Anyone riding a Backcountry sled?

IF so, what are you thoughts on it as a cross over sled? Thinking about getting one for the wife.

I ride a 2015 Renegade Backcountry X and my neighbor rides a 2020 Backcountry X and we both find for the type of riding we do (mostly trail with forays into meadows and cut blocks) they are fast, grippy and comfortable. Neither of us are veteran riders so you might want a couple of other opinions before shelling out the dough.

PM Maxwell, I’m pretty sure he had an XRS last season in them hills

NoBrakes! said:

PM Maxwell, I’m pretty sure he had an XRS last season in them hills

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I sure did......

this machine is a very nice product. I consider myself an experienced back country rider so i was able to make this sled "work" for what i needed it too. i actually acquired it for our racing program but with that being cancelled i was stuck riding it up top. Others would struggle with this machine greatly in the high country. the 2.5" track, no t motion and wide boards combined with the 38" stance make it not a very user friendly back country sled. It would make a great touring sled up there if you dont have to do any advanced maneuvers to get around. It is stable and calibrated stiff. Like mentioned above if your a trail rider and dart into the meadows once in a while this IS the machine to have. But if you plan on doing any backcountry riding at all ( unsure of your wifes skill level ) then perhaps it is not the ideal machine. The high elevation calibration for the clutching is also not great, calibrated way more towards the trail than the back country. The seat is also way to tall for mountain riding, there is no mountian bar, and the running boards do not clear snow like the Summit models. The guage package is very nice. Another thing to consider is that it is the most expensive machine in skidoos lineup, at least the XRS version. If i was in your position i would be looking at a summit SP with the 2.5" track option. That way you have a capable mountain snowmobile that isnt going to get damaged on the trails. You can put the skis on the wide stance for when your doing trail runs and save your self 5-6k.

“For the wife” get a plain jane backcountry and you will probably find an improvement in the bedroom. Just sayin

thanks for the info. I was looking at one for next year as well. i only make 1 or 2 trips west in a year so thought it might be a good option. Sounds like i’m still better off with a Summit.

would love to take the new Polaris sks 850 155x2.6 for a rip extra cooling for the trail but enough track for the 2 foot powder 1 run a older 155x 2.4 and it goes good

maxwell said:

I sure did......

this machine is a very nice product. I consider myself an experienced back country rider so i was able to make this sled "work" for what i needed it too. i actually acquired it for our racing program but with that being cancelled i was stuck riding it up top. Others would struggle with this machine greatly in the high country. the 2.5" track, no t motion and wide boards combined with the 38" stance make it not a very user friendly back country sled. It would make a great touring sled up there if you dont have to do any advanced maneuvers to get around. It is stable and calibrated stiff. Like mentioned above if your a trail rider and dart into the meadows once in a while this IS the machine to have. But if you plan on doing any backcountry riding at all ( unsure of your wifes skill level ) then perhaps it is not the ideal machine. The high elevation calibration for the clutching is also not great, calibrated way more towards the trail than the back country. The seat is also way to tall for mountain riding, there is no mountian bar, and the running boards do not clear snow like the Summit models. The guage package is very nice. Another thing to consider is that it is the most expensive machine in skidoos lineup, at least the XRS version. If i was in your position i would be looking at a summit SP with the 2.5" track option. That way you have a capable mountain snowmobile that isnt going to get damaged on the trails. You can put the skis on the wide stance for when your doing trail runs and save your self 5-6k.

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That's what we ended up snow checking in a 154 600R, thanks for the info.

Keep us informed. not much info on the 600R out there.

NoBrakes! said:

Keep us informed. not much info on the 600R out there.

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Will do, I plan on taking it out for a good rip next season to see what she will do.

Bringing up a old thread anybody have any experience on a Polaris SKS 850 with the 146? I'm thinking that might a good sled for around Alberta and the odd trip out west.

Ha just realized this was a doo thread lol will re ask the question in the right forum