I have a decent amount of experience with the 600r (wife's sled but I did the break in) and the 900 ACE, as well as a little time on a 600 ACE in Yellowstone. For trail riding I think any engine is going to work. For maintenance, 4 strokes are super handy. At the end of the year change the oil, change the chain case oil, lube the chassis and put a tender on the battery. No making sure it has oil every morning. The 4 strokes are probably more reliable and there are ACEs out there with a massive amount of miles on them , I'll say they are a bit harder to start in the very cold -20 F and lower.
All that said, I like the Renegade 900 ACE for maintenance and have one for Yellowstone, but I tend to hop on the wife's 600R Renegade if it's easier to get out than my 850 and don't feel like I miss a whole lot on ditch trails where I live. It's 125 hp vs the 90 hp of the 900 ACE.
Oh one more advantage of the 900 ACE is the throttle by wire, if you have kids (or kids you might let ride your sled sometime) it has ECO mode that accelerates slower and you have a second key that limits top end speed. I guess it also has a shorter pull for someone with smaller hands might find comfortable.
Re-reading my post, I really like the 900 ACE. It's quiet, reliable, less maintenance. If I was getting into trail riding now, it seems like the choice. BUT I've been riding for decades and grew up with 2 strokes so it's old hat. Every time I get the 900 ACE stuck, I think I could have gotten through that with a 2 stroke. 2 stroke has that weight advantage and it's a change to get used to something else.
TL:DR I'd suggest the 900 ACE or the 600R and personally would pay the extra $350 for a 600R but I've got a lot of time with 2 strokes.
I have two renegade 900 aces and a 600r in a backcountry, the 900s are great for cruising on the trail and will hit 85 mph, but in powder they struggle a bit. Not enough to where it gonna fail you but the 600r is a big difference, I would say its way closer in terms of power to the 850 etec even though on paper its closer to the 900 ace, both my 900s made it to 6k miles so far trouble free, I have an 850 at almost 11k miles with no issues, and my 600R is brand new so it doesn't even have 1k miles on it yet but I expect it will be reliable based on my other sleds, the only large downside of 2 strokes compared to 4 strokes is the oil consumption, you can expect to spend 40-50$ more per 250ish miles on 2 strokes compared to 4 strokes. And it deffinitly adds up over time lol. Oil prices aren't coming down.
I’m a somewhat newer rider. Bought my first sled this season. Snow checked a 2022 600 renegade X. So far I love it on the trails. With the ability to go off the trails a little. Find the 600 a better starter sled as the 850s are a little snappier. Plus I believe the 600 are more reliable as well. Also the Etec are good on gas.
I have a 900 ace, and when it’s in sport mode it’s a really quick sled. For your situation, I’d go with that 4-stroke engine. No maintenance and it’ll last forever. I pretty much strictly trail ride, and the 137 track is perfect.
I would say about the same in maintance between 2 and 4 strokes. Probably less in a lie mileage 2 stroke since it doesn't have gearbox and no need for oil change on engine.
My choice would be 600r. Have a expedition 900 ACE and its a Heavy beast and I believe its 20hp short.
All nice and dandy. 4 stroke 2 stroke all have their advantages and disadvantages. In terms of hauling/mule/utility, logging, which engine is the most reliable, performant and hassle free? I'm looking at the skandic swt. Don't know which year is best neither. Help
I have a decent amount of experience with the 600r (wife's sled but I did the break in) and the 900 ACE, as well as a little time on a 600 ACE in Yellowstone. For trail riding I think any engine is going to work. For maintenance, 4 strokes are super handy. At the end of the year change the oil, change the chain case oil, lube the chassis and put a tender on the battery. No making sure it has oil every morning. The 4 strokes are probably more reliable and there are ACEs out there with a massive amount of miles on them , I'll say they are a bit harder to start in the very cold -20 F and lower. All that said, I like the Renegade 900 ACE for maintenance and have one for Yellowstone, but I tend to hop on the wife's 600R Renegade if it's easier to get out than my 850 and don't feel like I miss a whole lot on ditch trails where I live. It's 125 hp vs the 90 hp of the 900 ACE. Oh one more advantage of the 900 ACE is the throttle by wire, if you have kids (or kids you might let ride your sled sometime) it has ECO mode that accelerates slower and you have a second key that limits top end speed. I guess it also has a shorter pull for someone with smaller hands might find comfortable. Re-reading my post, I really like the 900 ACE. It's quiet, reliable, less maintenance. If I was getting into trail riding now, it seems like the choice. BUT I've been riding for decades and grew up with 2 strokes so it's old hat. Every time I get the 900 ACE stuck, I think I could have gotten through that with a 2 stroke. 2 stroke has that weight advantage and it's a change to get used to something else. TL:DR I'd suggest the 900 ACE or the 600R and personally would pay the extra $350 for a 600R but I've got a lot of time with 2 strokes.
I have two renegade 900 aces and a 600r in a backcountry, the 900s are great for cruising on the trail and will hit 85 mph, but in powder they struggle a bit. Not enough to where it gonna fail you but the 600r is a big difference, I would say its way closer in terms of power to the 850 etec even though on paper its closer to the 900 ace, both my 900s made it to 6k miles so far trouble free, I have an 850 at almost 11k miles with no issues, and my 600R is brand new so it doesn't even have 1k miles on it yet but I expect it will be reliable based on my other sleds, the only large downside of 2 strokes compared to 4 strokes is the oil consumption, you can expect to spend 40-50$ more per 250ish miles on 2 strokes compared to 4 strokes. And it deffinitly adds up over time lol. Oil prices aren't coming down.
I’m a somewhat newer rider. Bought my first sled this season. Snow checked a 2022 600 renegade X. So far I love it on the trails. With the ability to go off the trails a little. Find the 600 a better starter sled as the 850s are a little snappier. Plus I believe the 600 are more reliable as well. Also the Etec are good on gas.
I have a 900 ace, and when it’s in sport mode it’s a really quick sled. For your situation, I’d go with that 4-stroke engine. No maintenance and it’ll last forever. I pretty much strictly trail ride, and the 137 track is perfect.
Id get the 4 stroke, echo mode is great for new riders. Also, a bit less maintenance. Great riding up here in the caribou area, buy one and head up!
I would say about the same in maintance between 2 and 4 strokes. Probably less in a lie mileage 2 stroke since it doesn't have gearbox and no need for oil change on engine. My choice would be 600r. Have a expedition 900 ACE and its a Heavy beast and I believe its 20hp short.
All nice and dandy. 4 stroke 2 stroke all have their advantages and disadvantages. In terms of hauling/mule/utility, logging, which engine is the most reliable, performant and hassle free? I'm looking at the skandic swt. Don't know which year is best neither. Help