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Ski-Doo REV MXZ FanSki-Doo's MXZ Fan is all-new for '05 and a terrific upgrade from last year's fan-cooled offering. This is a very light, extremely nimble sports sled with an engine that gives good low- to midrange muscle. Our main complaint with the Ski-Doo is that while its Rotax twin gets off the mark well, it seems to peter out too quickly. You hit the throttle hard; the sled spits snow and then just kinda "blah!" The Cat and Polaris engines seem to have a bit more top-end oomph.
When we first rode the REV fan, we nearly parked ourselves in the woods when we hit the first twisty trail. We were used to riding our GSX and MXZ 600 SDI liquid-cooled models. So, wouldn't a REV fan just be a slower, less powerful version of those two? Well, yeah … and no!
You don't appreciate just how light the REV fan is until you hop aboard it after coming off a liquid-cooled version. All of that plumbing and weight of the liquid-cooled setup is gone. And so is the weight over the skis!
On our first REV fan ride, we steered into the turn and - nothing! The sled just totally "pushed" like a nightmarish NASCAR ride at Daytona's turn one! Back off the throttle, a light brake application and we were fine. Ego bruised, but fine.
Once we learned that lesson, we explored the sled's handling limits. And let me tell you, this sled loves to be flogged. Hard on the throttle- remember it's no 600 SDI! - and just pitch it into the corners. Body lean, full on throttle and a pinch at the Brembo hydraulic disc brake is how you get this baby through the twisties. If you've been riding big iron for too long, try this fan-cooled sled. It helps you remember how you got hooked on the sport in the first place!
The Ski-Doo MXZ Fan is fun to ride, has great ergonomics, adequate suspension, push-button reverse and a wonderful personality - once you learn to accept it and ride it the fun way!
This story ran in the November 2004 issue of American Snowmobiler magazine