Once again this year, I have the great privilege of testing a new snowmobile as part of the long-term trial program. It’s also for a third consecutive year with our partner Les Motoneiges Géro, a BRP dealership in St-Jean-de-Matha.
Our test model is one of the most popular on Quebec’s trails, the Ski-Doo Renegade X with 900 ACE with a turbo engine. Here are its main features.
The Renegade X 900 ACE Turbo
900 ACE Turbo Engine
For 2021, you have a choice of 3 engines: 850 E-TEC, 600R E-TEC and 900 ACE Turbo. We are testing the 900 ACE Turbo.
The 900 ACE Turbo engine made a very noteworthy entry into the Ski-Doo lineup in 2019. Highly appreciated by enthusiasts of the brand, this engine offers a power of 150 HP, about 20 more than its venerable predecessor, the 1200 4-TEC. Equipped with the ITC intelligent throttle and pDrive pulley, the 900 ACE Turbo engine offers significantly more power and torque to satisfy the vast majority of performance enthusiasts.
For this test, it is important to note that the Turbo 900 ACE engine is not a regular 900 ACE nor the naturally aspirated 900 ACE engine that has been renewed for 2019. It has been specially designed to handle all the additional power produced by the Turbo. Therefore, the mechanical components are much more robust to ensure performance, reliability and durability.
Our test model is equipped with Ski-Doo’s pDrive pulley, which allows the 900 ACE Turbo engine to transmit all its power to the track with great efficiency.
Speaking of tracks, you have the choice of 3 models, either the standard Ripsaw 137X15X1.25, the optional Ice Ripper XT 137X15X1.25 or the Ice Ripper XT 137X15X1.50. Les Motoneiges Géro provided us with the Ice Ripper 137X15X1.25.
Ice Ripper Track
REV Gen4 Expanded Chassis
Just like since 2019, Ski-Doo snowmobiles equipped with a 900 ACE Turbo engine are assembled on the REV GEN 4 expanded chassis. Because the side panels are wider than the narrow version for E-TEC motors, it offers additional protection against wind and adverse weather conditions.
We still have the same ergonomics with the Ergo-Step panels that allow us to move easily on the snowmobile. The look is awe-inspiring and will turn heads. The front grill’s design with the Turbo air cooler and the “X” on the front grill shows a very sporty side.
REV Gen4 Expanded Chassis
Standard Equipment
The Renegade X 900 ACE Turbo features a 7.2-inch digital display gauge. This new LCD gauge is fully digital and customizable. It has the advantage of being easy to read and automatically adjusts to changes in ambient light. Whether you’re standing or sitting, it offers excellent visibility of all the snowmobile’s driving and operating parameters.
Digital display gauge
You also have an electric starter and a mechanical reverse gear.
Being a high-performance snowmobile, you must be able to slow down effectively. The Ski-Doo team has installed a BREMBO caliper racing brake with stainless steel woven conduit on the Renegade X.
The X version of the Renegade line has an adjustable elevation block that allows, without tools, to customize the position of the 4-inch handlebars, either forward or backward, depending on the rider’s preference. It’s a nice addition when you want to ride sporty (forward) or a little more relaxed (backward).
Adjustable handles, windshield and mirrors
Suspension
Our test snowmobile has the all-new suspension: RAS X for the front, rMotion X for the rear and a new Pilot X ski.
The RAS X type suspension with HPG PLUS shock absorbers, which offers 1 inch more travel than the RAS 3, allows you to change the spacing between the skis by offering three possibilities: 42.1 – 43.0 – 43.9 inches. Usually, a 42.4-inch spacing is present on the majority of other BRP snowmobiles.
RAS X
At the rear, we have a 137-inch rMotion X suspension coupled with a HPG PLUS shock absorber at the front and a KYB PRO 36 Easy shock adjusted at the rear. It can be adjusted in 22 positions for rebound with a spanner on the shock absorber. The Renegade X’s rear suspension’s standard quality and performance are some of the key elements that define the sporty side of this model. These new suspensions should increase our comfort, offer superior trail control and better weight transfer.
R Motion X and rear shock adjustment
R Motion X and rear shock adjustment
R Motion X and rear shock adjustment
Options
This year, thanks to our partner, Les Motoneiges Géro, we have the chance to try out many accessories with the snowmobile. Here is the list:
- LED auxiliary headlight system
- LED long-range headlight
- Tunnel snow scraper
- Adjustable windshield from medium to high (19 in. to 23 in.)
- Windshield mirrors
- Visor Socket
- LinQ System
- 21-litre SR 21 LinQ bag supplied by BRP
Each of these accessories will be the subject of comments in our test reports and videos that will be produced throughout the season.
Sr 21 bag stacked on the 62-litre LinQ cargo box
LED headlights and LED auxiliary light
LinQ attachment base
Snow scrapers
Things to Look Out for During my Long-term Trial
To give you the best possible account and our impressions of this model, here are the specific elements that we will check throughout the season:
- Performance of the 900 ACE Turbo engine according to the three driving modes in this 3rd year of production
- Fuel consumption
- Performance of the new front and rear X-suspension
- Use of performance components and features
- Integration and use of accessories
- Snowmobile driving with Pilot X skis versus 5.7
- General reliability and maintenance of the snowmobile
In closing, I would like to thank Les Motoneiges Géro, BRP dealer in St-Jean-de-Matha, for the loan of the 2021 Ski-Doo Renegade X 900 ACE Turbo on long-term trial. In fact, I invite you to visit the Géro team at the store to see the latest Ski-Doo and Can-Am Off-Road products.
Driver Daniel Sasseville on Renegade X 900 ACE Turbo
We invite you to live the ultimate Les Motoneiges Géro 2021 Ski-Doo experience by watching the following video:
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