Hey all, I have read some past posts about 600 and 900N/A ACE sleds, but looking for recent experiences. I have my primary sled for me, but have been thinking about adding a good all-around sled for family and friends. Most of them are not long-time experienced riders, so trying to keep away from the higher speed engines. The one thing I like about the 4S engines is the 3 performance modes. If I thought this sled would be backup sled for me or any of my experienced rider friends, I would not hesitate on the 900, but it is also more than $2K difference between the 600 Sport and the 900 Adrenaline (now G5). I also like that the 600 Sport is 30 lbs lighter, which might be easier to ride for my less experienced family members. Looking for pros and cons, likes and dislikes for either of them. Thanks!
Old Doo Daddy
600 ACE or 900 ACE for an extra family sled?
Considering it's not your main sled but only a back up sled , and on top of that the extra cash for the 900... might as well just get a 600 ace .
The 600 ace is a nice little motor , fare superior in refinment then the old style air cooled 550s of the past.
The 600 ace is a nice little motor , fare superior in refinment then the old style air cooled 550s of the past.
Need clarification on if that's a 600 ace or a 600 EFI / Etec. There's lots of 600s and they go from 60 to 125 hp...
My backup / family sled is a 900 ace, and I'm going to see about swapping it from a 600 EFI or 600 etec. The biggest issue by far with the 900, no matte who rides it, is the "digital throttle". There just ISN'T that connection between your thumb and the engine, and that subtle delay can be downright dangerous for any newer rider. The weight over the skis and relative lack of handling is a somewhat close second on the 'downsides' - almost everything else is pretty damn phenomenal. No maintenance, lots of adjustability, can be relatively docile in eco or boogy pretty good in standard.
But seriously, the throttle is a major issue. Every single person I've taken out on - except my one friend who's very experience, and myself - have had minor accidents with it. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. The throttle is just too jumpy and unnatural in standard mode (nevermind sport, which is basically binary). Everyone has to resort to eco mode, unless we're on a lake... and they end up switching back and forth all day. Almost always, I offer to let them try my 850 somewhere safe. They're terrified, because they don't trust the 900. Then they try the 850 and it's somehow twice as powerful but also twice as predictable - and they prefer it. So yeah, looking to trade it.
The 600 ace is, IMO, a glorified lawnmower. Amazing little engine if you take the scenic Sunday route, but it just doesn't have the jam to have fun for most people. 600 etec is an incredible motor and I almost miss the older one because it was a little lower on power and little better for new riders, but the new one is still great. Haven't ridden a 600 EFI and the rest of the sled is somewhat seriously downgraded (which is a similar issue with the 600 ace) - no good shocks available, not even a good skid, etc. Part of me wants to get a nice 600 Etec X package sled, and swap in a 600 efi...that would be the perfect backup sled IMO.
My backup / family sled is a 900 ace, and I'm going to see about swapping it from a 600 EFI or 600 etec. The biggest issue by far with the 900, no matte who rides it, is the "digital throttle". There just ISN'T that connection between your thumb and the engine, and that subtle delay can be downright dangerous for any newer rider. The weight over the skis and relative lack of handling is a somewhat close second on the 'downsides' - almost everything else is pretty damn phenomenal. No maintenance, lots of adjustability, can be relatively docile in eco or boogy pretty good in standard.
But seriously, the throttle is a major issue. Every single person I've taken out on - except my one friend who's very experience, and myself - have had minor accidents with it. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. The throttle is just too jumpy and unnatural in standard mode (nevermind sport, which is basically binary). Everyone has to resort to eco mode, unless we're on a lake... and they end up switching back and forth all day. Almost always, I offer to let them try my 850 somewhere safe. They're terrified, because they don't trust the 900. Then they try the 850 and it's somehow twice as powerful but also twice as predictable - and they prefer it. So yeah, looking to trade it.
The 600 ace is, IMO, a glorified lawnmower. Amazing little engine if you take the scenic Sunday route, but it just doesn't have the jam to have fun for most people. 600 etec is an incredible motor and I almost miss the older one because it was a little lower on power and little better for new riders, but the new one is still great. Haven't ridden a 600 EFI and the rest of the sled is somewhat seriously downgraded (which is a similar issue with the 600 ace) - no good shocks available, not even a good skid, etc. Part of me wants to get a nice 600 Etec X package sled, and swap in a 600 efi...that would be the perfect backup sled IMO.
^^ I absolutely love my 900 ACE and the iTC throttle.
Definitely takes a bit to get used to it but once we did, we have no intention of going back to a cable throttle except maybe for our third sled/backup.
To the OP, lots of love out there for the 600 ACE as well of course. My comment is that with an Adrenaline you get some pretty nice upgrades compared to a sport, including better shocks and rMotion. For the extra $2k you get a full-on G5 rMotion sled.
Definitely takes a bit to get used to it but once we did, we have no intention of going back to a cable throttle except maybe for our third sled/backup.
To the OP, lots of love out there for the 600 ACE as well of course. My comment is that with an Adrenaline you get some pretty nice upgrades compared to a sport, including better shocks and rMotion. For the extra $2k you get a full-on G5 rMotion sled.
I know 3 people who had newbies put their 900 aces in the trees. Luckily no serious injuries, but one sled got totalled.
I own a 900 ace, 600r, and a 600 efi and have driven the 600 ace. For you wanting to put inexperienced friends or family, I would go 600 ace. They are plenty of sled to meet your needs on an outing for an inexperienced rider. The 600 efi mxz sport also isn't a bad choice. I put a different seat on mine. The shocks and skid have never been an issue for me. I've owned other sleds with rmotion and better shocks. The Sport models do just fine.
I own a 900 ace, 600r, and a 600 efi and have driven the 600 ace. For you wanting to put inexperienced friends or family, I would go 600 ace. They are plenty of sled to meet your needs on an outing for an inexperienced rider. The 600 efi mxz sport also isn't a bad choice. I put a different seat on mine. The shocks and skid have never been an issue for me. I've owned other sleds with rmotion and better shocks. The Sport models do just fine.
900 ace would be your best bet. Better shocks, better tech, etc. 600 sport will always be only a 600 sport. My family has 6K on a 900 ace and sled has been flawless over the past 8 seasons.
the weight of that extra cylinder might be a bit off-putting to a new rider if they are down on upper body strength. I'd love to get an e-throttle 600 ace for the family (hopefully an Expy Sport regardless of engine). maybe for next year if the finances come together like I am hoping this summer.
the 600a is a rental sled, junk shocks, bad suspension..just a turd, perfect for a kid to abuse and outgrow
where a 900 has way more upgrades than one cylinder
where a 900 has way more upgrades than one cylinder
I bought a 900ace as my wife's sled/back up sled about 8 years ago. She's put on maybe 200 miles, i've tossed a fun 8200 miles on it. Trail riding it does just fine for me. the ditch riding/jumping aspect i prefer my 2-stroke... it's really extended the life of my 2-stroke as any ride over 70 miles the 900 gets the nod.
Something to keep in mind.
Something to keep in mind.
My son has the 600 ace and me the 900 ace. When I ride his sled on the trails I'm amazed how well it keeps up from 0 to 55 and I have just as much fun on it so I would say the 600 is a great choice. The 900 is an even better choice so it's up to you whether the extra $ comes into play. Don't listen to anyone who bashes either sled as both are reliable and a "slower" sled is still better than no sled. My 900 is still on its original belt after almost 5k miles! I love knowing the motor isn't going to leave me stranded.
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