My colleague Jacques Turgeon prefers the race-inspired trail snowmobiles. On my part, I prefer the comfortable and relaxed touring type. What a treat for me today.
We are pleased to test ¨ THE ¨ touring snowmobile, at least this is what many snowmobilers think. Let us say this is at least the reference machine in the industry. The Grand Touring SE is strongly efficient and is without a doubt the best equipped snowmobile on the market.
Today, the snowmobile we are testing is entirely standard. So, it is powered by the 3-cylinder, 4-stroke, Rotax 4-TEC 1200 cc engine, which has already proven itself and fits perfectly its use. Powerful, flexible and relatively fuel-saving, this engine would be hard to criticize.
The accelerator is very gentle, all in softness. It allows us to modulate the power delivery, in sharp handling at low speed as well as in long stretch gaps. As well, the braking is very efficient, powerful and easy to modulate.
The hand and thumb warmers are controled by heating levels switches easy to manipulate with gloves or mittens and they give a good feedback – the digital part of the instrument panel shows the heating level. Moreover, they are very efficient. Since we are talking about heating, we must notice that this model is equipped with a heated seat. The only critic would be that the heated seat control is located under the steering column; we know BRP can do better. Standard features include also 12v power outlets for accessories and RCA heated visor outlets.
Besides, the instrument panel is very complete and well presented. Many functions can be activated by the left thumb switch. Good idea; it is easier to manipulate. This way, we can get lots of data and functionalities. The electronic fuel gauge is also displayed.
The riding position is very touring type, a little back straight and with enormous space. The super comfort. We can easily change our riding position as there is enough room for legs and feet to stay comfortable. We have a tilt steering adjustable in four positions. The windshield is large without being intrusive and provides an excellent protection. The air flow of course is very different whether the pilot is taller or shorter. Jacques and I have noticed significant differences in the air flow around our helmets, mostly above it. The mirrors are cleverly integrated on the windshield sides; this way, they are very well located and give an excellent backwards vision.
The passenger is in executive class. Good position, very comfortable saddle, hand warmers, hand wind deflectors, luxury backrest and the list goes on and on. This is without talking about the room between the passenger and the pilot. By extending the middle of the saddle, this touring can even accommodate a third guest.
The suspensions do an excellent work of erasing the bumps and other uneven parts of the trails without getting soft; this way, we keep control of our machine in a steady pace and in full comfort. On the snowmobile we have today, we notice some weight is missing of the skis. The steering is not biting as much as we would like. We need more efforts than wished to start cornering as well as to maintain our course. We have driven other units of this model and we can say this is only a matter of adjustment.
The optional equipment consists of two useful molded plastic side cases at rear. They are easy to attach and to remove and they are locked by an efficient and easy to handle mecanism. Moreover, a second locking device avoids accidental opening. As if we needed more, there is also a large tunnel bag, at the rearend of the sled, behind the passenger’s backrest. This hard-top bag is closed by two zippers easy to manipulate even with gloves.
Today, we rode 168 km, but we cannot report the fuel consumption because the gas station had run out of the precious liquid! The TY Moteurs dealer filled it up later and as soon as we get the data from them, we will update our report.
Jacques and Alain
1 Handling and riding position 3,5 / 5 4 / 5
2 Comfort and suspension 4,5 / 5 4 / 5
3 Access to controls 4,5 / 5 4,5 / 5
4 Engine power 4,5 / 5 4,5 / 5
5 Engine noise and vibrations 4 / 5 4 / 5
6 Track rolling 4 / 5 4 / 5
7 Track pulling 4 / 5 4 / 5
8 Vehicle finishing 4 / 5 4 / 5
9 Odors and gas fumes 4 / 5 4 / 5
10 Fuel consumption N / D* N / D*
11 Passenger position 4 / 5 4 / 5
12 Passenger comfort 4 / 5 4 / 5
Total 45 / 55 45 / 55
*Data will come later
The snowmobiles we tested today have been gracefully made available to us by our excellent collaborator TY Moteurs in Saint-Jean-Chrysostome.
TY MOTEURS
1091 Commerciale
Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, QC
G6Z 2E8
Phone : 418-833-0500
Also
684 Route 281
Saint-Raphael,QC
G0R 4C0
Phone : 418-243-2292
We would also like to mention how much we appreciate the collaboration of Kimpex. Indeed, our test pilots are equipped with Kimpex clothes and accessories. We really wear them and we appreciate them !
