skidoo needs to up its game in the display. look at polaris with build in large gps. i own a skidoo and love them but they need to chang that small outdated display.
Good honest review. 99% of the riding where I am (when we get snow) is trail. Woods, field, seasonal roads. Yet I still see people riding these. I always wounder where they ride.
Tony thanks for the comment. This thing is a blast in fields! It is the hard packed twisty trails that present the issues, and there are definitely better options for that riding environment.
stick with the freeride ...ull love it once u get the hang of off trail riding …..I haven't rode trails since I was like 12 and im 31 now ….trail riding makes me want to blow my brains out lol started on a 146 , now im on a summit 850 154 2.5" , and next sled will be a 165 3" ..u really appreciate the extra length once u start getting more confident …I didnt even notice the extra length from a 146 to 154 but u sure notice the difference in the deep snow.
i did decide to keep the freerided and also ordered a new XRS...have to travel pretty far here to get into good off trail, but that is far more exciting to me now than trail riding.
You should consider a Back Country X if you sell this one. It is better off trail and about the same on trail but with slightly less top speed. I peak at 140kmh and can maintain 100-120kmh with my BCX 18, you only really feel the difference in rotating mass and gearing above 100kmh. The freeride 137 is really m,made for jumping stuff. A coupled rear suspension is just never going to cut it off trail, you need at least 146 for uncoupled.
How is it this guy mentioned a few times Why he bought this sled. What he had hoped to start doing with it. I think a few times he said if he didn't start getting off trail he"d sell it because there far far better trail sleds. Yet. The know it all's still comment that he bought the wrong sled for trails. I thought he was clear. Now somebody out that way help him learn a new trick. Then he can teach this old dog because i am thinking of doing the same for the same reason. Banging trails since the early 70s in Mn.
@@AdventureStreamingGuys Two new sleds..Nice!!! I'm still sporting a 06 MXZX 800 HO. Just had a new engine from John at Sledhead Racing put in. That guy knows he business. That thing is so solid. But I am putting together a few bucks to get a second sled. Maybe a Backcountry. I heard they are good enough on trails and good off. I feel i'm in the same boat as you. Pounding rough trails and ditches for decades. Try something new. Keep up the Videos. I enjoyed them.
i could tip you to look at the films " SCHOOLED " there are 6 of 'em. alot of tips and trix and how you should think if you consider boondocking/sidehilling etc. but i can tell you that the 137 with R-motion will make you work for it. great for trails, but deepsnow not so mutch is my .02 $. i went from a renegade BCX 800 137" with a 1,75" track to a freeride 154" with a 2.5" track and never looked back.. now i ride the Summit mostly becus i ride 80% off trail. When i rode the freeride with 38" front end i could keep up at the trails if needed. sure alot more unsecure against the 42" like the mxz...
Dude, no offense meant , but this is for sure not a trail sled, think if you want to transision to more off trail, Cross Over would be good way to go... I personally like the 146 length
I agree i have the same sled and its tipsy. I also have a 120in xrs 2015 and its night and day on trails. Freeride has stabilty issues on the trail i feel like ... i had a 2012 freeride and it handled better on trails then this 18 Also all you need to do to help the cornering is put on xrs style skis or c & a skis. It will not be as good in power but it should steer better and feel more stable. Im thinking about doing it. Season is over in ny tho lol
"Freeride has stabilty issues on the trail" - But it's a Freeride! it's not meant for trails!!! A narrower sled combined with uncoupled suspension, T Motion, Flex edge track, and no outer bogey wheels will without a doubt be 10x tippier. If people are buying Freerides to trail ride and expect them to be pretty stable and not tippy then they've got no idea what they're doing lol. 2012 handled differently on trails, sure.... but, the Gen4 handles the powder much better than your 2012 did and thats what it's designed to do :)
do u understand what the freeride is for lol its for backcountry riding and big drops....why make it more like a xrs …..just buy a xrs ….and not a freeride to look cool.
Troy I recently had a chance to spend some time off trail and in the trees in Quebec, and I can see how well this sled performs for what it is made for. I love the sled! Just wanted peeps to know that unless you really are going to spend most time off trail (in my opinion), this sled is not the highest performing sled for trail riding, which is obvious. But before I bought the sled, many people on forums said they ride the FR mostly on trails, and love it. So the point to of the vid was this machine is awesome, but make sure you're intent is to truly ride off trail, or you might be disappointed. Thanks for the comments!
I've got a polaris 155" assault and love it on the trails here in Australia, we do a little mountain riding too. My mate has the 146" freeride and its perfect for what we have here.
we start in mid june and go untill october but only a had full of us can ride as most of the snow is in national parks and we are the search and rescue team ;)
I had to think for a moment if you were pulling my leg, but I know you do have mountains with snow. That is really interesting...so sleds are not legal unless you are providing public service?
ill save u the stress on the belt cover....don't take the clip out first....leave it in and instead squeeze the cover towards the clip with ur hand near where the cover latches on to towards the front of the sled...pops right out easy....then pull the clip out and pull the guard towards u and out....once u figure it out its super easy. thank me later
more sled videos & Tips:
ua-cam.com/play/PLWzvDHt7W4opwMM8qU4wgZurTEhn7kY3X.html
Tom seymore ,great guy to deal with ,always says hi,and willing to help .
he and the rest of the team were great to deal with...
Actually going to get another sled from him this fall too
skidoo needs to up its game in the display. look at polaris with build in large gps. i own a skidoo and love them but they need to chang that small outdated display.
i think they did try with the 2021 sleds, pretty impressive display and bluetooth options
Your next sled should be a backcountry because they are great cross over sleds
you are absolutely right, that is what I did get
Beauty sled. Only thing I would change is put a mid height windshield on it and mirrors. Otherwise beautiful.
Thanks for the tip
Very thorough review. Well done.
Glad you liked it
Good honest review. 99% of the riding where I am (when we get snow) is trail. Woods, field, seasonal roads. Yet I still see people riding these. I always wounder where they ride.
Tony thanks for the comment. This thing is a blast in fields! It is the hard packed twisty trails that present the issues, and there are definitely better options for that riding environment.
Good review Guy, wish I could make it up to try her out !!
Thanks Moonlight Lures!
stick with the freeride ...ull love it once u get the hang of off trail riding …..I haven't rode trails since I was like 12 and im 31 now ….trail riding makes me want to blow my brains out lol started on a 146 , now im on a summit 850 154 2.5" , and next sled will be a 165 3" ..u really appreciate the extra length once u start getting more confident …I didnt even notice the extra length from a 146 to 154 but u sure notice the difference in the deep snow.
i did decide to keep the freerided and also ordered a new XRS...have to travel pretty far here to get into good off trail, but that is far more exciting to me now than trail riding.
Y the hell u got freeride for trail ride
Ha...I didn't, I need more boon docking time. Just wanted to give my opinion on it while on trail.
You should consider a Back Country X if you sell this one. It is better off trail and about the same on trail but with slightly less top speed. I peak at 140kmh and can maintain 100-120kmh with my BCX 18, you only really feel the difference in rotating mass and gearing above 100kmh. The freeride 137 is really m,made for jumping stuff. A coupled rear suspension is just never going to cut it off trail, you need at least 146 for uncoupled.
i was riding last week with a guy who couldn't say enough about the Back Country X, you make a great point.
How is it this guy mentioned a few times Why he bought this sled. What he had hoped to start doing with it.
I think a few times he said if he didn't start getting off trail he"d sell it because there far far better trail sleds.
Yet. The know it all's still comment that he bought the wrong sled for trails.
I thought he was clear. Now somebody out that way help him learn a new trick. Then he can teach this old dog because i am thinking of doing the same for the same reason. Banging trails since the early 70s in Mn.
Robert DH I kept the FR and bought a 19 XRS!!! Love that on the trails. I think I might go for a 154” for off trail 😀
@@AdventureStreamingGuys Two new sleds..Nice!!!
I'm still sporting a 06 MXZX 800 HO. Just had a new engine from John at Sledhead Racing put in.
That guy knows he business. That thing is so solid. But I am putting together a few bucks to get a second sled. Maybe a Backcountry. I heard they are good enough on trails and good off.
I feel i'm in the same boat as you. Pounding rough trails and ditches for decades.
Try something new. Keep up the Videos. I enjoyed them.
@@robertdh685 thanks....as long as you're riding who cares what year/model....right. John does know his stuff.
sounds like a backcountry x-rs would be a better fit for you!
Spun so i got a trail xrs prob will get.a FR with longer track
i could tip you to look at the films " SCHOOLED " there are 6 of 'em. alot of tips and trix and how you should think if you consider boondocking/sidehilling etc. but i can tell you that the 137 with R-motion will make you work for it. great for trails, but deepsnow not so mutch is my .02 $. i went from a renegade BCX 800 137" with a 1,75" track to a freeride 154" with a 2.5" track and never looked back.. now i ride the Summit mostly becus i ride 80% off trail.
When i rode the freeride with 38" front end i could keep up at the trails if needed. sure alot more unsecure against the 42" like the mxz...
linkaaN thanks for the info on "Schooled", I will check it out. I wish we had the snow to warrant a 154 w 2.5", that would be badas@
Forgot to write those films are more for.. backcountry riding. but watch the Teasers first if you would buy them on itunes
Gotcha..thx
You bought the wrong sled for trial riding. But skidoo sells a trail suspension package. It changes arms and shocks
yah, agree but don't want it for trail riding, really like off trail. Got a 2019 XRS for the trails. thanks for the comment.
Dude, no offense meant , but this is for sure not a trail sled, think if you want to transision to more off trail, Cross Over would be good way to go... I personally like the 146 length
Totally agree no offense taken
I agree i have the same sled and its tipsy. I also have a 120in xrs 2015 and its night and day on trails. Freeride has stabilty issues on the trail i feel like ... i had a 2012 freeride and it handled better on trails then this 18
Also all you need to do to help the cornering is put on xrs style skis or c & a skis. It will not be as good in power but it should steer better and feel more stable. Im thinking about doing it. Season is over in ny tho lol
Steve...thanks for sharing your experience as well with the FR.
"Freeride has stabilty issues on the trail" - But it's a Freeride! it's not meant for trails!!! A narrower sled combined with uncoupled suspension, T Motion, Flex edge track, and no outer bogey wheels will without a doubt be 10x tippier. If people are buying Freerides to trail ride and expect them to be pretty stable and not tippy then they've got no idea what they're doing lol.
2012 handled differently on trails, sure.... but, the Gen4 handles the powder much better than your 2012 did and thats what it's designed to do :)
Trevor your right. 137 doesnt have t motion. I just found it a lot harder to ride at speed in Corners than the previous chassis
Steve Wenzel ah yah, 137 r motion. I forgot about that! I guess that should be almost as equal as a renegade.
do u understand what the freeride is for lol its for backcountry riding and big drops....why make it more like a xrs …..just buy a xrs ….and not a freeride to look cool.
hey thanks for the review, helps alot..
appreciate the comment man
When you're in the trees in your high marking you want your sled not to be that wide just telling you
Troy I recently had a chance to spend some time off trail and in the trees in Quebec, and I can see how well this sled performs for what it is made for. I love the sled! Just wanted peeps to know that unless you really are going to spend most time off trail (in my opinion), this sled is not the highest performing sled for trail riding, which is obvious. But before I bought the sled, many people on forums said they ride the FR mostly on trails, and love it. So the point to of the vid was this machine is awesome, but make sure you're intent is to truly ride off trail, or you might be disappointed. Thanks for the comments!
look at the films " SCHOOLED!! go with the 146" if your going to climb, 137" will be too short.
Roger that Nik....good vid for Mtn riding,
I've got a polaris 155" assault and love it on the trails here in Australia, we do a little mountain riding too. My mate has the 146" freeride and its perfect for what we have here.
awesome...how long can you ride in Australia? what is the riding season?
we start in mid june and go untill october but only a had full of us can ride as most of the snow is in national parks and we are the search and rescue team ;)
I had to think for a moment if you were pulling my leg, but I know you do have mountains with snow. That is really interesting...so sleds are not legal unless you are providing public service?
ill save u the stress on the belt cover....don't take the clip out first....leave it in and instead squeeze the cover towards the clip with ur hand near where the cover latches on to towards the front of the sled...pops right out easy....then pull the clip out and pull the guard towards u and out....once u figure it out its super easy. thank me later
KayTeeEmm great tip.. i hate that cover
hey thanks for the review, helps alot..
thanks for the feedback