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

[stevewithOCD]

At 526 lbs listed, i would think if tuners could get 175ish HP, it would be enough for me.
I would think the tuners can fix the Drive By Wire delay also. The mags are claiming the delay is from this, not the turbo.

 

[Branden63]

At 526 lbs listed, i would think if tuners could get 175ish HP, it would be enough for me.
I would think the tuners can fix the Drive By Wire delay also. The mags are claiming the delay is from this, not the turbo.

I'm sure it will spool up fast. I don't think you can get the turbo any closer. Its definitely closer than the 998t, which is a great design. The turbo is so close that the 900t is probably making a few pounds of boost before the clutch even engages lol.

It will be an interesting snowmobile for anybody not looking for crazy power. And I'm sure there will be a lot of them out there because just like the sidewinders, they will be easy to get some power out of them. Probably the two best motors to put big trail power to are the Apex motor and the 1200. And it's pretty rare to see those things boosted up. Easy power means lots of people will have them.

 

[number1kyster]

I'm looking forward to an unbiased review by XP123.

 

[stone88]

My 850 tnt last season GPS constantly at 122 mph with just a clutch weight change. Stock engine, track, suspension etc...114-116 mph on groomed railway line. Not speedo numbers, guys will continue to believe whatever they want that’s their choice but I’ve seen and proven otherwise. Hell my 2015 xrs renegade 800 with 1.5” track turned 116 mph on GPS. I’m not in any way defending what may or may not be the attainable speed of the 900T but I am against guys spreading misinformation regarding the capabibility of the 850.

Come on Jamie not a chance the 2 that i ride with are lucky to run 112 on a perfect day and they are bone stock.

 

[Doowithblue]

The planets would have to be aligned to see those speeds from an 8fiddy. I ride with a good running 2018 XRS 850 and it's pretty embarrassing. In Quebec riding high speed they do what any other etec has done in the past: when they get hot they pull timing and add fuel. Revs drop to 7200. No its not clutching.

 

[stevewithOCD]

I'm looking forward to an unbiased review by XP123.

My riding bud has an 850 & a new Turbo Ace, so I will be comparing all 3 in same day action.
I will be un-biased since i will be considering this as my next sled.

I can tell you right now with 2 years of comparing the 850 to the 'Winder on groomed trails, i think my sled is a little front heavy & the 850 too light.
I believe 525 to 550 lbs might be the sweet spot.

 

[Doowithblue]

If the suspension is balanced properly and they are carving turns I don't feel they're front heavy.

 

[stevewithOCD]

I'm sure it will spool up fast. I don't think you can get the turbo any closer. Its definitely closer than the 998t, which is a great design. The turbo is so close that the 900t is probably making a few pounds of boost before the clutch even engages lol.

It will be an interesting snowmobile for anybody not looking for crazy power. And I'm sure there will be a lot of them out there because just like the sidewinders, they will be easy to get some power out of them. Probably the two best motors to put big trail power to are the Apex motor and the 1200. And it's pretty rare to see those things boosted up. Easy power means lots of people will have them.

As of now, the reports are NOT the turbo lag, but the Drive by Wire throttle control is "sluggish".
I'm sure Doo will adjust it in the upcoming years along with the aftermarket tuners.
Time will tell.
I will have a full report this year.

 

[stevewithOCD]

If the suspension is balanced properly and they are carving turns I don't feel they're front heavy.

I'm not complaining about my front end since my whole group agreed it was BETTER then the 850's, it is just not as balanced.
I'm not saying my sled needs to be changed, but if i had a magic wand to make a perfect world, i would shave a few front end pounds.
I don't like it too light either. My die hard Doo bud admits he felt much safer at high speeds on my sled then his.

I'm in MAGIC WAND land now.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

And this yrs 850s and 900t will need more HP to be as fast as last couple seasons on top end....Since BRP added MASSIVE cooling fins to both the back of primary and both sides of secondary.

Dan

 

[cannondale27]

And this yrs 850s and 900t will need more HP to be as fast as last couple seasons on top end....Since BRP added MASSIVE cooling fins to both the back of primary and both sides of secondary.

Dan

All I know is my buddy couldnt keep a belt on his 17 850 Doo. The front end was not as good as the Cat/Yamaha and he got a 18 850 last year and still blew belts and at 2500mi crankbearing let go. He bought the new Polaris 850 for this year after 22years of a new Doo every year. We will see how the Polaris goes! Will say that 850 Doo was a true 100mph sled even in marginal conditions. It ripped! My 800 Cat wont do that. Loved how narrow feeling it was also. So easy to move around on and toss it around.

 

[KnappAttack]

At 526 lbs listed, i would think if tuners could get 175ish HP, it would be enough for me.
I would think the tuners can fix the Drive By Wire delay also. The mags are claiming the delay is from this, not the turbo.

The XRS is closer to 545 dry, but thats still quite a bit lighter than these Winders. My 2014 1200X started at 518 dry. The XRS is heavier as the shock package and chassis is beefed up by alot. I'd go for the better shock package in the XRS all day long over the X.

I love the Doos, but they have to get a handle on the heavy steering, inadequate front end and handling of their machines. I hate the poor engineering & reliability of these Cats though and can't wait till Doo brings out something a bit more powerful in a better handling and riding chassis. I'll go back in a flash when and if that happens. Their quality and overall engineering is far and away better than these Cat chassis throw togethers and customer tested machines.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

All I know is my buddy couldnt keep a belt on his 17 850 Doo. The front end was not as good as the Cat/Yamaha and he got a 18 850 last year and still blew belts and at 2500mi crankbearing let go. He bought the new Polaris 850 for this year after 22years of a new Doo every year. We will see how the Polaris goes! Will say that 850 Doo was a true 100mph sled even in marginal conditions. It ripped! My 800 Cat wont do that. Loved how narrow feeling it was also. So easy to move around on and toss it around.

No doubt the G4 850 is a trail ripper. Riding buds XRS last season, the ergos are very roomy compared to our winders. To scooch forward on procross we have to spread wide, on the g4 it is so much more narrow your not spreading much at all. As Mike mentioned the extreme rider forward lends to heavy steering, and its crazy how my same ski setup is ultra light on this heavy winder in comparison to the g4 doos.

Honestly id love to own them both, G4 and winder since the G4 is a blast corner to corner and makes you feel like a 16 yr old kid again, never tiring. But the winder/cat with all its poor engineering and chassie faults, is a massive powerhouse that is impossible to beat in the top dog dept. The turbo/engine design and layout, is wonderful. Its not easy to get the fatter triple into a narrow design, as shown by BRP with their new 900t. BRP came with the G4 "wide body", and although its wider paneled, it still feels narrow. They mount their "small" ACE triple right into the bottom of the pan, directly vertical, where as YAM/CAT mounts our 998 higher and tilted back quite abit, so its hard to be narrow where you sit. I do like the reverse mounted engine as YAM came out with this design in 03.(Rx1) and keeps much of the hi heat out back and on the right side, DOO 4s are MUCH hotter under the hood, similar to the old 1100t cat. So the wide body has massive venting.

Lots will become more clear after this season, 900t is not just a given home run, but BRP usually gets things pretty close and at least works on things to fix quickly. They came out with several changes for the 19s, where belt issues were bad for many 850s. Venting, large fins on clutches, and I believe motor mounts. 900t and 850s get this, while the 600r only gets the venting, but old small fins.

Getting the iTC dialed in will be the key, its alot trickier with a turbo, as BRP is finding. I got used to my 1200 iTC and loved it actually, it was snappy like 2s. 900t is gonna be a fun sled to watch, likely great fuel economy, above our winders, and much more agile. Glad I will have a bud who owns one to try. But in the end, after riding my 270/290 winder for a couple seasons, it will be very hard to dial back down to 200-'ish' hp(with a flash/Muffler) 900t, especially if we keep running more into Qc trail system...big power is just too much fun.

Dan

 

[cannondale27]

No doubt the G4 850 is a trail ripper. Riding buds XRS last season, the ergos are very roomy compared to our winders. To scooch forward on procross we have to spread wide, on the g4 it is so much more narrow your not spreading much at all. As Mike mentioned the extreme rider forward lends to heavy steering, and its crazy how my same ski setup is ultra light on this heavy winder in comparison to the g4 doos.

Honestly id love to own them both, G4 and winder since the G4 is a blast corner to corner and makes you feel like a 16 yr old kid again, never tiring. But the winder/cat with all its poor engineering and chassie faults, is a massive powerhouse that is impossible to beat in the top dog dept. The turbo/engine design and layout, is wonderful. Its not easy to get the fatter triple into a narrow design, as shown by BRP with their new 900t. BRP came with the G4 "wide body", and although its wider paneled, it still feels narrow. They mount their "small" ACE triple right into the bottom of the pan, directly vertical, where as YAM/CAT mounts our 998 higher and tilted back quite abit, so its hard to be narrow where you sit. I do like the reverse mounted engine as YAM came out with this design in 03.(Rx1) and keeps much of the hi heat out back and on the right side, DOO 4s are MUCH hotter under the hood, similar to the old 1100t cat. So the wide body has massive venting.

Lots will become more clear after this season, 900t is not just a given home run, but BRP usually gets things pretty close and at least works on things to fix quickly. They came out with several changes for the 19s, where belt issues were bad for many 850s. Venting, large fins on clutches, and I believe motor mounts. 900t and 850s get this, while the 600r only gets the venting, but old small fins.

Getting the iTC dialed in will be the key, its alot trickier with a turbo, as BRP is finding. I got used to my 1200 iTC and loved it actually, it was snappy like 2s. 900t is gonna be a fun sled to watch, likely great fuel economy, above our winders, and much more agile. Glad I will have a bud who owns one to try. But in the end, after riding my 270/290 winder for a couple seasons, it will be very hard to dial back down to 200-'ish' hp(with a flash/Muffler) 900t, especially if we keep running more into Qc trail system...big power is just too much fun.

Dan

Yea if $ and Time were no object I would have at least five different sleds from all the Brands! I will admit being a bit envious of that 900 Doo and now Turbo. Parked at a lot in middle of Nowhere MI. Group of Doo guys unloaded and one had the 900 which he was warming up. Idled just perfect so quiet and so compact. I can see why the vast majority of people who just want to ride and enjoy the scenery would really like that. Guy said it wouldnt keep up with his buddies on long straights but he just relaxed looked at the scenery and caught up when his buds slowed down or stopped. There is something to that. Now with the Turbo and a bit of effort he should be able to be right in the hunt other than nice lakes and such. Big deal. But will the belts last? Even Doo does not test anywhere near as well as us the riders. Been proven time and time again.

 

[cobrajet ltx dx]

Yea if $ and Time were no object I would have at least five different sleds from all the Brands! I will admit being a bit envious of that 900 Doo and now Turbo. Parked at a lot in middle of Nowhere MI. Group of Doo guys unloaded and one had the 900 which he was warming up. Idled just perfect so quiet and so compact. I can see why the vast majority of people who just want to ride and enjoy the scenery would really like that. Guy said it wouldnt keep up with his buddies on long straights but he just relaxed looked at the scenery and caught up when his buds slowed down or stopped. There is something to that. Now with the Turbo and a bit of effort he should be able to be right in the hunt other than nice lakes and such. Big deal. But will the belts last? Even Doo does not test anywhere near as well as us the riders. Been proven time and time again.

So true.... well said!!!!