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November, 2024

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NEW MFD ALLTIME Rossignol/Look System for touring, Buh-bye marker dukes!

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bertrenolds
Posts: 142 - Karma: 57

I just had Rossi post a link about these on my facebook page and I have to say I am impressed and it is also about time someone made something to replace the questionable marker duke binding system. It's a metal plate that allows you to mount your own alpine bindings to it so that you can use them as your ski touring bindings. It's not plastic which is sweet, I can mount my FKS which are not plastic to them, and they are basically right on the ski so you don't feel like you are on stilts on your skis. Anyone get to play with these yet? I don't see any negatives for them and as soon as the large size gets back in stock I think I will be making the purchase.

Anyone have any opinions about these?

Here is the website http://runmfd.myshopify.com/products/mfd-alltime-rossignol-look-system

Nov 24 2011 11:54AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 3,004
I like your stoke, but where have you been lately?

I really like the concept and construction. The blister review is great, read it!
The only two things why I dont already own a pair:
- Price (+ I live in Europe, so add shipping costs in your mind)
- Weight debate; I would like to put them on my 190 Bibby's + Look Pivot 18s, but the total setup weight is quite high..
Other option would be to buy Dynafits and get inserts for both bindings.. I could work with Trekkers for small skin up and Dyna's for the real work..
Nov 24 2011 3:40PM
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Dr.Rick_Marshall
Posts: 407 - Karma: 44
They seem great but when I would have to spend upwards of $600, I will stick with my dukes or dynafits. Dukes have their problems but they do what they are supposed to. I still think the mfd's are overpriced.
Nov 24 2011 4:25PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
Even heavier than dukes...
Nov 24 2011 5:57PM
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ski_ENDUB
Posts: 2535 - Karma: 86
I was considering these but went with Trekkers instead because off: price and weight. They're nearly twice a much as Trekkers,. Also they're heavy, I didnt want the extra weight for when I'm just skiing. Also the plate itself is pretty big
Nov 24 2011 7:56PM
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bertrenolds
Posts: 142 - Karma: 57
I think the reason i am liking these is because compared to dukes they really are bomber proof looking at what they are made of vs. plastic dukes. I would be willing to sacrafice weight knowing that i can use FKS 180's or look p18 which are all metal and are basically the only binding i can use that i can't break. They are also apparently 1/2 inch closer to the ski compared to dukes i think and i hate the feeling that i am on stilts on my skis, i like my bindings on my skis. Sure touring bindings will be lighter but are you going to huck a 30footer in them, i doubt it and if you do you will probably eject out of them and hurt yourself. Yes the plate is $300 and you have to buy bindings ontop of that but you get to choose your bindings and realistically dukes were almost $600 when they came out on the market so they are the same price but are apparently much better performance wise. I'm just stoked that someone is making these for people who would like to skin but also hit big stuff and not be think in the back of their mind am i going to wreck myself because my binding prematurely ejeculate on me. 
Nov 29 2011 11:04AM
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Chaunceyskis
Posts: 2197 - Karma: 346
I don't like how easy it is to flip the tail piece up and go into climb mode. But the fact that sage ( who does not go easy in equipment) is using them makes me second guess my doubts of the mfd . I still trust my dukes and have for the last 3 years
Nov 29 2011 11:19AM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
So torn between these and Dukes. Ive had my new skis staring at me for a week but havent mounted bc I cant make up my mind. The price is steep, but Im 6'2 and additional stack height is not something I want.
Nov 29 2011 12:52PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10582 - Karma: 11,182
I'll buy a pair when they make them lighter. I picked up a pair of 185(186?) S7's with MFD's and FKS 180's and safe to say I feel sorry for whoever is gonna tour longer than a mile in those...
Nov 29 2011 12:55PM
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bikerocker
Posts: 1427 - Karma: 461
I've been running the MFD's for a couple of months now.  I was a long time Duke user before then. After switching to MFD I have zero complaints. If you ride big lines, hike steep stuff, find yourself in hairy situations, and value your knees as well the MFD is the only way to go. They are super simple to operate and the touring is amazing. Any parts that could wear out is easily replaceable.

The duke might be lighter, but it doesn't tour very well at all, requires you to unclip to change in an out of walk mode, and is a hastle to change riser settings.

The MFD isn't. Anyone who is saying that they just "love" their dukes hasn't had to deal with unclipping from them on a wind-whipped ridge, or hiked anything steeper than a blue run. Either that or they haven't tried anything else. And they sure haven't had to go to a dealer and wait for replacement parts or ship in their bindings for inspection.

Dynafit makes a great hiking option but it's still not din certified, and no where near the release quality of an FKS binding. If you tour serious long distances Dynafit makes sense, but that isn't what the MFD is made for.

Sure there is the weight issue, but get some lighter skis and lighter skins. MFD's kick ass. Period.
Nov 29 2011 4:22PM
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PappaG
Posts: 931 - Karma: 797
The Kool-Aid on the MFD is laughable. Unless you're out touring under an hour or weigh 300 lbs and need an all-metal binding, there's absolutely no reason to choose the MFD over something like the Duke/Baron. I have about 250 days on the Duke (100+ in the backcountry), never had an issue with the bindings' retention and I ski very committing lines often laden with no-fall zones. Skiing powder is not like skiing park or hardpack... there's absolutely ZERO reason to be touring on a P18... none at all. Even when I weighed 70lbs heavier with DIN set to 14 on the Duke, not once did I prerelease. As for tourability is concerned, come talk to me after doing a 5k day on an MFD/P18 combo and then we can trade war stories about whose legs are hurting more.
Nov 29 2011 4:42PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Can't wait to use mine. I gave up on Dukes after I kept pre-releasing, snapping plastic parts, and having to pop out of my skis to change in/out of touring mode. Plus the stack heigh feels downright awful. They weigh a little more than Dukes but that isn't really an issue as long as you aren't a total pussy. Until I can afford Dynafits, gooo MFD.
Nov 29 2011 7:10PM
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AlexFromTarget
Posts: 533 - Karma: 59
lol
Nov 29 2011 7:20PM
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SkiersRealm
Posts: 111 - Karma: 105
The MFD's don't seem like a true substitute for long tours in the BC. More just for the skier who likes to get off the resort here and there. Same thing the Dukes are more or less used for. Both can be used at either extreme, say always at the resort or always in the BC but neither are really designed for one or the other. They're both just a great solution for somebody who wants to keep their options open. But the clear benefit to the MFD is being able to swap between skis without buying multiple pairs of bindings. Yep their heavier but it's all give and take. You can't knock them for being a good idea and pushing innovation that's for sure.
Nov 30 2011 11:49AM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
This, plus the lower stack height than the Duke is why I'm currently leaning towards them. I'll probably be 70% in bounds at resorts, 30% BC. I don't care about weight all that much... most of Utah's BC in the Cottonwood areas at least doesn't require super long skins to get to the goods (unless you're going after Timpanogos or something).
Nov 30 2011 12:23PM
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bikerocker
Posts: 1427 - Karma: 461
I've put this time in on both.

At the end of the day the MFD tours better. Get some lighter skins, and maybe some lighter skis that still rip if you're a weight weenie.

MFD is awesome because switching between hike/ski settings is simple. And you get the option of running a binding you are comfortable with. Look/rossi/dynastar make a 15 din turntable style heel as well. Not just the 18. I love the marker system for retention as well, but when it comes down to just straight use the MFD is idiot proof, and doesn't require you to take your skis off to remove your skins or play with an inferior riser.

But after putting time in on both I just dig the MFD. If you don't who cares. Options are better than no options. Can't wait for the Gaurdian 16 to hit the market as well. It means the industry is paying attention to skiers, and with that, we all win.
Nov 30 2011 7:25PM
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Claywilliams
Posts: 332 - Karma: 28
I've heard that MFD's are absolutely amazing.. my friend says he likes the dukes a lot but they're kinda heavy.
right now im just looking at trekkers becasue they're cheap. But i heard they suck. I dont really care just looking to get to the stuff above the lifts
Nov 30 2011 7:43PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
i don't think i follow, can you elaborate? wouldn't binding inserts be a better solution to swapping bindings between skis?
Nov 30 2011 9:57PM
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Chaka
Posts: 424 - Karma: 79
No, you actually cant remount bindings on the MFD. It requires a dedicated set of bindings. So that would not be a benefit of the MFD system. I assume you could have inserts put in for the plate itself but you couldn't share a pair of bindings since the plate doesn't allow remounts.
Nov 30 2011 11:53PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
Saw a pair of these in the field for the first time. The dude was stuck at the trailhead because a critical screw/pin on the toe pivot was gone. shit outta luck.
Dec 1 2011 1:01AM
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ectreeskier11
Posts: 697 - Karma: 366
i've skied dukes, dynafits and mfd's for enough time on each to make a good comparison. i'm still on dukes. i'll be on dynafits for longer tours this spring, and will probably be on the salomon/atomic soon in place of dukes. not even considering MFD's, they seemed to change the way the ski skied far more than the duke ever has. that said, if you're in shape and don't mind the weight, the touring mode is great in the MFD, counter intuitive, i know.
Dec 1 2011 1:55AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
Cereal what ya got 25 days on dynas shit nate this is your 4th season in the wasatch?
How many days you got on mdf what are they mounted on? Can I have my skis back???
Don't bullshit a bullshitter.
MDF= AT for those who throw down as hard as sage catipillermimosa but can'r rip the shit out of stuff with the finesse of hoji on a 12 din light weight tech binding
small niche imo but a cool product non the less

Dec 1 2011 8:06AM
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ectreeskier11
Posts: 697 - Karma: 366
3rd season, only a few days on dynas. enough to know i wouldn't want to ski on them regularly though, but that for longer approaches and such they're the only way to go. mfd's were on bibbys, i'd like more time on those but my initial impressions of how they skied weren't great. call me about the skis if you want me to swing by with them! i'll come by later today if that's the case!
Dec 1 2011 10:10AM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
Dynafits aren't an option given that I'll be skiing them in bounds and don't have half the finesse Hoji does. Also reading the thread below kinda scurred me away from that option. My biggest worry about the MFD was it ruining the natural flex of the ski, but the Blister review seemed to indicate it wasn't bad. I'll probably just get Dukes.

Dec 1 2011 10:24AM
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Benji.
Posts: 1146 - Karma: 88
Click for larger image


Haven't skied them yet this year (waiting for some snow)

They weigh a lot.

But i feel like the true flex design and that your boot is much closer to the ski are going to compensate for this.

I don't plan on going for full day tours with these (why i dont mind the weight)
just plan on using them to get to those hard to reach sidecountry places.

Being a proponent of "feeling good about the way I look" I feel good on these skis. Hopefully they work out.



Dec 1 2011 2:28PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Since I like my skis to be stiff as hell underfoot anyway, I consider this a good thing.
Dec 1 2011 2:30PM
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Benji.
Posts: 1146 - Karma: 88
WAIT WHAT!? The MFD ALLOWS for natural flex of the ski underfoot. Whereas the Dukes sure as hell dont!
Dec 1 2011 2:42PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
The Dukes definitely did, but my main beef was that they were shitty bindings and the stack height feltbadman.

I haven't used my MFDs yet so I don't know for sure, but people have told me it stiffens the ski underfoot, despite MFD's claims. I really don't see a problem though, because I hate skis that are soft underfoot.
Dec 1 2011 3:16PM
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ectreeskier11
Posts: 697 - Karma: 366
i don't know if it stiffens the flex but they definitely don't flex normally.
Dec 1 2011 3:35PM
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Benji.
Posts: 1146 - Karma: 88
Word. But the MFDs definitely allow the ski to flex CLOSER to normal than the duke. Obviously not how a normal alpine binding allows it to flex but closer than ever before.

And i agree the duke puts you way to high above the ski.

I got the MFDs for that exact reason over the dukes.
Dec 1 2011 5:04PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
For small touring Trekkers are the way forward still...

MFD kill the flex of a ski to much for me.

STH 16+trekkers= good slackcountry touring set up.
Dec 1 2011 6:14PM
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Benji.
Posts: 1146 - Karma: 88
Almost did this setup but was sketched about the trekkers.. I've just heard so many bad things about the trekkers. I still think they would be legit haha
Dec 2 2011 9:13PM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
I don't have any real means for comparison, but I picked up some MFDs cause I had some FKSs and wanted a touring setup.

Overall, they're really easy to use, they're definitely relatively heavy, and they're definitely really really solid. I'm excited to give them some turns on hardpack to see how the flex is altered, but there wasn't enough difference in pow to really tell. At this point, they feel just the same going down the hill.

The only comparison I have is with uphill travel on Barons: the Barons are significantly lighter, no mistaking that. With that said, the MFDs feel so so so much more solid. I didn't ski the Barons downhill, but I don't know if I've ever felt a more flimsy binding after just clicking into them.

I can't really recommend them over Dukes cause I don't have any basis for comparison, but if I was gonna go out for a long hike (which I don't really plan on doing at the moment as I don't have much experience), I'd probably rather have the Barons. However, because I'm gonna be riding these inbounds the majority of the time, I'm glad to have the MFDs just because they're all metal and they feel like there's absolutely no way they're gonna break, whereas, again, the Barons felt like the flimsiest binding I've ever stepped into and are mainly composed of plastic.

Bottom line: MFDs are great for combining short backcountry tours paired with lots of inbounds skiing, but they're probably not great for longer tours as they're relatively heavy, but that's not really what they're made for, either.

I'm really glad I got em and can't wait to use them more!
Dec 2 2011 11:34PM
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phreshpow
Posts: 834 - Karma: 133
not sure if it's been said, but the clip thing to put them in tour is pretty easy to flip up, so easy that I wouldn't be surprised if it came up if snow got under it in a landing or something.

Also, flex seems weird, super heavy, expensive as hell and pretty much untested by a large group of people, I would never buy them in their first year on the market over dukes.
Dec 2 2011 11:42PM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
Waiting for the Guardian/Tracker
Dec 3 2011 1:18AM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
Ive had the same trekkers for 3 years now. And use them regularly when we have snow aha.
Dec 3 2011 5:45AM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
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Dec 3 2011 3:17PM
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maxwell666
Posts: 554 - Karma: 20
GMF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 4 2011 2:59AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
Thanks Smuggs. I really like the GMF concept. Though my current solution is to have threaded inserts from bindingfreedom.com so I can swap between
Dec 4 2011 4:27AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
... between FKS and dynafit on one setup, then duke and FKS on another.
Dec 4 2011 4:29AM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
will you be swapping in the field? seems like the advantage of the gmf is when u swap in the field.

also though there is alot of work that has to be done like putting the inserts in your boots and stuff im hoping they can develop a cheap touring toe piece so you dont have to obtain dynafits or plums.

i still think its the boots that are the weakness of a touring set up. is it that hard for a company to make a normal boot with tech inserts?
Dec 4 2011 11:22AM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
I just picked up a pair of dalbello virus tours, and have been skiing them alpine. i have been absolutely blown away how well it skis! Definitely worth checking out, Im considering selling my alpine boots and skiing them exclusively.
Dec 4 2011 3:14PM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
Going to be picking up a pair of MFDs for the upcoming Wasatch season, can't wait to see how they perform.
Dec 4 2011 3:22PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
I'm swapping at home until I can try Lars ' creation. I'm a little concerned about swapping a plate between runs. Though split boarders put up with far worse.
Dec 4 2011 11:06PM
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SethLangbauer
Posts: 1119 - Karma: 74
Honestly I haven't read anything yet but the dukes are still better IMO. You complain about being on "stilts" but I kinda like being a little off the ski, it gives the skier more torque on the wider skis. From what i have heard, the MFDs kill the life of you ski, only mount once, are heavy as fuck, and cost a butt ton. I'm still rooting for the plastic dukes...
Dec 5 2011 1:12AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
I'm gonna bump this thread because it's saying exactly what I wanted to.

I bought the MFD/FKS14 setup because I don't like the setup of the Dukes, and I don't like Marker bindings very much anyways. The Dukes are about 450, and I paid about that for my MFD/FKS brand new, so the price issue was null from the start.

I am also in VT, so the multi-day touring stuff isn't exactly optimal (although I have done a couple before..I am a backcountry skiing leader for UVM Outing Club).

I wanted a ski setup that I could use all day at Mad River or all day on Big Jay. I also have Garmont Adrnalin boots, so Dynafit was out the window regardless because they do not have tech inserts. When I mounted MFD/FKS on ON3P Caylors, though the setup seemed heavy as shit, especially with skins on. I as actually a little worried for a day. The setup ways about 18 pounds total.

Then we finally got snow up here and since I have used them 2 days on lift serve and 2 days in the backcountry. Obviously this setup kills it in bounds, but it killed it just as hard where we earned our turns. On the way down, I felt 100x more stable than I did last year while skiing on Fritschis. As soon as I started skinning up, I didn't notice the weight at all. If anything, it was easier than the BD Verdict/Fritschi setup I used last year because the rockered/shovel Caylors made setting the track a breeze. I kept right with my friend on Super 7's/22Design AXLs.

It seems like a lot of the MFD hate is coming from people who have never actually skied them. There's definitely kool-aid sippers out there too, but I used MFD because it was the option I narrowed down to. I don't regret it at all. Maybe my opinion will change as I use them another 30-50 times this year, maybe it won't. But for now I feel I have the most bomber setup I could use for 60% backcountry/40% lift-serve.

Tour with Dynafit, but rip everywhere with MFD.

Oh, and the stares my setup gets in lift lines and parking lots are pretty funny, too.
Jan 17 2012 8:56AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Sorry about the essay.
Jan 17 2012 8:57AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
regardless of everything else that's been said, i still don't see an advantage of not having to take your skis off to swap between skiing and touring modes. you need to remove your skis to get the skins on and off anyway so i really don't see the issue. also having the switch under my boot means i know 100% that the binding will not unexpectedly release into touring mode.

personally i love my dukes. next season i will be replacing them with the new duke which is going to be amazing with an even wider platform!
Jan 17 2012 9:48AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
To each his own. I respect that. The Dukes work for a lot of people, I just decided that they didn't for me.

But I rip skins without removing my skis so its a lot nicer to not have to sink in (sometimes up to the waist!) when I transition at the top. 60 second transitions are the bomb hah.

I still have to remove them to put skins on, but so does everybody.
Jan 17 2012 9:52AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Finally done some touring on mine. They feel like the same weight as the Dukes. I know they are technically heavier, but they are also generally less clunky so they feel far more agile and maneuverable, so the weight is a non issue to me. Going down the hill, the MFD's are a 100% improvement over the Dukes; the stack height feels nonexistent and the ski seems to flex more naturally as well. And being able to change modes without taking off the ski is far from a necessity, but it is very nice when you're standing on the edge of a cliff in a tight spot.
Jan 17 2012 1:49PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Late bump, but where do most people mount their MFDs?
Jun 3 2012 7:48PM
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