Great video and great sled! I've got a 2018 Backcountry X 850 and I absolutely love it! I've done so much on my sled. Trails, ditches, backcountry. mountain, and pretty much everything in between. When I got mine I ordered it with the 2in. For the type of riding I wanted to do with it I was perfectly ok with sacrificing trail performance. It does push a little and ski lift a little in the corners but overall it's not bad. Even though I knew what I was buying I wish the shocks were better, especially in the rear skid. I'm not sure if it's me or what but the front shock in the skid bottoms out pretty easy when hammering though rough trail or ditches. Overall though, I can't get enough of my sled, I LOVE IT! I've got almost 2000 miles on it so far, oh and it's still got the original belt. 👍 Sledhead Racing clutching, SLP Mohawk skis and Straightline Performance exhaust has made my sled even better! Can't get enough!
Don't forget SKS 146 in your comparison. So then you get a true comparison of ALL manufacturers instead of always leaving one or more out. Always love these reviews. Nice addition to the show.
This doesn't compare with the SKS. The SKS's smallest lug track is a quarter of an inch longer than the tallest lug for this sled. In fact it's almost a full inch taller than the shortest lug for this sled. The SKS is on the brink on being a mountain sled. I don't know why people keep mentioning it with these lower lug cross overs. He talked about the Switchback Assault, that's the sled this is comparable with. They come with the same lug options basically and neither have mountain front ends on them (The SKS has mountain spindles).
@@1Kurgan1 the sks is a good comparison. The 1/4 inch lug is more than comparable to the backcountrys full 1" in width for a much better footprint on the snow. Then you say the sks is a mountain machine with no reason to say it but talk about spindles? BOTH sks and backcountry are 40" wide! BOTH 850! BOTH 146! That's why it would be a good comparison.
@@jasonrose5804 You make some good points, but fail to realize that the geometry of a mountain spindle is vastly different than a trail one. It's the reason I specifically mentioned the spindles rather than the width of the stance. The extra 1 inch of width is nice, but even so, you would use the SKS on the shortest track vs the backcountry on the tallest track as the comparison. That kind of seems insane. You want apples to apples, compare them with their tallest or shortest tracks each. Either way, the Back Country will be better on the trail (not because of the width, but because of the front suspension intention). And if you try to select the smallest lug track for the SKS to balance it, it'll probably be worse everywhere because of it. Making it as I said before a poor comparison. Compare it to the Freeride (they come with the same front end intentions and track lug height).
Think you can add some video of the sled other than just talking about it talking about it's great but we love to see it actually run thanks for the awesome video just put some runtime in there
Great video, thanks. Really helping me make a 2020 choice...not just this sled, which I love, but some of the excellent hints and tips you point out for us new to the sled world.
Sorry snowtrax, the gen 4 backcountry 1.6 cobras are only 15 inches wide. The 2 inch is 16 inches wide. The older XM backcountry cobra 1.6 was 16 inches wide.
Older xm had 1"3/4 track. I pretty certain they didn't have 1" 2/3 ice cobra in the xm chassie. I have 14 1"3/4 track. I wish ski-doo would offer that 16" 1"3/4 track on the 146.
Marc Hartman your wrong. The XS backcountry (2013-2015) had a 1.75 powdermax track. The XM backcountry (2016-2018) had a 1.6 cobra or the choice of 2 inch powdermax on the X package. I own a 2016 backcountry and it is a 1.6 ice cobra.
Marc Hartman you can look it up if you’d like. I too wish you could get a 1.75 in the 146. But they did have 1.6 cobra tracks on XM, and now that’s carried on to the g4.
@@maritimesledderz7508 on xm bc i don't think so, on the last year or two of the xm renegade you probably get the 1"2/3 ice cobra. You might be right you can get 1"2/3 ice cobra on renegade xm bc. I just don't recall seeing it. I have 18 850 xrs renegade with 1"2/3 ice cobra it was good choice , but it isn't the same as my 14 800 1"3/4 track. My 14 just gets up on the deep snow much quicker than my 18 850. It is just amazing that 1" width is that big of difference. On the trail I'd say they pretty close to equel both just bite hard into the trail. If I just got none ice cobra track on the 850 it probably wouldn't be as good paddles just seem softer with out the embedded studs. My dad has 17 850 renegade he swapped tracks and put 1"1/3 16" wide. I'd say they are pretty close to the same to mine 850 track performance.
@@maritimesledderz7508 I have14 renegade bc x there was two track options that year for x sled 1" 3/4 and 2" I don't recall seeing the ice cobra when ordering it.
AJ, Thanks for the workaround on this. I was leaning more towards the 154 version as a 70/30 mix with a few weeks a year of true mtn riding thrown in. I think you confirmed that the Backcountry is more off trail.
Sled is amazing 😉 great video Can’t wait for the comparison does the assault have tipped rails ? The cats are 3grand off if you snow check so u can add a turbo kit for same price to make up for lack of
Watched this one three times now... thinking I may have ordered the right one (154 × 2"). October/November is a bit of a wait..tick tick tick... Great review thanks AJ.
"Every cool piece of technology possible to put on a snowmobile, they seem to have and do." Ya right, so where's their GPS Bluetooth Guage and LED headlights??
Allen R 1.6 is better for trail riding but still does amazingly well when combined with the 850. 2 inch gives you more flotation in the powder but you risk cracking paddles on the trails. If your more 50/50 I would recommend the 1.6 and then get the removable snowflap. That way when you ride trails you’ll be fine but when you want to slay the powder just remove your snowflap and you’ll be good.
Will people stop asking about the SKS 146? It's smallest lug track is a 2.25", the largest lug on this or the Riot X is a 2.0". There is a reason they have mentioned in the Riot and in this video the comparison to the Switchback Assault. The reason is, they share track lug heights and they all have trail front ends. The SKS has mountain spindles and much bigger lugs. It maybe called a cross over, but it's not comparable with these (it's basically a short track mountain sled). It'll be better in the deep stuff and far worse on trail. There, the comparison is done for you, lol. It compares directly with the Freeride, not with these sleds.
@@JulianJohanson if you are looking for a short track mountain sled, then for sure get it. I don't there is a competitor made for it right now. But in my mind the SKS doesn't make a ton of sense. Too much lug for trail use (same as mountain sleds), but less track than mountain sleds. But some people may not want a 155+ sled, so in that case, I guess the SKS is the option.
Because they’re probably tired of all the whining they hear when they say they like a Polaris. The yellow guys are really insecure and they got to hear that the only company making a snowmobile was yellow for a few years and now that axys is out for awhile now and how dare anyone say it’s as good or better than a yellow one. I’ve always owned Polaris but that didn’t keep me from admitting that the yellow ones were top notch. I choose to ride what I was familiar with. I guess if your ego is too big you always need reassurance that you have the best and everything else is junk. So they probably figured leave it out and avoid the hate mail for once for saying that they liked something on the sks. On a side note when the yellow ones were the best things since sliced bread I can’t count how many times times I was almost wiped out by one in a turn because it handled so crisp it must have surprised the operator so much that he was way out of control in the turn. Really made me envy the handling 😂🤔
Wow, I haven t tried the Switchback Assault, but I owned a 2 stroke expedition and never had any issue with it. I m in the market for a crossover and chances are that I ll end up with a Backcountry.
It all depends on where you want to ride. I ride pretty much 50/50 so I went with 850 sba. Lots of my friend's have sks but they ride more off trail. It all depends on where you want to ride.
Jason Rose I ride 50/50, but I heard so many stories about Polaris being unreliable.... I m looking to keep the sled at least 5 years...have you had any issue with yours?
@@asselinpower not so far. I have seen issues with all brands. I would never buy skidoo because they blow motors, belts....etc in a few thousand miles or less. But people still buy them. I love the ergonomics, power, looks, stability of the assault. Hopefully the reliability is there but who knows. Guess it depends on how you maintain your snowmobile.
Jason Rose You’re right, maintenance plays an important role. I think this Backcountry looks good but in term of look, the Polaris is just sick 🤘. I ll make sure I try one before buying anything. Thanks for the reply man, and enjoy the rest of the winter !
@@jasonrose5804 curious what kind of riding those blown up Skidoo and Polaris machines were doing...brrap brapp type riding all day, climbing and wheelying all day ? Like was said, maintenance is important. Hear the Skidoo and Polaris are very reliable if you look at actual failures percentage wise.
AJ when you say the XRS shocks make the front end a lot more compliant what setting do you put for rebound/compression? I’m sure keeping the settings stiff would help a lot with body role on trail even with the narrower front end. Thanks
Mark K from someone who owns a 19 bcxrs there is actually I believe 20-21 compression clicks. On the trails I run anywhere between 7-13 for the smaller bumps and offtrail I run anywhere between 16-21 for the larger Jumps
@@stevetrojano1595 They do share a lot of similarities. I do live in N. Ontarioand I feel that the wider front end could be a benefit on trail. Maybe 2021 will have some other changes as well...who knows
I have one and ride trails way more then off . Over 1000 miles getting 18mpg and hyfaxes haven’t even been touched. Rides great and keep up with friends with 129 trail sleds
No way.. try the c-motion first.. my 19' xrs is THE BEST sled I have ever owned.. it rocks on trail and I would take if over r motion any day. Uncoupled suspension is a blast.
Gavin Adamski from someone who owns the exact same sled as him, it’s a blast because the c motion being uncoupled transfers weight much better. This can lead to better wheelies or more floatation in the powder. Overall the c-motion is amazing and I would also take it over my renegades r-motion
It’s all about the type of riding you do. If you do more trail riding the 146x15x1.6 is your better option. Now if you’re off trail a bit more the 146x16x2 will give you a lot more floatation but then you also risk breaking paddles and such
@@FlyinRaptorJesus try my 2019 rush. It got stuck in my yard....My switchback very rarely got stuck. Miss that sled. I went 2020 gade, ice cobra 1.5 600r, puke green.
FlyinRaptorJesus to make your sled a bit more capable you can put a 1.5 a 1.6 or a 1.75 inch track on it might make it a bit better. Also put a ds-2 ski for flotation
Cam Jenkins 30 being on trail? Then yes renegade is the way to go. Put a 1.5 track on it and you’ll be able to slay powder and still have fun in the trails
eric schooley valid point. They give this sled a lot more crap than it Deserves. I have a 19 bcxrs and I absolutely rail it on the trails and I love it.
Have to agree, that new gauge looks meh! If it's easy to see and functional that's what really counts. Would have liked an analog and digi combo. Still I ordered the BC XRS 154x2"...so will wait an see.
@@chrisrogers3175 yeah I would have gone for a Polaris with GPS if I'd ordered an SKS or SBA like I was thinking early this year. Wife still wants an SKS so it will probably get the big cool gauge rig.
I cant believe you said the 146 is not in the same category as a 144. So I guess you'll throw an sks in the 146 category. No probably not, because then you'll need to complain about your beloved Polaris.. lol.
Hey. I'm running a 2017 Renegade backcountry x and wonder if anybody out there can give me an answer regarding the track. It's got a 146 x 16" Cobra track 1 ply. Thing is I ride in Northern Ontario and run into ice fairly often. I know you can stud the paddles on the Cobra but I'd like a fully studded track. Thing is the 1 ply is not recommended to stud. The only 146" tracks I'm seeing that are 2 ply and can be studded are only 15" in width. So, question is can I run a 15" wide track on sled that comes with 16" track? Will track drive cogs accept it? Thanks for any input.
@@edwardabrahamiii3742 Yeah, I'd like to get a 1.35 paddle in 146 but can't get the Composit version of this up in Ontario. Going with the Camso Storm two ply with 1.5 paddle in middle and 1.25 on track sides.
Will people stop asking about the SKS 146? The SKS's smallest track is a deeper lug than the biggest track on this. They may both be called cross overs, but they are not comparable. He flat out mentioned the Switchback Assault, that is this sleds competitor (which he also mentioned as a benchmark for trail use). The Assault as he said is better on trail than this and obviously the SKS will be better off trail.
So exactly how will this “absolutely destroy”a 137 free ride? Same exact front end and shocks and with only four more inches of track on the ground and a less trail worthy skid I can’t see this as a big enough difference to justify “absolutely destroy” and then there is the free ride 146. Exact same machine as the backcountry XRS but with T motion. I just don’t see the point in ski Doo having all of these models that are so close in comparison.
SKS will kill that ugly turd. 70/30 moutian front end or not the sks and this sled should be compared. The gauge on that sled is missing a gps and the nice factor haha.
The assault blows this sled out of the water. I bet the sks even with a more mountain front end would beat all these sleds as well. Nice try but these sleds still have the gay look to them S well. Nice snow packers for you feet too I see.
Ted Pendagast the assault is THE cross over and still to date the only 50/50 sled that exists. All others have fallen short. If your referring to the sks 146 then technically your correct but its as much cross over as any of the other brands that claim they have one. You are confused I think.
Skyline Sand Sports dude I rode assault back when it was first introduced on the IQ chassis It’s the equivalent of a skidoo freeride It’s a mountain sled purpose built for jumps and drops Chris Burandt rode the assault when he first switched back to Polaris in 2010 and Dan Adams rode the assault They aren’t crossover riders, they’re mountain riders The assault isn’t a crossover sled the switchback was the crossover back then now it’s the sks You used to be able to get a switchback assault but that’s because it was the assault package ON a switchback Stick to the trails You don’t know what you’re talking about
