Backcountry X - First impressions?

[benak]

I know some of you have picked up the new Backcountry and I was wondering what your impressions were since you've had a few chances to ride. I sold my sled (Summit 800 151") and am thinking this is the direction I want to go, but want to hear from those who dropped the $12k already.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Winter Project]

I know some of you have picked up the new Backcountry and I was wondering what your impressions were since you've had a few chances to ride. I sold my sled (Summit 800 151") and am thinking this is the direction I want to go, but want to hear from those who dropped the $12k already.

Thanks,
Ben

My 2010 XP - Renegade Backcountry X

X.P. = Extra Pricey!!


1st ride out was a bit weird, but it was my first ride of the season and 1st ride on an XP for an entire day. Took it home, removed the sway bar, next day was 10 times better(even tho i was sore as hell). 3rd day, she started to loosen up a bit and started ripping harder. Did get stuck a few times, but what do you expect when your cutting trail in 5-6 ft of a fresh snow with little to no base(and weigh 215 without gear on)????

At first I thought i was gonna feel like a wimp with the free snow check electric start... but by the end of the first day i was thankful and my riding buddies went from talking crap about it, to being jealous.

I saw some some guy up at turny with an XP XRS and he was having trouble with his shocks, but mine felt amazing and didn't give me a single problem.

So, I'm happy with it so far. Can't wait to get a can on it and mess with the clutching a bit to get some backshift.

Hope this helped...

- Travis

 

[homeslice]

I saw some some guy up at turny with an XP XRS and he was having trouble with his shocks, but mine felt amazing and didn't give me a single problem.

What problems was he having? Were they too soft?

 

[BLONDZ]

Okay so yes I can read and understand that this is a question about the Backcountry X ~ however... I just put the first 110 miles on my Summit X between Turny and Pville in 4 rides and I am super impressed with how it handles / performs. I was going easy because of the break in period ~ but now it is game on!! Definitely remove the sway bar and absolutely invest in a skid plate!!! I put 5200 miles on my old rev with a lotta bush-whackin' and never busted anything up front ~ well on this sled in less than 50 miles, I managed to crack the belly pan, dent the front bumper and bulkhead and twist a tie rod into a pretzel (didn't even really hit anything significant).

 

[mtnsld]

Didn't even really hit anything significant

A pine cone? LMAO! Sorry Blondz, I couldn't pass that one up. And yeah, I am a former XP owner.

 

[akpowderhound]

Okay so yes I can read and understand that this is a question about the Backcountry X ~ however... I just put the first 110 miles on my Summit X between Turny and Pville in 4 rides and I am super impressed with how it handles / performs. I was going easy because of the break in period ~ but now it is game on!! Definitely remove the sway bar and absolutely invest in a skid plate!!! I put 5200 miles on my old rev with a lotta bush-whackin' and never busted anything up front ~ well on this sled in less than 50 miles, I managed to crack the belly pan, dent the front bumper and bulkhead and twist a tie rod into a pretzel (didn't even really hit anything significant).

WELCOME TO THE SUPER LIGHT, NIMBLE XP!!!!!!!
oooohhhh, no!!
Think it will make the season? Better start sticking to the hard pack trails. lol

 

[bonebreaker zack]

WELCOME TO THE SUPER LIGHT, NIMBLE XP!!!!!!!
oooohhhh, no!!
Think it will make the season? Better start sticking to the hard pack trails. lol

And that... is why im going to stick to my o7 dinosaur

 

[Winter Project]

What problems was he having? Were they too soft?

Whatever is holding the spring on one of his front shocks broke, releasing the spring. Went to AMDS, got a loaner shock from Nick O, broke that one the next day... sounds like something is out of alignment to me.

 

[ak49er]

I heard the XP's were fragile, BUT, I ride with "Insane" (this forum)who is, and he hasn't bent a thing in a thousand miles last season, I went though three a-arms, on my Poo. Go figure.

And to the OP, nice sled, I hope you enjoy it.

As far as the spring retaining ring breaking, I think there are some coil bind issues to investigate there. Sounds like the spring is compressing to full, and then transmitting the force to the retaining ring, past it's design limits.

The shcoks shouldn't bottom out that far if the spring free lenght were designed for the shock length.

Maybe he is heavy and the calibaration is too light? Even then spring bind should not happen, by design.

 

[benak]

On the fence...

Trav907, Blondz, thanks. I'm trying to decide between another summit or the back country because I end up doing a lot of river and swamp riding but I like being able to play in the steep & deep too. I guess I just need to buck up and buy one of each... I'm sure my wife would like that. I weigh 250 without gear so I'm a little worried that the back country might not get my fat a$$ on top of the deep stuff as easily as I'm used to. I am working out of town a lot right now so I already had to pass on one Backcountry X from AMDS. I don't know if there is another X available either, I haven't called around. We'll see, I'm supposed to be in town more after the holidays so I'll have to make a move for sure then.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Yajustneverknow]

I'll check tomorrow and see if we have one

 

[Winter Project]

As far as the spring retaining ring breaking, I think there are some coil bind issues to investigate there. Sounds like the spring is compressing to full, and then transmitting the force to the retaining ring, past it's design limits.

The shcoks shouldn't bottom out that far if the spring free lenght were designed for the shock length.

Maybe he is heavy and the calibaration is too light? Even then spring bind should not happen, by design.

Today I set my shocks to their stiffest setting and they were still too soft, maybe i need to have someone revalve them?