850 cc, 165 hp and two bars: BRP snowmobile music in Western Siberia

With the release of the REV platform, Ski-Doo disrupted the snowmobile industry and snatched the championship from Polaris. But that doesn't mean the Canadian manufacturer will now sit back and let a new Polaris slogan or concept tarnish the reputation of its best-selling brand. This won't happen, at least not without a serious fight.

Ski-Doo Renegade XRS 800 etec

Let's take a look at the mountain snowmobile market. Polaris has released a super lightweight deep snow mountain sled, teasing Ski-Doo. And this season, Ski-Doo responded with dignity by releasing the powerful, lightweight, grippy T3 Summit Series models. They not only caught up with their competitor, but also surpassed them.

Ski-Doo managed to surprise where it would seem that all niches were occupied: for the segment of sports and touring snowmobiles, they released the advanced ACE 900 4-stroke engine with a “smart” key and several operating modes. At the time of its release, there was only one competitor on the market—Yamaha with a line of models based on the Phazer platform with a 4-stroke 500 cc engine. Ski-Doo has made a comeback in the entry-level market by replacing its 55-horsepower 2-cylinder fan-powered Rotax engine with the modern, fuel-efficient 4-stroke 2-cylinder ACE 600. In three seasons, the 60-horsepower ACE has successfully replaced the Rotax 550 in all of the manufacturer's budget models. . Thus, Ski-Doo showed its readiness for competitive pricing, which significantly strengthened the company's presence in this market segment.

All this is said to mean that a serious war is brewing between Polaris and Ski-Doo, the results of which we will see on the podiums in dealerships. Polaris has developed a new AXYS chassis, which also powers the 800 Switchback Pro-X, designed to handle challenging terrain. Until this season, Ski-Doo did not have a snowmobile that could compete with this model. You can, of course, consider the Backcountry or Freeride series, but this is not the same. It is not known how Ski-Doo figured out the Polaris's move, but the 2015 Ski-Doo Renegade XRS 800 is a worthy alternative to the Polaris Pro-X.

The short track Ski-Doo MXZ XRS is designed for serious off-road use, while the long track Renegade XRS is a serious all-around performance sled. Like the sporty MXZ XRS, the Renegade XRS is well equipped and makes you wonder if you can handle the power.

One of the most talked about new products of 2015 was the AXYS chassis with a well-balanced seat. Why did Polaris decide to go this route? They needed to come out with something new and advanced to compete with Ski-Doo's still-improving REV platform. The REV chassis was first released in 2006 on the MXZ X, but the 2006 REV platform has moved on much further by 2015. The names may not change, but the functionality changes significantly. And it is the ever-evolving REV platform that competitors from Polaris have set their sights on. They've done a great job and achieved a great result, but the 2015 Renegade XRS 800 is a very strong competitor that will leave impartial buyers scratching their heads when choosing a snowmobile.

Design and equipment

The BRP Ski-Doo MXZ Renegade 800R stands out from other snowmobiles with its stylish design. An interesting combination of colors and original body lines make you pay attention to it. The model includes:

• straight aluminum handlebar with J-handles;
• fuel level indicator;
• electric starter;
• narrowed REV-XP X seat with luggage compartment;
• windshield (height – 152 mm);
• speedometer;
• multifunctional digital information center;
• heated handles;
• tachometer;
• Rear view mirrors, a passenger seat, a backrest and a towbar are available as options for an additional fee.

The dimensions of the snowmobile are quite compact. This makes the car more lightweight and maneuverable.

The dry weight of the equipment is 218 kg. In the standard version, the snowmobile is designed for 1 person.

Off-Road Tourer Ski-Doo Expedition TUV V-800

Snowmobiles of the Expedition family occupy an intermediate position in the brand line between utilitarian “working” and touring models and successfully combine the best features of both classes. Providing, in particular, due to the long track, the cross-country ability of “workhorses”, they, at the same time, are comfortable and equipped at the level of the best “tourists”.

The Expedition TUV V-800 is built on the proven YETI chassis, which features single wishbone and curved trailing arm suspension at the front and SUV-style suspension at the rear. The front shock absorbers are hydraulic, the rear shock absorbers are gas-filled. This chassis provides the snowmobile with good stability and controllability both off-road and on specially prepared trails.

When you need to tow heavy loads or tackle long climbs with a passenger in the back seat, the 800cc Rotax's already excellent towing performance can be improved by downshifting the transmission. The equipment of the new Expedition will provide riders with comfort even on the longest journey: there is a modular seat that allows you to easily change the layout of the snowmobile from two to single, and a multifunctional instrument panel, and heated grips.

Specifications

The BRP Ski-Doo MXZ Renegade 800R is powered by a reliable Rotax 800 HO Power TEK 2-stroke engine. The unit operates incredibly quietly and smoothly, sounding more like a 4-stroke unit. The engine's smoke emissions and emissions of harmful elements are minimal for this class.

The engine uses modern direct injection, which makes it very economical (average consumption 15 l/100 km). Another advantage of the engine is the ease of starting and the ease of pressing the gas handle. There is no need to prepare the unit for the rest period, since it has an automatic preservation function.

Fuel tank capacity – 40 l. Oil tank volume – 3.5 l.

Chassis system

This vehicle features the new Motion Suspension, which is fully adjustable with HPG Plus/KYB Pro 36 shocks and can be retuned in just minutes without the need for special tools. On heavy terrain, the suspension does not break through, and on hard-packed roads it behaves very softly.

The BRP Ski-Doo MXZ Renegade 800R uses a dedicated PowderMax mountain track. Similar elements are installed on Summit professional mountain snowmobiles. The powerful engine provides the necessary traction to tackle the most challenging tasks. The device gains high speed in a few minutes. The racing braking system allows you not to be afraid of the movement process, making it as safe as possible.

The BRP Ski-Doo MXZ Renegade 800R is a real beast that can wade through large snowdrifts, jump from steep banks onto ice, move over rough terrain and maneuver through the forest. This snowmobile is great for both recreational and work purposes.

Engine

All versions of the Renegade 800 differ from the competition in terms of engine performance. The 2-stroke ETEC engine is genius. It combines all the advantages (cleanliness and environmental friendliness) of 4-stroke engines with the rapid acceleration, lightness and electronic controllability of 2-stroke engines. These Rotax motors are economical, environmentally friendly, and don't smell as bad. With the proven TRA drive pulley, the engine starts at 3800 rpm and revs to 7900 rpm. You'll appreciate the smoothness and responsiveness of the ETEC engine in tight corners.

The 800cc twin-cylinder engine sends more than 160 hp to a 137-inch Ripsaw track that spins around an updated rMotion rear suspension. While Polaris focused on the design of its new Pro-XC suspension, Ski-Doo installed easily adjustable shocks, springs and links for better weight transfer. The rear axle has four wheels for maximum traction and successful landings over bumps.

Price and where to buy

The cost of a new snowmobile is 1,320,000 Russian rubles. Official dealers of the manufacturing company provide sales and fast delivery to all cities of the Russian Federation and neighboring countries. Delivery in Moscow and the nearest Moscow region is free; for other regions, the cost of postal or courier services must be added to the price of the snowbike (on average +1500-3500 rubles).

A used model will cost 890,000-910,000 rubles. depending on the number of operating hours and general technical condition. A used BRP Ski-Doo MXZ Renegade 800R usually requires repair. Here are approximate prices for some spare parts suitable for this model of snow bike (cost in rubles):

"Hard worker" Lynx Yeti Pro V-800

In conditions where power and traction are crucial, when overcoming virgin snow is not entertainment or relaxation, but a severe necessity, there are few equals to this well-deserved “hard worker” from the Yeti family.

Yeti Pro is equipped with a 60 cm wide track. Such wide-track models, according to BRP experts, are not produced by any of its competitors. Such a wide track has a length of 396 cm, which, in combination with wide skis, provides the snowmobile with unprecedented maneuverability.

The design of the body and suspension of the snowmobile is also subject to the solution of the same problem (ensuring cross-country ability). The bottom of the Yeti Pro has the shape of a boat, and there are no protruding parts in the front suspension (it is made on the basis of gas-filled shock absorber struts), which makes it easy to cut through snowdrifts of any depth and not be afraid of obstacles hidden under the snow cover. Well, the Yeti Pro telescopic suspension has long been recognized by experts as “indestructible”.

In the basic configuration, the snowmobile is a two-seater model, but by removing the rear seat, it can be made into a single-seater with a huge trunk in the back.

Reviews

• Georgy, Saratov. The car was purchased two years ago on the secondary market, in good condition. Despite the supported version, the snowmobile looks and behaves like new. Apparently it was really rarely used. Gasoline consumption is about 15-17 liters per 100 km. Can be filled with cheap 92-grade fuel. The car handles well and behaves predictably in corners. In general, it is unpretentious in maintenance and quite fast, despite only 60 horses under the hood. Since 2016 I have been using it for 8-9 months a year. The device confidently tows a loaded sled.
• Nikolay, Belgorod. Ease of control and low cost are the main advantages for which I purchased the BRP Skido Scandic SVT snowmobile. The car is inexpensive, and at the same time has good acceleration and traction characteristics. It is clear that this snowmobile is in many ways inferior to older BRP models, for example in terms of power. Gasoline consumption is at the level of 14 liters, so you can cover significant distances without refueling. In terms of cross-country ability, the car was not a success, as it quickly sits on its belly in deep snow. But along the well-trodden road, the device reveals itself to its full potential. I don’t plan to change the snowmobile yet, as it has an excellent ratio of quality, price and handling. So what if I have to buy original components, but I have confidence that the Scandic will serve me as long as possible.
• Igor, Pyatigorsk. My snowmobile will soon be three years old. This is my first such device. I decided to take a car from a well-known brand so that later there would be no problems with reliability. And I even spat on the weak engine, in which I was later disappointed. The snowmobile does not carry a heavy load at all; it drives lazily. There is no feeling of dynamics at all, and the engine doesn’t even run at all its 60 horsepower, but as if it were 30 horses, no more. The device slowly picks up speed, and at the same time consumes up to 20 liters per 100 km/h - this is at high speeds. During the first three seasons there were no breakdowns, but then some interruptions began with the electric starter, and I had to start it manually. The plastic skis cracked when I accidentally hit a big rock. The rear carriage is quite weak. In general, if you have to repair something, it is advisable to immediately contact a service center, since a snowmobile is very labor-intensive to maintain. It does not inspire any confidence, including due to expensive service repairs. For example, replacing just one windshield on Scandic costs 35 thousand rubles.
• Maxim, Leningrad region. The snowmobile came in handy for fishing and hunting needs. The device was recommended to me by friends who are also keen on hunting. I've been using it for two months. The used car so far satisfies all my needs, no matter where I am. The maximum speed is 80 km/h – that’s enough for me. The suspension is impenetrable, you don’t have to worry about overcoming various obstacles, deep snowdrifts, etc. I will note the comfortable seating position and the ability to raise the seat and steering wheel so that you can ride while standing. Due to the soft suspension, the snowmobile sometimes seems clumsy and unable to maneuver quickly. But the car smooths out all the bumps and allows you to move quietly and comfortably through the forest.