This year, I received an offer from SledMagazine.com that I could not refuse, the chance to attend the 2018 Snow Shoot in West Yellowstone, Montana. If you think this is some kind of vacation, you are wrong! We tested over 60 models in incredible surroundings, but we had lots of tasks to achieve during our stay and after we came back. We had to evaluate, to take photos of all trial machines all week long, to write reports about innovations and about some specific manufacturers. An article that our readers await for is about our 4 best picks, one for each manufacturer. It has not always been easy to choose, because each manufacturer develops different styles of machines and different technologies. My type of riding and my own preferences have influenced my choices. So, here are my best picks from Polaris, Arctic Cat, Yamaha and Ski-Doo for the next 2017-2018 snowmobile season.
Polaris 600 Switchback XCR SC Select
Polaris Titan Adventure 155 ES
It was not easy for me to choose my Polaris best pick. The new SKS has impressed me a lot with its off-trail maneuverability and its good performance on trail.
Polaris SKS 155 ES
However, I chose the 800 Switchback Assault 144 SC. There has been no technological modification compared with the 2017 edition. I had the chance to test this machine over many kilometers during the 2016-2017 season. Testing it again at the 2018 Snow Shoot made me confirm that this machine is truly my Polaris best pick. Its new 2018 style caught my attention with its yellow/black accents that provide very nice sport looks. This snowmobile is equipped with the Polaris 800 Cleanfire engine that offers good response when getting out of curves and increases our riding pleasure. What a beast!
Polaris 800 Switchback Assault 144 SC
Its track of 368 cm/144 in. is just aggressive enough to let us have fun in deeper snow without being an inconvenience when riding on trail. Its steering ergonomics allow us to switch easily from seated to standing position. Its Walker Evans suspension offers the proper comfort thanks to the multiple settings available to match our type of riding. I really adored piloting this bolid, this is why it is my Polaris best pick for 2018.
Polaris 800 Switchback Assault 144 SC
Yamaha
This year, Yamaha Snowmobile Division celebrates its 50th anniversary. Again, we have been impressed by its traditional colors, red/black/white, available on some models in Special Edition.
Yamaha Apex LE
Yamaha has even dared to introduce a new suspension technology, the YRSS (Yamaha Reactive Suspension System) on a snowmobile that will be offered for the last time and available only during Spring Power Surge. The 2018 Apex will be the last production of this model.
Yamaha Reactive Suspension System (YRSS)
Despite the Special 50th Anniversary Style and new suspension technology of the Apex, this is not my Yamaha favorite.
My 2018 Yamaha best pick is the new Sidewinder S-TX DX 146, a 1-up trail snowmobile made for comfortable long-distance rides. It is equipped with the famous turbocharged 998cc engine, the most powerful of its category. The power of this machine is so incredible, you better hold on tight to the handlebar before pushing the throttle! The cargo box on rear tunnel is great to store safety supply and luggage for a short trip. Also, the auxiliary 16-liter fuel tank brings a fuel autonomy of about 300 kilometers, which is advantageous during long-distance rides. This machine is really interesting to pilot, we do not feel the weight of its big 4-stroke engine. We get good stability in curves and it is does not require too much effort. The standard heated seat keeps us warm in extreme cold or at the end of a long ride when fatigue and moisture are felt. The riding position is also very comfortable. Those are the reasons why this is my 2018 Yamaha best pick. I would like to test it on longer distances because at the 2018 Snow Shoot, we had limited time to run our tests.
Yamaha Sidewinder S-TX DX
Arctic Cat
This year, Arctic Cat presents many innovations : a new youth segment with the ZR 200, the quick-attach side panels on most of the models, the new Ascender mountain chassis and its new 2-stroke engine with dual injection of the 8000 Series that reduces fuel consumption.
C-TEC2 engine of the 8000 Series
The 800cc C-TEC2 engine is designed and developed by Arctic Cat directly at their manufacture in Minnesota. I really adored the response of this engine that offers optimal acceleration at low and mid throttle. This is why my best pick is among the Arctic Cat 8000 Series.
Arctic Cat CrossTrek in action
I chose the 2018 Arctic Cat XF 8000 137 CrossTrek, a fantastic trail machine also efficient off trail. It is equipped with the Cobra track of 348 cm/137 in. with lug of 4,1 cm/1.6 in. The standard equipment includes mid-height windshield and mirrors, which is rather unusual on a crossover machine. It also offers a large storage bag on the tunnel. Its efficient engine, its maneuverability, its tunnel of 348 cm/137 in. and its standard accessories make this snowmobile very interesting for trail fans who sometimes like to ride in powder snow. This is why my 2018 Arctic Cat best pick is the XF 8000 137 CrossTrek.
Arctic Cat XF 8000 137 CrossTrek
Ski-Doo
This year, Ski-Doo continues to evolve and offers more models with its new 850 E-TEC engine on the new Gen4 REV platform. This chassis and the new 850 E-TEC engine that develops over 160 HP increase our riding fun on models equipped with these technologies. After putting to the test many models with these characteristics, it has not been easy to make my choice.
Renegade X 850 E-TEC
My heart hesitated between the Renegade X-RS and the Renegade X, because I prefer longer tunnel of 348 cm/137 in. and over. These 2 snowmobiles met my requirements : comfort on trail, standard equipment and multi-function gauge.
Renegade X-RS 850 E-TEC
The X-RS is much more rigid than the Renegade X. It has been designed more specifically for racing and it is particularly agile in bumps.
Renegade X-RS 850 E-TEC in bumps
The rMotion suspension on both machines provides incredible comfort on more frequented trails. The suspension of the Renegade X with HPG Plus shocks versus the KYB Pro 36 suspension of the X-RS, offers more comfort when riding at lower speed. The performance of the 850 E-TEC engine makes it incredibly fun to pilot.
KYB Pro 36 Suspension
The model I tested was black, but when I saw the new Hyper Silver/Manta Green colors, my heart felt for the Renegade X-RS 850 E-TEC… Wow! What a machine, even if I am not too enthusiastic about extreme trail riding.
Renegade X-RS 850 E-TEC
These best picks are based on my own preferences, my personality and my type of riding. All 4 manufacturers offer plenty of innovations and new colors for the next season that will please all types of snowmobilers.
You make your choice now!
Have a great 2018 season!
