Real World 1500 Mile Low Down of new Ski Doo XR-S 900 Turbo vs. SideWinder

[journeyman]

Wow, these magz are getting more candid!! That was a nice way of saying....I’ll pass!!

 

[Sasquatch]

Ken, idk.....now it makes perfect sense. Lol! Cause now that you mentioned it, He's Canadian. Hahaha......

Not nice! But makes perfect sense you are an American Hahaha!

 

[Sasquatch]

One question I have is how long are the Doo 4strokes lasting? Are they getting 20,000+ mi with no internal servicing? I honestly don't know. Saw the cutaway 1200 doo motor when it came out and the internals scared me with the cheap looking gears and the cam arrangement that looked like the old k-cars that used to have all the rockers laying in valve cover at times. Are they holding up?

Buddies 1200 Doo has as many miles as my Apex and his only problem so far has been the secondary clutch coming apart! Everything else has been flawless with excellent gas mileage! I have not heard of any problems with the 1200 motor. The 900 is kinda new the 900t even more so, the sidewinder is too new to lay claim to high miles! My Warrior at 20,000 my Apex at 12,000 and both run like they where just broke in. Hopefully the 998 or the 900 does the same!

 

[XP123]

That review doesn't make sense. Bassett must be getting too fat and old. His biggest complaint is the mid range power hits too hard! The ski lightening power comes on quick and hard. Now the Winder power comes on more linear without that unexpected power burst! Are you kidding me? What Sidewinder has he ridden that doesn't have that unexpected power burst? I know when you hit the throttle on my Winder you better be hanging on. He mentions how the throttle can be burped while hitting big bumps. Isn't that one of the complaints about the Winder. Guys were complaining there isn't enough weight transfer and you can't blip the throttle over bumps and stuff like a 2 stroke. That's why guys want the quicker spooling tunes because they feel the Winder spools up too slow. From what I'm reading about this 900 is you better be hanging on when you hit the throttle because it will hit hard. That's a far cry from those who claim it doesn't have the same response as the Winder or 850. These reports are all over the place and the only real way to find out how the 900 will perform is buy one and see for yourself.

 

[74Nitro]

That review doesn't make sense. Bassett must be getting too fat and old. His biggest complaint is the mid range power hits too hard! The ski lightening power comes on quick and hard. Now the Winder power comes on more linear without that unexpected power burst! Are you kidding me? What Sidewinder has he ridden that doesn't have that unexpected power burst? I know when you hit the throttle on my Winder you better be hanging on. He mentions how the throttle can be burped while hitting big bumps. Isn't that one of the complaints about the Winder. Guys were complaining there isn't enough weight transfer and you can't blip the throttle over bumps and stuff like a 2 stroke. That's why guys want the quicker spooling tunes because they feel the Winder spools up too slow. From what I'm reading about this 900 is you better be hanging on when you hit the throttle because it will hit hard. That's a far cry from those who claim it doesn't have the same response as the Winder or 850. These reports are all over the place and the only real way to find out how the 900 will perform is buy one and see for yourself.

My Winder doesn't have an unexpected power burst. It does what my thumb tells it to do.
I think what Basset is saying is that you could be holding the throttle at a certain position, and without adding more throttle, the engine gives more power/RPM's 'unexpectedly'. That is why he compares it to the old triple/triple Cat 800. Another old sled that had this horrid trait was the first Polaris non-power valved triple/triple 600's.
I get what he is saying.

 

[XP123]

There were also guys who own 850's that took the 900 for a long ride with their 850's. They reported that the 900 handled better than their 850's and accelerated neck and neck with it and had more top end.

I really don't understand why you guys feel the need to look far every negative you can find about a competitors sled? The 900T will not be in the same league as the Winder as far as performance goes. There really isn't anything out there that can compete and there probably never will be. Reading this stuff over here reminds me of the narrow minded DooTalk guys I had to put up with all last year when I bought my Winder.

It just seems like everybody is so insecure with what they own that they feel the need to put down everything else. That goes for guys on TY and DooTalk. I'm not insecure at all and I'm willing to try anything as long as it's a 4 stroke. Maybe with this new 150 hp 4 stroke that Doo has Yamaha will come out with something between the Viper and Winder? This could be good for everyone.

Probably the best thing about this new Doo is it's not built by Cat.

 

[74Nitro]

There were also guys who own 850's that took the 900 for a long ride with their 850's. They reported that the 900 handled better than their 850's and accelerated neck and neck with it and had more top end.

I really don't understand why you guys feel the need to look far every negative you can find about a competitors sled? The 900T will not be in the same league as the Winder as far as performance goes. There really isn't anything out there that can compete and there probably never will be. Reading this stuff over here reminds me of the narrow minded DooTalk guys I had to put up with all last year when I bought my Winder.

It just seems like everybody is so insecure with what they own that they feel the need to put down everything else. That goes for guys on TY and DooTalk. I'm not insecure at all and I'm willing to try anything as long as it's a 4 stroke. Maybe with this new 150 hp 4 stroke that Doo has Yamaha will come out with something between the Viper and Winder? This could be good for everyone.

Probably the best thing about this new Doo is it's not built by Cat.

Yamaha claimed 180hp, but in reality delivered 200+
Maybe Doo is doing the same, claim 150 but deliver 170+

 

[XP123]

My Winder doesn't have an unexpected power burst. It does what my thumb tells it to do.
I think what Basset is saying is that you could be holding the throttle at a certain position, and without adding more throttle, the engine gives more power/RPM's 'unexpectedly'. That is why he compares it to the old triple/triple Cat 800. Another old sled that had this horrid trait was the first Polaris non-power valved triple/triple 600's.
I get what he is saying.

That comparison to the old 800 triple Cat Cat is probably one of the reasons I will like the 900. My ZRT 800 is my all time favorite sled. I loved that sled and wish I never sold it.

I think the Proto 900's had a calibration issue. The one Doo rep I talked to told me the TBW was still being calibrated for the turbo engine. This he explained was the reason that many of the 900's performed differently at the demo rides. We will see next year as I ordered a 900T for my wife.

 

[krm]

That review doesn't make sense. Bassett must be getting too fat and old. His biggest complaint is the mid range power hits too hard! The ski lightening power comes on quick and hard. Now the Winder power comes on more linear without that unexpected power burst! Are you kidding me? What Sidewinder has he ridden that doesn't have that unexpected power burst? I know when you hit the throttle on my Winder you better be hanging on. He mentions how the throttle can be burped while hitting big bumps. Isn't that one of the complaints about the Winder. Guys were complaining there isn't enough weight transfer and you can't blip the throttle over bumps and stuff like a 2 stroke. That's why guys want the quicker spooling tunes because they feel the Winder spools up too slow. From what I'm reading about this 900 is you better be hanging on when you hit the throttle because it will hit hard. That's a far cry from those who claim it doesn't have the same response as the Winder or 850. These reports are all over the place and the only real way to find out how the 900 will perform is buy one and see for yourself.

Joe,BRP is still testing and will be until 3 months before production No one will know until we get one .Hopefully the 2020s get the tall spindles .Unlike Yamaha ,Brp will try hopefully to address any issues .It's always a crap shoot no matter what you get these days .So far ,my SW has been good after alot of testing ,no leaks ,1 blown belt .

 

[XP123]

Joe,BRP is still testing and will be until 3 months before production No one will know until we get one .Hopefully the 2020s get the tall spindles .Unlike Yamaha ,Brp will try hopefully to address any issues .It's always a crap shoot no matter what you get these days .So far ,my SW has been good after alot of testing ,no leaks ,1 blown belt .

My Winder has been flawless with no blown belts. I did however just get it back from the dealer because the oil tank starting leaking just like all the others. I was going to fix it myself but I hate working on sleds these days so since I have warranty I let the dealer fix it. I can't understand what Cat was thinking with that oil tank?

 

[74Nitro]

My Winder has been flawless with no blown belts. I did however just get it back from the dealer because the oil tank starting leaking just like all the others. I was going to fix it myself but I hate working on sleds these days so since I have warranty I let the dealer fix it. I can't understand what Cat was thinking with that oil tank?

Initially, I didn't like it either, but in reality all it needs is a proper gasket. Its not a bad tank.
On the other hand, many of the tanks on Apex's start cracking, many years later when the warranty is long gone.

 

[XP123]

Here's another not so glowing review for the 900t. Does not seem like the mags are any too keen about it. They go as far as to say about the 900t, "we'll pass", then go on to praise the Winder for it smooth and powerful delivery of power.

You can clearly see them trying to be politically correct and somewhat endorse Doo's new offering, but then backhand it towards the end of the review.

http://www.snowmobile.com/manufacturer/ski-doo/2019-ski-doo-renegade-x-rs-900-ace-turbo-review

He Mike you remember when I bought my Winder and reported my thoughts over on DooTalk? You responded with your negative thoughts on it before ever trying one. I think you said something like just another Cat built Yamaha POS. Then you rode one and couldn't believe how awesome it was and had to buy one. Sometimes you can't make judgements based on others opinions and just have to try it out yourself.

Being that you are such a power hungry rider I know the 900T would never satisfy your need for speed so for now it looks like the Winder is still your best option.

 

[KnappAttack]

He makes it sound like a early two-stroke powerband, weak down low then comes on. Hey, he did a great job of candy coating it anyway.

When he says “we’ll pass” on the 900t, that speaks volumes. Then goes on to say how much better the winder is right in the next sentence. I know the chassis is going to be a quality piece, but that p-drive is untested on a three cylinder 4-stroke along with an underpowered non linear power band. I’ll wait till Doo gets their head outta the sand to go back.

If their too stupid to build a real powerhouse 4-stroke turbo that can squash the 850, I know other OEMs that can build it right and arn’t afraid to hurt their two-stroke sales.

And for what it’s worth Joe, those vids show the 900t getting pounded by the 850, some call that close, yet I’ve seen the good 1200’s run side by side and even outrun the 850.

150HP is a waste of time carrying a turbo around for. The 1200 can make that easy and not have the complications and heat involved. All Doo did there was listen to the idiots that don’t know any better about boost and would be happy with a lowly 150HP.

 

[XP123]

My Winder has been flawless with no blown belts. I did however just get it back from the dealer because the oil tank starting leaking just like all the others. I was going to fix it myself but I hate working on sleds these days so since I have warranty I let the dealer fix it. I can't understand what Cat was thinking with that oil tank?

I know I had one of those Apex's. The truth is there are plenty of things to break on our sleds but the whole oil tank thing just needed a little common sense to become a non issue like other 4 stroke sleds. Just like the roll over valve that makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[XP123]

He makes it sound like a early two-stroke powerband, weak down low then comes on. Hey, he did a great job of candy coating it anyway.

When he says “we’ll pass” on the 900t, that speaks volumes. Then goes on to say how much better the winder is right in the next sentence. I know the chassis is going to be a quality piece, but that p-drive is untested on a three cylinder 4-stroke along with an underpowered non linear power band. I’ll wait till Doo gets their head outta the sand to go back.

If their too stupid to build a real powerhouse 4-stroke turbo that can squash the 850, I know other OEMs that can build it right and arn’t afraid to hurt their two-stroke sales.

And for what it’s worth Joe, those vids show the 900t getting pounded by the 850, some call that close, yet I’ve seen the good 1200’s run side by side and even outrun the 850.

150HP is a waste of time carrying a turbo around for. The 1200 can make that easy and not have the complications and heat involved. All Doo did there was listen to the idiots that don’t know any better about boost and would be happy with a lowly 150HP.

This sounds just like the response I got from you last year over on DooTalk Mike. Only difference is you were talking about the Winder and not the 900 Doo Not much has changed, or has it?