During the last season, SledMagazine.com had the opportunity to run a long-term trial of the brand new 2016 Ski-Doo Renegade Enduro 1200. This model made for adventure fans is designed to offer more comfort and better performances during long rides. With its robust and hybrid construction, this is the perfect snowmobile for off-trail escapes. The standard Renegade Enduro is equipped with many 2016 Ski-Doo innovations such as the Pilot TS skis, the iTC system and with the REV-XS chassis for the 1200 4-TEC model. This is an impressive snowmobile on paper, but will the riding experience meet our expectations during a whole season ? This is what our long-term trial final report will tell you.
The Pilot TS skis are the most important innovation from Ski-Doo for 2016. Using a knob located on the ski leg, the snowmobiler can raise or lower the runner to get the appropriate bite. This is very useful when trail conditions change during a day. In the past, we had to adjust the suspension to modify the steering effort. With the Pilot TS skis, this adjustment is made in a few seconds. After some tests, the adjustment becomes natural and easy. We believe that the ideal adjustment is to get just enough bite to keep the machine from sliding sideways in curves with minimal steering effort. This is mostly important on hard surfaces. The Pilot TS skis are a very nice innovation that improved our riding experience.
Another great innovation for 2016, the 1200 4-TEC engine is now equipped with the iTC system (intelligent Throttle Control) with 3 driving modes. We really appreciated the Standard mode, mostly on sinuous trails in forest. This allows the snowmobile to accelerate more softly with less bouncing, which produces a more predictable riding. On Sport mode, accelerations are much quicker and offer the best adrenalin rushes to the pilot. Thanks to the electronic control and the smaller crankcase, the engine responds 45 % quicker. It is noticeable at low speed or during accelerations. As we have piloted snowmobiles equipped with the 1200 4-TEC engine right from its introduction in 2009, it is clear to us that the iTC system has highly improved the engine efficiency.
Eagerly awaited by snowmobilers, snowmobiles equipped with the 1200 4-TEC engine such as the Renegade Enduro are now built on the REV-XS chassis. Along with a trendy and sport look, the REV-XS offers a much wider range of accessories. Our trial snowmobile was in fact equipped with many of these accessories. The wind protection is also excellent. The Renegade Enduro is also equipped with the rMotion rear suspension with Air Ride shock, which allows its preload adjustment with a flick of a switch. We also noticed that the HPG PLUS front shocks are very well calibrated. The 137 in / 348 cm Ice Ripper XT is a factory pre-studded track. Considering the special snow cover of last winter, these studs were really needed for a much safer ride.
All season long, we have been impressed by the efficiency, the comfort and the performance of the Renegade Enduro 1200. This snowmobile is definitely an excellent choice for long ride fans. Its sport, robust and hybrid aspects are very positive elements. We appreciate that its standard equipment is complete. To enhance the riding experience, Ski-Doo will add for 2017 standard heated seat, the only piece of equipment we missed. The 2016 Renegade Enduro 1200 has definitely exceeded our expectations. We are very thankful to BRP Ski-Doo for the snowmobile we used during this long-term trial.
