72 replies to this topic

[mods2come]

Just came back from the show to witness the 2013 models. The REV-XS are much nicer in person than pictures...

Anyways, I am definitely buying a 2013 Renegade X, but I'm really struggling with going for the BackCountry model vs standard... The typical question is: how much trail vs off trail: Answer is 80% trail 20% off trail, but that might change slightly. See, I'm off an MXZ-X 1200 shorty (1.25" RipSaw non studded) and want to get something a bit different. I thought there was a lot of spinning and not much fun in loose snow. So a Renegade 800 e-tec should do it. Pushing the idea further, I like the 1.5" lugs on the BC's track, but not so sure about the DS skis and ski stance.

Having a narrower ski stance, I am afraid of the machine being easier to tip over? Is the difference even noticeable?

What about the DS skis on the trail?

Also, the gearing is different on th BC so I guess less top but more pull?

I just don't want to regret it while on trail... any advice? I hope I can make my mind by Saturday.

[seanp39]

I have the 2010 BCX 800R with the 6.9 Pilots. I was on a 2006 Renegade 1000X SDI prior to this sled.
The BCX is an awesome sled. By the way, mine came with the 1.75" track....now you can have the 1.5" or the 1.75".
So you have to decide on which track you want also.

All I can tell you is that I love the BCX over the regular Gade. On the trails the BCX is actually quite nimble and
easy to throw thru the twisties. Can't give you any advice on the DS skis....sorry.

If I were going to do anything different I would go with the 1.5" track just to see how it performs.

You will love the BCX....

[Dirty Steve]

I have been trying to make the same decision. My buddy had a BCX last year and part of this year. He never struggled on the trail much. He did say he wished he had studs. He ran Slide Kick scratchers with the 1.75" track.
This season, his BCX blew up and he traded for the Renegade X. He said he doesn' t miss the BCX at all.

[BCX800R]

I never had issue with narrower ski stance or wide skis.The track length was noticeable in the tight twisty trails at speed,trying to run with shorties.The track howl on trail w/1.75 gets old.I too was juggling the ren x this time.Ordered a 2013 BCX w 1.5 track.Going to try gearing it to reg Gade.

[BCX800R]

Duplicate modified

[Bad]

I was at the show last night also it was like a sauna in thier. I liked the new bcx the way you could get more forward and off to the side for sidehilling and such. The 1.5" track they had on it looked like it would be a better trail track then serious offtrail also the quick adjust for the r motion is right in the way on the running boards when yer moving yer feet around on the sled. But I understand you can get it without the quick clickers.
Alot of people will tell you they can ride thier BC just as fast on trails as thier shorty or gade. 1 of 2 things is happening here they are full of crap or they never rode thier other sled that hard. You have a bigger track and narrower front end it's going to be a little slower in the corner's. The sled is pretty decent on trail and off. Is it the best at both no but it pretty good at either. I like the pilot ds on trail I find they need a good shaper bar on them tho.
If some one even asks about loosing top end I tell them the sled is not for you. It's not a lake or trail racer. It will get you to top end in a hurry tho. For 80% trail I would say get tha gade put on a deeper lug track and the quick disconnect for the sway bar some practice and you should have a rocking machine .

[NASTY]

Just came back from the show to witness the 2013 models. The REV-XS are much nicer in person than pictures...

Anyways, I am definitely buying a 2013 Renegade X, but I'm really struggling with going for the BackCountry model vs standard... The typical question is: how much trail vs off trail: Answer is 80% trail 20% off trail, but that might change slightly. See, I'm off an MXZ-X 1200 shorty (1.25" RipSaw non studded) and want to get something a bit different. I thought there was a lot of spinning and not much fun in loose snow. So a Renegade 800 e-tec should do it. Pushing the idea further, I like the 1.5" lugs on the BC's track, but not so sure about the DS skis and ski stance.

Having a narrower ski stance, I am afraid of the machine being easier to tip over? Is the difference even noticeable?

What about the DS skis on the trail?

Also, the gearing is different on th BC so I guess less top but more pull?

I just don't want to regret it while on trail... any advice? I hope I can make my mind by Saturday.

You don't need a BCX. The shorter gears, taller riser and less wind protection won't help you. You probably don't even need an X. Get an Adrenaline and put the cash you saved from not buying an X or BCX towards goodies for the sled.

[mods2come]

I have the 2010 BCX 800R with the 6.9 Pilots. I was on a 2006 Renegade 1000X SDI prior to this sled.
The BCX is an awesome sled. By the way, mine came with the 1.75" track....now you can have the 1.5" or the 1.75".
So you have to decide on which track you want also.

All I can tell you is that I love the BCX over the regular Gade. On the trails the BCX is actually quite nimble and
easy to throw thru the twisties. Can't give you any advice on the DS skis....sorry.

If I were going to do anything different I would go with the 1.5" track just to see how it performs.

You will love the BCX....

I would definitely go with the 1.5" track if I pick the BCX.

[mods2come]

I never had issue with narrower ski stance or wide skis.The length was noticeable in the tight twisty trails at speed,trying to run with shorties.The track howl on trail w/1.75 gets old.I too was juggling the ren x this time.Ordered a 2013 BCX w 1.5 track.Going to try gearing it to reg Gade.

Anyone knows what is the total ski width of the Gade X vs BCX (Pilot DS, set to wider stance)? I think its just an inch or two less on the BCX...

[mods2come]

I was at the show last night also it was like a sauna in thier. I liked the new bcx the way you could get more forward and off to the side for sidehilling and such. The 1.5" track they had on it looked like it would be a better trail track then serious offtrail also the quick adjust for the r motion is right in the way on the running boards when yer moving yer feet around on the sled. But I understand you can get it without the quick clickers.
Alot of people will tell you they can ride thier BC just as fast on trails as thier shorty or gade. 1 of 2 things is happening here they are full of crap or they never rode thier other sled that hard. You have a bigger track and narrower front end it's going to be a little slower in the corner's. The sled is pretty decent on trail and off. Is it the best at both no but it pretty good at either. I like the pilot ds on trail I find they need a good shaper bar on them tho.
If some one even asks about loosing top end I tell them the sled is not for you. It's not a lake or trail racer. It will get you to top end in a hurry tho. For 80% trail I would say get tha gade put on a deeper lug track and the quick disconnect for the sway bar some practice and you should have a rocking machine .

Do you think they would be much difference sliding (drifting) the corners between the 1.25 track on Gade and 1.5 on BC?

I'm definitely not a lake racer and since I'm off a shorty MXZ-X 1200, I am quite fine with less top end and more pull.

[mods2come]

You don't need a BCX. The shorter gears, taller riser and less wind protection won't help you. You probably don't even need an X. Get an Adrenaline and put the cash you saved from not buying an X or BCX towards goodies for the sled.

Why not? I'm off an MXZ-X 1200 shorty which seemed to have a taller block than the Gade I sat on yesterday... or maybe it was the new chassis that made me feel that the bar was lower. I'm used to the wind so not an issue there. I prefer to look of the X so I'm going for the X.

[Roostmonkey]

I would think your main attration to an X should be the suspension, not the looks.

[ilovemyskidoo]

i was stuck with this very same dilemma get a gade x or another bcx the narrow ski stance was never an issue for me that sled would take any corner as fast as i was dumb enough to try and go threw it the pilot 6.9 ski's sucked and once i put the camoplast 7" ski's steering was vastly improved the 1.75 lug track was never a problem either "track howl" i never noticed that and after 2300 miles the track was still in great shape no ripped off or torn lugs they were starting to show some signs of wear but thats normal for any track gearing was good too stock top speed was 97 on dream o meter with clutch kit it said 103 so actual speed was proably some were near 93'ish pleanty fast enough to be going on a sled
so you may ask if the bcx was such a great sled then why did you not spring check another one well for me it came down to one simple fact i ride 85% trails the other 10% is spend playin on snow drift (that can actually get quite large) and the last 5% is deep snow so it made no sence to have a sled that was made for "backcountry" riding and use it for trails
im gonna put a set of 7" skis on the gade x and a skid plate with a arm protectors that will give me good floatation for the drifts and such and have a better trail sled

[Bad]

Do you think they would be much difference sliding (drifting) the corners between the 1.25 track on Gade and 1.5 on BC?

I'm definitely not a lake racer and since I'm off a shorty MXZ-X 1200, I am quite fine with less top end and more pull.

I've never rode a 1.5" so couldn't honestly say but I would imagine less slide. I mostly ride offtrail now but find the bigger lug track handle the best in loose conditions on trail.

i was stuck with this very same dilemma get a gade x or another bcx the narrow ski stance was never an issue for me that sled would take any corner as fast as i was dumb enough to try and go threw it the pilot 6.9 ski's sucked and once i put the camoplast 7" ski's steering was vastly improved the 1.75 lug track was never a problem either "track howl" i never noticed that and after 2300 miles the track was still in great shape no ripped off or torn lugs they were starting to show some signs of wear but thats normal for any track gearing was good too stock top speed was 97 on dream o meter with clutch kit it said 103 so actual speed was proably some were near 93'ish pleanty fast enough to be going on a sled
so you may ask if the bcx was such a great sled then why did you not spring check another one well for me it came down to one simple fact i ride 85% trails the other 10% is spend playin on snow drift (that can actually get quite large) and the last 5% is deep snow so it made no sence to have a sled that was made for "backcountry" riding and use it for trails
im gonna put a set of 7" skis on the gade x and a skid plate with a arm protectors that will give me good floatation for the drifts and such and have a better trail sled

I think from what you posted of yer riding style ilovemyskidoo has a good point and a 1.5" lug track would work very well on the trail in my opinion.

[laxman34]

DS skis are actally great skis, my dad has them on his gade and loves them and we prolly only ride 20% off trail