demo impressions

[ferniesnow]

Hehe...sure did a 180 from last week where you were certain you were only going to order one and had yourself convinced your 174 was good for another year...no wonder they invite you on these rides!

Hahahahaha..........The 174 is good for a few more years. It was just that when my wife and I ride together, who gets the new one? We would be fighting all through the winter. So much easier to buy two and not have the hassle.

 

[52weekbreak]

Hahahahaha..........The 174 is good for a few more years. It was just that when my wife and I ride together, who gets the new one? We would be fighting all through the winter. So much easier to buy two and not have the hassle.

Wow. Good for you Doug. The difference between Gen 3 and Gen 4 is that pronounced?

 

[rightsideup]

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.

nice review Doug were you able to steal a prototype to deliver to the sled shed to design da cooker!!!

 

[ferniesnow]

nice review Doug were you able to steal a prototype to deliver to the sled shed to design da cooker!!!

I'm quite sure Al will be all over it. I looked and there will have to be a change as the exit from the pipe is higher than on the previous models. So, IMHO, entrance to theThing will have to be a little higher.

 

[ferniesnow]

Wow. Good for you Doug. The difference between Gen 3 and Gen 4 is that pronounced?

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!

 

[snopro]

Thanks for the great review Doug! It was great to have you out there and I always love your honest straight forward reviews of the product. No bull and no bragging. You are a great ambassador to the store but more importantly to the sport. Not a lot of peeps will take out over a 160 people and show them their riding area's, feed them some gourmet food on the trail and doo it for the love of the sport. Well done Ferniesnow!

 

[tex78]

Thanks for the great review Doug! It was great to have you out there and I always love your honest straight forward reviews of the product. No bull and no bragging. You are a great ambassador to the store but more importantly to the sport. Not a lot of peeps will take out over a 160 people and show them their riding area's, feed them some gourmet food on the trail and doo it for the love of the sport. Well done Ferniesnow!

Big question, did Neil McClaren buy one??

 

[snopro]

Big question, did Neil McClaren buy one??

Oh ya!

 

[tex78]

Seen u guys there, seen him while talking to doug

 

[Rotax_Kid]

Hahahahaha..........The 174 is good for a few more years. It was just that when my wife and I ride together, who gets the new one? We would be fighting all through the winter. So much easier to buy two and not have the hassle.

Im curious what bev would say...if your like me...she knew you were buying one but didnt say and let you convince her for the whole drive home. hehe..


great review doug...thanks a bunch...keep checking the mail...might get a surprise one of these days...

 

[ferniesnow]

Im curious what bev would say...if your like me...she knew you were buying one but didnt say and let you convince her for the whole drive home. hehe..


great review doug...thanks a bunch...keep checking the mail...might get a surprise one of these days...

Thanks buddy. After the ride, I went straight to the hotel (missed the socialization and all the lies and stories) and I had such a big grin on my face she basically asked, "are we buying two?"

She knows the dilemma we would be in with just one. Still a year of warranty on the 174 and it is in great shape so hoping I can sell it without getting too greedy. If I were to sell it now, it has warranty on it until December of 2017.

 

[ferniesnow]

Thanks for the great review Doug! It was great to have you out there and I always love your honest straight forward reviews of the product. No bull and no bragging. You are a great ambassador to the store but more importantly to the sport. Not a lot of peeps will take out over a 160 people and show them their riding area's, feed them some gourmet food on the trail and doo it for the love of the sport. Well done Ferniesnow!

Thanks for the accolades Ken. It is pretty easy recommending you and Bow Ridge; hard to miss the quality and sincerity of people from the old school of business with great values and attitude.

 

[old mountain man]

Great review of the new 850 Doug. I did not get a chance to try one but talking with people that did convinced me to order one!

 

[ferniesnow]

Great review of the new 850 Doug. I did not get a chance to try one but talking with people that did convinced me to order one!

Good for you. IMHO, you will not regret it. It will be another long wait until November but it will be worth it.

 

[snopro]

Seen u guys there, seen him while talking to doug

Was that you at the cabin Jeff? I was standing by Doug listening to you two compare days on the hill. Would have loved to say hi. Sorry I didn't introduce myself. I saw the copper XP and told Doug that looked like Jeff's old sled?

 

[tex78]

Was that you at the cabin Jeff? I was standing by Doug listening to you two compare days on the hill. Would have loved to say hi. Sorry I didn't introduce myself. I saw the copper XP and told Doug that looked like Jeff's old sled?

Yes sir, the Buffalo was out as a loaner for a buddy's kid

It's still chugging along lol, engine is still original, kid wants to buy it something fierce lol

Took a few minutes to click that it was doug, had no idea he was out on a test ride

Mabe some time I can get to go for a ckmp ride, last time was a sicamous sled club with Carl when the t3 came out

I deal with h20 as dale treats me real real good, but being he is small beans, hard to get a ride with him at ckmp


So if u have a weekend spot open in the next while, give me a heads up

 

[snopro]

Yes sir, the Buffalo was out as a loaner for a buddy's kid

It's still chugging along lol, engine is still original, kid wants to buy it something fierce lol

HaHa well sell it to him! I don't think you are gonna shed a tear if it goes are you? HaHa

 

[tex78]

HaHa well sell it to him! I don't think you are gonna shed a tear if it goes are you? HaHa

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

 

[rightsideup]

Read above, I edited as u posted lol

I may be wrong but the 2010 does not seem to have the same stump seeking virus associated with some newer models

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

I may be wrong but the copper 2010 does not seem to have the stump seeking virus that lingers around newer models.

 

[ferniesnow]

I may be wrong but the copper 2010 does not seem to have the stump seeking virus that lingers around newer models.

I was assured that the new 2017's will be double maybe triple checked at the factory for the infamous "tree magnets"............