An Observation

The reality of the similarities are clear IMO. And maybe should have been expected. If you compare to Polaris first offering of the Pro, narrower, lighter, higher, with the utilization of new materials and components. Other than engines, their mountain machines up to 2011 were adequate and durable. But most who bought , especially diehard Poo guys, loved the new chassis and said things like , so much easier to ride than the previous chassis, side hills forever, pops up on snow like easypeasy, feels so light, steer it by looking that direction, best mountain machine ever,
But, the new chassis/components/suspension/driveline, , had some design and production issues apparently not discovered before the consumer got em. Took a few production years, but in my mind they have that chassis dialed now, and I believe that Doo has watched and realized the Axys style mountain sled is the way to go, they designed the new G4 in many ways similar to it. Good for them, that's how we move forward and imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
Now, Doo puts out the G4, cool sled, narrower panels, new clutch (new to them) higher Center of gravity, pops up,on snow easier, easier to roll over to get unstuck, seriously just a way way better design than the XP/XM in almost all ways. But , they have some growing pains from all those changes and design mods, they'll get em figured. As usual , sucks to be a first year guy, but, somebody gotta do the true R & D on these things. I think it'll be an awesome sled , in 2018/19.

Lund said:

Funny you say that cause i had similar experiences with BRP. I was involved in their hill climb team with a local dealer from 2000 to 2005 and involved in the problem child RT. With similar results you experienced, they BRP engineers would discount or refuse to listen to our test results and went with their own theories and ideas. Which generally ended up becoming a consumer test mule program. I was also involved in the 08 XP test pilot program and i rated it as a work in progress and IMO needed many changes and not ready for consumer sales. We terminated our relationship at that point.
History has it the 08XP was a POS. Like the RT and a few others. They have a lot of nice ideas but i not sure about their R&D, unfair pressure on those guys for dead lines.

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You were on the XP program? Whats your name? I should know you Lund? Where did you ride it?

snopro said:

You were on the XP program? Whats your name? I should know you Lund? Where did you ride it?

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I was tied with Banner Sea and Ski in Kelowna. I got this by being approached by Derrick Bannister owner and one of my sponsor's for hillclimb and BRP rep. At the time BRP really had no test pilot program. Basically wasn't done. All there test for mountain sleds were basically done by track and circuit riders that rode in the east and spent some but little time in the mountains. There sleds showed it in design too. They wanted real western backcountry riders to test these and i happened to walk into it. That was in spring of 2004 till 2006. Then i thought it was done, till spring of 07.
My name is Mike, there are a few on here that know me personally.

The XP program....well i wasn't really involved in any R&D. In the spring of 07 i got a call from Banner, they asked if i was interested in test riding their newest model and wanting my opinion for possible issues and problems and general thoughts. They had me rate the sled being i was involved in the RT issues.
I was with a small group of other riders and we were together for one week ripping on these things. At the end we all filled out a report.
I guess they didn't like mine, i found out also much later that some of the riders were BRP employees or on the payroll. Most likely got positive reports from them LOL.
The riding was done in a number of different location, within 3hrs of Kelowna. We always returned to Kelowna and Banner was home where the techs would do their magic.

All the noice reduction material they say to pull out? "G4"
They need more noice reduction for the operators and owners on 75% of them ???
The other 25% know who they are!!
75% Doo have to much hot air ? Haha