43 replies to this topic

[Lemo]

I had a chance last week to ride the new XM in Pemberton, BC with Dave Norona and Totally Awesome Adventures. I
always forget how the terrain and scenery in BC is absolutely stunning no matter what time of year you are there. Dave was a great guide and did his best to find us the good snow for early May, unfortunately the sun just didn't want to cooperate all the time. The XM is great sled a definite step up over the XP and for a prototype it had great fit and finish. Riding it takes so much less energy and effort than the XP's, pretty much look where you want to go and the XM will take you. Those two days of riding should help me get through the summer:-)

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[NHRoadking]

I had a chance last week to ride the new XM in Pemberton, BC with Dave Norona and Totally Awesome Adventures. I
always forget how the terrain and scenery in BC is absolutely stunning no matter what time of year you are there. Dave was a great guide and did his best to find us the good snow for early May, unfortunately the sun just didn't want to cooperate all the time. The XM is great sled a definite step up over the XP and for a prototype it had great fit and finish. Riding it takes so much less energy and effort than the XP's, pretty much look where you want to go and the XM will take you. Those two days of riding should help me get through the summer:-)

What were the differences you noticed from your XP?

[Lemo]

What were the differences you noticed from your XP?

At first when I rode it, I was thinking what's the big deal, this thing is over hyped. But after a little more time on it, you start to realize your over riding it and then you really start to appreciate all the changes.

The steering is lighter, when intiating a side hill only a minor shift in weight is necessary along with a little counter steer. Obviously the steeper the hill the greater shift in weight. Swaybar was still in, but once you get it on one ski it's not as likely to resist as much as the XP. I will be real curious to ride this without a sway bar.

I really like the new gauge set up and the bars are comfortable, the seat is also a very nice addition. What is weird, but cool once you get use to it is how much you can move forward on the new running boards, you forget you can move forward another 8". No need to vent this sled, temps were 30 - 35 degrees with heavy snow and clutch stayed relatively cool.

Lastly and it's not a surprise, the etec is so strong, smooth and predictable. Dave had mentioned how much BRP engineers are working on improving this engine and make them even more durable. Their engineers are putting hundreds of hours on the engine at full throttle 80% of their ride time. I have little doubt 2013 engines will be even more dialed in the previous years.

I this little review helps.

[NHRoadking]

At first when I rode it, I was thinking what's the big deal, this thing is over hyped. But after a little more time on it, you start to realize your over riding it and then you really start to appreciate all the changes.

The steering is lighter, when intiating a side hill only a minor shift in weight is necessary along with a little counter steer. Obviously the steeper the hill the greater shift in weight. Swaybar was still in, but once you get it on one ski it's not as likely to resist as much as the XP. I will be real curious to ride this without a sway bar.

I really like the new gauge set up and the bars are comfortable, the seat is also a very nice addition. What is weird, but cool once you get use to it is how much you can move forward on the new running boards, you forget you can move forward another 8". No need to vent this sled, temps were 30 - 35 degrees with heavy snow and clutch stayed relatively cool.

Lastly and it's not a surprise, the etec is so strong, smooth and predictable. Dave had mentioned how much BRP engineers are working on improving this engine and make them even more durable. Their engineers are putting hundreds of hours on the engine at full throttle 80% of their ride time. I have little doubt 2013 engines will be even more dialed in the previous years.

I this little review helps.

Thanks for the extra information.

Others have mentioned that the 2013 trenches less with it's new rails and skid design. Did you notice a difference from the 2012 in that regard?

[Teth-Air]

Thanks for the extra information.

Others have mentioned that the 2013 trenches less with it's new rails and skid design. Did you notice a difference from the 2012 in that regard?

The demos we tried had been switch back to the old rails and geomtry. The Doo guys said the new design just did not work. Sure enough the drill holes in the tunnels had been filled with rivits and the gap at the front of the reails was back like my 2011. For climbing up on the snow the only differeance should be the track.

[ThunderStorm]

Really? *%@ I thought the new geometry was one of its features....

[Jman3]

Ya dido what thunder said. If there putting in 12' rails and mounting position I won't be picking up my snowcheck.

[NHRoadking]

The demos we tried had been switch back to the old rails and geomtry. The Doo guys said the new design just did not work. Sure enough the drill holes in the tunnels had been filled with rivits and the gap at the front of the reails was back like my 2011. For climbing up on the snow the only differeance should be the track.

WHAT??? That dogleg in the track is an issue that needs to be fixed and was supposed to be fixed on the 2013s. I'd be surprised if they dropped the proposed change to the 2013s since Ski Doo really played that up as a big deal.

Can anyone confirm that? I'll email Dave Narona too and see what he says.

[winter brew]

The demos we tried had been switch back to the old rails and geomtry. The Doo guys said the new design just did not work. Sure enough the drill holes in the tunnels had been filled with rivits and the gap at the front of the reails was back like my 2011. For climbing up on the snow the only differeance should be the track.

That would really suck! That would be another attempt to make it even more flickable (I hate that word), but will lessen its ability to get and stay "on top", while keeping the nose down.
If they are watching, PLEASE go with the shallower approach and keep the scissor mount back on the rail!! Mess with shock valving and springs to compensate.

[techhead]

The demos we tried had been switch back to the old rails and geomtry. The Doo guys said the new design just did not work. Sure enough the drill holes in the tunnels had been filled with rivits and the gap at the front of the reails was back like my 2011. For climbing up on the snow the only differeance should be the track.

The rail will be similiar to the 12's. Only a few proto's and show sleds had the other design. The "other" design with longer rail tips actually trenched more so a decision was made to use the normal rail angle. Almost every demo ride you have read about is with the "old" 12 design and the sled flat out works. The test sleds at Snow shoot the mags rode all had the 12 design rails and they loved them. Time will tell but I doubt any XM rider will be disappointed. the sled get's up and floats and sidehills like nobody's business.

[winter brew]

I did not see a single demo with the old rails....or did they have the "old" '12 approach and then also the different (farther back) scissor position? If so, that would make it the same as the '12's with the scissor relocate brackets....it does help with trenching and keeping the nose down, but no where near the potential it has with a shallower approach and proper shock calibration....as Tom's has demonstrated with their rails.
Hopefully the whole package works well. I will reserve judgement until I get mine on the snow, but I would sure hope they do all they can to make this sled perform in the deep. At this point I think the steep rails are a mistake.

[NHRoadking]

The pictures Doo has up of the 2013 Summits show a new rail design, not the 2012 design.

I fail to see how the 2012 design could trench less than the design I was told I was getting when I ordered my 2013 Summit.

[storm]

Where's Dave Nora on this subject.

[gopherchoker]

Ones at sled show







Could have sweared that the xms had shallower angles than the xp's at the show but..............

[winter brew]

Thats what i saw on the show sleds and the one i rode. IMO that is the single best change on the sled, I will be disapointed if they go back to the '12 rail.
Thanks for the pics.