For the 2017 snowmobile season, Groupe Contant provided me with a 2017 Grand Touring SE 900 ACE for a long-term trial. I had already piloted Grand Touring SE 1200 models in the past, but the most recent was a 2014 model. So, I was eager to see the differences with the new chassis, the TS skis and the 900 ACE engine.
The Grand Touring SE 900 ACE is similar to the Grand Touring SE 1200, except for the engine.
I have always been attracted by the Grand Touring SE mainly for its air control suspension and its numerous standard features.
I must say that at first, I had doubts about piloting a snowmobile equipped with the 900 ACE engine as I was used to more powerful engines.
After more than 8 000 kilometers, I assure you that my fear was unfounded.
This is a very silent, agile and economical snowmobile. I had so much fun riding this machine.
Here are the main reasons that made my test so enjoyable.
The snowmobile
The main characteristics are :
- rMotion suspension
- Air control suspension (ACS)
- RAS 2 front suspension
- Finger throttle
- 900 ACE engine with iTC
- Pilot TS skis
- Silent Drive System
- Luxury heated seat for pilot and passenger
- Side cases and tunnel bag
- Multi-function analog and digital gauge
- REV-XS chassis
- 2 mirrors
- Extra-tall windshield
- Silent Drive RipSaw track of 31,8 mm/1.25 in.
iTC System
The iTC System and the 2 positions
I liked piloting with the wireless electronic throttle named iTC (intelligent Throttle Control) that is incredibly smooth for the thumb. Moreover, we can rotate it and pilot with our fingers instead of our thumb. Pressure is really low on the thumb, so it gets less tired than before.
The progressiveness of the lever is very different from a traditional wire throttle. Response is quicker, mostly in the Sport mode I will describe later. Those who have piloted BRP 1200 cc models of the past years know that when we let go the throttle, there is a compression effect that slows down the snowmobile; I often used it to slow down before a curve or to stop at a crossing. With the iTC technology, this effect does not exist. So, we must let go the throttle sooner or else, we would use brakes more often than usual. Once used to this reaction, it is a wonderful system as precise as a traditional throttle.
The iTC technology offers 3 driving modes.
In Sport mode, with full available power, accelerations are very good and pickups are strong.
In Standard mode, accelerations are a little less instant and they are smoother. In fact, we must push harder on the throttle to get the same accelerations than in Sport mode.
The switch that controls the 3 driving modes
I noticed a very small difference of fuel consumption between the Sport mode and the Standard mode.
In ECO mode, the fuel consumption and the performance of the snowmobile are reduced. I did not really test this mode.
The BRP 900 ACE engines are efficient with Octane 87 fuel.
To compare, I tried the Super fuel and I did not really notice any difference of performance and fuel consumption.
Clutches, muffler and Silent Drive System
This snowmobile is equipped with the eDrive 2 drive clutch, well calibrated with the driven clutch.
The muffler provides a low and pleasant sound that complies with environmental standards. Nobody can complain about the noise produced by this engine.
The eDrive 2 clutch
To reduce noise and vibrations at our feet, BRP has used different sprockets and the Silent Drive RipSaw track of 31,8 mm/1.25 in.
I noticed that compared with other snowmobiles, this track was more silent.
All is so smooth and silent that from a certain speed, we only hear the sound of the wind hitting our helmet.
The track has studs of 31,8 mm/1.25 in., which makes a big difference with those of the past years that were studs of 25,4 mm/1 in. I did not have to worry when riding in deep snow, the traction was good.
In option, the Silent Drive Ice Ripper XT track is offered.
Comfort and suspension
The pilot seat is very comfortable and we can move easily when riding more aggressively. As the seat is smooth, snow is more easily removed and the seat does not remain wet. Furthermore, the seat is heated.
The passenger seat with backrest is also very comfortable, it is heated and so are the handles. These two features are very appreciated by the passenger. As they do not move a lot, many passengers get cold. My spouse has really enjoyed this seat.
photo5 Both seats with backrest
The rMotion rear suspension has air control shock. We know that the rMotion suspension is very well calibrated to face any type of trail and the air shock improves it even more with 5 preload settings to choose directly on the handle. It is very comfortable 1- or 2-up. We finish our ride without being exhausted by the bad trail conditions we may have experienced.
I noticed another usage of this shock. When we increase the pressure on it, the rear end of the snowmobile is lifted and it puts more pressure on skis, which increases the performance of the machine in sinuous trails.
The rMotion with air shock
REV-XS chassis
I thought that it would be colder with the REV-XS chassis than with the REV-XM chassis, because it is a little narrower, but it was not colder. The air deflectors and the ultra-tall windshield gave me very good protection against cold without reducing my vision. I really liked it in extreme cold temperatures.
The windshield and the REV-XS chassis
Switches and mirrors
The switches to operate the numerous equipments of the snowmobile are not located at the same place than on the previous models. The heated grip and thumb switches are easy to reach and we can read their heating level on the digital gauge.
To adjust the suspension, we must slightly move our hand to reach the button located on top of the handle that activates the adjustment and then, we modify the settings with the heated grip switch.
The switches
The switches are backlited, so they are easy to find in darkness and we can remain focussed on the trail in front of us.
Another feature I liked is that it is very easy to adjust the angle of the beam of light. We only have to open the box above the multi-function gauge and the adjustment lever is there; it takes only a few seconds.
Lever to adjust the head lamps
The mirrors are strongly attached to the deflectors on each side of the windshield, without any vibration. They offer an excellent lateral vision and they are adjustable.
Pilot TS skis
Last winter, I had tried the TS skis, so this season I was used to these skis and again, I appreciated them.
The Pilot TS skis let us adjust the runner depth to the trail conditions. Considering the winter we had, I have been able to try these skis in all trail conditions. In thick powder snow or on wet trail, where other snowmobiles were understeering, I was able to find the proper calibration to really stick to the trail. It was very easy to adjust.
If your skis are correctly adjusted, there will be no darting or it will be so minimal that it will not be annoying.
These skis are really convenient because trail conditions change during a day and they let you keep the best control possible of your machine.
The Pilot TS skis
Conclusion
The Grand Touring SE 900 ACE is really a wonderful snowmobile to pilot, solo or 2-up.
If you ride alone, you can remove the passenger seat; it gives a new look and more cargo space.
Its standard equipments include side cases and a hard-top tunnel bag.
A special bag is available to replace the seat, which is the Modular extension bag for tunnel. I would refer you to my article recently published on this web site.
This snowmobile offers lots of standard equipments and a fantastic air control suspension.
The machine offers an excellent fuel consumption for a larger fuel autonomy.
Two options are available for the Grand Touring SE 900 ACE that improve it even more and I would like these features to be standard :
1) Silent Drive Ice Ripper track. Considering the winters we had these last years, trails are often icy and since I tried it on other snowmobiles, I know that this track is effective and makes our rides more enjoyable.
2) Air radiator kit. Trails are often icy or without snow (trail along a road, trail cleared of snow for car traffic, etc.). This additional radiator gives us peace of mind. I have also tried this kit on another snowmobile and it is really effective.
To conclude, I would like to thank the BRP dealer GROUPE CONTANT who made this long-term trial possible. I invite you to visit their web site www.contant.ca and/or one of their dealerships in Laval, Mirabel, Sainte-Agathe and Vaudreuil to see Ski-Doo snowmobiles and other BRP products.
