I'm going to buy a new 2012 Ski Doo touring sled, and I'm hoping for some good advice. It appears that the best two engine choices are the Rotax 4-TEC 1200 (3 cylinder 4 stroke) and the E-TEC 600 H.O. (fuel injected 2 cylinder). I'm leaning towards the 1200 but the dealer is trying to steer me into the 600 HO. Any advice?
Which engine is better for the Ski Doo?
- Thread starter PJohn2000
- Start date
DooZ
Active member
I've ridden the 1200 the last 2 years and was very impressed. The four stroke motor is very torquey on the bottom end which makes it a great trail sled. The only downside to the 1200 vs the e-tec is that it is a little heavier. The 4stroke motor will greatly outlast the e-tec motor, with very little maintenance. Maybe an oil change once a year. The 1200 is also faster than the 600. JMHO
renegade2011
New member
I own both of them. Awesome sleds. Like dooz said the 1200 is an awesome trail sled. Biggest downfall of 1200 is its heavy. I've tried to offtrail with it but its doesn't work too well. Depends on how long you want to keep it. The 600 etec is quite noticeably light and more nimble on and off trail. If you trail ride only I'd go with the 1200. If you want a go anywhere sled go with the 600 etec. I have found so far etec gets better fuel economy. I would have to say the 1200 is fast but we raced down last winter and I gave it a run for its money on the 600 etec. Either choice is a good one just all depends what you want to do with it.
misty_pines
Member
If you want a lighter more nimble sled, the 600 e-tec will be better. If you want to pile on the miles and are looking for longevity, the 1200 4 stroke will be better, although the 600 e-tec has been a very reliable engine for a 2-stroke. Also, the 600 e-tec will most likely get a bit better mileage. Both are good choices, just depends on what your riding style is and what are your most important priorities are for the sled.
I have the 1200 4 Stroke and the whole sled weighs in at about 500lbs. I've had a couple of stucks where I had to use my best curse words, but it's usually if I slide off into a ditch or miss a corner, this machine was built for the trails but don't let the weight be a concern. As mentioned above, lots of torque, quiet, nice tone from the exhaust, oil change once a year and no plugs to foul.
Coincidentally, one of my few rides last year due to the low snow was with a friend on a 600 etec. We typically topped off the tanks at the same stations and the fuel consumption was very close to the same, the etec did a bit better as the 1200 will get around 15 miles to the gallon. The 1200 has the mechanical reverse, the etec is electronic.
I think you'd be happy with either one, maybe the pricing and availability will help you decide.
Gary
Coincidentally, one of my few rides last year due to the low snow was with a friend on a 600 etec. We typically topped off the tanks at the same stations and the fuel consumption was very close to the same, the etec did a bit better as the 1200 will get around 15 miles to the gallon. The 1200 has the mechanical reverse, the etec is electronic.
I think you'd be happy with either one, maybe the pricing and availability will help you decide.
Gary
For trail riding 4s is best but stuck at about 15mpg in the past but new doo 2013 4s clutch might improve milage since designed for doo 4s engine. To me less worries with 4s just gas & go can't say anything bad about GSX I rode with 137 track did everything well. 136-137 better match for 4s where 121 better for 2s 600 etec at about 118HP & 1200 many more ponies about 136HP. Dealer is pushing 600 etec at you because he has huge inventory & needs to unload them not so many 1200s in stock but more 4s converts everyday.
mustardbucket2
Member
You may want to go to a dealer and sit on each of them. The 4 stroke is in the wider chassis. We looked at 2012 GSX's and the SE 1200 was wider at the front of the seat than the LE 600 ETEC. My wife was more comfortable on the narrower 600, so it can be worthwhile to see how they "fit" you.
renegade2011
New member
Thanks pjohn2000. I traded a 06 500ss short track gsx in on the '11 1200 in Michigan. Bought the '12 etec at a local dealer this spring that wanted to dump it. 1200 is very reliable so far have over 2100 miles. Etec has bearly been ridden.
I had a 600 Etek and now I have a 1200 and I will never buy another 2 stroke. We have a total of 3 1200's now. My 2011 Grand Touring, my Wifes 2012 GSX and a spare 2009 GSX 1200 that was my Wifes old Sled. I just sold my last 2 stroke last weekend.
The Etek will get a little better mileage but after buying Oil and Premium the cost per Mile to run them is the same. If you go off Trail the 1200 has a lot more power and will make up for the 50 extra pounds.
I have replaced a Water Pump Gear on the 09 1200 at 5000 miles otherwise we have the original Belt on yet at 5000 miles. They are Gas and go, I change Oil in the spring. The 09 1200 Sleds had a few issues and after that they are Bullet proof.
The XR Chassis is better if your over 40. My 25 year old Daughter likes the XR better also. We have 3 more 1200's in the group I ride with and none of them would ever go back to a 2 stroke. The only one that had a Engine problem was after a Track blew off at 105 mph and broke something inside the Motor and that was at 6000-8000 miles.
The Etek will get a little better mileage but after buying Oil and Premium the cost per Mile to run them is the same. If you go off Trail the 1200 has a lot more power and will make up for the 50 extra pounds.
I have replaced a Water Pump Gear on the 09 1200 at 5000 miles otherwise we have the original Belt on yet at 5000 miles. They are Gas and go, I change Oil in the spring. The 09 1200 Sleds had a few issues and after that they are Bullet proof.
The XR Chassis is better if your over 40. My 25 year old Daughter likes the XR better also. We have 3 more 1200's in the group I ride with and none of them would ever go back to a 2 stroke. The only one that had a Engine problem was after a Track blew off at 105 mph and broke something inside the Motor and that was at 6000-8000 miles.
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alwaysright
New member
I think the oil change kit is around $100 if you do it yourself or probably $200 at the dealer. cost to maintain could be cheaper on the 600 depending on how many miles you put on. the new etek's go a long way on 1 gal of oil.
Per ski-doo's site and brochure:
GSX 600-etec: 469 lbs
GSX 1200 4-tec: 549 lbs
Grand Touring 600 etec: 537
Grand Touring 1200 4-tec: 584
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I don't know maybe just me but we traded back & forth on 350 mile day Doo GSX 1200 Doo MXZXXP800 & Yam Attak GT can't say weight made any difference on trail or unplowed ruff FRs. All felt about the same for trail riding. Motors were different with 800 2s 800r a bit peaky compared to both 4s but weight made no difference in riding effort. We rode twistys, rough unplowed Frs, lakes & grades all had the sleds had their better moments but at the end of the day no real favs liked them all. The Doo 1200 better bang for buck to keep for many years & 1000s of trail miles.
The Doo 1200 better bang for buck to keep for many years & 1000s of trail miles.