In this review I will discuss the new features that BRP has brought to the Renegade X-RS 850 E-TEC .
Before I got on the snowmobile, the first thing I thought: ʺIt has a slim profile with the REV generation 4 chassis that gives the impression, even before riding it, that it was designed to make it very maneuverable on the trail.ʺ
The odometer
7.8-inch wide LCD display with integrated BRP GO. From the rider’s position, it is very easy to see the odometer data. In addition, there are two choices of dial colors: dark and light, which gives the driver a variety of choices. There are three choices of mileage information, the total since the beginning of the season and two other choices of daily mileage.
An important feature is the BRP GO function that allows you to plan the trip before you leave and connect it to your cell phone from the glove compartment, and thanks to your Bluetooth application and GPS application integration, your trip will appear on your screen. The route gives you the miles to go and deducts the miles driven. From the driver’s seat, it’s easy to see the route, which gives you curves, turns, winding paths and rivers, a plus for the driver. And the most attractive feature, a very important piece of information on the trail, is the BRP GO function that indicates if you are on the right track to your destination.
This odometer contains a lot of information that is essential for the rider. I haven’t had a chance to test all the components and I don’t consider myself a computer pro, but it was very easy for me to get the information from the wheel on the left side of the handlebars.
Smart-Shox semi-active suspension
I was very eager to test the Renegade X-RS, especially since this snowmobile is equipped with a high performance suspension that has already proven itself without the addition of the new semi-active suspension. The front suspension is RAS X, KYB easy-adjust PRO 36 front shocks, Motion X rear suspension, KYP PRO 40 easy-adjust center shock, KYB PRO easy-adjust rear shock. With all the suspension system this snowmobile is equipped with, I was excited to start testing this new feature which is an industry first electronic suspension.
Smart-Shox semi-active suspension, a brief description
To understand how it works, here is a brief description of this suspension. This will make it easier for you to understand the comments I made on my trail tests.
First of all, there are five censors that interact at a speed of 50 times per second and give a signal to the shocks to increase or decrease the internal pressure of the shocks. This is what will change the handling of the snowmobile in terms of performance and finally capacity. This is done electronically and without any adjustment on our part.
First impressions of the Smart-Shox semi-active suspension
First of all, this snowmobile gives the rider the possibility to have three types of suspension levels: comfort, sport, sport +. I start by putting this one on comfort and at the time of this test, the outside temperature was mild in a trail with loose snow on the ground with a few bumps in the curves. During 2 hours, still on comfort level, my snowmobile was very comfortable in the curves, even with the bumps. During the time of the comfort level, I negotiated the curves at a speed of 70 km with a good weight transfer, no sway of the Pilot X skis during accelerations, and the snowmobile does not collapse. It becomes more rigid and prevents the skis from lifting. This explains the new suspension’s work on the shocks. This is the end of my comfort period and I liked what I experienced at first sight.
Here is the stage of the sport mode, still with the same conditions. A good acceleration and the Pilot X skis stay on the ground, no swaying, I negotiate the curves with bumps at about 70 km, little weight transfer. When I accelerate in the curve, the snowmobile remains very stable and does not skid out. I had fun for 1 hour with the sport mode and I am very impressed with the handling and stability of this snowmobile and the comfort in the bumps. In sport mode, the ride is less smooth than in comfort mode and will surely suit those who prefer a sportier ride, but it remains very comfortable.
As for the sport+ mode, I tried it for a few kilometers, but I didn’t see much of a change compared to the sport option. I didn’t have the chance to test it on the more intense bumps, but by the time I get to my final review I’ll be able to tell the final difference between the three suspension modes.
Stay tuned for my mid-season review on the Renegade X-RS!
