I too like the ITC I didn’t think I would need it but Eco is great for loading sleds or riding drag when pace is slower , standard is solid as a rock for all types of riding , and sport is hot a bit high strung but I like that too. I loved my Apex but very old school all around compared to the 900t Enduro with air ride. Ride what you like but SW too big and heavy for me too much hp I don’t need to pay for. 900t is in my hp and handing sweet spot. No doubt Yamaha could product a hot clean sheet Apex replacement but they just don’t so on to the next best 4s brand. Anybody following Yamaha 2021 release I haven’t heard a thing and frankly don’t expect much new other than blue graphics Cats with same old 4s engines.
2021 Doo
- Thread starter indy_500
- Start date
goofy600
Well-known member
Ha whitedust quick question have you ever had the chance to spend any time on an 850? I know your reason for the 4 stroke but just wondering if you have any time on the 165hp class sled.
Short answer is no not interested in purchasing a 2s all buds on 4s too but 1 on an old SRX 2s. If 1 bud follows thru on doo 850 Spring deal I’ll put my butt on one next season. Why? By the way thanks for your updates on Watersmeet trails I appreciate those reports.
Next best 4 stroke brand, Doo? The way sales appear, your 10 years behind time, eh? Rotax, was building 4 stroke engines 50 years before Yamaha even knew what a 4 stroke engine was. No harm intended, just a bit of funnin! It's all good.
Ummm...the 900 T is within a couple HP of the 850, and if you look at the shoot out results from December...it was close between the two (if I remember correctly with in a mile or two per hour)
goofy600
Well-known member
Was just curious if you were able to compare 850, 900t, and old Yamaha. I know you are big on the reliability of the 4s but new new 850’s both doo and poo seem to be holding up very well.
goofy600
Well-known member
That is why I was asking just to see if he has had the opportunity on both? To me the 900t is $600.00 more than 850 and weighs more so depending on how many miles a person can put on over the lifetime of owning the sled is it worth it with the trade offs? Not starting anything just saying the new 850’s are a lot better than the old 800’s. And my miles to years of owning a sled I don’t see the benefit of the 4s but I do understand when you are a high mile person 3k or more there probably is a reliability factor.
Pretty much spot on, all about personal likes, and riding habits. 850's, are by far more long lived than previous 800's. Doo's 850 bottom end especially with it's type bearings used. However the 4 strokes will definitely be longer lived. 4 strokes will probably live, without rebuild, as long as the sled its self. Here, as always, weight being the big difference. And no way around that!
SledTL
Active member
Curious as to why Ski Doo's drive by wire is so "odd," or that it made it to production even. Came off my Viper onto a friend's 900T and its just not a good feeling. Maybe you get used to it after awhile, but the throttle jumpiness is there can't deny it. He roosts me at every stop because it goes from nada to bang without warning. Says his touring BMW has drive by wire and no lag feeling there....
I really like the Doo ITC. By there sales, so do many others. I admit it was very strange at first, but not for long. I soon learned to like it very much. I find each mode is very useful in different situations. Eco, load/unload, unstuck. Standard for riding with the granddaughter. Sport when getting after it. On the twisties, no one runs away from me one bit, what so ever. To each his own, eh.
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The ITC was a duck to water for me no big adjustment at all but I’ve been riding 4s sleds since 2006. I remember my first demo on an RX1 and it was very touchy down low and I thought this is not for me. Lol Then another doo 800 burn down at 3900 miles and I said I’m done with this chit started buying Apex 4s never had an engine problem again. Is the 850 equal to the reliability of the 900t for me I highly doubt it? Buy what you want brand and engine type no doubt I’m a 4s rider probably never buy a 2s again. I have no trouble at all spooling up power on 900t no roosting or jumping on or off. Is it me or ITCs are different on other 900ts. Idk?
X2...you totally get used to it, and it's a NON ISSUE...I think it's more pronounced jumping from other non itc sleds, and thats why I think some of the magazine guys don't care for it. I'll admit Yamaha had their throttle by wire calibrated very well on the vectors (no lag what so ever)...however yamaha used triple throttle bodies ( and had their ITC on motorcycles for years) ...ski doo uses one throttle body...so maybe that is the difference?? Dunno?? But for me it's not even an issue...the magazine guys make it sound like it's a deal breaker ..they seem to find an issue and nit pick the death out of it (ie yamaha's skis), and uninformed riders or riders who never even tried one, parrot what they read.
Yeah, well, there is some what of a difference on "drive by wire" throttles on Yamaha, and Doo. However I think going from a 2 stroke to either is the big difference to most, and more so for those who have never experienced a 4 stroke. It took me a very short time to get to really like the Doo ITC. My wife a little longer. Good riding friend has several Viper Yama/Cats. It seems he has a lot of issues with them. But not due to the DBW/ITC thottle that I know of. To me the Doo, is by far a lot better riding/handling sled than the Y/C. But again, to each his own preference, enjoy what you ride!
Now to Attak man. Yes the difference between Yamaha, and Doo, does have to do with 3-TB's Yamaha, and 1-TB Doo. Doo has their reasons for the single TB. MPG's, eh? I wouldn't be surprised to see a 3TB 900T HO Doo in the coming years.
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Spot on Abe....You will never hear me say a bad word about yamaha engines...that apex motor was GOLD...but one ride on a Ski doo (XS, Gen 4, doesn't matter) with R motion...and you'll never go back...the 2016 and newer Vipers were better, but still not like an R motion...the power steering worked great as well...but you really don't need it on the ski doo (although, I think if they added DPS to their Grand Touring and 4 stroke enduros, people would love it)...and yes..I think if ski doo went to triple throttle bodies on the 900 ACE, and bumped the HP up into that 120 HP range...it would be the perfect trail sled...though, then they would be treading dangerously close to their 600 etec territory...and I don't think ski doo wants to do that. I really hope yamaha comes up with something cool in a new chassis to compete with the ace models....it will push the 4 stroke market even more, which will drive ski doo to do MORE as well.
yamadooed
Active member
I like the old simple analog gauges that just work... The standard headlamps with dual high beam leds combo works best for me. The new 85 hp 2 smoker is not even on my radar after having a 900 N/A... My take as long as they keep making stuff that aint eating slides every 1000 miles and changing bearings and exhaust donutz at 5000 miles they got my vote.
Yep, R-motion still the class act of all skids! Much you can do with the variation of shocks/springs offered in the different models.
To Yamaha engines, the only thing that is wrong with Yamaha 4 strokes, is WEIGHT! Can you say, RPM reducer, make shift engines, eh? Just poor design, and planning imo. They just weren't designed with that weight/balance problem in mind. They very well could have been! Yamaha is very capable of that! If they, Yamaha, is to ever build a "better, all new, all Yamaha" 4 stroke, or 2 stroke snowmobile, they will have to address the weight/balance thing seriously, or they will still have nothing! Not to pick, just being real. I can remember when Yamaha was at the top of snowmobiles back in the day.
snobuilder
Well-known member
steering by wire would be awesome.
Eliminate that big handlebar arc where the throttle side dictates your left turn is easier than your right turn.
Eliminate that big handlebar arc where the throttle side dictates your left turn is easier than your right turn.