Many weeks have now passed since snowmobile season has ended and it is time to share with you my impressions following the long-term trial of the 2016 Ski-Doo MXZ Blizzard 1200. First, testing a MXZ was a major personal change because since many years, my favorite model has been the GSX SE in the Sport-Touring category. For 2016, Ski-Doo had withdrawn the GSX from the lineup and was then offering the Renegade Enduro, which is the closest machine in regards of technical features but with a more definite sport style. However, I was very attracted by the MXZ Blizzard 1200 and its innovations like the Pilot TS skis, the XS chassis, the iTC – intelligent Throttle Control system, and of course, the track of 129 in/327,6 cm. Besides the technical features, I was wondering if the riding experience, the comfort and performance on trail were up to the reputation of the legendary name Blizzard. I can tell you right now that this snowmobile exceeded my expectations on many elements.
The 2016 MXZ Blizzard 1200 and its test pilot
Pilot TS Skis
The Pilot TS skis are definitely the Ski-Doo greatest innovation for 2016. It is indeed revolutionary to be able to adjust the carbide runner height over a range of ½ in/1,27 cm with a knob located on the ski leg and with 20 different settings. This innovation allows the pilot to adjust the ski bite no matter the trail conditions. This is really convenient, mostly when trail conditions change during the day. In the past, we had to play with the adjustments and the transfer of the suspension to get an important effect on the ski bite. With the Pilot TS skis, we can do it much more easily and the effect is immediate.
Personally, I really liked the riding experience of the MXZ Blizzard 1200 with the Pilot TS skis. I did not experience any major darting, not really more than I did in the past with the Pilot 5.7 skis. On a very hard surface, we must not hesitate to raise the runner in order to reduce bite so that steering efforts are decreased in turns. What I like the most in riding with the Pilot TS skis is that I can make the adjustment I need to slightly slide sideways in order to get minimal steering effort and negotiate turns with full confidence.
It is obvious to me that the first element I will check for my next Ski-Doo long-term trial snowmobile is the presence of the Pilot TS skis because I think that they really improve my riding experience and my confidence on trail during my rides.
The Pilot TS skis are among the standard equipment of the 2016 MXZ Blizzard 1200
Motorization
Introduced in 2009, the Rotax 1200 4-TEC is the Ski-Doo most powerful 4-stroke engine. During the last years, it has not been really modified, except for some changes on the clutches to improve its capability and durability. To increase its performance, Ski-Doo added for 2016 the intelligent Throttle Control system (iTC), like we see on the 900 ACE models since their introduction.
The addition of the iTC on the 1200 4-TEC did not bring more HP to the standard calibration of the engine, but personally, I think that it works much better than it did with the usual wire throttle. Since the throttle body for air inlet is now smaller, air flow is faster and with the electronic control, time of response is quicker by 45 %. So, the advantage of the new iTC system is felt at low RPM and in accelerations. Another advantage of this system is that we get 3 driving modes. I mostly liked the Standard mode that provides a much more predictable performance of the machine since it has less tendancy to jump. In fact, I spent about 90 % of my riding time in Standard mode and 10 % in Sport mode. This one allows the 1200 4-TEC to deliver its full power with the best accelerations. The electronic control also brings a better fuel consumption that has been between an average of 14 and 15 liters per 100 km over the whole season.
1200 4-TEC engine of the 2016 MXZ Blizzard
Suspension
The 2016 MXZ Blizzard 1200 is equipped with HPG Plus shocks. Thanks to the threaded ring, their adjustment is much more precise than what we get with the classic ring. We can get the optimal calibration according to the pilot’s type of riding. The KYB 36 shocks are definitely more effective in sport riding on X models, but I have been very impressed by the stability, the precision and the comfort offered by the HPG PLUS shocks. The rMotion is also renowned in the snowmobile world to be the most effective suspension of the industry and the new edition of 129 in/327,6 cm is no exception.
The MXZ Blizzard is equipped with the rMotion suspension with HPG PLUS shocks
Track
The standard track of the 2016 MXZ Blizzard is the Ice Ripper XT of 129 in/327,6 cm. Before the beginning of the season, our Motoneige.ca Team thought that this edition would be the perfect compromise between the agility of the 120 in/304,8 cm and the comfort of the 137 in/348 cm models. After piloting the MXZ Blizzard 1200 with the 129 in/327,6 cm track over a whole season, I can confirm that this edition is definitely more comfortable than the 120 in/304,8 cm and that the extended length does not really affect the agility of the snowmobile. This added length has also a positive effect on the traction, which has a significative impact on the performance of the snowmobile during accelerations and braking. Is the 129 in/327,6 cm edition as comfortable as the 137 in/348 cm ? Not quite, but it is really more agile on sinuous trails. In fact, this is why the track of 129 in/327,6 cm is now a standard equipment on all Ski-Doo high-performance trail models.
The track of the MXZ Blizzard was also equipped with embedded studs. Considering the special snow cover and icy trails we had, I really liked these studs all season long. They do not offer the same bite than the usual studs, but they bring less damages to the snowmobile if there is a breakage. Personally, I think that the addition of a track like the Ice Ripper XT is necessary for all snowmobilers who want to improve the riding and safety of their snowmobile. The good news is that it is a standard equipment of the MXZ Blizzard.
Chassis
For 2016, all Ski-Doo snowmobiles with the 1200 4-TEC engine such as the MXZ Blizzard, are now mounted on the REV-XS chassis. Of course, this change was eagerly awaited by all fans of 4-stroke models. The most important advantage is that the REV-XS offers a much wider choice of accessories. This modification also provides an even more modern and sport look to the snowmobile. One thing I really liked about the REV-XR was the protection against wind. I can now confirm that this is still excellent with the REV-XS edition.
The MXZ Blizzard is mounted on the REV-XS chassis
Conclusion of the long-term trial
Above the technical features and the evaluations made on the beginning of the season, there is nothing better than riding the snowmobile over many thousands of kilometers in usual riding conditions to produce a fair appreciation as expected by snowmobilers. As I said earlier, it was my first experience with a MXZ and my expectations were very high considering the technical features and the legendary name of Blizzard.
So, here are my conclusions… The MXZ Blizzard is an excellent snowmobile that exceeded my expectations on many elements. Along with its very nice look, the standard equipment of the MXZ Blizzard includes all the technical features I was looking for. I mostly liked the Pilot TS skis and the performance of the machine with the 129 in/327,6 cm track. The studs of this Ice Ripper XT track have been very useful all season long on very icy surfaces. The suspension works very well and provides a sport style to the snowmobile. The 1200 4-TEC engine has also been improved by the addition of the iTC system that allows an even more predictable and softer riding than before. As a test pilot, I enjoyed each kilometer on the 2016 MXZ Blizzard, a sport snowmobile that really lives up to the reputation of its legendary name in the racing world. Of course, I recommend this snowmobile to all snowmobilers who are looking for an efficient machine that is reliable, comfortable, with a very sport look and type of riding. The good news is that it is back in the 2017 Ski-Doo lineup with the same configuration.
Please take a look at our video produced at the end of last season, following our long-term trial of the MXZ Blizzard, to see the snowmobile in action.
Finally, I would like to thank Groupe Contant, BRP dealer in Laval, Mirabel and Sainte-Agathe for their trust in this Web Magazine SledMagazine.com, that made this long-term trial possible.
Thanks to Groupe Contant for making this long-term trial possible
You are also invited to visit regularly this web magazine to follow all our trials of the 2017 snowmobiles that will be ran next season. You can also watch our trials on videos at www.motoneiges.video .
