The Reforma Test
I was pretty blown away by how well these worked on Taos’s Reforma. They felt much easier than the 187 Brahmas, and a bit easier than the 184 X-Drive 8.8’s when mitigating the pretty gnarly bumps that are currently occupying the top part of that run.
I found myself carving more short turns down the middle and bottom of Reforma rather than blasting my way down the middle and bottom portion, as I like to do on the 184 X-Drive 8.8s.
But with a bit of a change in style, the Motive 86 Ti still has proven to be a capable, predictable, supportive all-mountain ski that isn’t quick to punish mistakes. The ski feels pretty substantial – substantial and supportive, rather than substantial and get-on-these-tails-and-you’ll-get-your-ass-kicked. And that’s one of the reasons why I would group the 184 X-Drive with the 187 Brahma, while I would put the 186 Fischer Motive 86 in league with the 186 Dynastar Powertrack 89. Speaking of the Powertrack 89…
182cm Fischer Motive 86 Ti vs. 186cm Powertrack 89 (Deeper Chop, Weird Moguls, Etc.)
I spent a 6″ pow day at Taos directly A/B-ing the Powertrack 89 and the Motive 86 Ti all around the mountain. The results?
The Powertrack 89 really shines in consistent conditions—smooth groomers, uniform bump lines, untracked pow, shallow slush, or shallow crud. Across all of these conditions, the ski performs very well.
But in deeper chop or firm moguls with 6″ of fresh pow on top of them, the tapered tips and tails of the Powertrack 89 are prone to tip deflection and having its tails wash out.
In those six inches of pow, skiing Reforma and West Blitz trees, I much preferred the Motive 86 Ti over the Powertrack 89. I spent a lot less energy on the Motive 86 trying to control the ski, and was instead able to just ski hard without working to minimize deflection or worrying about the tails.
On Reforma & West Blitz Trees, the Motive 86 handled the constant shifts from scraped-off troughs to deeper piles of pushed-around snow well. I found myself thinking that I wouldn’t want to be hitting piles that were much deeper than what I was dealing with, but I had a really fun day on the Motive 86s.
But once again, the skis very rarely felt grabby. I could feather the tails to scrub speed, or I could engage them more fully to carve turns through the trees—same as my experience had been a couple of days earlier in Corner Chute Trees.
So as always, think hard about how and where you actually ski, and that will go a long way toward helping you figure out what ski design / shape will be the best fit for you.
(BTW, a Quick Note re: Width & Sidecut)
For those who have spent little time on fatter skis in deep chop and bumps, this is for you.
Skiing firm moguls that were now covered in a fresh 4-6″ down Al’s Run, I was having a slightly harder time than when I had just skied the Motive 86s down Al’s a day earlier when it only had firm bumps. With all the fresh snow, the skis seemed a bit more inclined to deflect off the fresh piles rather than to just track along and down the firm moguls. It wasn’t a huge deal, but there is a reason why wider, heavier, straighter skis with less sidecut work better in soft, cut-up snow, or down pow-moguls: they are less prone to deflection and they feel more stable. Remove all that fresh snow, however, and the narrower width, the edge-to-edge quickness, and edge grip produced from the fat, flat tails of a ski like the Motive 86 become nice assets.
Bottom Line
Of the four skis I’ve mentioned the most here (the Dynastar Powertrack 89, the Blizzard Brahma, the Salomon X-Drive 8.8, and the Fischer Motive 86 Ti), the Motive 86 Ti may be the easiest / safest to recommend. It isn’t the most powerful of these skis, nor the quickest, but it provides a very nice blend of those performance characteristics while showing no significant shortcomings or compromises.
NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics
So curious what you think of the kassle mx88 compared to the rest of this group, I demoed the other day and way blow away. Thinking of getting them to replace my hell and back ans the extra grip would be welcome right about now with the dry spell we’ve had in Aspen. Just getting my sn108 mounted and thinking that my quiver would be fine going from 88 to 108 to 115. If it’s bones, the 88 would be great. If any snow left then 108. And the 115 for at least 8 inches.
Any chance that you’ll be reviewing the Fischer Motive 95 Ti too?
Did this ski change at all from 13/14 to 14/15, apart from the topsheet? Seeing some of these on EBay. Like Andrew, I’m also interested in a comparison with the MX88.
The wood core and the metal topsheet were lightened for 14/15 using Fischer’s Air Tec technology. I have the 13/14 version. Haven’t tried the 14/15 so I can’t say how the changes affected the performance, but I’m really happy with my 182s. I’m quite blown away with how versatile they are and how fun they are for pretty much anything you might want to do when there isn’t much fresh snow around. The only negative I have, is that they do have a speed limit – for me (6′, 185lbs) they start to get squirrelly around 50mph.
Looking for a new telemark ski. Have relied on k2 tele skis over the last 15 years (k2 world piste and k2 work stinx). With my new boots (scarpa t-race) and bindings (22 designs vice), I overpower these older k2 tele skis. Based on your excellent website (of which I’m a proud member), I’ve been thinking about three skis for my new tele set-up: Fischer Motive 95 ti, Nordica Enforcer, Moment PB&J. I rarely telemark on a deep snow day (more than 6 inches) or in the backcountry. The most common terrain on which I tele is Colorado resort (groomers, bumps and trees). I want a ski that is directional, has a stiffer and snappier response in the middle, and is relatively softer in the tail For reference, my alpine skis are Moment Pro Bibby (thanks for the recommendation – they are the best but too much for my tele set-up) and Rossignol E88 (which I think could work well for my tele set up). Thanks for any insight.
Hi, Christian – couple of thoughts: we haven’t skied the Fischer Motive 95, unfortunately, but if you’re considering the Rossi E88, I would encourage you to at least consider the Motive 86Ti – it is such a good ski. I know many people are high on the Rossi E88, but there isn’t a single instance where I would take the E88 over the Fischer Motive 86Ti.
But to stick to the 3 skis you’re considering, I think it primarily comes down to how much tail rocker you want – the PB&J has the most by far, the Motive 95 the least, and the Enforcer is in the middle. I know some tele skiers don’t like too much tail rocker – if that’s true of you, then I think the Enforcer would be a very safe bet – and it meets all of your stated criteria.
Hope that helps a little.
Thanks a lot for your response. You guys are awesome. I’m leaning towards the Nordica Enforcer. But I’m going to demo the Icelantic Pioneer this weekend as one last reference point. I can’t find the Enforcer’s mounted with tele bindings to demo or I would. The Bent Gate in Golden, co does have the icelantic lineup mounted with tele bindings so I’m going to give ’em a shot. Thanks again and keep up the great work. Your buyer’s guide was the best such publication I’ve ever purchased in 20+ years following the industry.
Thank you, Christian!
Hi Jonathan
Just wondering if you’ve managed to ski the new Fischer Pro Mountain 86 Ti yet? Very keen for any thoughts and feedback on it, comparisons etc
Cheers
Mark
I just bought a pair of these to try as I ween myself back onto the snow following knee surgery. At 160lbs I purchased the 182’s but they review like they allow many options in how aggressive I can ski coming back into fitness. Still awaiting the review of the LaTigo but the deal on these was so deep I couldn’t let it pass.
Love the Gear Guide, thank you Jonathan and crew!
Yep, I’d say that’s correct – that they allow many options in how agressive [one] can ski.” You don’t have to push them, but you can push them. And yes, to Alex’s point below, they do have a speed limit, but it is pretty high. And if No Speed Limit is what someone is after, they should just get the Salomon X-Drive 8.8.
Jonathan, you mentioned above that the Fischer Motive has a speed limit. Do you think it has a “weight limit” at 182 cm? The Motive sounds great from your Buying Guide, but at 6’5″ 235, do you think it might have a “size” limit as well? Loved your Buying Guide!
I am 6’2″ and 200lbs. I ski the Motive 95 in 180cm. I am not the fastest skier, but I haven’t found the speed limit. These things have a lot of effective edge relative to their length. A little less so than a true race ski, but much more so than a double rocker ski.
Jonathan, love your new 2015/2016 Blister Buying Guide! It is extremely well written and organized. Your review of the Fischer Motive 86ti was so positive I had to pick up a pair. Fortunately, there were a still a couple pairs of last years ski available. Keep up the great reviews.
Hi Jonathan,
Have any of you skied, tested, or have any plans on testing the new 15/16 Fischer Ranger 90TI?
Good question. We are supposed to start testing the Ranger 108Ti very soon – just waiting on Fischer. But we’ll note your interest in the 90Ti, too. I think before we get to the 90Ti, though, we’re getting a major number of requests for a review of the Motive 95, so that might take priority. But keep an eye out…
Hi, I’ve been a long time watea fan, but have always wondered about the motive series of skis. Would you consider the motive ti’s a metaled out version of the watea’s? How would you compare the motives performance vs watea’s (now the rangers)? Thanks for any input on the differences of both.
Jonathan,
As you know I follow Blister, it’s my “one cook in the kitchen”, so to speak for gear reviews and most of the comments regarding skis revolve around size recommendations. Great with one caveat, I rarely read any follow up how it turns out for those of us who purchase what you test. Does this feedback rarely come in or am I missing it?
P.S. Due to lack of overly extreme lines and helicopter access B.S. shots the Blister Guide is at the top of magazine pile.
Thanks for the kind words, Big K, and psyched you’re enjoying the Buyer’s Guide.
As for follow up comments, we’re definitely not hording them. we do often get a ton of emails from readers saying that they bought a ski (or boot or bike, etc.) based on our reviews, and that they’re loving them), but they don’t often elaborate on the specific length they went with, and whether that length seemed to correspond well to whatever length we reviewed. But I agree with you, I’d love to see a lot more of that in the Comments Section. (There are some examples – the Rossi Soul 7, the Bibby / Blister Pro, etc., but would love to get more reader input on this.)
Jonathan, My take on the Motive 86 is exactly the same as yours, one reason I trust Blister. For example I own the 185 Cochise, skis the same as your reviews as does the Atomic Automatic in a 192 at +2. I also have skied some of the other skis in your reviews and they skied as you guys reviewed. Back to the Motive 86. I owned the original Motive 88, I loved that ski and after more than 100 days on them they are now Rock skis. Last season I got to demo several of this years skis, the Shop I go to Is a Atomic, Fischer, Head, Dynastar and Stockli dealer plus they tune the reps skis for other brands, so I am fortunate to be able to ski several brands. At the end of last season the Dynastar rep made me an offer on some new Powertrac 89’s that was to hard to pass up. After 4 days on the demo Powertracs and 2 days on my new Powertracs I sold them and bought New Motive 86’s. I liked the Powertracs, did not love them. Like you I like a fat and almost flat tail, the taper on the Powertrac never gave me the confidence to stand on and power the tail on firm groomed snow, or any snow for that matter. The Powertrac’s were fine in 2-6 inches and variable snow if you skied in more of a finesse slarve way, plus they are quick and good in moguls as you wrote. So it does depend on your skiing style. I like to power my tail, stand on it and trust it. The Motive 86 allows me to do that, plus they are quicker than the side-cut due to the tip rocker, stable at speed and easy to ski, I love the ski. I also skied the X-Drive 8.8 in the 184, I also love that ski, the only challenge is the X-Drive is all power all of the time(just as your review states) whereas the Motive is more forgiving of my mistakes. I did not get a chance to ski the Brahmas. Fischer makes a high quality ski that in my opinion is highly underrated compared to other brands. I am 5’11, 183 LBS, 57 years old, expert level, very fit, loves speed, been skiing since the 5th grade, Ski at Stevens Pass and Crystal Mountain in Washington, I am old but I can still hammer it. Quiver is;15-16 Motive 86-182, 13-14 Cochise-185, 2013- Automatic-193, 2013-Dynastar Chrome 78 Pro-178(This is my hard snow ripper) and 2012 Salomon Sentinel 184, the Sentinel skis like a 95 version of the X-Drive 8.8. Conclusion: The Motive is easy to recommend to people who are on the fence about what to buy, you will not be disappointed. Of all of the skis I own the Motive will see the most days.
Thanks, Matt! I really appreciate your excellent and very useful feedback on all of these skis.
OK, so I purchased these in 182cm. My other skis fall more on the “big gun” side of things – heavy, damp, large radius, low profile tip, etc… So coming back from an 8mo. injury I wanted something with a radius in the teens that maybe I could noodle around on, something I don’t have to drive so hard full time. Too weak to give a fair report I can tell you this, this ski has two parts, the Tail and then the rest of the ski, and the ski is no noodle. I’d forgotten what fun a full blown tail like this is. If this ski has a speed limit I doubt it’s because the tail has a load rating, geeze – if you don’t remember what it’s like to really step on it back there then you’ll have a lot of fun on this thing. You don’t get back more than you put in but it plays such a fair game it doesn’t leave you disappointed or feeling robbed. As Jonathan states, and there is no better word that comes to mind, this thing is smooth. Expecting some chatter on the stiff backside of what few bumps I did hit it was so damn smooth all I could think was how I want some more of those. Soon as the healing is done……..
Nice feedback, Big K – and glad your’e enjoying these so far. It’s just such a good ski.
Length question for you. I’ve skied for a long time, but my technique isn’t where it needs to be. I’m on a pair of 188 Sin 7s, and I’m looking at the Fischer’s as a “technique ski” where I can really focus on short radius turns and bumps, with some carving thrown in. I’m ~175lbs and 5’10” and I’m trying to decide between the 175 and the 182. This might come down to what’s available but wondering whether you think the 182 might feel too long coming off a rockered ski like the Sin.
Michael,
If it helps I’m 5’11”, 160lbs. I purchased the 182cm length. I would consider myself at the low-end size-wise for the 182.
(strength wise I consider myself in the hunt) Is it too long for me?, not usually and certainly not on groomers. Off-piste in sewage it gets deflected easier than I like and can quickly start it’s own agenda. De-tuned past the rocker point helps to a point. And while this ski is smooth, the review leaves nothing to read in between the lines. This ski is Not Damp.
Hi Jonathan
Just wondering if you’ve managed to ski the new Fischer Pro Mountain 86 Ti yet? Very keen for any thoughts and feedback on it.
Cheers
Mark
Hi Jonathan
Just wondering if you’ve managed to ski the new Fischer Pro Mountain 86 Ti yet?
Dennis.
Is the Pro Mtn. 86 review included in the 2017 buyers guide? Is that a subscription only review? Thank you all for your incredibly helpful insight and Jonathan here’s to a quick and successful recovery from your accident.