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Another New Sidewinder?
Technically, this is a new model for 2018, but it’s really just the X-TX from last year with a different track length and color scheme ... well, that and replaceable ski tips on the Gen3 Tuner skis, if you choose. That’s OK though; this sled is a riot!
We can’t compare a 204hp turbo 4-stroke directly to 150-170hp 800cc and 850cc 2-strokes (it is even a stretch to compare the 850 to an 800), but we do think that buyers in this segment of the market should take a look at this sonic boom-inducing sled. The engine is a triple cylinder with hair-straightening turbo attached. After a full year of running, the Sidewinder and its premium nickel alloy turbine body turbo show no signs of issues. We did experience some belt problems early on in mountain scenarios, but not with flatland sleds like this one. One cool thing we noticed is that you can actually hear the coolant after the sled is shut down. The coolant continues to circulate even without the pump operating, increasing the longevity of the components.
Compared to last year’s X-TX, this one has shrunken to a 137-inch track length. It’s the same 15-inch-wide BackCountry track with 1.75-inch lugs that you’ll find on many crossover sleds today. It also has the Dual Shock SR 137 rear suspension. Because it’s coupled, this suspension is not as off-trail savvy as some of the other sleds in this group that have an uncoupled design. You will stay flatter, smooth out big moguls, transfer less, and generally have a better trail manners with this suspension. This type of suspension is almost mandatory for staying in control at high speeds on the trail.
Other than that, the only things that are new are the hi-vis/gray colorways, a clear mid-height windshield and a taller, narrower mountain seat just like the Arctic Cat Cross Country (these two sleds share the same chassis built by Cat). Also like the Cross Country, the Sidewinder has Fox QS3 shocks up front and in the skid, and they work just as beautifully for the heavier 4-stroke as they do for the lighter 2-stroke. The Sidewinder still has the YSRC primary and roller secondary clutches, and the big 4-stroke has an Engine Braking Reduction System (EBRS) that helps maintain smooth deceleration when you let off the throttle quickly and the sled begins to backshift. This is a major difference between some earlier 4-stroke sleds and the new Sidewinder. Even though there is much more power here, you won’t ever feel like you are getting thrown over the handlebars when you abruptly let off the throttle.
One thing that always irks us about the Cats and Yamahas (in Cat’s chassis) is that the key is hard to get to and turn with big gloves on. It’s just in an awkward position, and it’s especially tough to turn when there is a lot of snow packed in behind the windshield around the key area (not uncommon in off-trail situations).