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

[1nc 2000]

The question is what do you want to get for your money! Buy a sled then purchase a tune for the same price. Here's what you get....

Sidewinder dyno run.

900t run.

 

[ClutchMaster]

104 HORSEPOWER less!

 

[1nc 2000]

I run a tuned sidewinder and my brother on a 900t. I am always waiting for him.....

 

[74Nitro]

Think about what you just said,then do the math. 100ft/pds torque x 8500rpm = 161 hp 120ft/pds torque x 8500 = 194 hp. Sure looks like more torque = more hp. But you like rpm so lets make it 100ft/pds at 15000 rpm = 285 hp and 120ft/pds at 15000 = 348 yep more torque more hp. So what is your argument again?

Sidewinder makes huge torque from about 6,000 all the way to 9,100 before it falls off and guess what hp falls off with it. basically from 8600 to 9100 200hp on tap with peak at 8800 204hp torque being about 120 ft/pds give or take all the way till it falls and hp falls with it. At 10,000 rpm torque is dead and so it hp.

Please, stop this. You're being deliberately obtuse and pedantic.
This whole thread went off course when you made the erroneous claim that torque is what pulls your arms out.
Myself and others have proven over and over again that HP is king, and the link that Clutchmaster provided proves exactly what we have been saying all along.
In every example you just provided, torque would have been falling well before peak hp occurred. And again, for about the 1000th time, the definition of hp is the rate at which work is done. Therefore, in every example you just provided, anyone of those engines would be faster when calibrated for maximum hp(where there is less torque, but accomplished more often per minute), than maximum torque(where torque is higher, but accomplished less often per minute).
So, to conclude, anyone of those engines in a machine with everything else being equal would be faster when clutched to peak hp than peak torque, which, by definition means that the pull on your arms would be greater!

 

[sledheadgeorge]

I really don't think they built the 900T to compete against the Sidewinder. Given the aging demographics of this sport, they are targeting the older experienced rider who wants descent HP, Shocks, ride comfort, fuel economy, to tour and not have to wrench on stuff. I, personally bought a Sidewinder just for that, and unfortunately I'm somewhat Disappointed with the quality of alot of things on this sled. Yes once I'm done addressing the known issues, hopefully I will have a reliable touring machine. But if I want to wrench and go fast, I can, with my Turbo RX and Turbo Apex but that's not why I bought this Sidewinder for. I've always had a stock Yami to tour with, put maga mile's on without worries, and have confidence and trust in the machine making the trip. My aging touring Apex has racked up almost 20,000 miles and was getting well worn. I think BRP has done their homework to target the demographics and has a put a good package together. Let's face it we, or most of us in this section are the exception when it comes to disposable income. How many young people can afford to spend 20g (In Canada) on a sled to play with. Certainly hope Yamaha is paying attention here.

 

[1nc 2000]

I really don't think they built the 900T to compete against the Sidewinder. Given the aging demographics of this sport, they are targeting the older experienced rider who wants descent HP, Shocks, ride comfort, fuel economy, to tour and not have to wrench on stuff. I, personally bought a Sidewinder just for that, and unfortunately I'm somewhat Disappointed with the quality of alot of things on this sled. Yes once I'm done addressing the known issues, hopefully I will have a reliable touring machine. But if I want to wrench and go fast, I can, with my Turbo RX and Turbo Apex but that's not why I bought this Sidewinder for. I've always had a stock Yami to tour with, put maga mile's on without worries, and have confidence and trust in the machine making the trip. My aging touring Apex has racked up almost 20,000 miles and was getting well worn. I think BRP has done their homework to target the demographics and has a put a good package together. Let's face it we, or most of us in this section are the exception when it comes to disposable income. How many young people can afford to spend 20g (In Canada) on a sled to play with. Certainly hope Yamaha is paying attention here.

The throttle on the 900t is so bad he wont ride the sled in sport mode in the rough trails.
He only rides in touring mode.

My sidewinder is so smooth and controllable compared to that fake ski doo feeling.

I would be pissed if I bought one of those and couldn't ride it in sport mode due to the throttle programming.

I have no problems touring on my tuned sidewinder at all.

 

[whitedust1]

I really don't think they built the 900T to compete against the Sidewinder. Given the aging demographics of this sport, they are targeting the older experienced rider who wants descent HP, Shocks, ride comfort, fuel economy, to tour and not have to wrench on stuff. I, personally bought a Sidewinder just for that, and unfortunately I'm somewhat Disappointed with the quality of alot of things on this sled. Yes once I'm done addressing the known issues, hopefully I will have a reliable touring machine. But if I want to wrench and go fast, I can, with my Turbo RX and Turbo Apex but that's not why I bought this Sidewinder for. I've always had a stock Yami to tour with, put maga mile's on without worries, and have confidence and trust in the machine making the trip. My aging touring Apex has racked up almost 20,000 miles and was getting well worn. I think BRP has done their homework to target the demographics and has a put a good package together. Let's face it we, or most of us in this section are the exception when it comes to disposable income. How many young people can afford to spend 20g (In Canada) on a sled to play with. Certainly hope Yamaha is paying attention here.

Yep I agree the 900t is a quality trail sled with a snappy efficient 4s engine for the guy who wants a plush ride thru the junk. The 900t wasn’t meant to compete with the go fast Sidewinder market and is more on par with the 165 Apex. Buy the Enduro and you get adjustable on the fly air rear suspension and skis with adjustable carbides. You’re right with aging demos doo did their homework and I wouldn’t be surprised to see 900t with eps in the future. I also appreciate the 900t weight reduction especially when horsing around my trailer.

 

[krm]

The throttle on the 900t is so bad he wont ride the sled in sport mode in the rough trails.
He only rides in touring mode.

My sidewinder is so smooth and controllable compared to that fake ski doo feeling.

I would be pissed if I bought one of those and couldn't ride it in sport mode due to the throttle programming.

I have no problems touring on my tuned sidewinder at all.

If one was to read the owners manual they'd find out that by turning the throttle lever over like a pwc has if would be just fine .The ITC surely is sensitive ,even more in sport mode .

 

[1nc 2000]

If one was to read the owners manual they'd find out that by turning the throttle lever over like a pwc has if would be just fine .The ITC surely is sensitive ,even more in sport mode .

We know the throttle spins around and that does not change how the throttle reacts.

 

[whitedust1]

The throttle on the 900t is so bad he wont ride the sled in sport mode in the rough trails.
He only rides in touring mode.

My sidewinder is so smooth and controllable compared to that fake ski doo feeling.

I would be pissed if I bought one of those and couldn't ride it in sport mode due to the throttle programming.

I have no problems touring on my tuned sidewinder at all.

Interesting I stand up ride 900t in the junk in standard too just easier in rough trails on the old body. Sport for wide open UP trails and Eco is nice for loading trailers or in situations where track spin is undesirable. Imo it’s nice to have the 3 power delivery modes at the flick of a switch and use them appropriately.

 

[XP123]

I really don't think they built the 900T to compete against the Sidewinder. Given the aging demographics of this sport, they are targeting the older experienced rider who wants descent HP, Shocks, ride comfort, fuel economy, to tour and not have to wrench on stuff. I, personally bought a Sidewinder just for that, and unfortunately I'm somewhat Disappointed with the quality of alot of things on this sled. Yes once I'm done addressing the known issues, hopefully I will have a reliable touring machine. But if I want to wrench and go fast, I can, with my Turbo RX and Turbo Apex but that's not why I bought this Sidewinder for. I've always had a stock Yami to tour with, put maga mile's on without worries, and have confidence and trust in the machine making the trip. My aging touring Apex has racked up almost 20,000 miles and was getting well worn. I think BRP has done their homework to target the demographics and has a put a good package together. Let's face it we, or most of us in this section are the exception when it comes to disposable income. How many young people can afford to spend 20g (In Canada) on a sled to play with. Certainly hope Yamaha is paying attention here.

Very good post. What you said was exactly why I bought my 900t. Most of my riding is saddlebag trips with my wife up in Quebec. The 900t delivers exactly what I want in a sled. Many here rate how good a sled is by how much power they have and while power is nice it doesn't define how good a sled is. All the top selling sleds on the market today have substantially less power than the Winder.

 

[XP123]

The throttle on the 900t is so bad he wont ride the sled in sport mode in the rough trails.
He only rides in touring mode.

My sidewinder is so smooth and controllable compared to that fake ski doo feeling.

I would be pissed if I bought one of those and couldn't ride it in sport mode due to the throttle programming.

I have no problems touring on my tuned sidewinder at all.

Your brother needs a riding lesson. I ride my 900t in sport mode all the time. Tight twisty trails, bumpy trails and everything in between. The sled feels laggy in anything but sport mode so I have no use for it.

 

[1nc 2000]

Your brother needs a riding lesson. I ride my 900t in sport mode all the time. Tight twisty trails, bumpy trails and everything in between. The sled feels laggy in anything but sport mode so I have no use for it.

Really! He's raced the Soo I 500 twice, oval and cross country and snow cross.

 

[1nc 2000]

Yep I agree the 900t is a quality trail sled with a snappy efficient 4s engine for the guy who wants a plush ride thru the junk. The 900t wasn’t meant to compete with the go fast Sidewinder market and is more on par with the 165 Apex. Buy the Enduro and you get adjustable on the fly air rear suspension and skis with adjustable carbides. You’re right with aging demos doo did their homework and I wouldn’t be surprised to see 900t with eps in the future. I also appreciate the 900t weight reduction especially when horsing around my trailer.

What shocks give you this plush ride?
The standard shocks don't.

 

[Fast]

Your brother needs a riding lesson. I ride my 900t in sport mode all the time. Tight twisty trails, bumpy trails and everything in between. The sled feels laggy in anything but sport mode so I have no use for it.

you sure its not laggy in every mode