The front end will be 40 pounds heavier than you're used to. To simulate that, strap a bag of softener salt to your front bumper. You'll hate it and be back in the market for an 850 next year.

 

I bought my first 1200 in '10. I bought another in '12 and again in '14. For '15 I bought an 800 - in '16 I went back to a 1200. That's my 1200 vs 800 story.

In '18 I tried an 850. Hands down my favorite sled ever. It sucked gas and oil like nothing I've ever seen - I didn't care. The fun factor trumped everything else.

Today I'm riding a '19 850. I'd consider myself a 4 stroke guy. I keep thinking I should should buy a 900T. I'm sure I'd love it but honestly, as good as the 850 is I'm not sure when, or if, I'll make the move back to a 4 stroker. Yeah, the 850 is that good.

 

If you are going 4 stroke I would highly suggest 900 turbo. More power, lighter, and in G4 chassis compared to a 1200.

 

If you are going 4 stroke I would highly suggest 900 turbo. More power, lighter, and in G4 chassis compared to a 1200.

Agreed and while the g4 900t feels lighter than the 1200, it is not.

 

My buddy has a 600 and a 1200. He typically always picks the 600 to ride.

I would go 900 if set on a 4 stroke.

 

NFW.
Rode a 1200 and 850 in the same day. Toooo heavy on the 4S nose.
900t just adds more crap to break.

 

Extra crap or not, the 900T has been virtually flawless.

 

I've driven a few 1200's. Every time, I could not wait to get off it and back on my two stroke. Would take a good turbo setup to make me think differently.
I'd like to try a 900T, I think a tuned one would suffice.

 

try a 1200 off trail before making a decision. your current 800 and a 1200 are like comparing apples and oranges

 

Agree that if you are going four stroke the 900T is the better choice. As for the weight of the 1200 it is not like strapping 40 lbs to the nose of an 800 unless you are a smaller rider. Put plenty of miles on my brothers 800 XRS while I was riding my 16' 1200 in the XS chassis. For me the 1200 was the better choice for trail riding until I sold it for the 900T. So much better balanced in the G4 chassis that the weight is a non issue.

My brother sold his 800 XRS for the 900T XRS and just like me loves everything about the new sled. Hands down get the 900T if you are going four stroke it's a fantastic trail machine and the best handling four stroke on the market right now.

 

I currently ride a xp 800 etec, most of my riding is trails although I like the occasional bit of off trail action. I'm considering selling this sled and going to a 1200. What are the main pros and cons of making this switch, I only want to hear from people that have done it. Also, is there much difference between the XR 1200 and XS 1200?

This is going to sound crazy, but they left a lot of power on the table with the 1200. Like the apex, a well setup 1200 can regularly outrun well setup 800's. But when left bone stock the 800 walks away from it in a line.

I came off an XP and got on the 1200. It was a boat. You eventually get used to it, but I hated it for a while. The 900t helps blur the line between the 1200 and the 800. Still heavy, but it holds it better and it's more nimble.

Deep down, I'm still a 2 stroke guy. But due to the advantages of the 4 stroke, I have a 900t.

For what it's worth, there is no way I would consider an 850 myself over the 900t.

 

I have a 2010 1200 renegade Xr chassis. Yes it's a little heavier. But like the dependability. And the fact I rode 100 miles yesterday and my fuel gauge moved two bars only. And I still had the fuel caddy set up on the back. put ski mounted ice scratchers on it or you'll be running hot. They also destroy hyrax fast. So put on the DuPont ones. Can go 5000 miles on one set. And they are fast as hell so just run it I do imiss my nimble 55o fan for the weight. But I won't go back.

 

I had a 12 xrs 800, sold it and took a year off. Came back this year on a 09 1200 just because it was a dirt cheap deal.

I don't know what it is, but for some reason the 1200 just seems like a more fun sled. I dont know if it's due to the torque of the 1200 or if its just the fact I needed something different after years of 2 strokes. I'm a 100% trail rider and honestly the only thing I notice about the difference in weight is the front end seems more planted going through corners. I also like the fact that the 1200 is fairly bulletproof.

I'd love to get into a 900T but I have zero interest in a renegade and I just dont want to drop that kind if money. A buddies father is talking about getting out of the sport and I've already told him when he does I'm taking his 13 1200 off his hands. I'm sticking with the 1200, I just want rmotion again.

 

I think if you are going to make the 4 stroke dive the G4 is really where its at. Nothing against the other 4 stroke engines and chassis.

I have never ridden a 1200 so take that for what its worth. Also a bud swears by his 1200 and has owned a lot of sleds. 100% high mile trail guy.

 

I had a 12 xrs 800, sold it and took a year off. Came back this year on a 09 1200 just because it was a dirt cheap deal.

I don't know what it is, but for some reason the 1200 just seems like a more fun sled. I dont know if it's due to the torque of the 1200 or if its just the fact I needed something different after years of 2 strokes. I'm a 100% trail rider and honestly the only thing I notice about the difference in weight is the front end seems more planted going through corners. I also like the fact that the 1200 is fairly bulletproof.

I'd love to get into a 900T but I have zero interest in a renegade and I just dont want to drop that kind if money. A buddies father is talking about getting out of the sport and I've already told him when he does I'm taking his 13 1200 off his hands. I'm sticking with the 1200, I just want rmotion again.

The torque is addicting, isn't it. I think that's what missed the most when I had my 800. The 850 is more like a 4 stroker.

 

I picked up a summit 600 carb after I was told many times it was a bullit proof motor. After 3 motors under warranty I figured I might as well be on an 800. Sold the sled and picked up an 800 freeride. 1 motor under warranty then a rebuild on it within a month due to an assembly issue. Winter is way too short to be dealing with engine troubles and I work out of town and I am away half the winter also. I tried out a 900na and was hooked on the reliability and impressed with what it could do for 90hp. As soon as the 900t was released I knew this was my sled. So I built my 900t backcountry and love it so far. Hooks up now that it has proper traction with the 2" track. I can run side by side with an 800 assault 144x2 and we wheelie over the same moguls, pull side by side on the straights. Then we fuel up and I put less fuel and no mixing oil. The assault owner is riding a 2019 and already talking about 'when this blows up soon'. If I ever tune this sled and gear it down slightly I think it will completely change the sled again. Hesitant on long term reliability with a tune.

I would say if you are going 4stroke go 900t and skip the 1200. If you are not into speed and wheelies and smashing moguls look at an expedition sport gen 4 900 ace. Incredible on fuel, quiet, long track, comes with the two up seat if you need that.

I love technical tree riding and backcountry but our snow conditions lately only allow trail riding unless I travel several hours. I couldnt justify always upgrading to keep warranty and sold my summit and I am just riding my backcountry 900t now. Fully converted unless I get into some technical riding again but I need to travel 6hrs for that and cant see it happening now.

 

Extra crap or not, the 900T has been virtually flawless.

I'd be more interested in the long term.

 

If you go 4 DO NOT get a 1200. top weight. Get a 900 ACE ,, Its just like a 2 smoke went driving...

 

I'd be more interested in the long term.

Why would it be any different than any other turbo engine out there? Turbos are everywhere these days and rock solid reliable. Literally every manufacturer (cars or powersports) has a turbo somewhere in their lineup. These days there is absolutely no downside to a turbo. Only the old timers still think turbo lag is a thing and that turbos need constant rebuilding.

 

If you go 4 DO NOT get a 1200. top weight. Get a 900 ACE ,, Its just like a 2 smoke went driving...

For trail riding I'd have zero problems recommending a 1200. I put a lot of miles on the 4 I owned, not once did I not like the sled.

 

I got the chance to try the 900T on the Dootalk ride this weekend, coming off a BCX 800; I started a thread in the 4-stroke section with my impressions. The 900T is a great sled, but its a completely different feel not only from my BCX, but also from my buddy's 2020 GadeX 850. I compared it to riding a sled vs driving a sled (if that makes sense).

I'm in the same boat as you, new sled for 2021 and am considering the 900T for no other reason than I wanted to try something new; but I'm reconsidering now as it was not my cup of tea.

 

I've always had 2 stroke 600, 700 and 800's over the years. Recently also rode a relatives 850. I'd say the 850 is the best two stroke I've ridden but my current sled is a renegade 1200 xs. I absolutely love the 4 stroke. It doesn't have that light snappy feeling of the 2 stroke but a nice linear power house of a sled. I can hang right with the 800's and 850 in my group and I absolutely walk away from the 600's. I feel like the 1200 stock is like a really well set up 700. But on top end I'm running down the 800's and 850's my sled stock will do 110mph on the gauge.

With that being said I've been having a ton of issues in the year I've owned my 1200. No issues with the motor itself but it's been exploding belts, thumb warmer quite working, coil plug went bad and now it's just shutting off on it own with no warning only goes about 15-20 feet and dies again. It's currently at the dealership getting checked out. I really feel like it's a lemon, I've had it for 13 months and I bought it brand new as a left over sled. We'll see what the dealer says but there's a good chance I'll move on from it and pick up a 900t or sidewinder

 

I got the chance to try the 900T on the Dootalk ride this weekend, coming off a BCX 800; I started a thread in the 4-stroke section with my impressions. The 900T is a great sled, but its a completely different feel not only from my BCX, but also from my buddy's 2020 GadeX 850. I compared it to riding a sled vs driving a sled (if that makes sense).

I'm in the same boat as you, new sled for 2021 and am considering the 900T for no other reason than I wanted to try something new; but I'm reconsidering now as it was not my cup of tea.

This does make sense, our group rides in Quebec on big wide trails and the 4 strokes are perfect. I have always said that if I only rode the Vermont twisties I would be back on a 2 stroke. I had 2 1200s and 2 900s about 40,000 miles and the 1200s always felt heavy, the 900s are better balanced, but still not 2 strokes. the 900t feels much lighter on the trails, but I can tell you its just as heavy moving it around on the trailer.

 

I was on the fence 10 years ago. We no longer did any off trail riding so I decided to give the XR1200 a try. I loved the torque and the planted stable trail manners. A few years later I bought an XS 1200 which was even better. Now I am on a G4 900T. The 900T is an incredible sled. Get yourself an XS 1200 or a 900T and try for yourself. If you don’t like it go back to the smoker

 

My 9t is pretty good so far but I’d rather have the proven na 1200 vs the more complicated turbo, but in the g4 chassis of course