Full Version: Blade vs Rev ride quality?
Was wondering ever since I seen one on the trails last year, what are they like compared to the rev for ride quality position etc? Specs?
[quote name='TurboST' date='Sep 2 2007, 09:57 PM' post='3009629']
Was wondering ever since I seen one on the trails last year, what are they like compared to the rev for ride quality position etc? Specs?
I can tell you from first hand experience (I own both) that they are two completely different rides. IMO - the Blade is the ultimate trail sled - it carves a trail like no other sled I've been on, sucks up trail crap and isolates the trail from the driver and the sled is extremely light! That being said - it can be a bit boring to ride as like I mentioned it isolates the trail from the driver - it's like driving a sporty Buick down the trail. Seating position is conventional, but comfortable.
Rev - has a sportier feel to it, is much more twitchy in the trail and doesn't track near as well as the blade. Seating position is obviously rider forward, sled feels very light in the trail. When riding at high speed with serious whoops in the trail - sometimes the trail manners can get a bit spooky as the sled gets pitched around on launches and landings.
L8TR
Was wondering ever since I seen one on the trails last year, what are they like compared to the rev for ride quality position etc? Specs?
I can tell you from first hand experience (I own both) that they are two completely different rides. IMO - the Blade is the ultimate trail sled - it carves a trail like no other sled I've been on, sucks up trail crap and isolates the trail from the driver and the sled is extremely light! That being said - it can be a bit boring to ride as like I mentioned it isolates the trail from the driver - it's like driving a sporty Buick down the trail. Seating position is conventional, but comfortable.
Rev - has a sportier feel to it, is much more twitchy in the trail and doesn't track near as well as the blade. Seating position is obviously rider forward, sled feels very light in the trail. When riding at high speed with serious whoops in the trail - sometimes the trail manners can get a bit spooky as the sled gets pitched around on launches and landings.
L8TR
I can tell you from first hand experience (I own both) that they are two completely different rides. IMO - the Blade is the ultimate trail sled - it carves a trail like no other sled I've been on, sucks up trail crap and isolates the trail from the driver and the sled is extremely light! That being said - it can be a bit boring to ride as like I mentioned it isolates the trail from the driver - it's like driving a sporty Buick down the trail. Seating position is conventional, but comfortable.
Rev - has a sportier feel to it, is much more twitchy in the trail and doesn't track near as well as the blade. Seating position is obviously rider forward, sled feels very light in the trail. When riding at high speed with serious whoops in the trail - sometimes the trail manners can get a bit spooky as the sled gets pitched around on launches and landings.
L8TR
[/quote
I agree with XCR5, the Blade cuts up any trail like a carving knife (Blade
) I have ridden trail sleds for 27 years and Nothings is close to have that much control at high speeds through the woods. The Cross Country "KING" Gerard Karpik and His Brothers designed and built It. It is a sit down seating position "old school". When the trail turns in to a mine field 
is where the REV shines ,You can stand up and blast over the tops of the craters. I have a 01 440 MXZx which is great as You can ride with the stand up or the conformable sit down position with knees at 90 degrees. I have a 2000 Blade 7x2 also ,I plan on taking both when I head North this year. 
Rev - has a sportier feel to it, is much more twitchy in the trail and doesn't track near as well as the blade. Seating position is obviously rider forward, sled feels very light in the trail. When riding at high speed with serious whoops in the trail - sometimes the trail manners can get a bit spooky as the sled gets pitched around on launches and landings.
L8TR
[/quote
I agree with XCR5, the Blade cuts up any trail like a carving knife (Blade
) I have ridden trail sleds for 27 years and Nothings is close to have that much control at high speeds through the woods. The Cross Country "KING" Gerard Karpik and His Brothers designed and built It. It is a sit down seating position "old school". When the trail turns in to a mine field is where the REV shines ,You can stand up and blast over the tops of the craters. I have a 01 440 MXZx which is great as You can ride with the stand up or the conformable sit down position with knees at 90 degrees. I have a 2000 Blade 7x2 also ,I plan on taking both when I head North this year.
I have both sleds also.
My Blade was twitchy when it was a 121 for the first year. The 700 motor just overpowered the track.
The second year I extended it to a 136 and the ride improved, and the twitchy feeling went away.
Nothing I have ever ridden rides as good as my Blade.
My 2005 Rev rides pretty good, but the Blade is about 20% better in the front end, and about 35% better ride for the rear suspension.
After riding my Blade for 5 years, I have ordered an XP TNT for this year.
I think the front suspension on the XP will be closer to that of a blade (I may need to revalve the shocks), but I hear the rear suspension on the XP is not as good as the old Revs. I am thinking of replacing it with an AirWave (after I see if the tunnel will need additional support).
My Blade was twitchy when it was a 121 for the first year. The 700 motor just overpowered the track.
The second year I extended it to a 136 and the ride improved, and the twitchy feeling went away.
Nothing I have ever ridden rides as good as my Blade.
My 2005 Rev rides pretty good, but the Blade is about 20% better in the front end, and about 35% better ride for the rear suspension.
After riding my Blade for 5 years, I have ordered an XP TNT for this year.
I think the front suspension on the XP will be closer to that of a blade (I may need to revalve the shocks), but I hear the rear suspension on the XP is not as good as the old Revs. I am thinking of replacing it with an AirWave (after I see if the tunnel will need additional support).
I have a 2002 Blade with the 700VES motor that I also added a 136 rear suspension with 1.25 ripsaw track.
This is an awsome trail sled. I have done a lot of shock revalving and fine tuning.
I bought a new Yamaha atack Gt because I wanted a 4 stroke with electric start and reverse.
I would say that the Blade will outperform the Atack in tight trails, but they are very similiar in the wide open trails of Canada.
The Blade is for sale. Anyone interested can email me at blade072@yahoo.com for more information and pictures.
The Blade has many extras and refinements that only made it a better machine.
I know people out there like the 121, but riding the Blade with a 121 and then changing it to a 136 gives me a great comparison and judgement of both lengths.
The 136 really woke the sled up. It has awsome traction without studs and I didn't see any detriment to trail riding. In fact, I like trail riding the 136 much better as it hooks up so much better coming out of corners.
This is an awsome trail sled. I have done a lot of shock revalving and fine tuning.
I bought a new Yamaha atack Gt because I wanted a 4 stroke with electric start and reverse.
I would say that the Blade will outperform the Atack in tight trails, but they are very similiar in the wide open trails of Canada.
The Blade is for sale. Anyone interested can email me at blade072@yahoo.com for more information and pictures.
The Blade has many extras and refinements that only made it a better machine.
I know people out there like the 121, but riding the Blade with a 121 and then changing it to a 136 gives me a great comparison and judgement of both lengths.
The 136 really woke the sled up. It has awsome traction without studs and I didn't see any detriment to trail riding. In fact, I like trail riding the 136 much better as it hooks up so much better coming out of corners.
[quote name='blade072' date='Sep 4 2007, 10:54 AM' post='3013152']
I have a 2002 Blade with the 700VES motor that I also added a 136 rear suspension with 1.25 ripsaw track.
This is an awsome trail sled. I have done a lot of shock revalving and fine tuning.
I bought a new Yamaha atack Gt because I wanted a 4 stroke with electric start and reverse.
I would say that the Blade will outperform the Atack in tight trails, but they are very similiar in the wide open trails of Canada.
The Blade is for sale. Anyone interested can email me at blade072@yahoo.com for more information and pictures.
The Blade has many extras and refinements that only made it a better machine.
I know people out there like the 121, but riding the Blade with a 121 and then changing it to a 136 gives me a great comparison and judgement of both lengths.
The 136 really woke the sled up. It has awsome traction without studs and I didn't see any detriment to trail riding. In fact, I like trail riding the 136 much better as it hooks up so much better coming out of corners.
Hmmm? Maybe that's why I like mine (actually my wifes) so much - it's a 136" 700cc Striker...
I have a 2002 Blade with the 700VES motor that I also added a 136 rear suspension with 1.25 ripsaw track.
This is an awsome trail sled. I have done a lot of shock revalving and fine tuning.
I bought a new Yamaha atack Gt because I wanted a 4 stroke with electric start and reverse.
I would say that the Blade will outperform the Atack in tight trails, but they are very similiar in the wide open trails of Canada.
The Blade is for sale. Anyone interested can email me at blade072@yahoo.com for more information and pictures.
The Blade has many extras and refinements that only made it a better machine.
I know people out there like the 121, but riding the Blade with a 121 and then changing it to a 136 gives me a great comparison and judgement of both lengths.
The 136 really woke the sled up. It has awsome traction without studs and I didn't see any detriment to trail riding. In fact, I like trail riding the 136 much better as it hooks up so much better coming out of corners.
Hmmm? Maybe that's why I like mine (actually my wifes) so much - it's a 136" 700cc Striker...
[/quote
I agree with XCR5, the Blade cuts up any trail like a carving knife (Blade ) I have ridden trail sleds for 27 years and Nothings is close to have that much control at high speeds through the woods. The Cross Country "KING" Gerard Karpik and His Brothers designed and built It. It is a sit down seating position "old school". When the trail turns in to a mine field is where the REV shines ,You can stand up and blast over the tops of the craters. I have a 01 440 MXZx which is great as You can ride with the stand up or the conformable sit down position with knees at 90 degrees. I have a 2000 Blade 7x2 also ,I plan on taking both when I head North this year.
[/quote]
how does that zx 440 handle the bumps ?
I agree with XCR5, the Blade cuts up any trail like a carving knife (Blade
) I have ridden trail sleds for 27 years and Nothings is close to have that much control at high speeds through the woods. The Cross Country "KING" Gerard Karpik and His Brothers designed and built It. It is a sit down seating position "old school". When the trail turns in to a mine field is where the REV shines ,You can stand up and blast over the tops of the craters. I have a 01 440 MXZx which is great as You can ride with the stand up or the conformable sit down position with knees at 90 degrees. I have a 2000 Blade 7x2 also ,I plan on taking both when I head North this year. [/quote]
how does that zx 440 handle the bumps ?
QUOTE(snofrog @ Sep 29 2007, 09:51 PM) 
[/quote
I agree with XCR5, the Blade cuts up any trail like a carving knife (Blade ) I have ridden trail sleds for 27 years and Nothings is close to have that much control at high speeds through the woods. The Cross Country "KING" Gerard Karpik and His Brothers designed and built It. It is a sit down seating position "old school". When the trail turns in to a mine field is where the REV shines ,You can stand up and blast over the tops of the craters. I have a 01 440 MXZx which is great as You can ride with the stand up or the conformable sit down position with knees at 90 degrees. I have a 2000 Blade 7x2 also ,I plan on taking both when I head North this year.
how does that zx 440 handle the bumps ?
I agree with XCR5, the Blade cuts up any trail like a carving knife (Blade
) I have ridden trail sleds for 27 years and Nothings is close to have that much control at high speeds through the woods. The Cross Country "KING" Gerard Karpik and His Brothers designed and built It. It is a sit down seating position "old school". When the trail turns in to a mine field is where the REV shines ,You can stand up and blast over the tops of the craters. I have a 01 440 MXZx which is great as You can ride with the stand up or the conformable sit down position with knees at 90 degrees. I have a 2000 Blade 7x2 also ,I plan on taking both when I head North this year. how does that zx 440 handle the bumps ?
WAY BETTER THAN A 98 S chassis 440 Zx MUCHHHHH Better than a and Vintage 96 ZRT 600
QUOTE(Ron S @ Sep 3 2007, 07:43 PM)
I have both sleds also.
My Blade was twitchy when it was a 121 for the first year. The 700 motor just overpowered the track.
The second year I extended it to a 136 and the ride improved, and the twitchy feeling went away.
Nothing I have ever ridden rides as good as my Blade.
My 2005 Rev rides pretty good, but the Blade is about 20% better in the front end, and about 35% better ride for the rear suspension.
After riding my Blade for 5 years, I have ordered an XP TNT for this year.
I think the front suspension on the XP will be closer to that of a blade (I may need to revalve the shocks), but I hear the rear suspension on the XP is not as good as the old Revs. I am thinking of replacing it with an AirWave (after I see if the tunnel will need additional support).
My Blade was twitchy when it was a 121 for the first year. The 700 motor just overpowered the track.
The second year I extended it to a 136 and the ride improved, and the twitchy feeling went away.
Nothing I have ever ridden rides as good as my Blade.
My 2005 Rev rides pretty good, but the Blade is about 20% better in the front end, and about 35% better ride for the rear suspension.
After riding my Blade for 5 years, I have ordered an XP TNT for this year.
I think the front suspension on the XP will be closer to that of a blade (I may need to revalve the shocks), but I hear the rear suspension on the XP is not as good as the old Revs. I am thinking of replacing it with an AirWave (after I see if the tunnel will need additional support).
So how did the XP work out for you?
QUOTE(sno-dust @ Mar 20 2008, 04:31 PM)
So how did the XP work out for you?
The XP is a cold windy ride. the seat is way too hard too. The XP rear suspension is no where near as good as my 2005 Rev, and my Blade rear suspension is twice as good as the Rev.
It is more fun to ride than the blade. The XP feels lighter than the blade, but requires more effort to turn than my blade.
I like the gauges on the XP much better than the Blade. I like sitting with my hips higher than my knees, and am thinking of buying a new Boss seat for my Blade that is 2 inches higher than the stock blade seat.
My TNT is faster than my Blade, but the Blade is much more stable in the bumps.
I like the gauges on the XP much better than the Blade. I like sitting with my hips higher than my knees, and am thinking of buying a new Boss seat for my Blade that is 2 inches higher than the stock blade seat.
My TNT is faster than my Blade, but the Blade is much more stable in the bumps.
[/quote]
I put a Flat top on mine and it works very well. going to do it to the other two.
QUOTE(Skimoto @ Sep 30 2007, 04:20 PM)
WAY BETTER THAN A 98 S chassis 440 Zx MUCHHHHH Better than a and Vintage 96 ZRT 600
I rode the Snofrogs 96 ZRT (M-10 with ACE & Brads FRT )again this winter, now I know why I bought a M-10 with a Blade wrapped around it.
I just need it keep adjusting it softer,getting better each time I doo. I will be able to ride in to My 70's riding Blades 
Maybe into My 80's with a Airwave. 
QUOTE(sgrady @ Mar 21 2008, 11:51 PM)
I like the gauges on the XP much better than the Blade. I like sitting with my hips higher than my knees, and am thinking of buying a new Boss seat for my Blade that is 2 inches higher than the stock blade seat.
My TNT is faster than my Blade, but the Blade is much more stable in the bumps.
I put a Flat top on mine and it works very well. going to do it to the other two.
My TNT is faster than my Blade, but the Blade is much more stable in the bumps.
I put a Flat top on mine and it works very well. going to do it to the other two.
That looks sweet do they still make them?
Yup, you can order one today. Just get ready to open your wallet 
. They start at about $16,000 ( I think, correct me if I'm wrong) and go up from there. I bought mine used and have just as good a sled as a new one.
. They start at about $16,000 ( I think, correct me if I'm wrong) and go up from there. I bought mine used and have just as good a sled as a new one.
QUOTE(sgrady @ Mar 22 2008, 12:51 AM)
I like the gauges on the XP much better than the Blade. I like sitting with my hips higher than my knees, and am thinking of buying a new Boss seat for my Blade that is 2 inches higher than the stock blade seat.
My TNT is faster than my Blade, but the Blade is much more stable in the bumps.
I put a Flat top on mine and it works very well. going to do it to the other two.
My TNT is faster than my Blade, but the Blade is much more stable in the bumps.
I put a Flat top on mine and it works very well. going to do it to the other two.
Flat top hi-rise with shovel pouch,more room in trunk than stock seat.4" higher.With 4" bar risers it makes it good for my long legs.Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment
QUOTE(sno-dust @ Mar 22 2008, 06:46 PM)
Flat top hi-rise with shovel pouch,more room in trunk than stock seat.$" higher.With 4" bar risers it makes it good for my long legs.Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment
Great Pics, How are the Simmons skis on the Trails ?
QUOTE(sgrady @ Mar 22 2008, 10:15 PM)
Great Pics, How are the Simmons skis on the Trails ?
Like power steering! :thumbsup:The hpo is a model PGH,I tried to put it on the 1wx and it doesnt fit,which model fits the shorttrack 1wx?I would like to get one for it.
QUOTE(sno-dust @ Mar 23 2008, 04:17 AM)
Like power steering! :thumbsup:The hpo is a model PGH,I tried to put it on the 1wx and it doesnt fit,which model fits the shorttrack 1wx?I would like to get one for it.
I will find out, I would think they would be the same.
QUOTE(Skimoto @ Sep 30 2007, 06:20 PM)
WAY BETTER THAN A 98 S chassis 440 Zx MUCHHHHH Better than a and Vintage 96 ZRT 600
Hey wait a minute I have a 96zrt.You can't beat the sound of the triple triple.And the have balls.
QUOTE(sno-dust @ Mar 20 2008, 04:31 PM)
So how did the XP work out for you?
I would have to say the XP is faster than my Blade corner to corner, but does not ride near as nice! The XP is also much much colder to ride.
I think the XP feels lighter than the blade, but that may just be because the Blade feels so stable at all times. You have to ride the XP in a very active style to make it work properly. I can just sit on the seat of the blade without having to work much.
The boss seat on the Blade is much better than the seat on the XP.
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