What do you think of your new sled?

[Marty P]

To everyone who purchased a new 2011 “somethingorothersled” lets here the pros and cons of the new ride…

 

[gary_in_neenah]

I bought a new 09 still in the crate early last fall. It's the 1200 4 tec from Ski doo and I'm very happy with it. I've only logged about 300 miles this year due to a lack of snow, but I have a good feel for the new machine.

The 4 Stroke is very quiet, very clean, and has incredible torque all the way up to WOT. It's the TNT Shorty so it's not so much a cruiser as it is nimble from corner to corner. As for the weight, it comes in just under 500 lbs.

This machine has all the Bells & Whistles that I was looking for and being a noncurrent offered a better price point vs. the 2011's.

The Cons thus far would include a lack of storage space and a noise from the clutch between 4700 and 5000 rpm. The engine is so quiet you can hear the clutch and suspension which are drowned out on typical 2 stroke.

This is probably the last machine I'll ever own, it's that good!

 

[dafalls]

2011 Arctic Cat Crossfire 800 LE.

Coming from a 2005 ZR 900, i am really impressed with the power and feel of this sled in the woods. Really like the mountain seat and the adjustable riser. Downside is i only have 200 miles on it so far.

 

[xcsp]

Tell us what make/model of sled you had previous to the new one-if you haven't already.

 

[oldguy]

I had a 600 2009 Shift with Walkers and a 1.25 ripsaw. Went to a 2011 Pro R 600 Rush.

The Rush seems to have a harsher ride then the Shift with comparable shocks. The handling and ride is not the greatest if it is not set up just perfect. After 700 miles I still don’t have it the way I want it, but it is a lot better then when I first rode it. The Shift was much easier to dial in. Unless you like to ditch bang, I think I would stay away from the Pro R and just get the standard Rush. I have ridden an 800 2011 Rush non Pro R and liked the ride better. The down side of the standard Rush is the crappy 1 inch lug track.

The riding position is great. Being old, I used to get sore hips after a couple of nonstop hours of riding. That has gone away with this sled. Your knees do hit the cowling when you sit forward, but not enough to be a problem. The transition from sitting and standing is great. I found an extra tall windshield Polaris makes and it solved any cold weather problems. The tall windshield keeps the wind off your knees, hands and face. The hand warmers are hotter then any other Polaris I have owned.

Oil mileage seems around 130 miles per quart. Gas mileage runs anywhere from 10 mpg pushing it in snow, to 15mpg nursing it on hard packed trails. This is better then the Shift. No mechanical issues so far. It seems to perform as well as any newer 600 cc sled on the market. Across a lake it will not keep up with the 800’s. Storage is nonexistent unless you buy the ugly bags.

 

[chillywilly]

wow

I had a 600 2009 Shift with Walkers and a 1.25 hacksaw. Went to a 2011 Pro R 600 Rush.

The Rush seems to have a harsher ride then the Shift with comparable shocks. The handling and ride is not the greatest if it is not set up just perfect. After 700 miles I still don’t have it the way I want it, but it is a lot better then when I first rode it. The Shift was much easier to dial in. Unless you like to ditch bang, I think I would stay away from the Pro R and just get the standard Rush. I have ridden an 800 2011 Rush non Pro R and liked the ride better. The down side of the standard Rush is the crappy 1 inch lug track.

The riding position is great. Being old, I used to get sore hips after a couple of nonstop hours of riding. That has gone away with this sled. Your knees do hit the cowling when you sit forward, but not enough to be a problem. The transition from sitting and standing is great. I found an extra tall windshield Polaris makes and it solved any cold weather problems. The tall windshield keeps the wind off your knees, hands and face. The hand warmers are hotter then any other Polaris I have owned.

Oil mileage seems around 130 miles per quart. Gas mileage runs anywhere from 10 mpg pushing it in snow, to 15mpg nursing it on hard packed trails. This is better then the Shift. No mechanical issues so far. It seems to perform as well as any newer 600 cc sled on the market. Across a lake it will not keep up with the 800’s. Storage is nonexistent unless you buy the ugly bags.

First brutally honest review!! Kudos! I bought a new Renegade 800 that I am unimpressed with too. Most guys are so pot commited spending 8-10k that they will say "I love it, best sled ever" no matter what!

 

[nitroman]

Coming off a 2008 Dragon RMK 700 to a 2011 PRO RMK and I only have 70 miles so far. There have been some little issues such as the oil line bubble and some wires I had to tape up. I can't give a honest review till next week when I go to the snowies but so far I'm happy with it and excited to get out west!

 

[xcsp]

The Cons thus far would include a lack of storage space

A tunnel bag is a must for some storage, should come as standard equipment.

 

[samc]

First brutally honest review!! Kudos! I bought a new Renegade 800 that I am unimpressed with too. Most guys are so pot commited spending 8-10k that they will say "I love it, best sled ever" no matter what!

Honesty is nice to see FINALLY

 

[snow_monkey]

I bought a new 09 still in the crate early last fall. It's the 1200 4 tec from Ski doo and I'm very happy with it. I've only logged about 300 miles this year due to a lack of snow, but I have a good feel for the new machine.

The 4 Stroke is very quiet, very clean, and has incredible torque all the way up to WOT. It's the TNT Shorty so it's not so much a cruiser as it is nimble from corner to corner. As for the weight, it comes in just under 500 lbs.

This machine has all the Bells & Whistles that I was looking for and being a noncurrent offered a better price point vs. the 2011's.

The Cons thus far would include a lack of storage space and a noise from the clutch between 4700 and 5000 rpm. The engine is so quiet you can hear the clutch and suspension which are drowned out on typical 2 stroke.

This is probably the last machine I'll ever own, it's that good!

Install the extra idler wheel kit you will not be sorry. Very easy to do and cheap. Keeps track nice and flat with good hook up.

 

[snow_monkey]

2009 600 e-tech mxz. With 600 miles I am ready to share the good bad and ugly. Motor is incredible, great on fuel I am getting 16 to 17 mpg on average and I ride a solid 8 on a 1 to 10 scale. Throttle response is crisp and power delivery is very consistant all through the powerband. Coming off a 2002 700 xcsp I have not missed any power that the poo had delivered. This sled is neck and neck with the exception of pinnin the flipper from a 60mph roll the 700 had a stronger hit up to 60 there was no difference and the doo may be faster up to the 60 mph mark. The ride is knowhere close to the plush ride of an edge. I own both sleds and can jump from one to the other for an accurate comparison. The ride quality has not been an issue for me due to all the other great things this doo brings to the table. the doo will out corner the xcsp hands down, even the cat people who have ridden my doo are amazed by the way it cuts corners. I allways felt the xcsp was way to soft for my riding style and I was right. If you just cruise trails this may not be your sled. For a trail cruiser there are better choices like the cat lxr's or the poo iq's. If you are a driver and want to move up a notch in the fun factor, this is your sled. The only downfall of this sled is that it is some of the most current technology and there are growing pains. There are some owners on doo talk that have had problems and are dissapointed but those threads have a way of rising to the top of forums and I do not feel they represent the total group of owners as a whole. I take my time making choices and everyone would like to feel they have made the best choice after there purchase. I never looked back when I purchased my xcsp and so far I am even more excited with this new doo. I have done a few mods and would be more than happy to share with other dee'rs. Ok, gotta go Mr. Bleezerd just sent me p.m. !!!!

 

[snowhawg]

'11 Renegade 800 Etec X

With over 1,600 miles on it, I do love it. But, I'm a big fan of the XP chassis; lightest, sportiest ride ever since my old '03 Firecat 700. I had an '08 Renegade 800 and also own an '09 600 Etec (wife's). I previously owned an '07 Arctic Cat F8 that was a major dog-great, comfortable chassis, but dull power. That experience (long sad story) switched me from AC to Skidoo and I'm not looking back.

The fuel consumption is nowhere near the claims (no surprise.) The total consumption in 1,600 miles is 14 mpg. Not bad and probably would be better if I were a bit more conservative with the throttle. Haven't put a pencil to oil consumption, but my ballpark guess is about 800 miles per gallon.

I bought the X package for one reason- a black painted tunnel. I know that's kinda dumb, but I got sick of dirty aluminum tunnels and love the all black look. I really don't need or use the fancy shocks. I had to soften everything up a lot and now I'm happy with the bump absorption.

The motor makes great power. Super linear-no flat spots. I just love the Etec injection technology. The engine is very quiet. Top end in a very safe place on the GPS-107 mph with sled gauge showing 116.

Biggest negative is very little wind blockage. They sell you the sled with one of those tiny windshields. I had to replace it with the ultra tall windshield. But it is still the worst body style ever for blocking the wind.

BTW Marty, I owe you a drink some time. You always did a great job selling me these sleds!

 

[Marty P]

Snowhawg, Thanks

Would tell my thoughts on my 11' Backcountry X 800R E-Tec but I am too biased and everybody knows it. Motor is an angry girl though, she’s got some giddy up...

 

[doo_dr]

2011 154 summit

Like it alot. Have been on new summits since 95'. Last year we broke into a monster Nytro MTX 163 supercharged but that is in a class of it's own. The Etec is smooth throughout the whole range. I guess I am different from the majority in that I think this is the best XP platform/setup that BRP has done. The last sled that really impressed me was the 07 XRS and that sled took hits too. Who knows, People allways tell me I'm a different bird!!!

 

[misty_pines]

11 Ski-Doo Renegade Backcountry 800 e-tec

I'm coming off an 02 MXZ 600 extended to a 136" track. I love the Backcountry 800 e-tec so far. It has a 137" 16" wide 1.75" lug track. The power, off trail and on trail handling are all amazing. It accelerates to 90 REAL fast. It has the Summit 21-45 gearing so I wasn't expecting a lot for top speed, but I got it up too 110 mph on the dreamometer this past weekend which is probably just over 100 mph actual. Was getting 12 mpg during the break-in mode but over this past weekend it jumped up to about 16 mpg which I was real happy with. It starts instantly with a quick push of the starter button in all temps which is nice after coming off carburated sleds. It eats up my buddies 700 Yammy SRXs for lunch. Those old SRXs are pretty fast and I couldn't keep up to those guys with my 600. I have no complaints so far except that I wish I had more time to ride it especially with all the snow everywhere.

 

[scoobydoo]

800 etec xrs love it!

 

[djski]

Want to sell that Rush?

I agree getting the Rush set-up correctly can take a bit especially if the dealer doesn't know how to do it either. I have been riding cats for the past 20+ years and currently own 3 of them, but I did a factory Polaris ride this past weekend in Tomahawk and was able to put 40+ miles on a new Rush Pro R 800. All I can say is you can have my cats and give me a RUSH! I rode the standard and the Pro-R and the two aren't even close. If you don't like the ride, you simple do not have it dialed in. The factory reps did a great job of explaining what each adjustment did and how it would affect the other adjustments and after only 3 tries and 10 miles that sled ROCKED! Woops at 70+, 104 MPH on the lake consistantly and pulled hard all the way to 100, slide 4" forward and it carved corners, slide back 4" grab a fist full of throttle with a small drive way embankment and air it out. When set up right it does do it all and smoother than any sled I have ever ridden, and that is a quite lengthy list including a 08' 700 Dragon Switchback. Just no comparison.

So if you really don't care for it and want to trade for a kitty or the Dragon mentioned above, PM me.

I had a 600 2009 Shift with Walkers and a 1.25 ripsaw. Went to a 2011 Pro R 600 Rush.

The Rush seems to have a harsher ride then the Shift with comparable shocks. The handling and ride is not the greatest if it is not set up just perfect. After 700 miles I still don’t have it the way I want it, but it is a lot better then when I first rode it. The Shift was much easier to dial in. Unless you like to ditch bang, I think I would stay away from the Pro R and just get the standard Rush. I have ridden an 800 2011 Rush non Pro R and liked the ride better. The down side of the standard Rush is the crappy 1 inch lug track.

The riding position is great. Being old, I used to get sore hips after a couple of nonstop hours of riding. That has gone away with this sled. Your knees do hit the cowling when you sit forward, but not enough to be a problem. The transition from sitting and standing is great. I found an extra tall windshield Polaris makes and it solved any cold weather problems. The tall windshield keeps the wind off your knees, hands and face. The hand warmers are hotter then any other Polaris I have owned.

Oil mileage seems around 130 miles per quart. Gas mileage runs anywhere from 10 mpg pushing it in snow, to 15mpg nursing it on hard packed trails. This is better then the Shift. No mechanical issues so far. It seems to perform as well as any newer 600 cc sled on the market. Across a lake it will not keep up with the 800’s. Storage is nonexistent unless you buy the ugly bags.