ski-doo e-tec

goneaway

New member
Ok back in december i asked about the apex and if anyone has ridden them, got great responses ty. Well yesterday i finally got a chance to go to nielsons in lake villa to take a closer look. Nice sleds but handle bars are not adjustable and just didn't feel comfortable sitting on it. But in the showroon was a ski-doo renegade adrenaline with a 600 e-tec so I took a seat and like the way it feels. Any input would be great, mpg, reliability, and handling? This is a big investment and don't want to jump in without some pros and cons.
 

SKIDOOORNOTHIN

New member
I have a fair amount of seat time and wrench time with the E-Tech. Last year I bought two brand new; a TNT and a 50th Anv. The 50th Anv was my mod sled and had the chassis completely supported, did a ton to the motor, etc. The TNT is stock for the wife for the most part.

Great motors, very reliable. I can't say enough good about them. The renegade platform is awesome also. That is what my dad rides. After riding his renegade I decided I needed a longer track, hence my mod sled is gone.

I wouldn't think twice about buying the sled. I have a buddy I ride with who has the 600 E Tech Gade and he loves it.
 
I just replaced my 06 Apex with a renegade 600 etec, only have 200 miles but love it. Apex is a very good sled but CRAZZY power I wanted a sled I could let my wife & family ride. we have two yamahas & four skidoo's and eather way you won't go wrong., but for me the weight of the skidoo XP and the 600 etec is a good fit.
 

yamadooed

Active member
The two sleds your comparing are apples to oranges... The first thing you need to figure out is how and where you ride mostly... Secondly match your sled to the majority of your riding style and type of riding you want to do... Most people that are unhappy with their sleds are riding the wrong type of equipment for their style of riding... I truly haven't seen a bad sled made in years just a bad selection...

Please tell the your salesman at Nielsens how and where you intend ride and I believe they will try to match you up with the correct sled...
 

heckler56

Active member
The two sleds your comparing are apples to oranges... The first thing you need to figure out is how and where you ride mostly... Secondly match your sled to the majority of your riding style and type of riding you want to do... Most people that are unhappy with their sleds are riding the wrong type of equipment for their style of riding... I truly haven't seen a bad sled made in years just a bad selection...

Please tell the your salesman at Nielsens how and where you intend ride and I believe they will try to match you up with the correct sled...

Yamadooed nailed it. I have for 20 yrs+ used Mike Hamcek @ Neilsens to help select the sled based on my then current conditions.
 

snow_monkey

New member
Here's my skinny on my 600 e-tech mxz. After riding a poo 700 xcsp for years this sled is much more responsive thru the powerband. I am able to switch from one sled to another since I still own another edge. The edge has a very soft ride when compared to the doo. The added visability of the doo chassis and the razor sharp turns make up for any ride difference in my opinion. I felt my edge was too soft from day one. The fuel economy is incredible. I can not comment on top end speed yet but I assume it will not be as strong as my old 700. I will replace the rear shock, the stock shock is whimpy but ok for the first year. She sips gas and fuel so I get a free lunch everytime I ride. I ride on Monday with 10 poo's go figure!! If you like a softer ride I would not rule out the IQ chassis.
 
I have a 2010 gadeX 600 etec. I love the sled, its very light and agile. I ride with some 800's and they are only faster past 85. They etec is awesome, very smooth all the way through the rpm range. I would be surprised if you found any body that would not like this engine. Even "LateBraker" who rides a 800cfi switchback was surprised how quick this engine is. The only thing I'm not sold on is the 137 track. I came off of a 121 and miss it alittle. A 121 with a 1.5 ripsaw would be awesome with this engine.
 

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uncle_ed

Active member
I rode 2 strokes up until 2008 and then jumped ship looking for long term dependability onto a 2007 Yamaha Apex GT. There is alot to like about that sled including: engine dependability, good handling, no 2-stoke oil to add or smell, regular gas-and-go. After a few years of riding that sled I opted back onto a 2-stroke and went with a ski-doo 600 e-tec 120" track. I know it does not have the power of the Yamaha but it will still get you in trouble quick when you pinch the fun flipper if you dont watch out! I can honestly say after 250 miles so far that this is going to be a fun sled and I can feel the difference between the 2 sleds in that the doo is more nimble and handles well also. I really like the rider position where my hips are higher than my knees, it just feels comfortable. My main reason for going back to a 2-stroke was the weight of the Yamaha. It was more trouble to move around when working on it and I know that they are "all heavy" when you have to dig them out when stuck, but I would still rather be lifting the doo out over the Yamaha!! Another reason for my switch was I know longer have the need for speed, I just want to play around and have fun.
Either way you go you will have a good sled but your choice will ultimately depend on where and how you ride.
Good luck and have fun!!
 

skidont

Member
If you should buy for how you ride I should have a Ski-Doo 600 ACE ,
125 - 150 miles a day , on trails and rarely over 65 -70 mph
 

scoobydoo

Member
I have ab 09 etec and 11 800 etec and i can tell that 600 is an a blast to ride, i smile the whole time. If u you are looking for the power of the apex the new 800 etec is the way to go, there is no comparison between my 600 and 800 powerwise. both sleds are good on gas and oil.
 

snow_monkey

New member
Here's another thing I have noticed. If you have bad knees the ski-doo will not twist them around like the conventional seating position where the are locked up in the buckets!
 

1blue99srx600

New member
I was a yamagirl my entire snowmobile life. I had a 99 SRX 600 and decided last year it was time to upgrade. I looked at the Vector and prob would have bought one if it was in my budget. I also felt that even though there are times I like to pin it to win it, I did not need all that power. I found an 08 TNT MXZ for a super great price and bought it (Thanks John Dee). I love, love, love it. Anything new compared to the SRX rider position wise is better. I took me only a couple rides to get used to it and when I would get back on my SRX I hated it, my knees are in my mouth! The motor is a 600 and although not triple piped and triple carbed it still has some get up and go, and it handles much better on the trails. It is very reliable and I am happy with it, it's still a 2 stroke but oh well. My dad has an 08 Apex and I am afraid to ride it! I have sat on it and feel I like the TNT position better, on the Apex I feel I sit too high. It is true in the end it is apples to oranges.
 

MZEMS2

New member
ETEC all the way. You'll love everything about it. We have a Grand Touring 600 and just love it. Has tons of power for two up riding and the smooth ride is awesome. Quiet, smooth, great mpg's...etc...I say go for the doo ETEC.
 

snow_monkey

New member
I was a yamagirl my entire snowmobile life. I had a 99 SRX 600 and decided last year it was time to upgrade. I looked at the Vector and prob would have bought one if it was in my budget. I also felt that even though there are times I like to pin it to win it, I did not need all that power. I found an 08 TNT MXZ for a super great price and bought it (Thanks John Dee). I love, love, love it. Anything new compared to the SRX rider position wise is better. I took me only a couple rides to get used to it and when I would get back on my SRX I hated it, my knees are in my mouth! The motor is a 600 and although not triple piped and triple carbed it still has some get up and go, and it handles much better on the trails. It is very reliable and I am happy with it, it's still a 2 stroke but oh well. My dad has an 08 Apex and I am afraid to ride it! I have sat on it and feel I like the TNT position better, on the Apex I feel I sit too high. It is true in the end it is apples to oranges.

New screen name in order?
 

tedsnotdead

New member
I have never been on an etec, but i currently ride an xp 600 with carbs, it is a 2010 tnt. I will just tell you that the ride is great, and just so happens that my last sled was a 2006 apex rtx. I wouldn't think twice and there is no comparison for trail riding that the ski doo is far better, but it all depends on the individual. after the first thousand miles on the apex i began to like it, but it took many adjustments and i ended up having to put ten inch carbides on to be able to ride as aggressive as the group i ride with. not to mention the fox float shocks were pretty handy when it came to adjusting. All in all the apex was a great reliable sled only issue i had was snapping off the drive shaft. After saying that and this is just my opinion but if you are looking for a comfortable trail sled that when needed you can ride aggressive safely, the xp chassis is for you.
 

arcticman

Member
Goneaway, Thanks for starting this thread and to everybody that redpond, I'm thinking of upgrade for the next season and this is very good information.
 

xcsp

Member
Another idea if a person isn't quite sure what sled they should by, check to see if there is a place that rents or demo's the models you're interested in.

Renting one for a day should give you a good idea if it is "the one".
 
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