74 replies to this topic

[JD combine]

Guys need some help here. I have for the last four yrs rode 08 600 sdi and now 10 600etec shorties. Not that good of luck with the reliability factor. So been thinking real hard about spring ordering 1200x. I ride mostly on trail but very agressive so not sure if the 1200 is for me. I weight around 155 pounds. I have been advised that it might wear me down in the tight twistys etc. Also either one will be the renegade this time. Would really like to try the 800 etec once also but with all the problems i have been reading about on here the reliability factor kicks in again. Time is ticking for ordering and iam struggling, all opions are very welcomed in advance Thank you.

[Rotax!]

Are you going to stud it?

[JD combine]

Iam going with the ice ripper track on either model

[Rotax!]

Alright, then get the 1200 in a gade package... There is no comparison over reliability. The 1200 does not even need a valve adjustment until 12000miles. You will be looking for a new crank on the 800 etec somewhere around 5000 give or take a few... Running inconsistencies plague the 800. For groomed trail riding, the 1200 is far better and its gas and go. The 1200 corners flatter and will run with an etec to about 80 in stock form. Resale will be better on 1200. You won't get much for a used 800 with 3000miles on it. Get The X package, when you order. Wieght is about 45lb difference between the 2 if you have electric start on both sleds.

Now if you were going to stud it, I would get the shorty as I have had both in the 1200 and the shorty does handle better when studded over the gade. The gade will push alot more on either sled and I only weight 165lbs, so I am close to your weight and I struggle a bit because it pushes a bit over the 120", but I run longer studs in my 1200 gade which creates more push. The gade also accelerates way harder then the shorty, which compliments the 1200 motor. Good luck.

You can search on this as there has been some pros and cons stated I believe this time last year.

[crazysnow]

Man I feel your pain !!!! it's not an easy choice the 1200 sounds like the way to go as far as reliability but 800x xs looks bas A** and all the new neat gadgets you can get for it. can't get them on the 1200 that sucks. GOOD LUCK !!!

[cl doo man]

Had the same problem last year, wanted the 800 but got the 1200 for reliability. No regrets here:-)

[NHRoadking]

Had two 1200s, Shorty and Gade. Really liked them both. Went to 600 etec this past year and ordered 800 etec for this year.

The 1200 is nice, but I like the 800 better. Each has its own pluses and minuses. In the end, I like the extra hp on the 800 and 50 pounds less in the nose, especially since I'm off trail so much. On trail, the 1200 and 800 are closer, but at the end of the day the 1200 was more tiring and harder to steer than the 800 is.


You'll be happy with either one as long as you're not doing a lot of off trail with the 1200.

[skidooman800etec]

owner of 2012 800 etec renegade and rode 1500 miles in canada this year, had no problems with rpms, ran perfect very fast , and got 18 to 19 miles per gallon which is much better than 1200. rode hard in the twisties on groomed trails and this sled has no push in the corners like the old rev chasis. yeah the 1200 will pile up the miles but in 3 years ill get a new sled. I think people are crazy saying the etec is not reliable maybe the 2011s but the bugs are worked out now.

[toddy]

Just finished ordering my RenagadeX 800r ETEC with Yellow hand gaurds Can't wait for next winter already

[600legend]

First thing to do is get yourself a 72' olympic 335 stick a 440
silver bullet motor on it change the bottom gear to get some top end, ride that for 2 winters... you will learn all about " push "...

then go to the dealer and buy the most affordable, reliable sled thats fits your budget.... you will love it for longer than it will last...

I ride the same as I did 30 yrs ago, only I feel a hell of a lot better the next day.

[macker]

I own both, they are also both Renegades, my 800R E-tec is way more fun to ride than the 1200, it is not even close between the two. I really like the 1200, the torque curve is really linear, extremely smooth sled and one that I would possible buy for my next sled. But at this point in my life, at about 50 years old, I still need the wow factor when I hit it, the 800 provides way more of that. I also have no doubt that long term, the motor on the 1200 will be more reliable, short term my 1200 had a gear go out in the tranny at 800 miles and my buddies 1200 puked the primary (total loss on primary) at around 2500 miles. Don't buy all the internet hype about the 800's having lots of issues, all models have some issues, many factors/statistics weigh into this other than what you read on here.

[snowx800]

Ok im running out of time I have a 2010 renegade 1200X with 5600 miles on it. I was trading it in on the same sled 2013 with r motion. Don't like the looks of it so went to show and love the 800 etec. I just never liked the way xp shotty has handled. Does the renegade make the xp that much better. Any info would help

[user1]

I ride with a few guys my age (30) this year who had 1200's. One of them sold his 1200 the week after our ride and bought an 800. The others were very impressed by my 800 etec and questioned the decision to by the 1200. If you are an agressive rider do you think you will ever expand your riding to include some off trial riding in the future? Do you not like riding off trail or is it somthing you just have never done? Personally i think off trail riding is addicting, once you start you look at the trails as a way to get to off trial riding spots and thats about it. I dont really care to hit the trails any more.

Too bad you didnt get to test ride them because i feel like this is driven purly by prefernce as their are to many attributes and paramiters to define. Just terrain and riding style alone varies so dramatically from one rider to the next. Personally I would not be happy with the performance of the 1200, and did not like the potential issues with the 800. So my way to resolve my decision was to go with the 800 and shell out the cash for the extended warranty. I am not an extended warranty kind of guy, but to me it was worth the piece of mind.

Kind odf B.S. though that you pay 12 g's for a sled and have to pay $800 becuase your scared it could have a total catstrophic failure after year one... Maybe im paranoid, maybe i spend too much time on the internet, who knows.

Either sled will be very nice, one will just be more suited to your needs. Personally i want a summit in my arsenal with my shorties. Im trying to convince my wife that i need more than two sleds.....

[NHRoadking]

Ok im running out of time I have a 2010 renegade 1200X with 5600 miles on it. I was trading it in on the same sled 2013 with r motion. Don't like the looks of it so went to show and love the 800 etec. I just never liked the way xp shotty has handled. Does the renegade make the xp that much better. Any info would help

As between shorty and Gade, go Gade.

[Boness]

You can't compair the 1200 to the 800. 1200 is 600 class sled if the 600 is not enough for you you won't be happy with the 1200 unless you put a turbo on it.