Mid-season review of the Renegade Backcountry X 850 E-TEC
It goes too fast, already more than 2500 km this season with the Renegade Backcountry X 850 E-TEC 2018. I can tell you that since my first impressions, I'm still really happy with my snowmobile this year. When you want an adrenaline rush, just press the accelerator and you're done. The combination of the 850 E-TEC engine and the P-drive pulley provides incredible acceleration. No matter how old you are, you'll feel younger.
Tour de la montagne St-Pierre à La Rédemption
Since my first rides, I have seen a big improvement in oil consumption. Ski-Doo engineers have incorporated additional protections when the engine is in running-in, including a higher level of oil consumption, which protects the engine's internal components. Without having made an exhaustive calculation, I can say that the 850 E-TEC engine consumes about 2 liters per 600 kilometers once the running-in period is complete. Fuel consumption has remained roughly the same, about 20 miles per gallon or 14 liters per 100 km, depending on trails conditions.
Club des Montagnards relay in New Year's Eve
I was able to experiment a little more with its off-track behavior. I just want to say that I am not a real backcountry pilot but it allowed me to have as much fun in the open areas as in the small winding mountain paths. Its lightness and power let you get out of different situations, the different features such as the C-motion suspension, a narrower wheelbase, and the power forgives my lack of off-track experience.
The cobra track is 146 inches (371 cm) long, 15 inches (38.1 cm) wide and 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) high and provides good deep snow traction and trail handling. I imagine the traction and flotation that offer the Powder Max track, it is available in option. With an optional wider track, trail handling would be different, but you'll gain traction in deep snow. The choice of the track will depend on your driving style. For more traction on the icy trail, the studded track would have been an asset. For this the model we have a track not studded, so we must be more vigilant especially in curves and road crossings.
I particularly like evening rides, the basic lights of the Renegade Backcountry X 850 E-TEC 2018 is not the most powerful in the industry. While other manufacturers have LED headlights available as standard on some models, Ski-Doo is not there yet. Despite all this, Ski-Doo still has a LED auxiliary lighthouse available for snowmobilers which improved visibility during night rides. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Ski-Doo will do for the next few years in terms of standard lights.
BRP offers a wide range of accessories for the REV Gen4 platform. I had the chance to test the transport cover for the Renegade Backcountry X 850 E-TEC 2018. Very useful when transporting your snowmobile on an open trailer. This accessory is essential to protect your snowmobile from the mud, salt, and calcium. The cover perfectly fits the snowmobile. It is easy to install and it is not too big. It has a soft fabric inside that reduces the risk of scratches, it is easy to install.
The attachment systems
I still have several kilometers left before the end of the season, which will allow me to finalize my evaluation and provide you with my end-of-season article. I would like to thank SledMagazine.com and Mini Mécanik Sport for the long-term test of the Renegade Backcountry X 850 E-TEC 2018.
