Just wanted your thoughts on the right sled.

Live in lower Michigan but love to ride in the Upper Peninsula and around Gaylord. One group of guys I ride with normally are 95% trail riders. I have an 08 XP for that. The other group of guys I ride with are 60/40 on and off trail. (They all ride Gades)

This spring I ordered a Back Country X 800.. for the off trail stuff. Should I have ordered a Renegade instead? It's not too late, dealer hasen't uncrated my sled yet? He told me I can swap my order because he has both in stock.

Should I ?

Go with the gade, excellent on and off trail!

if u already have a trail sled i would get the backcountry. No matter what anyone tells you the 1.25 ripsaw is marginal in powder. That backcountry would be alot of fun i dont think you would regret it. Worst case is you wanted a less agressive track someone (like myself) would be more than happy to swap tracks.

Keep the Backcountry. I ordered the same sled as you and debated for months and months between it and the regular gade. I did alot of research and am totally happy I went with the BC. I probably ride 60% on trail and 40% off. My old 08 600 Gade was great on trail, but just didn't have the stuff when I would venture off-trail. I am in SE MN and we don't get the pow that you would in the UP. That's another reason you should keep the BC. I was worried about riding trails with the 1.75 track but everyone I talked with said I should have no problems with that track. They said if you are riding really hard packed trails, just dip off the side of the trail to lube the hyfax every once and a while. I do think you would be happy with either choice. But, IMHO I would stick with the BC. Good luck on your decision. Hope this helps.

Yes, PowLover... your note makes me feel that at one point we were both in the same boat. I know this is a very subjective thread and everyone either way is right as we all ride Doo's, just want to make sure BC is the right sled for my riding style when dropping this kind of cash.

I did get a set of Ice Scratchers from Hartman Inc. as I do cross some lakes to get to the woods. Thought it was a good idea. Won't be studding it at least for this year.

Thanks for all the posts and feedback.

Dan O

I dont think you will like the narrower front end of the BC on the trails. You could always put a deeper lug track on a standard gade.

There are literally a 100 people out there now who want a Back Country X. If you don't take that sled, it'll be gone (poof) before you turn around to look at the other one.

The ski stance is adjustable on the Gade, and I honestly don't think you would notice a few inches unless you ride very aggressively on trail. Another thing to consider is the BCX's gearing and clutching. It's set up like a summit. The BCX is a shortened Summit with better shocks, plain and simple.

K, I will stay with the BC after all, I have the XP for aggressive trail riding. Anyone looking for a BC in SE Michigan? PM me, dealer as a couple of cancelations.. As of yesterday he had two extras for sale... Michigan economy isn't it great?

Dan O

i think you will love the BC. the 1.75 track is not bad on the trails at all. and the off trail performance is top notch. i dont care what anyone says about how good a standard gade with a 1.25 track does off trail and how it will go the same places.... i promise you nothing will be funner offtrail then the bc with the 1.75 track. the hook up difference is unreal in powder and the trail manners are not that noticeable. i personally would never own a studded low lug track again. as a matter of fact i ride mostly in the up and northern lower penninsula and bought a summit and will be leaving the 2.25 track on it.