Nothing is better than going snowmobiling in total comfort. The Grand Touring SE, with its feaatures and its rMotion air control suspension, fulfills this requirement.
As demanded by many snowmobilers, Ski-Doo has added the 900 ACE edition to the very popular Grand Touring SE models, the most luxury 2-up touring snowmobile. The 1200 E-TEC version is available since many years and it remains the most powerful engine of the Grand Touring lineup.
2017 Grand Touring SE 900 ACE
This snowmobile offers plenty of standard features and is perfect for long-distance rides. Here are its main characteristics :
- 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.
Here is an analysis of the main characteristics.
iTC System
This snowmobile is equipped with the wireless electronic throttle called iTC (intelligent Throttle Control). There is no throttle wire anymore and it should provide quicker pickups with less efforts from the thumb. Also, we can rotate it to be operated with the thumb or the fingers.
iTC throttle and its 2 positions
The iTC System offers 3 driving modes :
- Sport mode, the most powerful one;
- Standard mode, for more linear accelerations;
- ECO mode for maximal fuel economy.
The switch that controls the 3 driving modes and the switch for the pilot heated seat
During my tests, I am going to check the different performances of the 900 ACE engine in accordance with the selected mode and the effect of on fuel consumption.
Clutches and engine
The 900 ACE engine is famous for its smoothness, its performance, its low fuel consumption and its low noise. And it is very easy to check the oil level of the engine; the dip stick is located near the driven clutch directly in front of us.
The driven clutch is the eDrive 2, proven since many years on this engine.
During the season, I will be able to check its smoothess and its sound level, and also I will see if the clutching system is well calibrated for optimal performance of the 900 ACE edition.
The dip stick (yellow tip) for to check oil level
eDrive 2 transmission
Silent Drive System
At higher speed, the noise producted by a snowmobile comes more from the track than from the engine itself. Considering that regulations are more severe than ever, manufacturers have developed new technolcoglies to reduce these emissions.
One of these technologies is the Silent Drive System present on the Grand Touring SE model with 900 ACE engine. According to BRP, this system significantly reduces the noise and vibrations produced by the track and sprockets.
The track is a RipSaw of 348 cm/31,8 mm (137 in./1.25 in.). During my tests, I will check if the Silent Drive System is really efficient and if the track makes our rides more pleasant in matter of noise.
Comfort, suspension and steering
The pilot and passenger seats are heated, with independant controls. Also, the passenger seat is equipped with a very comfortable adjustable backrest.
The pilot has heated thumb and grips while the passenger has heated grips, with independant controls.
The rear suspension is the rMotion with adjustable air control shock (ACS). It is easy and quick to adjust it by controls on the handlebar. The front suspension is the RAS 2 with HPG shocks, which should offer better control in big bumps and more stable cornering in aggressive riding.
I will also evaluate the steering, suspension and heated features all winter long, alone or with a passenger.
rMotion suspension
The snowmobile is equipped with new Pilot TS skis. With a knob located on the ski leg, the pilot can adjust the height of the runner in 20 different settings in accordance with the required grip in turns. The square shape of the keel of the Pilot TS ski is designed to reduce darting to the minimum.
I can’t wait to test these skis in various conditions and to see which are the best settings.
Pilot TS skis
Other standard features
As it is a SE model, this snowmobile is fully equipped.
The multi-function gauge is both analog and digital. Backlited switches are located on the handles.
The gauge provides many data :
- Mileage
- Speed
- Engine RPM
- Heated thumb and grip heat level
- Actual time
- Fuel level
- Engine temperature
- etc.
Analog and digital multi-function gauge
I know you will like to be able to adjust very easily the light beam. We only have to open the box above the multi-function gauge and the adjustment lever is right in front of us.
Personally, I will like it because I always look for the best possible lighting.
Light adjustment
The large mirrors are well located on each side of the windshield. This snowmobile is mounted on a REV-XS chassis and equipped with the extra-tall windshield, which should keep us warm. I will be able to report about this after riding in different conditions.
REV-XS chassis and the extra-tall windshield
A large storage capacity is offered by 2 side cases, a semi-rigid tunnel bag and a box at front.
Three rear bags
Conclusion
Here is a summary of the characteristics we are going to check out during our long-term trial :
- Overall performance on trail of the rear rMotion air control suspension
- Performance on trail of the RAS 2 front suspension and HPG shocks
- Performance on trail of the new Pilot TS skis
- Wind protection and ergonomy of the REV-XS chassis
- Performance of the engine in the 3 driving modes of the iTC system
- Fuel consumption
- Clutches calibration
- Overall reliability of the snowmobile
- Comfort with a passenger aboard
This snowmobile seems to be made to please touring snowmobilers and their passenger. I am eager to share with you my impressions all season long.
Finally, I would like to thank our partner Groupe Contant for this snowmobile and their trust for our long-term trial.
Please follow this trial on SledMagazine.com and on our Facebook page.
