30 • March 2024 • Powersports Business

BY JOHN PRUSAK CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Confidence . It ’ s something every snowmobiler wants , whether they are the type of rider who bombs through moguls and charges through corners , or one who cruises at a more leisurely pace while piling up thousands of miles .

For 2025 , Ski-Doo gives select trail and crossover riders more confidence in their machine ’ s handling , thanks to a few millimeters here and a few millimeters there with new front-end geometry .

On MXZ X-RS and X models for 2025 , and also a new wide Backcountry , that new front geometry is paired with new , stepped-keel Pilot RX skis .

Combined , this new RAS RX system notably improves the front-end handling of soequipped machines . And that isn ’ t just a claim from the Ski-Doo marketing hacks – we felt it very directly on a test drive of select 2025 Ski-Doos in Quebec recently .

Also of note , Ski-Doo ’ s 10.25−inch touchscreen display now has on-screen mapping available without plugging in your cell phone – a major step up for the brand .

OUR 2025 SKI-DOO TEST RIDE We ’ ve put literally tens of thousands of miles on Ski-Doos with various versions of the RAS front suspension over the years . And we can say , beyond any doubt , that this is by far the best combination yet .

Riding on weaving , serpentine trails a couple of hours northeast of Montreal , the soequipped MXZ X-RS machines we test rode at first felt a bit taller in the saddle – which normally one might mentally equate to a more tippy front-end feel .

Nothing could be further from the truth . The sleds were locked in , as the front end stayed very flat without any hint of inside ski lift or roll in the front end as we pushed hard through the turns . That instilled a great deal of confidence that the sled would always stay exactly where we had intended .

The machines we tested also featured the new Pilot RX ski . Since the machines tested had both features ( suspension geometry and skis ), it was hard to fully separate the effects of the new suspension geometry vs . the ski itself . As noted earlier , the long , steeped keel added some steering effort but gave us a firm grip on the trail that longtime riders might typically associate with adding the original C & A Pro skis to the nose of a sled . Except without super-heavy steering .

It was snowing on our bus ride north toward our riding destination , so we woke up and rose in the exact sort of conditions where 2021−2024 MXZ models typically struggled

most in their handling . Instead of needing to over-lean in turns , jacking up the rear end to plant to the skis or changing the couple blocks , we were able to ride aggressively knowing we never had to make corrective measures mid-turn or fear drifting toward the center of the trail .

Aside from the front end , the MXZ X-RS 850 with the Competition Package E-TEC

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Turbo R and MXZ X-RS 850 that we test rode return for 2025 mostly unchanged . And that ’ s not a complaint !

Also returning are the roomy REV Gen5 chassis layout and rMotion X rear suspension . New for 2025 , the Competition Package model will be available to order with the high-tech SmartShox semi-active suspension that reacts in milliseconds to what it encounters .

What do you get when you mix an Unser , a successful young female racer , a fast side-byside and some dirt ?

You get a fourth generation of racing royalty diving headfirst into the Mint 400 as she brings her racing talent to the off-road scene . Yes , we are talking about Loni Unser ! Loni will add off-road racing to her extensive racing background in 2024 with Team Armageddon this season .

The Unser family is one of the most winning in motorsport history and one of America ’ s premiere racing dynasties . With the support of her father , racer Johnny Unser , and her extended family including Al Sr ., Al Jr . and Robby , Loni has been enjoying success in her racing career and now looks to become one of the few females to join the off-road world and perhaps her family patriarch . The late

Al Unser , Sr . said , “ Loni has shown the same talent and determination that has been in the Unser family for generations .”

With a background in skiing and other line-finding sports , Loni Unser discovered her talent for racing in 2017 . With the support of her famous family , she is solidifying herself as a threat on track . She has competed in a variety of car racing classes and races in her brief career so far . In 2022 she decided to conquer the Pikes Peak Hill Climb , finishing second in her class . This then led to her first factory deal up Pikes Peak in 2023 .

Now , following in her father ’ s footsteps , a former Baja 1000 participant , Loni will dive into the off-road world with the UNLTD Race Series as well as the Baja 1000 later this year . She will pilot Team Armageddon ’ s new Can- Am Maverick R in the Pro Stock class , and the team couldn ’ t be more thrilled to have her join this season .

“ We ’ re excited to welcome Loni to our UTV race program for the Mint 400 ,” says Erick Kozin , Team Armageddon ’ s co-founder . “ With her amazing talent behind the wheel , we have no doubt Loni will seamlessly transition to dirt and see immediate success .”

What does this mean to the powersports industry and to the off-road community ? Well , for those of us old enough to have followed the Unser family , we know that Loni comes with an entire fan base of race enthusiasts driven by her legacy racing family . Being a female , it piques the interest of other aspiring females to do what Loni is doing , whether it be for sport or recreation . It ’ s a visibility play . It raises the profile of our sport and the off-road culture and hopefully drives more interest that will drive more customers and powersports-curious into your dealerships .

“ The Unser family is known for many things , one of them being the ability to drive anything ,” Loni Unser says . “ So for me getting to join Team Armageddon is very special . It means I get to continue my family ’ s legacy in ways that I wouldn ’ t have been able to do without Team Armageddon . I can ’ t wait to see how my road racing skills translate to the dirt !”

ADVERTISER INDEX

2025 Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS with Competition Package . Ph oto courtesy of Ski-Doo

So , if you ’ re headed out to the Mint , Loni will be on Fremont Street on parade day and in the Armageddon booth . Otherwise , just look for that cloud of dust in the desert out in front of everyone else , that ’ ll be Loni !

Till next time , shiny side up and checkered flags !

Melissa Coffey is a powersports industry veteran with over 25 years in sales and marketing leadership . She has excelled at building brands , developing teams and impacting sales at the highest levels . Her consulting firm , CATCH , provides fractional sales and marketing support to powersports , motorsports , bicycle and EV companies .

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Loni Unser is from the famous racing family of Unsers , and the latest to give SxS racing on the dirt a try . She ’ ll be competing with Team Armageddon at this year ’ s Mint 400 in March . Photo courtesy of Loni Unser .

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