Tried a 900 ace (my impression)

[Attak man]

Got the chance to ride last weekend, and rode a borrowed 2014 ski-doo 900 ace tnt...nice little sled...I put a little over 300 miles on it, and averaged 21 mpg...it had plenty of snap down low, and I hit 85 mph with my big butt on it...its a very smooth quiet sled.
Always wanted to try one...I even let my 12 year old daughter ride it, she had a blast, and rode it well.
If you are considering a 2nd sled, I think it's a good choice, especially for younger riders or women...didnt have quite enough power for me...but if your looking for a 4 stroke to add to your fleet...its a good choice.

I would like to try it with a longer track, like a renegade...not a big fan of the 120 length...and the one I rode wasnt studded, which I prefer studs.
The only nit pick I had with it, was the slight hesitation with the throttle...it took a little getting used too...its not as smooth and seamless as the vectors with throttle by wire.
Overall a nice little four stroke trail sled, that fills a niche..if your new to the sport, or dont care about being the fastest...its definately a sled to look at.

 

[dothedoo]

Mine's closing in on 8000 miles...no complaints and nobody loses me on the trail.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Attak man, my first wife came from your part of the state.....but I won't hold that against you. At some point in life being the loudest and the first one across the lake isn't that important. I guess that would maybe explain why I went from a 1200 TNT to the 900 ACE Blizzard last year. Longer track, better ride and the Ice Ripper makes a world of difference. So quiet you can hear the wind and she sips regular gas all day long.

About the only Con that I have, and it's not exclusive to Ski Doo, but to remove the battery or change the oil filter you need to disassemble the entire top of the sled. The mirrors come off, the gauges module, windshield, and finally the hood. Once done you have plenty of access but why they engineer stuff like that is beyond me. Still though, I'm a happy customer and would recommend the ACE engines if that fits your needs.

 

[dothedoo]

About the only Con that I have, and it's not exclusive to Ski Doo, but to remove the battery or change the oil filter you need to disassemble the entire top of the sled. The mirrors come off, the gauges module, windshield, and finally the hood.

I just remove the muffler to get at the oil filter, since I'm adjusting chain tension at the same time. That way I only have to cuss about dropping the exhaust springs 5 times.

I only open the side panel to remove the battery. I've had it since 14 and have no clue how to take the top off. lol

 

[yamadooed]

I kinda like it so I bought my wife one to replace the age'n Vector... After putting on a few hundred miles testing it for her I too thought it was a lil too underpowered for me to ride... Seems I hit a decent amount of lakes, forest roads and grades in my area so I opted for a 900T this year which is everything I liked about the 9hundo with more than enough growler.

 

[Attak man]

I hope yamaha incorporates their throttle by wire (they had it on the 2016, and newer vectors), I think it's called ycct,? Like the ace you could toggle between 3 different modes. I believe that ace 900 turbo is a winner, and alot of apex guys are looking at them because they want something more than a viper , but less than the sidewinders(or 850s)...150 hp is the sweet spot many of us trail veterans....I'd like to see yamaha hit that market again with an apex replacement...but its gotta have eps...I really like that on a heavier four stroke, besides I'm not running off trail in deep powder much anymore...the 900 Turbo would go to the top of my list if it had eps, in a renegade chassis

 

[old abe]

I just remove the muffler to get at the oil filter, since I'm adjusting chain tension at the same time. That way I only have to cuss about dropping the exhaust springs 5 times.

I only open the side panel to remove the battery. I've had it since 14 and have no clue how to take the top off. lol

This is the same process I use. Pretty simple as compared to what gary is doing? Attak man, I hope to get up in your neck of the woods, and you can give my 900 Rene a ride. No studs, and there is no hesitation on my sled set on the "sport" mode what so ever? I will pm you when we get in your stopping grounds.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

This is the same process I use. Pretty simple as compared to what gary is doing?

Mine is the ES Chassis on the Blizzard, maybe that makes a difference. Part of the exhaust covers access to the battery so the muffler has to come off too. And yes, I save my best cuss words for putting those springs back on.

 

[dfattack]

I hope yamaha incorporates their throttle by wire (they had it on the 2016, and newer vectors), I think it's called ycct,? Like the ace you could toggle between 3 different modes. I believe that ace 900 turbo is a winner, and alot of apex guys are looking at them because they want something more than a viper , but less than the sidewinders(or 850s)...150 hp is the sweet spot many of us trail veterans....I'd like to see yamaha hit that market again with an apex replacement...but its gotta have eps...I really like that on a heavier four stroke, besides I'm not running off trail in deep powder much anymore...the 900 Turbo would go to the top of my list if it had eps, in a renegade chassis

I couldn't agree more.

 

[old abe]

Mine is the ES Chassis on the Blizzard, maybe that makes a difference. Part of the exhaust covers access to the battery so the muffler has to come off too. And yes, I save my best cuss words for putting those springs back on.

Yep, all 900 aces in XS chassis, until 2019my. Now all G4 wide.

 

[onlypolar4me]

Yep, I went back to ski-doo last year 2017 Blizzard 900 Ace, really don't have any complaints, run it
Sport mode 20 mpg on whatever gas I put in. basically as quick as any 600 up to 70mph, and will do
plenty fast for me. 2000 miles of smiles so far, averaging just over 30mph.
Brent

 

[Attak man]

Like I said...I had no problem leading a group with a couple 800s...old abe..would love that...might have to buy ya a beverage or two. Imo..alot of people really honest with how they ride, and what they really need...I had fast sleds...but I'm getting older now, and just want to enjoy the ride, and can have fun on just about any sled....I can say that ace was not a turd by any means, had a good time riding

 

[snobuilder]

I will keep my 160 natural aspirated 4 cylinder HP @ 15 mpg Apex w/ EPS....zooom zooom.....no need to reinvent the 4 stroke performance sled wheel.
Ski Doo has tried and failed plenty.

 

[old abe]

That is good news for sure snobuilder! Just think of how many 4 stroke sleds Doo will sell when they finally "Doo" accomplish that feat? Woo wee!


Yep Attak man, 900 ace was bought for my wife. However it quickly surprised me to turn from being apprehensive of buying it, to pure enjoyment of riding it. It's no top end racer, but out of the gate, and twisty trails, she's a ball! The first big mile trip in Canada sealed the deal. Perfect! Low end grunt it amazing, and whatever fuel is available, 20mpg+, no matter how you ride it. Best part for me, as I have some age on me, it's so quiet. Yeah, I really enjoy the ride quietness, and never want to quit riding for the day!

 

[Hoosier]

My relatives have one, and the eco mode is great so my 10 year old can ride it safely.

I have no idea why Yamacat hasn't come out with a comparable engine in the procross. They'd sell a lot of them if Yamaha had any interest.

I thought about buying one but wasn't sure if I'd miss having a bit more power. Supposedly the 19's have a little more power. Much lighter than other 4 strokes. With 87 so much cheaper than 91 in the northwoods, it would be much cheaper to operate.

 

[1fujifilm]

My relatives have one, and the eco mode is great so my 10 year old can ride it safely.

I have no idea why Yamacat hasn't come out with a comparable engine in the procross. They'd sell a lot of them if Yamaha had any interest.

I thought about buying one but wasn't sure if I'd miss having a bit more power. Supposedly the 19's have a little more power. Much lighter than other 4 strokes. With 87 so much cheaper than 91 in the northwoods, it would be much cheaper to operate.

The 19s have an extra 5 horses as it now uses tech from the new 900 turbo.
IMO it is a 600 class sled so if you ride a 800 it will be too slow for you.
I rode the 15 a few years back and the drive by wire was annoying, almost felt like turbo lag even in sport mode. Maybe the 19 is cleared up?

Bear

 

[snobuilder]

The 19s have an extra 5 horses as it now uses tech from the new 900 turbo.
IMO it is a 600 class sled so if you ride a 800 it will be too slow for you.
I rode the 15 a few years back and the drive by wire was annoying, almost felt like turbo lag even in sport mode. Maybe the 19 is cleared up?

Bear

A 500 2stroke would smoke it. It is right there with a 440 I bet though....fanner that is....That DBW is lousy on the ACE....even in sport mode.

 

[UP RIDER]

I never did understand the mpg hype, when you look at the overall cost of the sport and you think that one less gallon of gas a day is a big deal. As far as ethanol goes I don’t burn a drop of it in any toys or small engines of any kind.

 

[Hoosier]

The 19s have an extra 5 horses as it now uses tech from the new 900 turbo.
IMO it is a 600 class sled so if you ride a 800 it will be too slow for you.
I rode the 15 a few years back and the drive by wire was annoying, almost felt like turbo lag even in sport mode. Maybe the 19 is cleared up?

Bear

Agree that DBW thing is annoying. The one I drove is a 16 I think.

To me it feels like a 600 up to 50 or so.

 

[whitedust]

Yep I agree no way I’m running Egas in any of my toys so premium used in everything. To me 15 mpg is fine on my Apex I don’t think about gas costs at all just pull up and filler up. Lol
Anybody know real use mpg with 900T gade?