The 2016 Snow Shoot is over now and time has come to present my best picks for 2016 snowmobiles. Firstly, I would like to say that this year, our team SledMagazine.com has worked jointly with the team Motoneige Québec. Effectively, all of us shared the trials in two specific groups : on-trail and off-trail.
Even if a total of 85 different models have been tested, each pilot has tried out only 40 to 45 models… Personally, I shared my time between on-trail and off-trail trials. Those who read me since a long time know it, I am first and foremost a trail snowmobiler. So, I have not been able to test all trail models but nevertheless I had the chance to pilot a large number of them. I chose my best picks only among the models I personally tried out. This said, let’s get started.
Arctic Cat
As always, the manufacturer from Thief River Falls presents, among the 4 manufacturers, the largest number of 2016 models… There is such a wide choice that we could say it is tailor-made… Two models have particularly caught my attention, the XF 6000 CrossTrek and the ZR 6000 El Tigre. You have surely noticed that these are two models equipped with the C-TEC2 6000 engine. All test pilots from SledMagazine.com and Motoneige Québec have been greatly surprised by the performances of this engine. Moreover, I find it more pleasant to ride since there are less emissions than the 8000 built by Suzuki, and it seems lighter. We could also consider the 7000 engine built by Yamaha but its performances are less interesting and it is heavier.
Arctic Cat ZR 6000 El Tigre 2016
The CrossTrek characteristics are very interesting for the Québec market. It is designed for adventure with its 25 cm windshield, its mirrors, its tunnel and rear storage bags and its Cobra track of 126 x 15 x 1,5 in.
The ZR 6000 El Tigre offers a more rebel style… Same windshield, optional mirrors, one tunnel bag and a Ripsaw track of 121 x 15 x 1,25 in. It is easy and very pleasant to ride these two models. Both have a precise riding. When trails became bumpier, each snowmobile met my expectations by attacking bumps without hesitation.
Arctic Cat XF 6000 CrossTrek 2016
However, I had some problem choosing my 2016 favorite. I considered the type of ride I mostly practice during a season and it helped me find my 2016 best pick, the XF 6000 CrossTrek. Effectively, its characteristics are more adapted for long rides. Also, its bridge is slightly longer, which will allow me to follow my friends more easily off-trail if the opportunity occurs.
Polaris
This year, Polaris hits hard with the introduction of its AXYS chassis in a new edition designed only for the mountain snowmobiles. This winter, I had the opportunity twice to test the new Polaris mountain machines. Each time, the 800 SKS 155 proved that it was the most suitable for my rather limited skills in mountain snowmobiling. Effectively, the larger stance of the skis at front gives me more stability. But I must say that my 2016 Polaris best pick is not a mountain model…
Once again, I have been impressed by two Polaris models, the 600 Indy SP and the 800 Switchback Pro-S. When I sat on the 600 Indy SP on the last half-day of tests, I never expected to consider it among my Polaris favorites. I turned on the engine and right from the first kilometer, I have been knocked out… Wow! How can a snowmobile with a retail price of less than 10 300 $ CAN provide such a great riding experience? The 600 Cleanfire engine, the Indy suspension and the Pro-Ride chassis do the job… There is no sophisticated equipment on this entry-level model but you will live something special. If you are looking for a new snowmobile that will give you big fun on trail and if your budget is limited, you must absolutely consider the 600 Indy SP before making up your mind.
Polaris 600 Indy SP 2016
Even if the 600 Indy SP has shaken my convictions, the 800 Switchback Pro-S is once again my best pick for 2016. The power of the 800 Cleanfire engine, the performance of the AXYS chassis and the efficiency of the suspension of this model put a big smile on my face. Furthermore, the skis remain constantly and firmly planted even when negotiating sharp bends. The riding position is very comfortable, which highly reduces fatigue on long rides. In brief, this is my 2016 Polaris best pick.
Polaris 800 Switchback Pro-S 2016
Ski-Doo
Last year, the new Renegade X-RS 800 E-TEC was my favorite by far. I awaited this model for many years. When Ski-Doo presented their models on mid-January, I was not prepared for the introduction of the Renegade Enduro. The characteristics of this new model make it suitable for all the types of ride I like. My first contact with this package on January had seduced me. Was it just a flash in the pan or would the flame still burn when I would try it out again at the Snow Shoot? This question haunted me during the last 5 or 6 weeks…
Ski-Doo Renegade X-RS 800 E-TEC 2016
During the tests of the Renegade X-RS 800 E-TEC and the Renegade Enduro 800 E-TEC, their performance on trail have been quite perfect. The rMotion suspension, the Pilot TS skis, the Rotax 800 E-TEC engine provide similar performance and handling to both models. In terms of graphics, the X-RS is very attractive; however, some features of the Enduro such as the taller windshield, the front bumper and the Ice Ripper track, make it more user friendly.
Once again, in order to make the right choice, I must consider the overall usage of my snowmobile during a whole season… If the X-RS package is perfectly adapted to groomed trail riding, no matter its conditions, we can see however that it is not as versatile as the Renegade Enduro package is. I live in eastern Québec where I can easily go snowmobiling on-trail and off-trail and where I often start my season in November even if trails are not groomed yet. And since I like big-mile rides, I conclude that the Renegage Enduro 800 E-TEC is more adapted to my needs, which makes it my 2016 Ski-Doo best pick.
Ski-Doo Renegade Enduro 800 E-TEC 2016
Yamaha
Before Yamaha presented their 2016 lineup, who could have said that the RS Vector could be my best pick this year? Certainly not me!!! Well, I was wrong! The new Single Shot suspension confused the issue, so did the improvements brought to the Genesis engine and the introduction of the D-Mode system.
On our second morning of trials at the Snow Shoot, as I was comfortably seated on a RS Vector X-TX, I pushed the throttle and I was far from expecting the upcoming experience… Effectively, the riding position seems somewhat retro compared with the FX Nytro and SRViper I rode during the last three seasons. Ok, my snowmobiling companions are leaving on the trail and I am going too. What is happening? I am totally astonished. The performance of the RS Vector pleases me right away… In a turn, I get inside the marks left by the surfacer in order to negotiate stutter bumps. Conclusive test. I take the following turn but at a faster speed… Same conclusion! The Single Shot suspension of 146 in./370 cm makes me quickly forget the Mono Shock found on the Vector.
Yamaha RS Vector X-TX 2016
In terms of engine, in Sport mode, the performances seem better than the ones provided by the previous generation of the Genesis engine. Improvements are subtle but real. A little more punch at start and throttle responses that are a little stronger. While I am riding, I surprise myself thinking about trying out this model for a 400-500 km ride next winter…
On the last morning of trials, a SRViper R-TX SE is among our snowmobile line. Until then, I did not have the opportunity to test a trail SRViper… Only some M-TX models (mountain). The trail has not been groomed last night, so it is bumpy almost all the way. Nice conditions to test the suspensions!
The SRViper R-TX SE performance impressed me in this type of trail. Despite a slight tendancy for ski-lift in aggressive cornering, it remains very predictable. The suspension is efficient and the engine delivers good performances with strong throttle responses when exiting curves. I had a lot of fun riding this snowmobile in this type of trail. In brief, the SRViper R-TX SE seduced me and for these reasons, this is my 2016 Yamaha best pick.
Conclusion
This concludes the presentation of my 2016 best picks following the tests I ran at the Snow Shoot. There are a few snowmobile models I did not have the chance to test, but I do not believe this had an important impact on my final choices.
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