7 replies to this topic

[NHRoadking]

I will miss my 1200 Gade!

I bought a 2010 1200 shorty new and loved it so much I bought a leftover 2010 Gade 1200 last year. Rode it all last year and into this year and it has been flawless. My only "complaint" has been going off trail.

It's really not fair to call it a "complaint" because the 1200 seems like it's not really made for off trail. I would rank it as the best on trail sled I've ever owned and ridden. But off trail, the extra weight, especially in the nose, really hurts its off trail capabilities.

As I've found myself doing more and more off trail with guys on 600 and 800 etec Summits, and riding those, I realized that if I'm going to ride 50% or more off trail, I needed to make a change. A buddy took his Gade and added 146 rails and a 146 paddle track, but it still wasn't as good off trail as the Summits. I priced out adding 146 trails and a 2.3 track, but the deals out there right now meant that I could buy a new 2012 etec 600 Summit 146 for about $1500 more than what I'd spend stretching my Gade to a 146.

In a perfect world, I would keep my 1200 Gade for the trips with friends who want to stay on trail and get the Summit, but I can't do that. Having ridden the Summits on trail, they give up a little on trail but gain a lot off. The 1200 Gade gives up nothing on trail but is too deficient off trail for someone who does 50% or more off trail riding.

So, I love the 1200 and would recommend them to anyone doing mostly on trail riding - they are excellent on trail. I know the 2012 Summits are getting revised, but the current 2012 Summits I've ridden are very good on trail and excellent off trail. It's really impossible to find the one sled that can do it all, but the 146 Summit comes closest for me. If only I could get the Summit with the 1200 motor at the same weight as the etecs....

[XP123]

I would never buy a 1200 for off trail riding. I have 2 short track 1200's and one gade with 6.9 pilots. The gade with the 6.9's is a huge improvement over the short tracks but I wouldn't consider it a great deep snow sled. Thats not what the 1200 was made for. I know for a fact that a 600 E tech will walk away from a 1200 in deep snow. You just can't expect a sled that weighs 80 lbs more than another to go through deep snow the same. Good choice on the Summit for your type of riding. To be honest if I were a big deep snow guy I would look at the Polaris, for whatever reason those sleds perform really well in the deep and steep.

[RainmanX]

The summit is a great machine! A few years ago I went on a trip to Togwotee with Mom's, and a guy had one. Very nice setup for playing in the deep snow.

[treadh2o]

I have 2 short track 1200's and one gade with 6.9 pilots. The gade with the 6.9's is a huge improvement over the short tracks but I wouldn't consider it a great deep snow sled.

I was just gonna ask what the 6.9 skis would be like on there? Did they hinder trail at all? How about arm float/protector plates as well?
What did you have for track depth? 15" or 16"wide?
I ride 70% trail and 30% off.

[Rotax_Kid]

You're probably going to be happier going the SUmmit way. If I were you, I'd take a good look at the 800 though. With the lower gearing and taller track, it'll take more power to turn.

1200 can work offtrail, but it takes quite a bit of work to optimize it.

[CVCOBRA1]

I don't think I've ever seen what a 2"+ paddle track is like on a trail. In the central U.S. it has to be a given that a little bit of trail riding has to be done to get to the off trail areas. I've read where hifax wear and heating issues make scratchers a must on the trail, but what does that paddle underneath you feel like? Is it squirrley? Does it feel like its going to roll out from under you? I have no clue. I'm sure its not a top end track, LOL, but do you have to limit your speed to say 60 or under on the trail? Seems kind of funny that there are a lot of 1.75" trail tracks out there now and that would not have been thought of ten years ago.

[Rotax_Kid]

I don't think I've ever seen what a 2"+ paddle track is like on a trail. In the central U.S. it has to be a given that a little bit of trail riding has to be done to get to the off trail areas. I've read where hifax wear and heating issues make scratchers a must on the trail, but what does that paddle underneath you feel like? Is it squirrley? Does it feel like its going to roll out from under you? I have no clue. I'm sure its not a top end track, LOL, but do you have to limit your speed to say 60 or under on the trail? Seems kind of funny that there are a lot of 1.75" trail tracks out there now and that would not have been thought of ten years ago.

It's not too bad. Once you get over the 1.75" depth, the lugs tend to fold over on hardpack. Slider wear isn't too bad, but scratchers are a good idea. You can run decent speeds with the 2.0 and 2.3's, but the 2.5's and 3's I'd be worried. I know we have a couple of 3[s in our group and guys have lost lugs likely because of high speed trail riding (80+ mph) I know..wrong application, but some days when you come off the mountain, you just want to get back to the trail as quick as you can so you push it a little bit.

[MX-Z Man]

Sounds like for your type of riding you made the right choice - and isn't it nice Doo offers us such great choices.