***UPDATE: I somehow missed that the R-XC front track shock is a dual rate setup and not a straight rate 250lb. It has a 170lb tender as well, making for an initial rate of 101lb/in then at the crossover becomes a 250lb. This is very close to what I run in my Polaris sleds (118lb to 250lb) so I was happy to discover this. Also, I had my torsion preload stiff/soft crisscrossed during filming. Lot's of info had me all twisted!***
Absolutely Great video Bro. You did a big Dive! I actually got to sit on a ZR yesterday and i liked it and now im listening to all the specs. Iv been a Cat guy for 20 years, i still want a VR1 Boost. Its coming. Got to Ride Old Forge This weekend 4 miles till my F800 gave me clutch problems i thought i had fixed. 5 hr drive for 4 miles. Smh. I still got to see Jesse James and say hello. That was the highlight of my weekend. Praying for more Snow!!
Great video . Thanks for all the homework. After watching your video I'm glad I bought the base model ZR858. Its got the IFP shocks which at end of season I will install progressive dual rate springs and have them revavled to my weight and riding style. My previous sled was a ZR 9000 Turbo Sno- Pro which rode like a tank and I grimaced every time I encountered large bumps. After I put QS3's on it and ,changed back torsion springs to one step softer, did some revalving , and added a progressive spring on the front track shock then it rode like a champ. I will also add a progressive two stage spring on the front track shock of the 858 and that in my opinion will then ride with the best of them including the Rmotion . Amazing how much money and time we put into this sport!!
Looks like a sweet ride. One of the best parts of that catalyst chassis is that the suspension is aided by the fact that the sled is light. Starting with a light sled is a huge advantage right from onset. Brakes can do their job better, suspension can do its job better, steering can be further adjusted. That RXC just takes everything to the next level.
The demo sled I rode last year was a 137" ATAC and if memory serves me right, I feel like it was about 35-40% softer than my RXC was with the stock shock valving.
This is a great video. Thank you. What are the differences between the 2024 and 2025 sno pro other than the motors ? I have a 2024 and switched out the shock package from the IFP to the AC5
Great video and you're right about 3 clickers being too few. Personally I don't like having 16 either. What do you think about 5 clicks so you would have a medium soft and medium stiff?
I think the 5 position is absolutely the way to go and will become the norm over the next few seasons. That to me, should be the perfect blend of adjustment for most folks. The difference in each setting will be enough to be felt, but not so much that it changes the balance of the machine.
250 center spring is stiff. Even if you said it's a 200 rate I'd say it's stiff. If the valving is stiff too,it isn't going to ride too smooth. Maybe the spring/ shock is really falling rate?
I missed it in the parts diagram AND when looking the sled over underneath (more focused on making sure the camera framing was decent), but the R-XC has a dual rate FTS spring. 170lb tender, 250lb main, making for a 101lb start rate and a 250lb finish at the crossover!
Less degree on the rear torsion springs = more preload; not less! A 90 degree torsion spring on the RXC has more preload than the 100 degree on the SnoPro🤓
So whats the gear ratio on the belt drive? Show us that eccentric adjuster, and show us the clutch alignment how off it is. Should answer a lot of questions online
I spray my shocks with fluid film which helps prevent snow from sticking to the adjusters on my QS3s. Otherwise with the big adjuster it's easy to do with gloves on. The rebound adjustment can be a pain but it's not impossible.
I can say that after putting about 350 miles on the R-XC last weekend, the rear compression adjuster was easy to clean off and adjust...and surprisingly, the rear track shock rebound adjuster was always clean and accessible which was a very pleasant surprise.
Great review. But not everyone that rides are ditchbangers and worry about rebound and spring rates. I think most people, especially the older school people like myself just want something that handles well and rides nice. They aren't going to be making adjustments out on the trail. If it's rough, most people just slow down and ride with it out or go faster and try to bridge bumps. I think the essence of snowmobiling has been lost on speed and performance. I'm 58 been riding basically my whole life and it's not about how fast you can go from A to B. I've meet more people coming the other way over the years that have come so close to taking me and my group out it's ridiculous. Enjoy yourself and come back in one piece. Not ridiculing you I enjoy your videos I'm just stating my thoughts.
While I enjoy the sentiment of what you commented here, I don't think the sleds handling and riding better in poor trail conditions have increased the likelihood of a head on. I had as many close calls 20 years ago with head ons as I do now, I would actually argue that the sleds being much easier to control in the rough is a benefit to avoid those "close call" situations. This video is obviously for the real enthusiast type like myself, who are interested in these little details. I bought an RXC last year specifically because I wanted a sled that handled and rode well when the trails turn to shit, because unfortunately in the last few years the riding areas have been small and heavily trafficked. I remember the old days of riding my 2001 Ski Doo Formula on mogulled out trails going 10 mph and getting bucked all over the place and being miserable. Now I can ride those same trails comfortably at 40 mph and not even be sore the next day. I think that's ultimately the point of the "speed and performance".
@nate390 Funny that 2001 ski doo is old days to you. I grew up on scorpions in the 70's when an all day all night trip was 40 miles. Trail system was not even close to what it is now. And lucky if grooming was done once every couple weeks. Also had to mix gas unless you had a Yamaha. That was the only oil injected sled back then. Part of my comment meant that you don't have to have the biggest baddest sled on the trail and ride it like you stole it. Be courteous. You're not the only ones out on the trail. Especially during the day when you can't see if someone is coming at you. We get to do a lot of woods riding in northern Wisconsin.
@@jimberglin1613 I agree, and you definitely don't have to have a 20k dollar sled to have fun. My experience tells me it's more about riders being inexperienced than riding "the biggest and baddest" sleds. I've almost been taken out by old guys on mid level sleds who can't stay on the right side of the trail. My experience operating a groomer reinforces my belief that most people ride in the middle of the trail, regardless of the trail and the sled they're on.
Great video... its laughable the amount of guys these days spending $20k and buying the wrong sled for their riding needs "coupled" with the inability to turn the knobs. Everyone wants to copy somebody else setup... clutching & suspension. OEMs should use this type of video in their marketing and would have alot more happy customers. Plus dealers should be helping pair the buyer to the machine... Hey dummy you know that sled you are looking at is a full purpose built race sled right????
100% agreed. I feel like when dealership folks stopped riding, or were hiring salesman that don't ride, that ability to help direct customers to the "proper" machine for them went out the window.
***UPDATE: I somehow missed that the R-XC front track shock is a dual rate setup and not a straight rate 250lb. It has a 170lb tender as well, making for an initial rate of 101lb/in then at the crossover becomes a 250lb. This is very close to what I run in my Polaris sleds (118lb to 250lb) so I was happy to discover this.
Also, I had my torsion preload stiff/soft crisscrossed during filming. Lot's of info had me all twisted!***
Absolutely Great video Bro. You did a big Dive! I actually got to sit on a ZR yesterday and i liked it and now im listening to all the specs. Iv been a Cat guy for 20 years, i still want a VR1 Boost. Its coming. Got to Ride Old Forge This weekend 4 miles till my F800 gave me clutch problems i thought i had fixed. 5 hr drive for 4 miles. Smh. I still got to see Jesse James and say hello. That was the highlight of my weekend. Praying for more Snow!!
Awesome job!! VERY informative! You’ve gotten so good man. Keep it up!
Very thorough video.
Great info.
Would love to see a side by side actual ride comparison but this weather is sucking..
Great video. Just discovered you on the tube. Love these comparison videos and your other videos. Think Snow!
Oh I'm thinking snow alright, got my fingers AND toes crossed up
liked the grass drags at the end! great job comparing sleds
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed the comparison and the field racing at the end!
Great video . Thanks for all the homework.
After watching your video I'm glad I bought the base model ZR858. Its got the IFP shocks which at end of season I will install progressive dual rate springs and have them revavled to my weight and riding style.
My previous sled was a ZR 9000 Turbo Sno- Pro which rode like a tank and I grimaced every time I encountered large bumps. After I put QS3's on it and ,changed back torsion springs to one step softer, did some revalving , and added a progressive spring on the front track shock then it rode like a champ.
I will also add a progressive two stage spring on the front track shock of the 858 and that in my opinion will then ride with the best of them including the Rmotion .
Amazing how much money and time we put into this sport!!
You're on the right track for sure! Have you been able to get some miles on your new ZR? I'm curious to hear some feedback on the IFP shocks
Looks like a sweet ride. One of the best parts of that catalyst chassis is that the suspension is aided by the fact that the sled is light. Starting with a light sled is a huge advantage right from onset. Brakes can do their job better, suspension can do its job better, steering can be further adjusted. That RXC just takes everything to the next level.
Excellent comparison video! The RXC is the “Cat Daddy” as it likes big bumps and I can’t not lie. !! 😂
After getting miles on the RXC, I can confirm it does love the big moguls and end of day trail junk! The thing is an animal
Awesome info man! Makes me wana get an 858
Appreciate your work
Thank you! It takes a lot of time but is fun to put videos like this together
I’d be putting those rxc torsion springs in the sno pro for sure
Great job on this review
Thanks bud! Lot of information to try and keep straight, slipped on a couple things but all in all kept most of it together haha
Awesome information video
Great video, does anyone have any info on what the ATAC would ride like compared to the snopro or the Rxc
The demo sled I rode last year was a 137" ATAC and if memory serves me right, I feel like it was about 35-40% softer than my RXC was with the stock shock valving.
This is a great video. Thank you. What are the differences between the 2024 and 2025 sno pro other than the motors ? I have a 2024 and switched out the shock package from the IFP to the AC5
Great video and you're right about 3 clickers being too few.
Personally I don't like having 16 either.
What do you think about 5 clicks so you would have a medium soft and medium stiff?
I think the 5 position is absolutely the way to go and will become the norm over the next few seasons. That to me, should be the perfect blend of adjustment for most folks. The difference in each setting will be enough to be felt, but not so much that it changes the balance of the machine.
Awesome video
Great video thank you
250 center spring is stiff. Even if you said it's a 200 rate I'd say it's stiff. If the valving is stiff too,it isn't going to ride too smooth. Maybe the spring/ shock is really falling rate?
I missed it in the parts diagram AND when looking the sled over underneath (more focused on making sure the camera framing was decent), but the R-XC has a dual rate FTS spring. 170lb tender, 250lb main, making for a 101lb start rate and a 250lb finish at the crossover!
Less degree on the rear torsion springs = more preload; not less! A 90 degree torsion spring on the RXC has more preload than the 100 degree on the SnoPro🤓
Good catch! I definitely had my brain backwards on that one, too many numbers going on that day haha
So whats the gear ratio on the belt drive? Show us that eccentric adjuster, and show us the clutch alignment how off it is. Should answer a lot of questions online
Will those snow pro springs work on a Poo if u have long tail, mounts? Nevermind they basically the same
You can Google your first two questions and for the third? The clutch alignment on my 2024 RXC was within spec from the factory, no issues there.
@@nate390 i didn't ask you, do u make videos about this stuff
@@kwmiked no but I know how to use Google. You should give it a try.
How the heck would one adjust the rear shock if the skid is full of snow while riding
I spray my shocks with fluid film which helps prevent snow from sticking to the adjusters on my QS3s. Otherwise with the big adjuster it's easy to do with gloves on. The rebound adjustment can be a pain but it's not impossible.
I can say that after putting about 350 miles on the R-XC last weekend, the rear compression adjuster was easy to clean off and adjust...and surprisingly, the rear track shock rebound adjuster was always clean and accessible which was a very pleasant surprise.
Do you race sleds on a regular basis
We used to do some ice drag stuff quite often, but we haven't done anything of the sort consistently in a long time.
Great review. But not everyone that rides are ditchbangers and worry about rebound and spring rates. I think most people, especially the older school people like myself just want something that handles well and rides nice. They aren't going to be making adjustments out on the trail. If it's rough, most people just slow down and ride with it out or go faster and try to bridge bumps. I think the essence of snowmobiling has been lost on speed and performance. I'm 58 been riding basically my whole life and it's not about how fast you can go from A to B. I've meet more people coming the other way over the years that have come so close to taking me and my group out it's ridiculous. Enjoy yourself and come back in one piece. Not ridiculing you I enjoy your videos I'm just stating my thoughts.
While I enjoy the sentiment of what you commented here, I don't think the sleds handling and riding better in poor trail conditions have increased the likelihood of a head on. I had as many close calls 20 years ago with head ons as I do now, I would actually argue that the sleds being much easier to control in the rough is a benefit to avoid those "close call" situations. This video is obviously for the real enthusiast type like myself, who are interested in these little details. I bought an RXC last year specifically because I wanted a sled that handled and rode well when the trails turn to shit, because unfortunately in the last few years the riding areas have been small and heavily trafficked. I remember the old days of riding my 2001 Ski Doo Formula on mogulled out trails going 10 mph and getting bucked all over the place and being miserable. Now I can ride those same trails comfortably at 40 mph and not even be sore the next day. I think that's ultimately the point of the "speed and performance".
@nate390 Funny that 2001 ski doo is old days to you. I grew up on scorpions in the 70's when an all day all night trip was 40 miles. Trail system was not even close to what it is now. And lucky if grooming was done once every couple weeks. Also had to mix gas unless you had a Yamaha. That was the only oil injected sled back then. Part of my comment meant that you don't have to have the biggest baddest sled on the trail and ride it like you stole it. Be courteous. You're not the only ones out on the trail. Especially during the day when you can't see if someone is coming at you. We get to do a lot of woods riding in northern Wisconsin.
@@jimberglin1613 I agree, and you definitely don't have to have a 20k dollar sled to have fun. My experience tells me it's more about riders being inexperienced than riding "the biggest and baddest" sleds. I've almost been taken out by old guys on mid level sleds who can't stay on the right side of the trail. My experience operating a groomer reinforces my belief that most people ride in the middle of the trail, regardless of the trail and the sled they're on.
Great video... its laughable the amount of guys these days spending $20k and buying the wrong sled for their riding needs "coupled" with the inability to turn the knobs.
Everyone wants to copy somebody else setup... clutching & suspension.
OEMs should use this type of video in their marketing and would have alot more happy customers.
Plus dealers should be helping pair the buyer to the machine... Hey dummy you know that sled you are looking at is a full purpose built race sled right????
100% agreed. I feel like when dealership folks stopped riding, or were hiring salesman that don't ride, that ability to help direct customers to the "proper" machine for them went out the window.
rather have a 9R
So...buy one?