Which crossover sled is best?

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mtcatchris

New member
I'm wondering what people's experience has been with the crossover sleds and if one is truly better than the other. Looking at Crossfire's, Renegade's & Switchback's. Not interested in a Yamaha. Leaning towards A/C only because of the service department at my local dealer that I've been really pleased with. Otherwise I'm not set on A/C. Have been riding '04 A/C 1M 600, but the last couple years I've done more trail riding than off trail which is causing me to lean towards the crossover. But I still want to be able to go off trail with my son when an opportunity presents itself.
 
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squarepants2

New member
crossoversled

I bought a 2011 polaris switchback assault close to end of season. My 2010 switchback ended up on bottom of lake. I love the pro-ride chassis and 144 inch track. After a few adjustments, it was awesome on trail. It pushed very little and has amazing traction because of it's 1.352 lug track.Where it really shines is off trail. Sled has a very light feel and can go thru just about anything. I would not trade it for any other brand. I ride about 60 percent off trail. The assult is a 800 and power is definitely not an issue. I got lucky and found an orange one. Good luck to you and happy riding.
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
It's an honest question but boy, is it loaded. It's hard for people to say whether one brand is truly better unless they've had quite a bit of riding time on them all. Hopefully people will stay objective and at least provide their experiences rather than rip the brands they don't ride.

It seems like you're bucking the trend somewhat by going from a mountain machine to a crossover but I can definitely see why you might want to do so.

I haven't had the luxury (funds) to add a late model crossover to my stable yet but I've looked very hard at the three brands you've mentioned with the idea making the same decision in the next year or so. My take at this point is that it's almost a coin flip and things like dealer satisfaction start to come into play. If I were forced at gunpoint to make a decision today it would be the Polaris 800 Assault Switchback. It just seems like this machine has everything I would be looking for in a sled.

I'm glad you asked the question and I'll also be very interested in any responses.
 
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mtcatchris

New member
Yes, it is a loaded question but I figured people have friends who ride different sleds than them and they probably know the experiences/opinions of their friends. I will load it even more by stating that I'm a 48 yr. old female. As mentioned the last few years I've rode probably 80% on trail so I wonder if it is silly to have a mountain sled for 20% of the time?
 
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snoluver1

Active member
I bought a 2010 crossfire for the deep snow performance characteristics of the M chassis. I have no idea about the new chassis, but I can tell you the cat goes through the deep snow far better than the other options (at the time anyway.) That being said, it just plain sucks on the trail compared to the others. I feel like I'm going to chit a kidney every time I ride a trail. Easiest solution I found.....stay off the trail :)
 
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Dave_B

Active member
You're going to get a million different thoughts and opinions on this but, I love my 09 Dragon 800 Switchback. I will leave it at that.

Dave
 
oldguy

oldguy

Member
My wife got a chance to spend a weekend last winter on a pre-production 2012 Rush Adventure. She liked it so much, we snow checked her one for this year. It has a 136 inch track with I think 1.36 inch lugs. The sled looks massive with all of the bags and stuff, but she said it felt light, steered easy and handled as good in the trails as the shorter track sleds she has been riding. I think she put on around 250 miles that weekend so she got a real good feel for the sled.
 
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camphappyplace

Member
mtcatchris-
One of my sleds is a 2003 Mt Cat 600 efi (likely the same as your 2004). As soon as I bought it back in the Fall of 2002, I had them swap the 2" lug 144" track for a 144" with 1.25" lugs. It's been a great UP boondocker...very good off trail and pleasantly good on trail. Just and idea if you want to save some money. Good luck!
 
misty_pines

misty_pines

Member
I love my 2011 Ski-Doo Renegade Backcountry. Also love the 800 e-tec engine. It has met and mostly exceeded my expectations. I was surprised by how well it does on the trail with the 137" x 16" x 1.75" track. Off trail has been fantastic also. I think you would be happy with any of the three crossover sleds you mentioned.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
the crew I run with has all 3 I am a cat guy to the core.I think the xfire is a great sled for off trail after you pull the sway bars and move the ski,s in but you want for trail so I honestly think the doo is the most stable trail sled but I cant stand the doo off trail and you could not pay me to buy a 800doo I have seen and pulled way to many with bad cranks.and seeing as you are not a 20 something you would not need the all reinforcement brackets needed to keep a doo from bending up when bouncing off stumps.the poo is also a great off trail sled we ride with a 2010 146 assault and a new pro I have spent allot of time wrenching on that 10 assault trying to get it to work correct finally got the power commander 5 and the map from Dynotech research and it is now almost as fast as a 06 xfire 7 and runs well.I am old school and still feel like I am sitting up to high on the assault just cant get use to it but it is a fun on trail sled also.But like I said I am a cat guy and I say buy the xfire it is a great all around sled and when you get to the lake or field you can just hammer down and not worry about coming in 2nd and the only thing that comes close to a M chasi in the pow would be the PRO and it is still debatable witch is better the pro or the M I have only spent a few hrs on the pro so I still like the M better.now if looking at 2012 the new Xfire back country 800 or turbo 4stroke is the only way to go assuming you have the 12g to blow
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
Ezra burned up a lot of words in his post but I'm pretty impressed with his assessment.

I have an 05 Renegade that is a joy to ride on the trail due to the fact that it has a true trail suspension. Unfortunately, taking it off trail is usually not my idea of adventure. It's largely a track issue but I believe the new Backcountry has solved this problem nicely. Also, there's no question that the Backcountry ETEC has a very refined feel to it.

Interesting that he should mention injection problems with the new Polaris 800 because I know of other riders that have had some problems but they are extreme riders and average people like me might not even notice the issue.

Up until this year I viewed my choices in the crossover market as a two horse race: Polaris and Ski-Doo. Then A/C had to come out with the four stroke X-Fire. This could be a game changer. I liked the older Crossfire but it just didn't seem to fit me right. It certainly was capable though. I chased one up and down hills all day in the U.P. last year and I couldn't believe how well it could climb in the powder.

Even though I'm still favoring Polaris, I'd advise you to not make a decision until you've had a chance to test ride the X-Fire. I think I know which machine you'll be buying.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
I will say the doo 800etec is fast my daddy war bucks bud gets a new one or 2 every yr and last yrs 800gade would be right on my tail across a lake of field on my 153 M1000.
he has lived the doo bearing blues and that is why every yr or 1700mi witch ever comes first a new sled. the local dealers fav kinda guy
 
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skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
Daddy War Bucks - Funny! I haven't heard that in a while. New machine every couple of years does require that kind of dough.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
mtcatchris said:
Yes, it is a loaded question but I figured people have friends who ride different sleds than them and they probably know the experiences/opinions of their friends. I will load it even more by stating that I'm a 48 yr. old female. As mentioned the last few years I've rode probably 80% on trail so I wonder if it is silly to have a mountain sled for 20% of the time?
Click to expand...

There is all kinds of off trail riding which one do you do? Mountain side hilling, pick a line thru the trees on a UP hill,flat land powder or fire road riding? 80% trail riding would have focus on a 144 track but 1.5 " would be pushing hyfax on hard pack trails larger than that & you will have trouble with wear. Take a look at the 2012 AC XF Sno Pro series lots of choices there for type of track & you can go 4s or 2s. Really nice sleds but not something I would be bouncing off trees at $14K.LOL:)
 
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mtcatchris

New member
Thank you for the additional responses. Off trail to me (remember 48 year female) means untouched logging trails, plains, some hills as found in Alger & Luce counties in the UP as well as state land in the Grayling/Kalkaska area. I don't side hill or carve or climb big hills. But I do want to keep up with my 26 year old son when he goes to play in those areas where some times the snow can be fairly deep. AND yes, I do go through hyfax - at least 2 pairs/year currently with my 144 x 2.
 
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saber

New member
I have 2 Ski Doo Renegades and a friend has a Crossfire 7. I have plenty of seat time on both. I also ride in Kalkaska county and up into Camp Grayling alot. We ride 50/50 trail and off trail depending on our moods and how the snow is. Either the Crossfire or Renegade are good choices but there are differences. I cannot however offer any input on the Poo's.

You need to sit on each and see which one fits you better, the Renegade is rider forward like a dirt bike and the Crossfire is more a hybrid like a quad.

The Crossfire is better off trail but on a bumpy section of trail the Renegade is a better choice. Both sleds will do you fine with the 1.25 inch track. I have only been stuck a few times in the past and most have been due to my screwing around in a drifted ditch or something like that.

Another thing to consider is gas and oil issue. There is no comparison here, the Doo is waaay better on both.

Good luck, either sled is a good choice. We have 5 Gades in the family and 2 friends have Crossfires. We have over 26000 between all of them and have had no real issues. Finally changed the belt on my 05 Gade this past spring at 5300 miles.

Saber
 
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