2003 skidoo mx z renegade

The Test Results
We spent most of our time on the Renegade 800 at this spring's test session. It's a power package we've become very familiar with over the past couple of years. The DPM system kept the engine performance in good tune, despite our shifting weather patterns and changing elevation. The Renegade 800 claimed the overall Performance Feeling win, by our test rider's opinions.

The Renegade also took top honors in the Ride and Comfort scoring. Ski-Doo stretched out the SC-10 III skid and put a variable rate HPG shock on the rear arm (see Sled Tech sidebar). "The extra track length of the Renegade bridges the bumps and gives the impression that the suspension works better than the MX Z," noted Test Rider Jerry Bassett.

Up front, the ADSA suspension system features an adjustable width ski stance, to allow consumers to tailor the sled's handling to their riding style (see Sled Tech sidebar). Ski-Doo's dual runner Precision Ski gives the Renegade very positive cornering on hard trail, and good flotation off trail.

Ergonomically, the Renegade's race bars, with mountain strap and end hooks met with team approval. The new left side control pod took some of our crew by surprise, but most expressed satisfaction with the new design. "It's nice to see Ski-Doo finally moved the hand and thumb warmer controls up to the handlebars," commented Test Rider Les Pinz. "The large buttons are easy to get to and use with gloves on."

Overall, our crew named the Renegade the best of the Hybrid class. It performed well both on and off the trail in our testing. It went from blazing new trail in powder to carving groomed trail without a whimper.