...35 & 38...damn I gotta get me some of these boots!
... or one of them slalom courses! :D
... or one of them slalom courses! :D
Between the boots and the course I should be knocking 40 off down in no time! Problem is I'll need JohnE to help me set it all up!:D
D3skier
10-06-2009, 11:26 AM
since the course is narrow I have been knocking them out substantially so far best pass yet has been 2 1/2 at 39 even been running at 34mph and ran a 32 pass a few times and deep in to 35 but have been back peddling since I put the RS-1's on the ski just really SUCKS that the season is over.
since the course is narrow I have been knocking them out substantially so far best pass yet has been 2 1/2 at 39 even been running at 34mph and ran a 32 pass a few times and deep in to 35 but have been back peddling since I put the RS-1's on the ski just really SUCKS that the season is over.
You are truly the man! I have skied 38 in tournaments at 34mph and even with the course narrow I would not even try 39.
Very few skiers progress from not making 15 to 2.5 @ 39 (even on a 2.5' narrow course) in less than 3 years...
You should invest in surveying in a course on the lake, the pro tour could use the talent!
D3skier
10-06-2009, 02:04 PM
You are truly the man! I have skied 38 in tournaments at 34mph and even with the course narrow I would not even try 39.
Very few skiers progress from not making 15 to 2.5 @ 39 (even on a 2.5' narrow course) in less than 3 years...
You should invest in surveying in a course on the lake, the pro tour could use the talent!
I wish it was only 2.5 ft narrow
this is actually the first year I've played with shortening the rope vs. speeding up the boat. I typically run @ 15 off starting at 30 and working my way up to running a 34 here and there.
RadarDad
10-09-2009, 10:30 AM
I have to put my two cents in. I have a Radar 2009 RS-1 with RS-1 boots. It did take alittle time to get comfortable with but, I would not trade them. Since I don't ski a coarse I am not going to give you any advise.However I can say it is the Fastest ski I have ever skied on.(I have skied for 35 years) For fine tuning and other technical advise go to www.proskicoach.com and email Chris Rossi.