Big Bore Trail Sled shootout
Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS Competition 850 Turbo R 137
rider to work the skis harder without fighting the handlebar.
Power steering is a particularly welcome addition to a sled this aggressive. EPS isn’ t just about making steering easier or lessening handlebar throw. It allows the rider to be more deliberate and aggressive with the skis, particularly when the trail gets rough or the sled is being pushed hard. The fact that Arctic Cat puts EPS on a performance-oriented sled like the ZR says something about how useful the technology has become. The combination of EPS and the C & A Pro XPT skis is crucial to obtain maximum performance. One without the other simply doesn’ t do the job.
The suspension package is similarly focused. Our sled didn’ t have ATAC-4, but the Fox QS3R shocks provide three distinct adjustment positions, and the differences are noticeable. The sled is sprung and valved on the firm side, which is exactly what a rider looking for a high-performance trail sled expects. It rarely bottoms out when you’ re attacking big moguls, and it stays composed when the trail gets ugly.
That firmness has a trade-off. Chattery bumps and tight, rough corners can feel harsh, and the rider needs to be active in the saddle to get the best from the sled. But when the terrain gets genuinely rough, the suspension’ s ability to resist bottoming becomes a major advantage.
There are a couple of things we’ d change. The ZR ran warmer than the other two sleds on icy trails, and our test machine didn’ t have scratchers. In those conditions, adding scratchers would be high on the priority list. We’ d also like to see more wind protection for riders who spend long days in cold Midwestern conditions. Although the low windshield looks cool, it could be more practical.
Still, the ZR 858 R-XC is remarkably versatile. It feels close to a race sled without requiring the average consumer to live like a racer. It corners hard, plays in the bumps, and delivers the kind of bottom-end punch that makes even a familiar trail entertaining.
For the rider who wants a sled capable of doing a little
14 NOVEMBER 2026 | SNOWGOER. COM