|
|
Top Secret 2012 Ski-Doo rMotion Suspension Test
Published:
April 8, 2011 PSST! Hey, we got a chance to test the new rMotion suspension for a day at a secret BRP engineering test center in the frozen Canadian backwoods. The engineering minds that conjured up rMotion were there, and oh yeah, a few other selected journalists.
Short version - we found the suspension much easier to get to transfer than the standard 2011 SC-5 test sled we had along for comparisons.
We also had a Polaris Rush 800 and Cat F8 Sno Pro provided by Ski-Doo for comparisons. Certainly the competitors’ sleds were not set up to our own personal preferences, so working to get them correctly set up while on the trail was not ideal. However, it did make for an interesting exercise in suspension set up while out in the elements.
We compared the rMotion to the SC-5 and the competitor’s sleds through small trail chatter, a 5-7 km long big bump trail section, and a short snocross-esque type man-made course with monster 4- to 6-foot moguls.
In the chatter bumps the rMotion worked well, but only marginally better than the SC-5. However, the rMotion excelled in the big bump trail section and on the snocross course. I found I could only take certain lines through both of these two test areas with the SC-5 equipped sled and the competitors’ sleds. If I just drove down the middle with these 2011 sleds and didn’t avoid all the nasty bumps I was brutalized in some cases, and even a little out of control in others. BUT I felt extremely comfortable on the 2012 rMotion sleds through even the worst of both the ungroomed trails we rode and the snocross course.
Through the snocrosser type course I could hammer right down the middle of the course, through all the biggest hits, and was still quicker through the course than when I picked out easier/faster lines with the SC-5 and the competing sleds.
Again, we are just reporting what we experienced on this one day’s testing. It’s important to note that even though we worked hard to get the setups on the competing sleds to where we liked them, we did not feel that they were 100% dialed in. Still, it was easy to get the rMotion dialed in, and that’s a big thing out on the trail. |
|
Enter keywords below and hit 'Find It'
Get our FREE monthly newsletter delivered to your inbox
|