the new RAS RX geometry . Instead , body roll was more controlled , which gave us more cornering confidence and also kept us from feeling like we needed to adjust the rear suspension to make the front suspension stick better in turns .
It was not , however , a panacea . Wearing the now “ old ” Pilot X skis , the MXZ Adrenaline lacks the cornering precision of the Polaris . It actually felt more like the Arctic Cat in that the front end stayed flat but in anything less than firm trail conditions we were seeking a bit more keel from the skis . We sought the kind of grip offered by the Pilot RX skis on upgraded models .
From the cockpit , the MXZ Adrenaline felt like a quality machine , with Ski-Doo ’ s usual refinement seen throughout . Aside from the smallish 4.5-inch gauge , there was little evidence this was a price-point model , given the transparent handguards , LED headlight and push-button electric start .
Ergonomically , the seat was an iota soft and low for our taste , and the machine felt small beneath us . Tester notes showed varying levels of love for the stepped side panels that were once unanimously cheered by our team . The open footwells were equally debated – with some loving the lack of a side enclosure and others saying they ’ d install the accessory inserts on day one of ownership .
As usual , the 600R E-TEC twin was praised for its run quality and efficiency . It ’ s not as reactive and fun as the Patriot 650 , though , and we wonder when Ski-Doo will answer Polaris ’ middleweight salvo .
“ The engine feels a bit soft at the throttle lever , but not as soft as the brake ,” one tester rider noted , citing a shared pan from our group of Ski-Doo ’ s base-level Brembo brake .
“ This is a well-refined , good all-around 600 trail sled that doesn ’ t really stand out on any one thing , but it does everything quite well and is comfortable to ride ,” another rider summarized .
The biggest trail side debate was whether the Blizzard package – a $ 1,900 upgrade that gets the buyer KYB EA-3 shocks , rack steering and an Ice Ripper track – would be worth the extra money . “ Yes , but then you ’ d still want to upgrade the skis ,” one tester replied .
NOVEMBER 2024 / SNOWGOER . COM / 31