2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE ACE 900 Snowmobile Review

A REAL WORKHORSE

Great helper

With a Skandic snowmobile you can easily carry out complex work tasks even in the most remote corners of the snowy expanses. Transport firewood, get to a hut in the middle of snowy silence, go hunting or fishing - thanks to Skandic, all this work will be completed successfully.

Scandic's REV Gen4 snowmobiles are purpose-built for a wide variety of conditions, with wide tracks for superior deep snow performance and exceptional traction when hauling heavy loads. This is a true workhorse with incredible comfort and a reliable Rotax engine.

NO OBSTACLES ON THE WAY

Excellent maneuverability

The Skandic snowmobile is equipped with a wide track with a large contact patch, making driving in deep snow easy and comfortable. You can easily overcome all the snowdrifts even with a loaded trailer.

CREATED FOR THOSE WHO WORK WITH CONSCIENCE

Iron Grit

Skandic snowmobiles were developed specifically for work trips on difficult terrain. Just like you, this sled never tires; its ultra-reliable Rotax engine makes even work-related tasks seem like fun.

Engine

The machine is equipped with a powerful four-stroke engine with a three-cylinder layout. The power output of the engine reaches 90 horsepower. Among the main features of the engine compared to its competitors, we highlight record fuel efficiency - average gasoline consumption reaches only 11 liters per 100 kilometers. We also note the high traction characteristics due to the high torque. The last factor indicates trouble-free overcoming of any obstacles, as well as the ability to move uphill or tow heavy trailers. Among the undeniable advantages, we also note the very quiet operation of the motor, which is very rare for such a design. The four-stroke engine is considered technically superior to the two-stroke engine. In addition, it is more economical and environmentally friendly than a 2-stroke engine, and it has greater overclocking potential.

UNIVERSAL SNOWMOBILE FOR WORK AND REST

Rear suspension SC-5U

Universal suspension, suitable for work and leisure trips. You will be equally comfortable both on the track and in deep snow. The articulated guide will provide high maneuverability when reversing in deep snow or blocking during towing.

Reviews

• Andrey, Lipetsk region. The car was purchased in 2016 at a good discount. The technology pleased us with its high torque and great traction. Actually, that's why I bought it. For me, the most important thing is transporting goods, towing trailers or pulling vehicles out of ruts. The car copes with this with a bang. It has a stylish design, and a high windshield protects my face from headwinds and snow. Therefore, from the point of view of ergonomics and load capacity, everything is excellent. There are problems with reliability, but only in the chassis. The caterpillars are especially capricious - after all, I often move off-road, and sometimes I come across obstacles hidden under deep snow. On a well-trodden road such problems do not arise. Handling is quite predictable and the engine is powerful but noisy and vibrates. I will praise the car primarily for its carrying capacity, and here the Skido Scandic is a worthy workhorse.
• Konstantin, Priozersk. There are several things I don't like about this car. First of all, these are handling, build quality, slippery seat and low ground clearance. The front turning skis are very fragile - in two years of use I have already replaced two sets of skis, this is inexplicable at all. Fuel consumption exceeds 20 liters, and this is oh, how far from the official figures - the developers are talking about a sky-high 10 liters. One marketing. The design of the model was impressive - well, as I say, it’s just marketing. Poor handling is further worsened by engine noise and vibrations that transfer to the steering column. Unfortunately, the snowmobile was not a success. I will sell it to my friend, he needs a device with a high load capacity - the car did not let me down in this discipline. But I need a more balanced snowmobile, suitable for active riding, to enjoy fast riding. But unfortunately, serious skidding and slipping on this car does not inspire optimism.
• Vasily, Krasnodar region. Skido Scandic SVT 900ACE is a productive machine with many pros and cons. It cost me 1.2 million rubles, and, in my opinion, the price is greatly overpriced. The device is not intended for active driving, and is more configured for off-road driving, with large trailers and loads. A kind of workhorse, which is an analogue of a mini-truck with a tracked chassis instead of wheels. Practicality is top notch. This applies not only to cross-country ability, but also to convenient and ergonomic devices that will never go blind in the sun. The car looks stylish and original. It handles predictably, but the heavy and tight steering wheel does not allow you to quickly take turns. The snowmobile does not have the ideal balance between handling and comfort, and this is a clear disadvantage. I liked that the seat has a passenger backrest, as well as the functions of heating the gas trigger and steering wheel for low temperatures. Fuel consumption is about 20 liters per 100 km.

CONVENIENCE OF TRANSPORTING HEAVY LOADS

Easy Shift Transmission

Easy shifting and a wide range of gear ratios. Ideal for towing heavy loads due to its ability to withstand high loads. An optimized lubrication system guarantees ultra-high reliability and makes the mechanism almost silent. The convenient HLN gearbox is equipped with a reverse function, which can be activated at the touch of a button.

2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE ACE 900 Snowmobile Review

Grand Touring comfort and spaciousness at its finest.

Wide and generously equipped are the first adjectives that come to mind when looking at the 2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE 900 ACE.

Ski-Doo Grand Touring to the extreme . In other words, the Expedition SE (SE - Special Edition) is at the very top of the line of sport-utility bench models. There are three versions of this model for the 2015 model year, starting with the budget Expedition Sport and ending with this "more of everything" SE version. The Expedition LE sits between the Sport and SE, sharing the latter's long and widened REV-XU platform. The Sport's design uses a lighter, narrower chassis, which helps keep the model's price lower. You can add accessories and increase the price, but the basic equipment of this 900 ACE-powered model is very impressive.

The Ski-Doo Expedition series combines the convenience and features of Grand Touring with the essential components for off-road performance and practicality.

With 90 horsepower on tap, the 900 ACE's four-stroke, three-cylinder engine does a very good job of propelling this 313-pound sled. The overall performance of the machine leaves a very pleasant impression. The snowmobile starts very smoothly and goes well at medium speeds. Don't expect crazy speeds from this model, as it was never designed for that.

The machine is designed for excellent low-speed performance and strong low-end power, and to achieve this, a synchromesh two-speed transmission has been borrowed from sister company Lynx. It was Lynx (before its acquisition by Ski-Doo) that developed the first such transmission in 1987. It has become standard on Ski-Doo and Lynx sport-utility snowmobiles for off-road riding. Other manufacturers use high- and low-gear designs, but only the Lynx version offers the smooth shifting characteristic of synchromesh transmissions. A big plus for the Expedition.

The 900 ACE's four-stroke, three-cylinder engine runs through a synchromesh, two-speed, reverse gearbox that was first developed in the 1980s by Lynx.

The Expedition is a large utility sled designed to carry multiple people and cargo, so the rear suspension not only accommodates a large 20-inch wide by 154-inch long track, but also has articulated mounts. , which allows the track to climb up and over obstacles when the snowmobile backs up. It also improves snow traction when the snowmobile starts off with a sled in tow.

We didn't drive with a load towed during our test drive, but that certainly won't be an issue as the transmission is very smooth with the torque of the ACE 900 engine and engages at just 2,200 rpm. It is designed for a maximum speed of 7250 rpm, which is significantly less than the maximum speed of the Rotax 600 ETEC - 8100 rpm. But with this engine, the Expedition would rev to 3,000 rpm before moving off. So that's another advantage of the ACE engine in the Expedition SE 900 ACE.

As a sport-utility sled, the Expedition should meet all the expectations of such a versatile machine. A snowmobile should be comfortable for hauling wood and other cargo, delivering essentials to campsites, and transporting people to and from destinations. Expedition SE fully meets these requirements.

Ski-Doo uses a double A-arm front suspension with spring-loaded Motion Control shocks that control 211 millimeters of travel.

But the sled also needs to be smooth and comfortable, qualities borrowed from Ski-Doo's touring models. The manufacturer perfectly understands the essence of such snowmobiles, which is evident in the Grand Touring series. The Expedition is built on the bulkier, utilitarian REV-XU chassis, but the sled shares features with the wide and comfortable Grand Touring SE 1200 4TEC. For example, while the double A-arm front suspension uses basic Motion Control shock absorbers, the rear articulated suspension features an air shock absorber. In addition, you can adjust the position of the steering wheel by choosing one of four available positions. The windshield height is 584 millimeters, which provides excellent protection from the wind, and heated passenger grips will make travel much more comfortable for the passenger. Moreover, the backrest can be adjusted.

Since the sled is equipped with the 900 ACE engine, the rider will have several additional toys at his disposal. By pressing a button on the console, you can switch between three driving modes: Standard, Sport and ECO. Standard mode will suit most situations, while Sport mode will hold gears longer. The ECO mode can be useful when there is no need to rush, but you need to drive quite a lot, while refueling infrequently. In this mode, fuel consumption is as efficient as possible.

In addition, on models with the ACE 900, the throttle trigger design can be rotated, allowing you to press the gas with your thumb or the rest of your palm. This helps reduce stress on your hand and allows you to throttle more efficiently when riding in difficult snow.

The Expedition SE has plenty of room for two. The snowmobile is also equipped with a 203 mm handlebar stand, a mountain sling and durable footpegs with holes for snow dumping.

Once again we are convinced that Ski-Doo designers understand the needs and desires of snowmobile drivers no worse than other manufacturers, and in some ways even better. Perhaps it's the heritage of the company, which has been producing snowmobiles since 1949. Either way, the Expedition SE demonstrates the manufacturer's understanding of what it takes to create a great niche sled.

Who will buy this snowmobile? The circle of potential buyers for this car is small, but they will choose this model because of its ability to move on any snow. Expedition SE can perform equally well on neat trails with packed snow as well as on snow-covered, difficult terrain. The snowmobile is fueled with regular 87-octane gasoline, and a fan-cooled radiator will prevent the car from overheating in warm weather or when there is not enough snow. With a 650-watt magneto, the 900 ACE engine provides plenty of power for accessories. The luggage space under the seat does not affect ride comfort in any way and will allow you to take quite a lot of things on the road. The vertical travel of the snowmobile's front suspension is 211 millimeters, and the rear suspension is 340 millimeters.

The Expedition SE has no problem with storage space, with a large rear storage bin and roomy underseat storage.

Not everyone will like the 2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE 900 ACE, but those who need such a machine will appreciate the practicality, reliability and comfort of this model.