Sidewinder SRX vs the 850s

[Mototown]

So I was lucky enough to go away on a week trip with 2021 850 s from the other manufacturers. Skidoo xrs x , 850 matrix, & a cat 800 . All were stock other than carbides on the cat , and studs .
It gives you great perspective when you ride all 4 back to back . I can say I was very shocked mostly with the skidoo’s ride ... I can honestly say it’s now a close second to the sidewinder handling. It’s actually the first skidoo I that rode somewhat comfortable down the trails with out the twitchy front suspension & steering. The cat front end end is still a step ahead , rear suspension is very close. Polaris was ok , didn’t feel I could ride aggressively. Skis lift coming out of corners, had to keep letting off gas , so it’s slower , seat was very stiff also.

 

[Mototown]

Speed , across lake , sidewinder gone , skidoo & cat with in 2 sled lengths( shocked the cat was that fast ) lol, Polaris last .
Gauges , Polaris is great for gps , but hard to read rpm reading, Yamaha was second for easy to read gauges but no gps map , skidoo is hard to read , & rpm only goes up by 100 rpm increments....
so the closest 2 stroke compared to the sidewinder is the skidoo XRS X now with improved handling. Motor is still a 2 stroke, but feels some what not bad power band to the sidewinder but cut in half ....

 

[SledFreak]

The 850 has good snap out of the hole and or rolling on to it from 0-30..

 

[Crossfire12]

The 850 has good snap out of the hole and or rolling on to it from 0-30..

And that’s it!! Then sidewinder gone. I ride with a couple of them.

 

[yamamarc]

Those top dog 2 strokes have some good jam!! Imo
I ran the 850 doo and it was a fun sled. I just found it very tippy same with 900t
I really enjoyed the 800 cat it would lift skis at will but I been on this chassis since 2014.
Never had a chance to ride the 850 polaris.

 

[hellflyer]

My buddy has a 20 polaris and was always slow in the trails . Two weeks ago he bought a 17 winder as a a second sled and after a big ride I noticed he's always ride behind me now. I told him he's alot faster in the trails with the winder for some reason. I think because it's more planted and he's not a very aggressive so he just rides it.

 

[number1kyster]

I've been chomping at the bit to try the Matryx. It seems like you either love it or hate it.

I sat on one a couple days ago. It felt very small compared to my Sidewinder.

 

[Mototown]

Those top dog 2 strokes have some good jam!! Imo
I ran the 850 doo and it was a fun sled. I just found it very tippy same with 900t
I really enjoyed the 800 cat it would lift skis at will but I been on this chassis since 2014.
Never had a chance to ride the 850 polaris.

Did the skidoo you rode have the latest x suspension ? It's a big improvement over the 17-20 XRS .

 

[Mototown]

I forgot to add in , the srx with the I Q suspension actually is better than all of them over small bumps , front suspension gives very little feed back into the handlebars & seat , set on low . I have gotten comfortable enough that when the trial conditions go from small to big holes I cycle the suspension settings to medium on the fly and get the best of both worlds . The adjustable suspension on the fly wasn't something I thought would make a difference or was a gimmick. But actually really liking it now . Probably the same of what I think of power steering as of now ... I won't drive without it once I have it . lol

 

[WinderFab]

View attachment 160238 View attachment 160239 View attachment 160240 Speed , across lake , sidewinder gone , skidoo & cat with in 2 sled lengths( shocked the cat was that fast ) lol, Polaris last .
Gauges , Polaris is great for gps , but hard to read rpm reading, Yamaha was second for easy to read gauges but no gps map , skidoo is hard to read , & rpm only goes up by 100 rpm increments....
so the closest 2 stroke compared to the sidewinder is the skidoo now with improved handling. Motor is still a 2 stroke, but feels some what not bad power band to the sidewinder but cut in half ....

I recognize that bridge

 

[Phatboyc]

Nice sled report. How about the others? Did they gave you their honest impressions? Did the doo have the color display or the ugly orange gauge?

 

[WinderFab]

My riding bud is a die hard skidoo rider, last few years he’s always been right behind me in the twisties with his 850 xrs. This year with his new 21 900T he falls way behind, If I slow down I can see him in my mirrors hanging off the side to turn..

 

[Mototown]

Nice sled report. How about the others? Did they gave you their honest impressions? Did the doo have the color display or the ugly orange gauge?

Yes the doo had a yellow/ orange gauge , wasn’t very good to read .
Other guys that rode my sled , mostly talk about the motor power and they only need half throttle to go same speed as 850 s . The doo guy did say he liked how mine corners and has a planted feel cornering.