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

I have an 18 850 ,just picked up my 19 850 xrs ,waiting on my 900t to show in two weeks ,then get a TD tune for it ,and i have my 17 winder with a pt tune in it .I'll know whats up .One thing on the 2019 850s is they relocated the exhaust temp sensor to the bottom of the muffler for a more direct and faster signal to the ECU .This will help the motor make better consistent HP.Waiting now for my new 2019 handle bars with all the better controls that my buddy at Yamaha will send me .Even says he has a shield for me wedge helmet .
 

KnappAttack said:
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.
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Right now, I don't have a sled. I sold mine lol. I guess I have a phaser 4 stroke if I needed it.

That being said, I know what I'm getting. I spoke with Martin at precision sports a few days ago. I actually considered getting a sidewinder to see what he could do with it. But after talking to him, i decided I'm building or buying a 390hp on pump gas 1200 renegade XS. I was even thinking about buying his ps3 build running 30 pounds of boost (about 500hp) on pump.

The only thing I like better on the sidewinder is the front end. It's kinda a big deal actually lol. But, it's a lot cooler to pull up to a drag race with a sleeper trail sled and destroy everybody. So low compression turbo 1200, here I come.
 
cannondale27 said:
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.
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Blowing belts often means you need to make some adjustments. Grip n rip has some pretty nice equipment for fixing clutch alignment issues. That's a simple fix for anybody mechanically inclined.

 
cannondale27 said:
No. He just rides hard and blows belts.
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Nope. The G4 850 is making about 165 hp.

Almost every person I ride with is making more than 165 hp. Mine was at 220. 3 guys have the 290hp tune for their sidewinders/turbo cats. We do a lot of drag racing. Spend several days a winter doing just drag racing all day long. The only sled we have that blows a belt every year is the stretched out 500 hp turbo Apex. Even the 500hp supercharged Apex hasn't been blowing belts. Which means it something in the clutching.

A 165hp sled should not be blowing belts very often. Something isn't right.
 
Branden63 said:
Nope. The G4 850 is making about 165 hp.

Almost every person I ride with is making more than 165 hp. Mine was at 220. 3 guys have the 290hp tune for their sidewinders/turbo cats. We do a lot of drag racing. Spend several days a winter doing just drag racing all day long. The only sled we have that blows a belt every year is the stretched out 500 hp turbo Apex. Even the 500hp supercharged Apex hasn't been blowing belts. Which means it something in the clutching.

A 165hp sled should not be blowing belts very often. Something isn't right.
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Yup the factory screwed up.
 
number1kyster said:
I'm looking forward to an unbiased review by XP123.
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I will give my review as long as I won't get booted from this forum.
I'm still very much into the Sidewinder. I sold it to my Nephew who rides with me all the time. I will be checking in for tips and other info for sure. Had I not been able to sell it to him and keep it close I was going to keep it.
Right now I could care less about sleds because my 2019 C7 Corvette was built last week and I should be picking it up next week.
I'm sure I will get excited about riding sometime before Christmas.
 
Branden63 said:
Nope. The G4 850 is making about 165 hp.

Almost every person I ride with is making more than 165 hp. Mine was at 220. 3 guys have the 290hp tune for their sidewinders/turbo cats. We do a lot of drag racing. Spend several days a winter doing just drag racing all day long. The only sled we have that blows a belt every year is the stretched out 500 hp turbo Apex. Even the 500hp supercharged Apex hasn't been blowing belts. Which means it something in the clutching.

A 165hp sled should not be blowing belts very often. Something isn't right.
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I think Cannondale was being sarcastic because some people here on this forum are blaming us belt blowers because:

1. we ride too hard
2. we don't" take care" of our belts
3. we don't warm the belt up for 20 miles every morning
4. what did we did we expect with 200 HP

Most of us agree with you Brandon.....................something ain't right!
The Sidewinder motor can't be adjusted as easily so aligning & center is difficult to get exact.
 
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stevewithOCD said:
I think Cannonade was being sarcastic because some people here on this forum are blaming us belt blowers because:

1. we ride too hard
2. we don't" take care" of our belts
3. we don't warm the belt up for 20 miles every morning
4. what did we did we expect with 200 HP

Most of us agree with you Brandon.....................something ain't right!
The Sidewinder motor can't be adjusted as easily so aligning & center is difficult to get exact.
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I was being sarcastic but truthful. He whole reason my buddy buys a new one every year is so he doesn't have to touch the sled or miss a ride. He did the basics such as holes in cover and alignment. All that dicking around and then motor blew with a month long wait for replacement. Surprised he even rides anymore after putting up with 2 years worth of grief!
 
And I blow at least one belt a year also at 135hp plus mods. Riding style always has a impact on belts and always will. It's when belts blow every ride that it becomes unbearable.
 
When a manufacturer designs a high horsepower motor, and Doesn’t SUPPORT the high horsepower motor with a capable belt/clutch system than this is the #*$&@ that goes on.

Instead... the manufacturer blames breaking procedures, long pulls, riding style ect and everyone else drinks the cool aid all the while they know damn well there is a problem.
Manufacturers drive me nuts with this #*$&@.
But.... blowing a belt every once and awhile is part of snowmobiling.
If you guys only knew some of the ridiculous excuses that I’m told by field service engineers on a everyday basis.
It’s mind boggling!!!!
 
Branden63 said:
Right now, I don't have a sled. I sold mine lol. I guess I have a phaser 4 stroke if I needed it.

That being said, I know what I'm getting. I spoke with Martin at precision sports a few days ago. I actually considered getting a sidewinder to see what he could do with it. But after talking to him, i decided I'm building or buying a 390hp on pump gas 1200 renegade XS. I was even thinking about buying his ps3 build running 30 pounds of boost (about 500hp) on pump.

The only thing I like better on the sidewinder is the front end. It's kinda a big deal actually lol. But, it's a lot cooler to pull up to a drag race with a sleeper trail sled and destroy everybody. So low compression turbo 1200, here I come.
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Good sled. I loved my 1200 Doos so much! But be careful, I have a buddy with a low compression 390HP Motec setup and he's blown it up twice. Something I didn't think could happen with the Motec and neither did my bud, but it did. None of them are fool proof I guess.

The handling is better on the Winder and the front end second to none, they just need to get the quality and reliability improved on it. What can I say, it's still a Cat and needs refined by the owner cause Cat's to cheap or stupid to change some things up coming from the factory.
 
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