Much talked about mach z sidewinder race

[Doc Harley]

Yes he and his preventive maintenance videos and pics are very impressive, and have helped many throughout the years with the models he chooses to ride and improve upon!

I hope he enjoys this 4 stroke whereas he has stated many times what he likes or looks for with his sleds. Fast, quick spinning, light front end with good handling characteristics for his local woodsy type smaller trails, but yet, also something that can keep up on the bigger trails! He may have found it, or, he needs 2 sleds, one 2 stroke and one 4 stroke. Either way, hats off to him for all he has done here on TY.

Agree! Dan switched to an 850 to rocket off the corners. Lol. Now's he back on a 4s.
I think for Dan, the allure of the Mach Z nameplate was too much for him to bare. Lol.

 

[SledFreak]

He just needs to own 2 sleds.... and really, depending where you live 2 sleds may work for you, but its a big expense.

 

[sailor joe]

It's great Rocker Dan is helping to work the bugs out of the Mach, his talent has helped allot of riders.
This thread is starting to sound like an advertisement for Ski Doo. Just want to say that my STX-Gt 146 with power steering has absolutely no problem keeping up and surpassing the light nimble 2 stroke Doo's. I ride allot in the Bethel, Newry, Andover area of Maine where the tight twisty's are and my sled has no problem. Also ride in Millinocket on the wider trails, this thing rocks the straightaway. I have no need to jump ship just because someone else is doing it or promoting it on this site...Joe

 

[Joe_not_exotic]

He's posted at least 4 videos & 100 pics already. LUV him
He ripped it all apart to remount the handlebars in a position he likes.
Now he may install a BOV with all new hoses & clamps.
I guess they had a BIG problem with the hose coming off intake.
If they didn't change it, MORE boost will make it worse.

SOOOOOO.........i think he's gonna rip it all apart again.
Gotta LUV him

It looks like you also jumped to the dark side. I am a little OCD too so I can try to help you out.

Big is an overstatement. It's a boost leak most didn't experience. If they did, it was usually in that spot. A little blow by that works its way into clamps can render most systems to find a boost leak. And it's a super easy fix if it does happen. I do the hairspray trick on any new sled I get to try and beat the blow by.

I would be more concerned with the fuel system system BRP uses on all their boosted 900 platforms, especially the pump. They don't like any contamination. About as temperamental as any 4 stroke I've seen when it comes to burning through junk from storage. When they are started after sitting through the down seasons, some guys will experience a misfire. It's rare but it's seen on social media every time it comes to season for the 900 turbo in both snow and dirt formats. Solution is to drain the fuel and replace the spark plugs. But on the rare occasion, it's the sock filter in the fuel tank that gets clogged and needs replaced. Not a very simple job. Have to pull the tank off and pull out the fuel pump. Good storage practices are necessary for those machines and should hopefully prevent it from occurring.

The 2019's needed a secondary spring update due to their compression spring breaking. Ski Doo did the update mid season and it hasn't been an issue since. Some fuel pumps have failed, likely due to starvation from the clogged sock and mostly on the 2019's. I believe there have been some updates to the fuel system but would have to start checking part numbers to verify. Very very rarely someone will get their gas tank vent line clogged with ice. It will create a vacuum and collapse the tank. I've only heard of that happening about three times over 4 years and it was early on. It may have been an update as well. The 2019's would very rarely take in a decent amount of snow dust when breaking trail or for the geniuses that like riding on everyone's bumper. The dust would melt and make it's way into the steering boots. If the sled was left long enough with the motor off, the water would refreeze and prevent you from being able to steer until it was thawed. If you looked at the snow boots, they would be swollen due to the ice expanding. Ski Doo released an update for it beginning model year 2020. It's wasn't much of an issue in 2019 and has been all but non existent since.

And that's really about it from an engineering standpoint. Most of the problems, which were extremely minor, were addressed in 2019. They addressed a lot of the performance stuff I had an issue with as well so I dipped my toe back into the ski doo water for this winter. They are the most bullet proof sled I have ever seen at that power level. There isn't much to engineer and it seems like when the problem is figured out, ski Doo fixes it pretty quick. I think BRP is probably the safest company to invest in from a reliability standpoint right now. I like Polaris because they are quick to try and find solutions but my goodness they have 5 times as many recalls as BRP and 3 times as many recalls as the #2 company, Kawasaki. My 2020 XP4 Turbo has been issued a stop use notice twice and now I have to get an aftermarket clutch because the stock clutch is already starting to let go after chucking what I will assume was a roller. I'm to the point where I'm over reengineering everything. We will see how the mach z does if and when I ever get it.

I don't think the Mach Z will match the cat chassis performance quite as well. The cat chassis is really a great chassis. It holds the weight so well, will most assuredly have lighter steering, handles very well. And it won't be able to match the aftermarket power at all. But I think the chassis will be pretty close. I like a little more weight transfer than the procross as do some others based on the threads about it. But that front end is nice. Mach z should be a good balance. Similar factory performance power wise, all the new technology, and comparable trail manners.

 

[Doc Harley]

It looks like you also jumped to the dark side. I am a little OCD too so I can try to help you out.

Big is an overstatement. It's a boost leak most didn't experience. If they did, it was usually in that spot. A little blow by that works its way into clamps can render most systems to find a boost leak. And it's a super easy fix if it does happen. I do the hairspray trick on any new sled I get to try and beat the blow by.

I would be more concerned with the fuel system system BRP uses on all their boosted 900 platforms, especially the pump. They don't like any contamination. About as temperamental as any 4 stroke I've seen when it comes to burning through junk from storage. When they are started after sitting through the down seasons, some guys will experience a misfire. It's rare but it's seen on social media every time it comes to season for the 900 turbo in both snow and dirt formats. Solution is to drain the fuel and replace the spark plugs. But on the rare occasion, it's the sock filter in the fuel tank that gets clogged and needs replaced. Not a very simple job. Have to pull the tank off and pull out the fuel pump. Good storage practices are necessary for those machines and should hopefully prevent it from occurring.

The 2019's needed a secondary spring update due to their compression spring breaking. Ski Doo did the update mid season and it hasn't been an issue since. Some fuel pumps have failed, likely due to starvation from the clogged sock and mostly on the 2019's. I believe there have been some updates to the fuel system but would have to start checking part numbers to verify. Very very rarely someone will get their gas tank vent line clogged with ice. It will create a vacuum and collapse the tank. I've only heard of that happening about three times over 4 years and it was early on. It may have been an update as well. The 2019's would very rarely take in a decent amount of snow dust when breaking trail or for the geniuses that like riding on everyone's bumper. The dust would melt and make it's way into the steering boots. If the sled was left long enough with the motor off, the water would refreeze and prevent you from being able to steer until it was thawed. If you looked at the snow boots, they would be swollen due to the ice expanding. Ski Doo released an update for it beginning model year 2020. It's wasn't much of an issue in 2019 and has been all but non existent since.

And that's really about it from an engineering standpoint. Most of the problems, which were extremely minor, were addressed in 2019. They addressed a lot of the performance stuff I had an issue with as well so I dipped my toe back into the ski doo water for this winter. They are the most bullet proof sled I have ever seen at that power level. There isn't much to engineer and it seems like when the problem is figured out, ski Doo fixes it pretty quick. I think BRP is probably the safest company to invest in from a reliability standpoint right now. I like Polaris because they are quick to try and find solutions but my goodness they have 5 times as many recalls as BRP and 3 times as many recalls as the #2 company, Kawasaki. My 2020 XP4 Turbo has been issued a stop use notice twice and now I have to get an aftermarket clutch because the stock clutch is already starting to let go after chucking what I will assume was a roller. I'm to the point where I'm over reengineering everything. We will see how the mach z does if and when I ever get it.

Good info....
All in all, I think Ski-Doo's platform is a good one, in stock form.
However, I see the aftermarket getting cranks & rods ready. Just from what I've read, it seems as thou Skidoo didn't engineer much durability into the equation. Which....it's not Ski-Doo's problem, as the owner will have to foot the bill to keep up with 998t. And it's going to get very expensive for them.
Jmho....not 100% certain on the 900's ceiling. As for as horsepower goes, somewhere in the mid to low 200's...I'm guessing.

 

[Turboflash]

Allot will depend on IF anyone can get into the Doo ECU.

 

[DooZ]

Allot will depend on IF anyone can get into the Doo ECU.

Sounds like stand alone's (plug & play) may be quite popular

 

[Motorhead]

He just needs to own 2 sleds.... and really, depending where you live 2 sleds may work for you, but its a big expense.

Same here, if I rode where I live, I would need a smaller, lighter 2 stroke for 2-4 weeks per year.
But where I trailer to ride those bigger, faster, longer trails North of my home, my old 17 with it’s crazy power, still rules for me!
Every year I up the game a bit, which keeps this sled platform new an interesting for me, while staying with the old 17.

I will say this, if I were to change sleds, an update to the SRX would be my choice, and the 19 would be my preference color scheme wise...

 

[cannondale27]

Yes he and his preventive maintenance videos and pics are very impressive, and have helped many throughout the years with the models he chooses to ride and improve upon!

I hope he enjoys this 4 stroke whereas he has stated many times what he likes or looks for with his sleds. Fast, quick spinning, light front end with good handling characteristics for his local woodsy type smaller trails, but yet, also something that can keep up on the bigger trails! He may have found it, or, he needs 2 sleds, one 2 stroke and one 4 stroke. Either way, hats off to him for all he has done here on TY.

I agree. His forward post mod is something most people will not be able to do though. Wish new sled buyers would just ride stock for one season tweaking stock adjustments. Then go nuts. I always have unless it was dangerous.

 

[SledFreak]

I agree. His forward post mod is something most people will not be able to do though. Wish new sled buyers would just ride stock for one season tweaking stock adjustments. Then go nuts. I always have unless it was dangerous.

I am the same.... usually... However, when I bought my TCAT I modded it after the first 250 miles, mostly because the mods were out for alot of years, with lots of testing done....

 

[Motorhead]

I agree. His forward post mod is something most people will not be able to do though. Wish new sled buyers would just ride stock for one season tweaking stock adjustments. Then go nuts. I always have unless it was dangerous.

That was my plan with my then new 2017, but those skis were dangerous in certain conditions, and whereas the correct fix ( per my dealer), was snow trackers which were not available for the Sidewinder then, I bought a pair of Curves with SJ from my dealer. Loved them then and now!

 

[Joe_not_exotic]

Good info....
All in all, I think Ski-Doo's platform is a good one, in stock form.
However, I see the aftermarket getting cranks & rods ready. Just from what I've read, it seems as thou Skidoo didn't engineer much durability into the equation. Which....it's not Ski-Doo's problem, as the owner will have to foot the bill to keep up with 998t. And it's going to get very expensive for them.
Jmho....not 100% certain on the 900's ceiling. As for as horsepower goes, somewhere in the mid to low 200's...I'm guessing.

I have 0 worries about the motor. BRP has never produced a bad 4 stroke motor. The 900R is almost identical to the X3 turbo RR motor. The fuel system is more than capable for the power. Guys are running 300hp on stock internals in the X3. It still has 90% the cc as the 998t. They wouldn't release the motor if it wasn't more than capable at factory power. It will gain about 30hp from factory before it hits it's next limitation, which will probably be the turbo and the motors inability to breathe.

 

[sailor joe]

I have 0 worries about the motor. BRP has never produced a bad 4 stroke motor. The 900R is almost identical to the X3 turbo RR motor. The fuel system is more than capable for the power. Guys are running 300hp on stock internals in the X3. It still has 90% the cc as the 998t. They wouldn't release the motor if it wasn't more than capable at factory power. It will gain about 30hp from factory before it hits it's next limitation, which will probably be the turbo and the motors inability to breathe.

I think you're on the wrong site...this is a Yamaha site. Doo Talk is the Ski Doo site...

 

[VX1R]

I have 0 worries about the motor. BRP has never produced a bad 4 stroke motor. The 900R is almost identical to the X3 turbo RR motor. The fuel system is more than capable for the power. Guys are running 300hp on stock internals in the X3. It still has 90% the cc as the 998t. They wouldn't release the motor if it wasn't more than capable at factory power. It will gain about 30hp from factory before it hits it's next limitation, which will probably be the turbo and the motors inability to breathe.

This right here is Totallyamaha, not DooTalk....

 

[Motorhead]

Still the worlds fastest and most powerful stock sled, Yamacat!
Mach Z? 3rd from what I read.