Alright guys, dont tell the cat boys but nothing in the 2009 line up interests me. Im really interested in the all black 800 spring order X package but i am not a ski doo guy at all.

How do you these sleds run? handle, pro/cons, other?

If i order should i go for the renegade or just stick with the standard?

Any other info to help me out.

Ski-doo all the way........maybe


Also what is there spring order incentives??

Usually buy a new Cat every couple years until this year and i decided to jump ship onto an 08 XP, 1975mi. so far this year and only problem was one of the grips lost warmer only when switched onto high. not bad considering Cat problems in the past

Was on F7's for 4 years, rode the 800r Demo at the end of last season. I was the same as you......nothing in the Cat 07,08 or 09 line up that caught my eye. Rode the F8 and F1000.
The 800rX out performs the Cats all way around. Im not brand loyal as you can see by my past sleds. Ive been on them all but Yammie.
The handling of the Doo is awesome. The F's handle nice as well but require alot more set up and simply the Cat 8 doesn't have the get up and go of the Doo.

Of course there were small problems with the 800r as in grips, 3rd idler wheel. but IMO it was a great switch for me.
If Cat bring the race chassis to the trail with a F7 motor in it in 2010 I could end up switching again if Doo dont make any changes........its all personal preference and opinion. But I love my XP8rX.

Yep, same for me, lost the left hand warmer at 800 miles and lost the original belt at 1700 miles. Had the rear center wheel update done when it was in for the grips and that is the only trip back to the dealer and have almost 2000 miles.

yep i switched from polaris 500xc sp to a 08 renagade 600 no belts so far no problems except the engine lightr comes on quite a bit and pisses me off

I'm in the same boat as you, except I already made up my mind and I was the first spring order at my dealer. 09 800 x elec. start white. Ohh yeah it's gonna be a looong summer.

So besides the hand warmers which im sure they fixxed for 09 this sled is pretty straight. Does anyone know what there spring order incentives are?

SkiDoo is offering VERY little for Spring Order incentives for 2009, as it appears that they do not have too, except for the "X" models there are some incentive choices.

I am also in the same situation as you. The XP has had a few teething problems, but nothing that can't be fixed and Skidoo is fixing them. Cat, on the other hand, has some major design flaws that are impossible to fix without bankrupting the company. They came up with a decent design, but just plain blew the execution of it. Some of the highlites:
-tunnel too narrow for a 15" track. All tracks rub on diamond drive to some extent. Tunnel only approx 15-1/4" wide.
-diamond drive. Was supposed to be so efficient but seems to be the major cause of low top end and possibly pathetic fuel economy.
-clutching. Also tied into inefficiency of D drive.
-EFI calibration problems. After all these years, Cat still can't get it right.

These are just the flaws that are on everyones list and can't be corrected. I don't have room or time to get into all the little problems that may or maynot occur or the designs all over the machine that are just plain stupid. The sad part is that the ergonomics are so strong and the suspension really is decent. I rode an XP for 65 miles a few weeks ago and have to say that my Cat is more comfortable and has a better riding suspension. The new twin spar chassis is also strong and tough. But after that it's all down hill. I would gladly give up a little comfort for something that runs and runs efficiently, the way it is supposed too.

I was pretty impressed with the XP overall. A much higher fun factor. Mind you it was the new E-tec, so part of that fun was probably do to the fact it was a very good running 600, compared to my F5 that I would compare to an average running 440 fan. But the advantage that BRP has over the others in 2-stroke technology cannot be ignored. The e-tec is more efficient than anything else out there, including the 4-strokes and is even less maintenance than the 4-strokes without any of the downsides like weight. Not even any oil to change and some 4-strokes probably burn almost as much oil as the e-tec does.

On top of all this, everyone I ride with is on a Skidoo REV, and they have been incredible from a reliable, mechanical point of view. None of the engine problems that some have mentioned. My brother-in-law has 5000 miles on his 600 HO and is still on the original sliders, belt and plugs. I would have bought one instead of my F5, but I just couldn't take the bend on my old knees and legs. The XP corrects that and if it is half the success of the REV, it will be a winner.

I think I have talked myself into it. How about you Mavdog?

Charles its really looking that way. I just cant see myself buying a crossfire. Old chassis and personally nothing i want. I like the f-series but its not for me. My mom and dad both have f-series (F8+F6). They run good, there fun to drive, there really smooth, there just way way to heavy for my riding style.

These ski-doos have really made me think twice. Im almost 99% that i will be spring ordering a X package XP. The weight, the ride, everything about these sleds turn me on. Dont get me wrong if cat would have put a snopro version of there race chassis in the mix at under 500pds i would have one of those ordered already. I have a feeling alot of people are in the same boat as me.

Now the next question is do i go with the 600etec? 800? Its $500 difference between the two
120" track standard or the 137" renegade? Its $300 some odd dollars in between these two

So many choices......

I prefer the long tracks over the standard tracks. The only thing is the shorter track has a little more top speed than my long track. I also would take the 800R if you want to have the fastest sled on the trails.

Fastest? no. Quickest? Yes. The ability to lift the front end so high its going to flip? Yes (See avatar) Im kinda leary going from a 128" to a 120". I would much rather go to the 137" renegade. I think.

Other opinions

Well we have two 07's in the garage right now and the track rubbing thing, dont see it unless you have the sled off of the ground and it does not give problems. EFI problems. None with ours. Seen lots of doo problems this year with to much weight taken from the wrong places with broken drive shafts and missing plastic and missing rear wheels and seats that are as hard as concrete. Diamond drive has caused no speed problems with our 600's as will do over 105-107 on the lake and get 14-15 mpg trail riding. I will stick with the best and stay with Cat. you go over to the doo side. Could not pay me to buy nor ride one of the BRP Sleds. No amount would cover the embarassment of owning junk!

thats quick considering the f8 cant go that fast! i declare shinannigans on almost the entire post.

Plus if doesnt have anything to do with me getting a XP......GET YOUR OWN POST!

The XP is a really nice sled all the way around, Don't judge it till you get a chance to ride one

Willy have you driven one? How did it compare to your F7. BTW how is that can treating you?

Nate, I've rode 1 a few times, they ride good and have some power, it's pretty even but the F7 gets it out of the hole pretty good, the XP is the sled i will consider when i'm ready to buy new. I had one out on the lake last week, it was pulling the skis up @70, i'm looking for a chance to hit some big moguls with it. That can sounds great

Sweet, thats what i want to hear. Something that is comparable but better in everyway to my F6

Rode a Cat for 12 years, ZRT800 and ZR800 CC. I had great luck with both sleds but was time for a new sled last year and Cat just didn't measure up to Ski-Doo. Went with the 800r XP and never looked back. Thought I was getting good mileage with the ZR800 at 15-16 mpg but Doo gets 19-20 mpg with 15 more HP and over 50lbs less weight. The ride and handling are the best I've had and the design is great. I don't want to bash Cat but they need some weight reduction and a new fuel delivery system, the throttle body EFI was great for awhile but it's outdated at this point with the new emissions requirements. Highly recommend going with the XP and this is coming from a former Cat owner.

Go over to Doo Talk and read up on them.

lol j/k better than any cat will ever run.
maybe not as fast though

Good luck with your decision on switching to SkiDoo. I am also considering the same sled but SkiDoo has alot of choices this year.

This is just the most idiotic post ever. You just look plain stupid when you come on here and say things like this. BRP is #1 in sales and I believe Cat is #4. Yeah, everyone is buying BRP becuase they're junk. The new Doos have had a few teething porblems, but since you're a Cat guy, I would advise you not to throw stones when you live in a glass house.

Right on brother. I have owned all four brands and these new XP's are something to experience. I am on my 2nd 800XP this year, first one was a 800 X and now I am riding an 800 Adren. and they are the most fun sleds I have ever been on. You can ride them however you want, but with the 800 power and the light weight I think the corner to corner acceleration is unbelievable. The most fun part is coming out of a corner at 60MPH plus and doing a wheelie up to 85 MPH or more and then shutting her down in time to make the next corner. More power less weight better ergos= more fun and that is what these sleds are just a whole lot more fun than the others.

f cats ride better, doo's are quicker. mileage, doo wins. the 800's are good. but the 8 track heavy throttle sucks!!cats rule in wrist comfort. the rear end of the xp are decent, but harsh. the 09.s will be a little softer. doo is fixing the 6 problems with the sleds . also, don't buy a x model unless you really want a sno cross ride. for trail's smooth or med rough, the adrennlin in fine. a lot of people make the mistake of a sled which is to heavely sprung for 10% of bad trails.

So im getting from the general consensus NOT to get the X package. I ride pretty hard but you guys are saying that its too hard. I am for sure getting a adrenaline package. My last ride we hit alot of drifts and there is no way im gonna do it with a 120" track.

Get the gade, no downside and BIG upside if you go off trail. These new gades will go ANYWHERE.
Also I would not get the X package either. Fistly, almost ALL of the problems where on the X's and TNT's where BRP shed an extra few pounds off the regular XP. The seat and suspention are more comfy on the non-x and yet is still lots for agressive trail riding and moderate jumping.
I ride fast and I am 260 dressed and have yet to see the need for stiffer suspention, I have not even set mine up all the way.

If you ride on trial and deep powder get the Renegade. 90% of riders are happy with the standard suspension configuration. If you are extremely aggressive then go with the "X" package. One other benfit of the "X" is if the suspension is to stiff we have the capability to revalve it. If the suspension is to soft on the Standard package you would have to upgrade the shocks. The seats for 2009 will be softer than the 2008 models.

If you want corner to corner power buy the 800R. The 600E-Tec is great up to 60MPH then falls behind the 800R. The fuel & oil economy are the major reason for purchasing the E-Tec. However if you are going to be hard on the throttle (past trail cruising speed 6000-7000RPM) then you won't see this benefit as it will use the same amount of oil & gas a s the 600SDI.

I have the 800r gade x and i had a few problems but am happy with it anyways i have 2065 miles and love every ride i take on it im a big man 320+ ride is great oil was harsh but it is fixed now gas mileage is better than girlfreinds 500 ss and buds tnt gets the same. hope this helps best sled i have had.

I went from an '02 MXZ-X 800 to an '07 Renegade 600 SDI and can not tell you what a huge difference. I just sold the '07 Renegade and am planning to purchase an '09 Renegade 600E-Tec if all goes right, if not I'll try to grab a leftover '08 Renegade 600SDI. I primarily ride in the Jackman, Maine area and the handling and comfort was awesome. The only thing I would have done different to my '07 would have been changing my skis to 7" wide versus the 5.7 pilots. Ran into a guy with the same sled and he made that improvement and it eliminated any darting when slowing down or going into a turn. My boss has an '06 800 GSX Limited and my Renegade rode much better with the shocks set at the same stiffness. Renegade is the way to go, all you need to decide is what engine best suits your needs based on your weight and what type of power your looking for. You won't be disappointed in the Ski-Doo's!