I went to some demo rides this weekend.
Wanted to try the etech but it was for display only.
Here are a few pictures I took

The very nice dealer in Derby VT let us take thier demo E tec for a loop last Wed. and I rode it about 15 miles or so. Nice sled. I have an '08 TNT so I am familiar with the chassis. At first the motor felt weird. The throttle is wicked sensitive right off idle, takes getting used to. Once under way, you don't get the snap of a carbed 600, or even an SDI, but the power builds smooth and fast. The thing about this motor is that it's so quiet, the power is stealthy and before you know, you could be doing 80, but feels slower due to the quietness. I could hear the skis crunching through the snow. And when you come to a stop, the motor sounds like it's gonna die (it won't) and when it idles, it sounds like a 4 stroke. I would be happy with one, but the price seems kinda high when compared with regular TNT and all that is different is the motor. It doesn't seem that anything was done to the suspension settings from the '08.
All I can say is, who needs a 4 stroke when these E-tecs will be as clean running as or even cleaner than one. By the way this same dealer said he has heard rumors of a 950 E-tec in BRPs future. It would go into the new XPR chassis coming out with the 1200 4 stroker. Which by the way, when this 1200 is equipped with a turbo, will make 210 HP.

Was this the one in Buffalo that got moved? I got a postcard and was thinking of going I,m glad I didn't if they were only letting you ride the 4. Display only?

Check out ski-doos website, they have tours all over the US and Canada for demo rides.

Or, come up to Eganville Ontario, the dealer has an E-Tech that you can take for a demo for a couple of hours. Very nice sled.

When I ride my 800R, I'm constantly hearing the skis/carbides crunching the snow too, makes me look down too much!!

^^^ i noticed that too. the skis are loud!

I rode a demo E-Tec this past weekend in The UP. I was very impressed. The acceleration was awesome. No shake on the handle bars or vibration - very smooth. Even sounds a bit like a 4-Stroke when it comes back to idle. One easy pull to start every time. No smoke at all.

Also rode an 08 REVxp 600SDI renegade, 800R renegade & 600Carb'd TNT during the demo.

The E-Tec felt the best of all of them. The mid range and low end feels like an 800.

I could not believe the vibration and shake on the 800R- that would drive me crazy!

My sled ranking:

1) E-Tec 121"
2) 600SDI Renegade
3) 600 Carb'd TNT 121"
4) 800R Renegade

does anyone know what type of exhaust this DI engine have? a tuned 2-stroke type or a 4-stroke type (no expansion chamber)?

No, this was at oak mt. in speculator. It was a yamaha test ride but they advertised all makes would be there but the only other sled was the e-tec.

Only the yamahas were giving test rides.

I signed up for the Ski-doo test ride in March at Old Forge, NY.
You have to preregister and space is limited.

hey Dave get a room with etec 121................

Rode an E-Tec today. Wow, what a ridiculously responsive throttle. It does sound 4 strokish as well. It has plenty of low end power. Did nice in 8" of powder.
Anyone know the top end?
I'm going to have to really consider one instead of an 800. Saving on gas, oil, and insurance might make it my choice. We'll have to see with the full line.
Click to view attachment

I am interested in the technology but I would be lying if I wasn't concerned with the price of fixing it out of warranty.

I am signed up and waiting for my confirmation e-mail for my test ride "experiance" on the XP's here in Michigan in
a few weeks. I've been wanting to try one all winter and haven't got a chance. I am looking forward to it.

What age do you have to be to ride these things? Ive read everything and nothing states what age you have to be to ride the sleds. I know yamaha you have to be 16 or older to ride the sleds

My reply confirmation came minutes after signing up for one of the rides here in Canada (Ontario). Should be getting that e-mail soon!!


My confirmation e-mail stated that you must be 21 years of age with a valid drivers licence, might be different in the States, apply and find out, good luck!!

The first weekend we rode the dealer demo e-tec it was no match for my 600SDI running across Memphramagog. I was on the e-tec and my SDI was waaaayyy ahead. Both sleds had over 1200 miles on them at the time, e-tec was studded, SDI wasn't. The boyz at Land N Sea made some mods and the e-tec kept right up to the SDI, maybe a little faster.

When they put the e-tech in the Adrenaline with electric start I'll consider it for the next sled. The TNT (which is basically/better than an X) is too stiff for my style of riding.

so the sdi is faster on top? how bout the short run?

SDI was faster in the short runs too.