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Ski-Doo XP 800 Summit X 154The Summit's sidehilling and boondocking capabilities in tight tree slopes stress us out physically and mentally. Though this is the lightest mountain snowmobile on the market, it feels the heaviest through the handlebars. We can't bushwack and boondock on the XP Summit like we can on the Dragon and M8. However, we've watched Ski-Doo staff carve and boondock on the XP Summit with precision so we know it can be done. The XP Summit designers and test riders actually complain to us about the M8's and Dragon's less-than-favorable boondocking abilities. So maybe it just takes a while to learn to ride the Ski-Doos correctly.
The Summit's over-the-motor steering post makes the handlebars swing down from its 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock position down toward the fuel cell, similar to an automobile. This makes sidehilling and turning out from a highmark a bit more mathematical than that of an M-Cat and RMK. However, the race-style steering post makes the Summit more assured on the trails and junk whoops than the other test sleds.
As we've said though, there's a learning curve to a Summit. This is not bad, just different as the Summit's rider-forward and centralized-mass riding position, and handlebar swing requires a rider to adapt to the Summit's unique riding style.
"Perhaps Ski-Doo should release an all-out boondocker by delivering the Summ with a 36- or 37-inch stance; this may cancel out some of its resistance to roll onto a ski and sidehill," said Kevin Allred.
During our evaluation weekend, we had Rob Hoff, of Alpine, Wyo., who has ridden for SledNecks and XtremeTeam films riding with us. What Rob easily does aboard his XP Summit is sick! Similarly, we watched other seasoned riders huck their XP 800 Summits through wicked mountain terrain with nary a worry.
So, our complaint about handlebar swing and extreme rider forward seem to be at an impasse with what the masses want. Sales numbers confirm that many consumers have learned to ride these sleds effectively.
All that said, this sled is what we like in a mountain sled; strong, nasty in the powder, good-looking, and light.
Up the straight shoot, the Summit's torque-wicked 800R motor and 16-inch wide deep-lug track hauled booty up the straight-line course, though it fell slightly behind the Dragon's best time. Its ergos are comfortable with tall anti-slip seat and tall bars. The instrument cluster gives all vitals cleanly and smartly, including elevation.
Peaks: Best looking. Hard working motor. Great 16-inch wide track. Chassis does not store weighty snow. Tough and confident front suspension and rear skid.
Pits: Throttle pull is exhausting, wrist and forearm quickly fatigue. Rolling the XP to its right or left and kicking into a side hill is not easy (same also when slipping the XP through a narrow tree gap).