• Shocks like you said. X package shocks on the Xtreme, the most valuable being the Pro 36 reservoir shock on the rear arm.
• DS3 skis vs Pilot 7.4 (this is bad IMO). If I order an Xtreme, I will change to the 7.4 with skins for flotation.
• 1.8" paddle track only choice. No ice traction option. The dealer might make this swap for you.
• Tiny windshield, have to put that in the trash immediately for an ultra high.
• No 2 up seat like you said. Have to buy separately, and then when you get it, you don't have wiring in place for the heated grips, I don't think. At least that's how my 2020 was.
• No rear rack - have to add that if you want to use the chainsaw scabbard or have it as a hand hold for moving the sled.
• No rear hitch. It only has a light Summit style bumper, so you need the HD bumper maybe to do any towing at all.

It can all be fixed, I did all of this to my 2020 Xtreme. But it gets expensive. At the time it was the only way to get the 850, but the choice becomes harder now with the SE 850 option. Another reason to go Xtreme on the SC-5U was it had a different linkage which gave clearance for the reservoir and a different shock rate. With uMotion now, we don't what the differences are yet.

Unless I go Lynx, I'm probably going back to an Xtreme because the LE I'm on right now the rear is just too soft with Rock Suspension. I feel like my Xtreme held up a little better once I changed springs.

 

The SE have gear ratio different than LE and Extreme. 25-51 for the SE and 27-49 for LE and Extreme. The SE is more oriented touring

 

I'm surprised the weight difference is only 50 pounds between the 850 and the turbo 4 stroke.

 

Pretty sure he's talking about the difference between the Xtreme with a 900 Turbo R and an LE with the Turbo R. Although the LE is actually 674, 670 is the weight of the regular Turbo. Always been puzzled about the weight difference of the Xtreme vs the other two, but like others have said, I assume they count the 2 up seat against the LE and SE, and the seat isn't light at all. Surprised it isn't more than 52 pounds if the seat is included.

 

‘LEing’ an Extreme can get pricy but you’ll get what you want. BRP accessories nowadays are ridiculous $$$, but what isn’t. Riding on a premium suspension will make those accessories feel worth it……

 

The weight difference is the seat, rear wrap around rack, larger skis, and heavier rear bumper. It adds up quick. A TurboR LE is the route I'll likely go. I'll figure in the cost of Pro-Float skis, Rock Shocks, new center shock spring and SWT torsion springs. I'll be $400 cheaper than the Extreme. Maybe not as good of shocks, but close. But I have a two up seat, the rack and a tall windshield.

 

But most importantly, buy the MOTOR that you want. Other things can be swapped/ added…….

 

The Xtreme has better suspension and the rear suspension on the LE is hard to get it to Xtreme level.

 

It looks like "Xtreming an LE" is going to be a better route than "LEing an Extreme". Ski doo has some decent suspension available for 2026. So it looks like a solid suspension upgrade is possible. Still cheaper than a commander or full upgraded Xtreme. Thanks for the help

 

I should clarify you can tow with an Xtreme, you just need the receiver piece, plus a hitch, or you bolt a hitch straight on. I never tangled with this issue on my 2020 because I had an HD bumper put on right out of the box for added tunnel strength. Which was probably overkill.

 

I decided to proceed with a Commander RE for 2026.... added a two-up plus only a few accessories. It was more expensive but I think the shock package and reinforcements will be worth it long-term. I was concerned about the non-articulating skid in the back; but if they are using it in northern europe without; I am sure I can manage here. Just need Fall to get here!

 

It’s quite easy to build a shock package that can out do the extreme we’ve been doing it for years.

 

note that on the 26 rear suspension, there are a couple of changes, but the only real change is the front arm and they are going to a single center shock spring vs the "tender" spring setup.

The spec on "more suspension" travel comes from the fact that without the tender spring, the ride height on the sled is higher. You can achieve this on any other SC5U skid by installing a $60 spring and letting the limiter strap out one hole.

The previous design essentially uses the tender spring setup and a shorter strap to basically pull the sled down to where that little spring is collapsed as soon as someone gets on it. That is why they have stupid amounts of ski pressure. Its a dumb idea used on a lot of the lineup and BRP has finally seen the light.

 

note that on the 26 rear suspension, there are a couple of changes, but the only real change is the front arm and they are going to a single center shock spring vs the "tender" spring setup.

The spec on "more suspension" travel comes from the fact that without the tender spring, the ride height on the sled is higher. You can achieve this on any other SC5U skid by installing a $60 spring and letting the limiter strap out one hole.

The previous design essentially uses the tender spring setup and a shorter strap to basically pull the sled down to where that little spring is collapsed as soon as someone gets on it. That is why they have stupid amounts of ski pressure. Its a dumb idea used on a lot of the lineup and BRP has finally seen the light.

In BRP's mind, what's the reason for the tender spring? I thought my old Xtreme didn't have this set up but this LE I have now does.

 

I also found my LE 900 NA has stupid amounts of ski pressure, and I plan on changing front skid spring before next season. It may be the design intent with the se and le are more for towing / two up riding then the extreme, and they put a very weak spring in the front of the skid to make sure it still turns well with the extra load? I went for a ride yesterday with a buddy with a 2025 expedition extreme turbo r , same miles as my 2024, and turning on dry pavement at the gas stations mine turns like it’s on snow where his pushes the skis, like a normal sled. After I noticed that, I asked him to switch sleds for a bit and sure enough it wasn’t half as hard to turn in the corners even with the extra weight of the turbo.

 

The front arm is longer. The shock is longer. That’s where the increased travel comes from. . You will not get the same results from the sc 5u by adjusting the strap 🤦‍♂️

 

I would tell you that they measure the suspension travel spec with the machine sitting static, no rider on it. That is where they measure the travel spec from - with no rider. They do not list a "ride in" spec on the travel.

SO - when you take the dual spring setup off, and install the single spring in its place (regardless of the limiter setting), the seat / bumper / sits higher than when it had the dual spring setup. They measure the travel from there - so it has more "travel". I have setup two expeditions that I own like this and it raises the static ride height significantly.

On the SC5U - the limiter strap is what is regulating the total travel of the skid as how the sleds were delivered. They had the limiter straps IMO too short from the factory. If you just went to a stiffer spring with the same limiter length, the travel spec would be the same, just stiffer. Going to the stiffer center spring and the longer strap mimics what they are doing going forward. it might not be identical, but it is similar.

That top tender spring is way too soft to do anything other than keep the main spring from rattling when the track comes off the ground.

 

Travel is measured from full extension to full collapse. There’s so much more to suspension then just up travel.

 

I think when they give us a travel number, it's around the rear arm, not the front. I haven't put any numbers to this, but SC-5U did seem to have dismal front arm travel. This sled I was on this season was bottoming the front arm just trying to drive over small bumps at 5 MPH in portage trails, drives me nuts.

 

The "travel" number is usually a measurement of the bumper's movement - but none of this stuff is standardized.

However even on the Xtreme - from the factory the shock were not even charged to the pressures that BRP recommends in the service manual (300psi). Typical is half (mine varied from 140-170 depending on which shock we are talking about).

Ive had all of mine serviced & valved, the 240lb center spring, stock main springs, stiffer front springs, limiter out one hole and the thing is real good. The Xtreme suspension is real good IMO, it just needs a little tweaking

 

What center shock. I’ve only experienced that with the oem shock. I’ve had pro40, heavier valved rock shock , and a fox with rezzi that all resist that really well. I have a pro46 to try out now as well. All great shocks.

 

Rock Suspension. In fairness, my front shocks were sprung way too soft which may have been the actual problem.