Model: SpeedMachine 16.1
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 154/R13 162/14 170/16 178/17
Sidecut: 114-67-100
Manufacturer’s Description:
For speed and ski experts that want top performance in a ski for any terrain. Features: high speed progressive side-cut, high level cornering grip, remarkable stability and precise reactivity.
Ski-Review’s verdict:
The Nordica SpeedMachine 16.1 is the 2005-2006 model of the 2004-2005 SpeedMachine 14 with slightly stiffer top sheet and a wider (1mm) tail.
So what we have is a real race-core under the curvy shape of an all-mountain high-speed trench-digger. The SpeedMachine 16.1 requires expert input to get it to perform as designed for expert hard-carving anywhere on the mountain.
A little stiff for the bumps, and definitely not a floating powder board. The Nordica SpeedMachine is a superb tool to carve arcs into groomed surfaces at high pressure speeds.
It is racy, with a wider collection of tricks up its sleeve than a pure race-carve…but really yearns to be let go on high-speed groomers to leave distinctive marks behind. Not difficult to ski at slow speeds, but the SpeedMachine 16.1 wants to be pressured to get rowdy response.
Better slow-speed response than the RC Pro, with a "cheeky" kick (I read this description somewhere else and agreed) in the tail if you want to get some serious acceleration at the end of your turns. Like most carvers of this nature, do not get in the back seat. This skis is really, really fun and more adventurous than the RC Pro.
The turns at high speed were similarly quiet and confident with great grip and power for any level of pressure, with the only drawback being a slight tendency to weaken its grip under really high-speed maximum leg power on the hardest boilerplate surfaces. This limit would only be reached under race-like conditions…not all-mountain powerhouse carving where the SpeedMachine 16.1 is targeted.
In summary, the Nordica SpeedMachine 16.1 is a powerhouse ski with real personality for raging around securely at any speed. I would give it a "9" for race-carve skis, and a "10" for all mountain expert hardware. Extremely addictive.
Real time prices for the Nordica SpeedMachine 16.1 2006, or similar ski products:
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/17
This ski rocks. I demo’d 15 different skis and made my decisions in the first 3 minutes. Does everything it’s supposed to do - holds edges great, carves beautifully and best of all has a sweet spot from tip to tail. So forgiving you’re mind can actually wander while enjoying the scenery flying by. This is the ski for big vertical on hardpack.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/20
What is your weight and height? Did you ski it in bumps? What about short rapid fire rads?
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/09
I’m moving to Keystone-or Copper . I’m 170 at 6’2 . Been skiing the Z 5 , and B-2 . I like long arcs at high speed . I’m very aggressive .Too agressive. Ski like in the Olympics on each run . Try and execute all the new techniques . Harld Harb ect. . Never in moguls (to much work). I only have been sking 20 days a year, so high speed to me is 40 mph . I’ll get stronger fast though now I’m moving out to .. . Seems like snow conditions are soft atleast for half of the day so maybe more with frequent new snow . Question : Does the Speed 16.1 give it’s extra performance in the softer packed snow-light crude ? I’m thinking the Rossi Z 9 sounds great , wider waist for versatility , but concerned I’ll be looking for more kick out of turns and outgrow them . I love to develope my kick. Hence the Speed 16.1 thoughts. Gary
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/29
I demoed this last year and purchased at the end of the year. East coast skier , great for groomers and ice, it holds like I am skating. Great turns. I ski 7/24 Pro for crud and a bit of powder but need to get a really good powder ski for those rare powder days in the east. I am about 5’7 180. Great stuff , I am surprised more people are not jumping into the Nordica ski camp.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/06
I am 59yrs old and 5’10”, 265lbs and love my 16.1’s. My son is CanCSI and taught me the right way to ski and with the Speedmachine I have a blast carving up the hills in Michigan. I never feel like the ski will let me down if I don’t make a mistake. I feel safe at any speed and at max carve angles accross the face of Nubs Nob’s Smokey and Chute. What a joy to go this fast and hard at my age and it is all because of this ski. I stepped up from Volkl P60’s into the Speedmachine and my game was instantly elevated to a level that I had never thought to dream of. Pressure the edges and trust it comepletely and go fast.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/06
i was skiing like rock star after i got theses skis, you can imagine rock-star on mountain? yes good ski and definitely will love for 2 more years and will try tigershark
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/18
i ski 3-5 times a year in Nc with a lot of ice and groomed and croud ocational powder but hardly ever i can get them for $275 what do u think
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/15
If you were a level 3 csia “want a be” in Ontario 160Lb. at 6ft. would you buy this ski? How would you compare it to the older t50 5 star volkl?