G4 Sidehill

Bobbysky · Mar 15, 2016

So let me preface this with I currently ride a 13 Xm 154, full raptor suspension, and SHR T3 kit. I love my sled for the most part but the biggest complaint I have is how it washes out on steep straight line sidehills. I have no problem when I'm climbing on a sidehill or decending but just straight across. I've read all the forums of suspension setup, foot placement, pushing the sled back down the hill etc..

So all my riding buddies ride Pros and watching those things perform in the snow makes me envious of their capabilities, now reliability is a different story. But non the less they hold an amazing steep sidehill (they look like they are washing out but just keep holding that washed out line) and crawl out of the snow way better then my xm. I'm thinking with the G4 being higher and narrower with the new track popping out of the snow shouldn't be an issue.

With this new sled I'm at a cross roads of sorts do I stick with a company I know and has gave me no mechanical problems or venture to the dark side for better performance but checkered reliability record?

My question is for people that have rode this new G4, does it really want to sidehill like a pro or axys or does it still want to wash out and try to climb straight up? I know going from a 154 to a 165 will definitely hold a better sidehill but I'm just concerned that they will still want to wash. I'm thinking if I go G4 that I will buy the raptor torsion spring delete and set it with no tmotion and hopefully that will help keep solid line.

Thought?

RMK935VA · Mar 15, 2016

I don't know about how the new Ski Doo sidehills but I do think that you should rethink the issues that you have with Polaris reliability. The new HO motor is very reliable by all accounts. The drive system is also very reliable, both the chain drive on the 3" and the Quick Drive on the 2.6" sleds. All in all, the Polaris Axys has been very reliable. If you like the ride, I would buy it. You will not be unhappy.

Ace Freely · Mar 15, 2016

Have your ridden a stock XM to see if it's the sled and not the "improvements" that you did?

Ace

Chadly · Mar 15, 2016

Every time I see someone post about "paneling out" :frusty:

rulonjj · Mar 15, 2016

There has been a few people that have ridden the new Doo that say it handles sidehills a very similar to an axys.

Bobbysky · Mar 16, 2016

Yes I rode my xm stock for over year before I added suspension to it, and just upgraded to big johns t3 relocate when I broke a drop bracket. I also know that the hot topic around here is "paneling out" which I never said it did. The washout is a certain characteristic that the xm has when sidehilling and I never could figure it out. Was it skis, panels, boards, track (flex or width or length), tmotion, weight, balance, rider postion, rider skill etc... But it's an undeniable trait of the xm's that people like to b*tch about and polaris riders like to poke fun at.

Now out of all the options i listed for possible causes, Skidoo addressed almost all of them. Therefore they must of felt they could improve on their product. Thus my question asking if people that rode it felt that it washed out. Not trying to start a battle over paneling out or body english. I guess I'm really asking is how come when a pro or axys wash out but still holds it's line while an xm wants to climb leaving you stuck vertically. I personally feel like it's a desirable trait and wondering if people who have rode them felt like it was a major upgrade over the xm in that department.

SidewaysInto3rd · Mar 16, 2016

umm .. throttle control ?

I used to have the same wash out problem until I learned how to tickle the throttle on those steep sidehills !

now if I only get used to using the brake instead of the throttle i'll be super pro !

rulonjj · Mar 16, 2016

Throttle control and brake play a part in the washout on an Xm. Also being off balance helps. When it feels like it's about to wash out lean the sled out from the hill to where it feels off balance and that will drop the front end down and out. Hopefully the G4 will just hold the sidehill with out leaning the sled out so far.

snowmobiler · Mar 16, 2016

i dont have any sidehilling problems.and with the new doo engine,wont even consider a poo next winter.

jhurkot · Mar 16, 2016

The new G4 sidehills a bit better than the current XM chassis. It does not sidehill better than a Polaris. It beats the polaris in every other category though.

Bobbysky · Mar 16, 2016

Sure okay I forgot about throttle control. Yes I practice throttle and brake control. Yes I always try and sidehill slow and in control. I also know that if you time it right you can push the front end over right as its washing out to save the sidehill.

Geez I'm not saying an xm sidehills like crap or anything like that. It just has a washout problem in the steep. Now I do have a 154 which might wash a bit more than longer tracks. So let me rephrase the question as to not offend anyone. Do the new G4's hold a line while sidehilling better than previous gen skidoos?

Timbre · Mar 16, 2016

snowmobiler said:
i dont have any sidehilling problems.and with the new doo engine,wont even consider a poo next winter.

Wish someone would turn over the side panel that is laying on the floor in front of the sled. I want see how much room is in that saddle bag. Might be enough room to pack extra gas so it can stay on the mountain as long as the axys. Cant carry gas on the tunnel - battery too big

LOL

snowmobiler · Mar 16, 2016

Summitseeker · Mar 16, 2016

jhurkot said:
The new G4 sidehills a bit better than the current XM chassis. It does not sidehill better than a Polaris. It beats the polaris in every other category though.

I would somewhat agree with this statement. I have been a Doo guy for the last 22 years with the exception of one Turbo Yamaha. Just got back from an 8 day road trip where I spent some time on the Axys. (loaned my XM to a friend). I also got to ride the Doo 165 3" 850 right after. The Axys is effortless to pull over on it's side and the new 850 is definitely slightly harder IMHO. As jhurkot said, the Doo beats in in every other way which is why I still still snowchecked a 2017 Doo. One thing you will love is the power in the Doo! It is impressive!

Once I download my Go Pro sometime this week from the time I spent on the 850, I will post it on here.

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/summitseeker/media/ae8634e8-a0e2-4031-be1b-568285265df4_zpsu0dtvx8e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/summitseeker/ae8634e8-a0e2-4031-be1b-568285265df4_zpsu0dtvx8e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo ae8634e8-a0e2-4031-be1b-568285265df4_zpsu0dtvx8e.jpg"/></a>

The guy in this picture currently owns a 2013 Pro. He got off the 850 and snowchecked one the next day.

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/summitseeker/media/Summit%20850_zpsbqugnnje.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/summitseeker/Summit%20850_zpsbqugnnje.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Summit 850_zpsbqugnnje.jpg"/></a>

Calvin42 · Mar 16, 2016

I have two Pro's and one AXYS. All 163's. Have had ZERO issues with them. That being said, I was a DOO guy for 10 years and decided to add a new G4 to the stable. I'm certain it will be a great sled. Anxious to compare it with the ones I already have. I'm thinking you can't go wrong with either one. In fact, I don't think you can go wrong with Cat, Poo or Doo. They all bring something unique to the table.

Bobbysky · Mar 16, 2016

Thanks guys that's the type of info I'm looking for.

XP Summit · Mar 16, 2016

Bobbysky said:
So let me preface this with I currently ride a 13 Xm 154, full raptor suspension, and SHR T3 kit. I love my sled for the most part but the biggest complaint I have is how it washes out on steep straight line sidehills. I have no problem when I'm climbing on a sidehill or decending but just straight across. I've read all the forums of suspension setup, foot placement, pushing the sled back down the hill etc..

So all my riding buddies ride Pros and watching those things perform in the snow makes me envious of their capabilities, now reliability is a different story. But non the less they hold an amazing steep sidehill (they look like they are washing out but just keep holding that washed out line) and crawl out of the snow way better then my xm. I'm thinking with the G4 being higher and narrower with the new track popping out of the snow shouldn't be an issue.

With this new sled I'm at a cross roads of sorts do I stick with a company I know and has gave me no mechanical problems or venture to the dark side for better performance but checkered reliability record?

My question is for people that have rode this new G4, does it really want to sidehill like a pro or axys or does it still want to wash out and try to climb straight up? I know going from a 154 to a 165 will definitely hold a better sidehill but I'm just concerned that they will still want to wash. I'm thinking if I go G4 that I will buy the raptor torsion spring delete and set it with no tmotion and hopefully that will help keep solid line.

Thought?

I feel the EXACT way. I have been on Doo's my whole life, but love the way my Pro handles, gets out of the snow, and holds a sidehill. I hate the reliability of it. On the other hand Doo's have been very reliable, hold up mechanically much better, unless you hit something in the front end. The thing that I dislike about the doo is the 16 wide tunnel straddle and the sled not holding a consistent line through the tree's on edge often wanting to point uphill vs maintain or correct with ease.

From watching and paying very close attention to the G4 in video's it looks they have corrected majority of the side hill handling flaws , but it's still there, just less compared to the T3.

Cheers
Shawn

Solby · Mar 16, 2016

I rode the G4 and Axys back to back same day. The G4 stills feels like a XM and the Axys a Pro. It just feels like you gave them both steroids! My advice to anyone that is thinking about changing brands is ride them both. IMO Skidoo's and Polaris' ride so differently it is hard to put into words. Something that is a big misconception being pushed about the G4 is the "narrowed up" some might even say "like a pro". Width of running boards at your feet has not changed on T3 and G4. 8" wide.
That being said G4 will be king of the hill next year and Axys will be biting at it's heels. When things get technical I think the Axys will have an edge most of the time.

Bobbysky · Mar 16, 2016

Thanks Solby that is a nice honest opinion. Where you at in eastern, wa? I live in Spokane so probably pretty close to you.

Solby · Mar 16, 2016

Bobbysky said:
Thanks Solby that is a nice honest opinion. Where you at in eastern, wa? I live in Spokane so probably pretty close to you.

I kinda forgot to actually talk about sidehilling, which is what the post was about. My bad. The sled is lighter and balanced left to right. Huge gain over the XM and made me feel more comfortable on the G4. XMs and I have our issues when it comes to control especially sidehilling. It's hard to say how much better the G4 will sidehill than an XM but it's definitely better and balances much better.

G4 Sidehill

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