850 Summit X 165", 3", electric start
-all foam, sound deadening material removed
-sway bar always connected
-holes cut in clutch cover
-original belt, stock muffler
-Goodwin 38mm pin weight kit
-tightened/checked belt, chain, muffler sensor, & pipe sensor after every ride
-removed BUDS nub on coolant bottle
-added stainless hex self tappers to front foot area for more traction
-didn't clean clutch or belt prior to riding
-installed 6.5" riser in place of stock 7.5" riser
I weigh 230lbs without gear, and this is my 4th season riding. I'm not good by any meter, but I can sidehill, putz around in the trees, climb well enough, and keep up with my riding group.
I got my sled back in October after hernia surgery. I haven't really had a chance to ride it much due to the surgery, and the snow has been spotty at best up here in the interior. I'm at 55% break-in.
When I finally healed up enough to ride it around the house I immediately noticed the torque & chassis stiffness. Both aspects are incredible compared to my XM.
On our first trip to the mountains my wife's sled broke down, and the 850 had to tow her sled out (2014 Summit SP 800, 154", 2.5"). After getting the broke down sled to the trailer, the 850 also had to pull a plastic sled with our gear/fuel/supplies (~400lbs). Before pulling the sleds we were heading down the trail at about 35mph, and I hit a big rock with my left ski. The sled fell on its side, & I flew off. I was pretty worried I damaged the suspension, and/or bulkhead but there were no issues. It was a lame trip that we had to end early due to the dead sled. I was happy though that the 850 was able to pull a dead sled, cargo, & take a hit all while in break-in and then keep on chugging without issues.
Last weekend we went south for some avalanche training and ended up riding Hatcher Pass. The snow coverage was pretty poor. On an uphill right-hand carve I tagged another big rock this time with my right ski. The sled went over on its side, I flew off, and still no damage. We also had some trail riding back to the trucks full pin ~65mph pulls. I'm still hitting over 8000 rpm, so I'll be adding more pin weight.
This last Sunday we stopped in Cantwell on the way back home for a quick afternoon ride. I biffed on a hidden boulder in a berm that stopped me in my tracks. My left knee dented the left side plastic inverting it to where I couldn't get it to go back to shape. The left ski was standing straight up. I have yet to check out the rubber ski bushing.
I checked over the sled in the garage last night for any cracks or failures on the suspension & bulkhead and didn't see anything. Tonight when I get home I'll pull the hood and check from the inside.
I realize that comparing my intermediate riding in low Alaskan snow to some of the Burandt-esque powder hounds in BC & the Rockies is like apples to oranges, but I'm still impressed that my sled has held up to this abuse (limited as it may be compared to anyone else's hits).
I'm glad I bought the 2017, and I keep crossing my fingers that it will be able to endure as much damage as my XM.
I'm looking forward to the 2018 Summits because I might have to buy another one!
-all foam, sound deadening material removed
-sway bar always connected
-holes cut in clutch cover
-original belt, stock muffler
-Goodwin 38mm pin weight kit
-tightened/checked belt, chain, muffler sensor, & pipe sensor after every ride
-removed BUDS nub on coolant bottle
-added stainless hex self tappers to front foot area for more traction
-didn't clean clutch or belt prior to riding
-installed 6.5" riser in place of stock 7.5" riser
I weigh 230lbs without gear, and this is my 4th season riding. I'm not good by any meter, but I can sidehill, putz around in the trees, climb well enough, and keep up with my riding group.
I got my sled back in October after hernia surgery. I haven't really had a chance to ride it much due to the surgery, and the snow has been spotty at best up here in the interior. I'm at 55% break-in.
When I finally healed up enough to ride it around the house I immediately noticed the torque & chassis stiffness. Both aspects are incredible compared to my XM.
On our first trip to the mountains my wife's sled broke down, and the 850 had to tow her sled out (2014 Summit SP 800, 154", 2.5"). After getting the broke down sled to the trailer, the 850 also had to pull a plastic sled with our gear/fuel/supplies (~400lbs). Before pulling the sleds we were heading down the trail at about 35mph, and I hit a big rock with my left ski. The sled fell on its side, & I flew off. I was pretty worried I damaged the suspension, and/or bulkhead but there were no issues. It was a lame trip that we had to end early due to the dead sled. I was happy though that the 850 was able to pull a dead sled, cargo, & take a hit all while in break-in and then keep on chugging without issues.
Last weekend we went south for some avalanche training and ended up riding Hatcher Pass. The snow coverage was pretty poor. On an uphill right-hand carve I tagged another big rock this time with my right ski. The sled went over on its side, I flew off, and still no damage. We also had some trail riding back to the trucks full pin ~65mph pulls. I'm still hitting over 8000 rpm, so I'll be adding more pin weight.
This last Sunday we stopped in Cantwell on the way back home for a quick afternoon ride. I biffed on a hidden boulder in a berm that stopped me in my tracks. My left knee dented the left side plastic inverting it to where I couldn't get it to go back to shape. The left ski was standing straight up. I have yet to check out the rubber ski bushing.
I checked over the sled in the garage last night for any cracks or failures on the suspension & bulkhead and didn't see anything. Tonight when I get home I'll pull the hood and check from the inside.
I realize that comparing my intermediate riding in low Alaskan snow to some of the Burandt-esque powder hounds in BC & the Rockies is like apples to oranges, but I'm still impressed that my sled has held up to this abuse (limited as it may be compared to anyone else's hits).
I'm glad I bought the 2017, and I keep crossing my fingers that it will be able to endure as much damage as my XM.
I'm looking forward to the 2018 Summits because I might have to buy another one!
