demo impressions

[snopro]

Read above, I edited as u posted lol



Yes and no, been a good sled, just took lots of pissing around to get it there lol

I think we are done for rides for this year. Every dealer is trying to secure a ride for their customers. Maybe next time!

 

[catrutt]

Do you have pics or know where I can get that shim?

 

[sc800]

Do you have pics or know where I can get that shim?

Just put these in. All my riding buddies have installed them.

 

[d mills]

As a "preferred customer" or Ambassador for Bow Ridge Sports in Cochrane, AB, I was invited to go on the demo ride at CKMP in Malakwa, BC on March 12, 2016. I was thrilled and nervous, as I knew it would cost me some coin! The last time I was invited, compliments of Mr.R's, I ended up snow checking two sleds that year. That was the introduction of the T-Motion and Flex edge track. My wife had such a big grin on her face from riding the new technology, that we where convinced two new sleds would be a lot of fun. We were not sorry for our decision that spring.

It started out bright and early in Carl's great complex, with Carl himself explaining the new changes coming for 2017 and what will probably change from the prototypes when the final production goes into swing. I am not the dude to elaborate on the technological advances to the power train (that has been well documented by other more knowledgeable people than myself on the many pages/videos that are floating around) and physical attributes to the new iron. I know the fit and finish from BRP will be great. What I really want to know is how it rides and handles in the hills and trees. I am not a climber so to speak. I will climb to get somewhere that I want to go but chute climbing is not my forte. I did not ride the new sleds on the trail. IMHO, they all suck on the whoops and nothing short of a Piston Bulley will smooth out the ride to the top.

As 'steel town' mentioned, we were in the Blue Lake riding area and Cummings Lake in particular. Also the big hills around the Blue Lake cabin. Both prototypes were Summit X's with the 3" lug in the two available lengths of 154" and 165". My first test ride was on the 2017 154". Wow, what a fun sled! Instantaneous throttle response and highly responsive on the snow to 'body language'. This sled rocks but it wasn't for me nor my wife. We do not ride WOT and we need time for decision making and a longer track for a little forgiveness in the trees that we ride in the Kootenays. On to the 165" for the next ride.

Let me tell you, I was impressed. You guys know that my blood is yellow but it is that way for a reason. I have bought 7 new sleds since the XP in 2008 and all I have done is gas and oil and regular maintenance. Ride anywhere from 50-75 days a year with about 3000-4000 km/year. I have a good feel for the sleds I have ridden and the 2017 prototype was a no brainer. So much easier to ride. So much more responsive. So much more fun. One trip around the lake in the wind blown snow along the edges (you know the places that most are too timid to go to) and that chit-hook grin was on my face all day long. The carving was effortless and just like you see in the movies. Man did my riding ever improve in about 3 minutes!

I had to get into the trees. The trees around Cummings Lake are not as tight and daunting as they are in the Kootenays. Lots of room to manoeuvre with nice sharp climbs and lots of lines. It is a tree riders heaven. The 165 was a dream. I did not need throttle response power but I knew it was there and could feel it when I used it but that was seldom. This track and sled are awesome. The floatation is still there as compared to the 174" (my present ride) but the response to the body language is unbelievable. Put a little pressure on a foot and over it goes. Not a way over but a "controlled over" and an "effortless over". The narrow body and higher centre of gravity and more attention to balancing the weight throughout the chassis with the 16" wide track has produced a beauty. It is not scary nor uncontrollable tippy. It is very user friendly kind of tippy and very controlled by the weight or force that you use. A little weight transfer to your foot and over it goes a little bit. A little more weight transfer to your foot or a little more pull on the bars, the sled goes over accordingly. I heard a story at CKMP about Carl's desire to design a mountain sled that his dad would enjoy in his later years and not be tired at the end of the day. Well tired but not burnt out sort of thing. This is the machine; effortless in the trees and a lot of fun. I was in trouble............

I was riding for two of us. The initial idea was to replace my wife's 2014 163" Summit XMX and I had to make the decision for her this year. She loved that machine as it wasn't as big as the 174", yet big enough to keep her floating in the trees and still small enough for her carve up the meadows. This 2017 prototype 165" with the 850 sitting in the front was going to be ideal for her and her riding style. How will we handle just one new machine in the stable next winter?

When I told snopro that I will have to snow check two of the 2017 Summit XG4 165" with the 850 power plant in black, he had as big a grin on his face as I did when I was out riding the new iron. Damn, those demo rides are expensive!

Phone or talk to snopro (Ken at 403-485-8357) and/or the owner Byron (403-932-2019) at Bow Ridge Sports in Cochrane. You won't be disappointed in the service nor in the price. A great dealer and great people. The allotment will go fast so don't dilly-dally.

Dammit it Doug......after this review and seeing it in person my wallet just got lighter. Pretty excited for October.


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[ferniesnow]

Dammit it Doug......after this review and seeing it in person my wallet just got lighter. Pretty excited for October.


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Right on Dustin. Did you get a 165" or the 154"? I think peeps will fall in love with either one. The 2017 SkiDoo G4 will be a game changer for sure.

 

[d mills]

Right on Dustin. Did you get a 165" or the 154"? I think peeps will fall in love with either one. The 2017 SkiDoo G4 will be a game changer for sure.

I did a 154 2.5. I only get to the hills a few times a year and ride the foothills with pops and his crew most of the year. I also like putting on local miles when we have snow. Would definitely like the big track on the real good days I catch but the small lug/short makes the most sense as a "crossover" sled. They feel sweet. Would have loved to ride one before the purchase but such is life. Also would've liked to order from ken but logistics dictate otherwise. Also my local dealer treats me well. 600 under list.


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[52weekbreak]

For my style of riding, it sure is. The carving ability of the G4 165" was more pronounced than our 2014 163" Summit XMX and that transferred to the ease of tree riding. I wished I could go back and doo it again. It was something special!

And I imagine with new ones on order you will get that chance just not this season. Just curious if you bothered checking out the 154? It sounds like we prefer riding in similar areas with the exception that I will ride on the prairies if there is snow. When I picked up my 154 I thought it would be ridiculously long and somewhat unwieldy. I found it handled better than anything I had previously owned. 4 years later, I wonder if I would even notice the somewhat small change in length (what is it - 6 inches?)

The 154 takes me everywhere I want to go and the only times I get stuck is when I pick a bad line and wind up not being able to squeeze through the trees.

 

[ferniesnow]

And I imagine with new ones on order you will get that chance just not this season. Just curious if you bothered checking out the 154? It sounds like we prefer riding in similar areas with the exception that I will ride on the prairies if there is snow. When I picked up my 154 I thought it would be ridiculously long and somewhat unwieldy. I found it handled better than anything I had previously owned. 4 years later, I wonder if I would even notice the somewhat small change in length (what is it - 6 inches?)

The 154 takes me everywhere I want to go and the only times I get stuck is when I pick a bad line and wind up not being able to squeeze through the trees.

As stated above, I rode the 154" initially. Here's what I had to say about it: My first test ride was on the 2017 154". Wow, what a fun sled! Instantaneous throttle response and highly responsive on the snow to 'body language'. This sled rocks but it wasn't for me nor my wife. We do not ride WOT and we need time for decision making and a longer track for a little forgiveness in the trees that we ride in the Kootenays.

I understand the dilemma. Wanting to be a little more careful without the younger reflexes in the trees, a longer track suits our riding style better. I take out many people who get stuck out of their comfort zone and do not know how to get unstuck easily, when they are high in the trees. The longer track allows me to effortlessly go up and help them out. Many are surprised at how easy it can be done on the long tracks. There is a place for the 174" other than climbing and the deepest powder and I use it to my advantage nearly every day I am out.

Speaking of getting stuck, I still run into the same problem with the 174". They are brutes when they are stuck in tight places.