Rode the 2011 prototype today

[Yella Belly]

All I can say is WOW, power band is real wide, and pulls hard just about everyplace. Snow was a bit hard, so no real comment, and or noticeable comment on the track change. Clutching felt spot on, and rep told me we have yet another new belt number for the 2011. This one was running a 2010 belt with no issues. He was not sure what the change was. The clutching is slightly changed from 2009-2010, and again no details.

The sled "feels" lighter than my 2009, however scale weight is about 10 LBS more. It does feel light. Easy to pull over on side hill, and I think once one finds the sweet spot for foot placement to balance the thing, it will be even more fun to ride.

The power sort of sneaks up on you and all of a sudden you realise your going faster than you may need to, which is still fun.

New skis on harder snow are 100% in my opinion better than the dual runner. It almost felt like power steering, VERY noticeable going back to my 2009 from the 2011.

I posted some pics in an album, not sure how to get to them?
Anyway, My take is buy one, don't think you will be sorry...

If you get a chance to ride one, DO...
He said they only build 5 of these for spring demo. This one is headed north to Ellensburg, and then up north from there.

I think this thing is a winner all around

The new gauge package has a fuel consumption and average as well. Running down the trail on the ride home it held fast at 32 MPG at 40 MPH. Average for the day, showed 10.2 Which is what I expected to see, it's an 800, so I'm sure it's thrifty on the trail with the new injection, but normal riding day, I think 10-11 is going to be the norm.

 

[REV4ARUSH]

I totally agree with you. I rode one last weekend in the Snowies and couldn't believe how easy it steered. I thought my 08 was easy to ride till I came off the new Etec...Mine felt like a tank. I wasn't planning on spring checking one but now I am. It's gonna be a long summer...

 

[barry1me]

I totally agree with you. I rode one last weekend in the Snowies and couldn't believe how easy it steered. I thought my 08 was easy to ride till I came off the new Etec...Mine felt like a tank. I wasn't planning on spring checking one but now I am. It's gonna be a long summer...

Have you steered a 2010 to compare against the 2011? My 2010 steered much easier then my 09 or 08

 

[REV4ARUSH]

Yes, the rep we were riding with had his 2010 154x with also. I rode them both on the same day. I like how the 2010 rode but it was no comparison to the new one. We were boondocking mostly and the thing was just really easy to steer through the trees. It didn't push like my 08 and the 10 that I rode. The throttle pull sure is nice too.

 

[SummitInn]

It is also 35" ski stance. I think this one is a winner for sure. Dave dyno it at 161hp with new flash program at A&E racing in Brooks

 

[REV4ARUSH]

The demo that I rode had the skis set on the wider position, can't wait to ride one on the narrow.

 

[Yella Belly]

Have you steered a 2010 to compare against the 2011? My 2010 steered much easier then my 09 or 08

Everything I can see is the same with the 2010, and 2011 as far as steering components go, well, I should correct that, the arm at the bottom of the steering post, is the same on the 10, and 11. The new A arms narrow the sled up a bit, and to me it looked like the spindle was slightly changed. It would make sence that it would have needed to be changed in 2010 when the lower arm on the steering post was shortened. The geometry would need to be adjusted on the spindle end to maintain the turning radius. No way to measure on the hill, and dumb me forgot to ask the rep. I think the biggest "feel" different from 2010 to 2011, is the ski. the single keel is much easier to turn in the snow. I think that is the same reason it is a bit easier to lay over in harder snow as the outside runner on the 6.9 ski would try to "hold" you up on top, and the new ski lets you push it down into the snow.

 

[psychoneurosis]

Rode one of these last weekend and I did not like the new front end AT ALL.

Too narrow and too much body roll. Needs a lot more sway bar or something.... Ducked into the trees and it was just terrible.... Prefer my 08 by a huge margin!

 

[Lake Cle Elum]

Rode one yesterday (Mar 25) - Liked it a lot, but pretty "tippy"......What makes it easy to sidehill and carve can work against you in other applications....

 

[glmtnapex]

I rode a 2011 Summit Prototype way back in Feb, and in my opinion it was much easier to lay-over than the 2009-2010 models. I guess for those that are acustomed to the ultra-stabil 2009-2010 sleds the new 2011 might feel "tippy" but for someone like me who loves the deep snow in the trees, it was just what I've been looking for. Great sled! Very Capable but also Forgiving when I made a mistake. Super-smooth power with very little smoke and smell. It was good enough to convince me to make my beloved Modded-Apex my #2 sled and lay down a $500 deposit on a Snow Checked 2011 Summit.

 

[Yella Belly]

Rode one of these last weekend and I did not like the new front end AT ALL.

Too narrow and too much body roll. Needs a lot more sway bar or something.... Ducked into the trees and it was just terrible.... Prefer my 08 by a huge margin!

where were the skis set, narrow, narrow, or on the wide setting with the new suspension? I think the narrow setting would get some getting used to. The one I rode was set wide, however was still about an inch narrower than my 09 in the narrow setting.
The skis make a bigger diferance than anything to me. I thought it handled great in the trees, great on the trail, and will take a bit of finding the new sweet spot on side hills. Of course this was a 154, and I ride a 163, so that was a bit diferent in some places as well. Overall, I still think this is a winner.
Can't wait till next season!!

Yella'

 

[psychoneurosis]

The skis were on the narrow setting on the new suspension on the 2011...... Even on the wider setting I have to wonder if it would be stable enough given the different relationship of the skis to the ends of the A-arms.

I ducked the 2011 around the base of a spruce and it was basically out of control. Very possible that I bottomed out the downhill shock as the body rolled downward toward the tree. Basically had to sidehill it to keep it out of the tree

On mine the skis are on the narrow setting and it is still FAR more stable and mine does not have the KYB's that the 2011 had. Came around the same spruce on mine and I planted it and just punched the throttle and exited. Could not do that on the new one

If I bought one I would toss the entire front end and start over, I think I would stand on one board and stuff my feet downward and I would just end up on my backside with the 2011 on its side too..... not going up the hill.

Maybe the freeride is answer to this but I would have to ride one before I ever thought of buying one.

 

[summit#]

I think its like everything else that changes you get used to it and in the end you think its better. I will be getting rid of my 08 and stepping up, this is what I have been waiting for I miss the narrow ski stance like the old days of the 96 and 98's

 

[pyxle]

800R E-tec

I got a chance to ride the prototype at Gold Creek on sunday, and I am very impressed.

• The power delivery is so linear, so easy to control, and lots of it.
• The new skis and front end are dialed in, it was set in the "wide" position and the steering is great, the skis are excellent. It handled the trail with ease; I usually get arm pump on the trail ride up, but not this time.
• The combination of light throttle pull, easy steering and dialed in suspension made it effortless to ride.
• It started every time on the first pull.
• Sorry, no deep snow to test.

Overall, if you have a chance to ride one, DO IT!

-Mark

 

[sled man]

Provo Ski-doo will have the 2011 E-TEC in Fairveiw for the shootout. Demo ride both friday and saturday.