2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE ACE 900 Snowmobile Review

BRP Ski-Doo Skandic SWT 900 ACE is a universal utilitarian class device, which is a popular model among competitors well-known in Russia. Moreover, this machine is one of the most powerful utilitarian snowmobiles on the domestic market. This model is chosen by professional users to be confident in reliability and durability, as well as other undeniable qualities characteristic of the BRP Skido Scandic SVT 900 ACE snowmobile. The model under consideration was made using solutions borrowed from its predecessors, but at the same time the developers managed to eliminate a significant portion of the shortcomings. In general, the Skido Scandic SVT 900 ACE snowmobile is an example for other competitors of similar power, which cost much more, but are able to offer much less. According to the results of numerous tests, as well as user reviews, this snowmobile is recognized as one of the best in its price category. It is designed for transporting cargo, towing vehicles, wood, and at the same time is suitable for traveling in extreme conditions, at low ambient temperatures, off-road and deep snowdrifts. This snowmobile is appreciated by professionals and lovers of active driving, for whom the priorities are: ease of control, extended basic equipment, cross-country ability and the ability to move in difficult conditions, make sharp turns and move on icy conditions.

The developers paid attention to all the key components of the BRP Skido Scandic SVT 90 ACE snowmobile. To create a balanced vehicle, during its development it was not necessary to sacrifice individual components in order, for example, to give preference to controllability and maximum speed. The designers found a balance and created a universal product that satisfies the needs of real business executives, as well as lovers of active adventures.

So, the Scandic SVT 90 ACE snowmobile has proven technologies and innovative solutions that allow you to achieve the above advantages. We are talking primarily about the chassis, which is characterized by high endurance and adaptation to harsh climatic conditions. The front suspension of the LTS is a telescopic design with no protruding elements. The LTS suspension is based on massive, rigid Pilot DS2 skis of our own production, which make it possible to change the position of the body and move in deep snowdrifts without fear of any damage. As for the features of the rear suspension, it received the factory designation SC-5U, which is used exclusively for the snowmobile in question. This chassis is designed for a comfortable ride in all conditions. In this case, we can talk about the high potential of the suspension in the sense that it combines sports, utilitarian and touring capabilities. Thanks to this versatility, the rear suspension is stable when driving on groomed trails, loose snow and drifts. The suspension includes a special lifting block that prevents the machine and load from getting stuck in deep snow.

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Of the particularly important additions, let's pay attention to the iTC intelligent control system, which can be adjusted using three modes - Eco, Standard and Sport. These modes can be controlled while driving without stopping, which is very convenient and practical. In addition, let's pay attention to the DESS anti-theft system, which is the prerogative of the basic configuration. The peculiarity of this system is the presence of two keys - a standard black one and a green key. In the latter case, the speed will be limited to 30 km/h, and this is important for safety reasons - for example, for novice users. Control modes can be switched using the main key. The electronic throttle trigger is characterized by a smooth and comfortable press, without any additional effort.

The snowmobile in question is equipped with a wide 600mm track, which provides maximum traction in deep snow or any other slippery surface. This is also possible under full load conditions. To increase comfort and convenience, the car is equipped with heated grips and seats for both the driver and rear passenger. In addition, a high windshield is provided as standard. There is a spacious trunk under the driver's seat, and the rearview mirror significantly improves visibility and visibility when turning. Of course, this is not all, and all the necessary accessories can be ordered additionally.

Specifications

1. Engine – petrol, Rotax 900 ACE
2. Displacement, power – 900 cc, cm, 90 horsepower
3. Cylinders, pcs. 3
4. Cooling – liquid
5. Crankcase type/stroke, pcs. – dry sump/4 stroke
6. Transmission – CVT, with eDrive2 drive pulley and QRS driven pulley
7. Brakes – hydraulic, with reinforced steel hoses
8. Basic options: electric starter, rearview mirror, high windshield, passenger seat and backrest
9. Dry weight – 315 kg
10. Width – 1076 mm
11. Length – 3240 mm
12. Caterpillar dimensions, mm: 600/3968/32
13. Grouser height/ski base – 32/900 mm
14. Fuel/oil tank volume – 45/3.3 liters
15. Height to windshield – 1330 mm
16. Skis – Pilot DS2
17. Front Suspension - LTS
18. Front shock absorbers - adjustable
19. Front suspension travel – 150 mm
20. Rear suspension – SC-5U
21. Rear shock absorbers – Motion Control HPG
22. Rear suspension travel is 340 mm.

Ski-Doo Skandic WT 900 Ace – TEST

TREND

2015, 899 cm3, 90 l. s., 297 kg, 1,120,000 rubles (2017)

text: Yuri Solonovich photo: “Rosan” and Dmitry Kuzmin

in the photo: Yuri Solonovich

»Today we are so accustomed to the achievements of modern civilization that we practically do not notice the most obviously incredible things around us. Just 10–15 years ago, no one could even dream of, for example, a mobile communications network that would cover almost the entire world, FidoNet users would hardly have believed in affordable and widespread high-speed Internet, and proud owners of personal computers with Intel 486 processors would have wept bitterly , find out the technical characteristics of any modern smartphone.

It is these achievements of modern civilization that have greatly spoiled the modern buyer. It is no longer enough for him to simply buy a functional and long-lasting item - comfort and ease of use are valued today no less than maintainability and reliability. So, the not very comfortable cars of the classic Lada family, primitive push-button Nokia phones and utilitarian snowmobiles, structurally simple as the MV-2.5A thresher-winnower, will inevitably sink into oblivion - it’s only a matter of time. In modern realities, almost all leading snowmobile manufacturers are in constant creative and engineering search, trying to figure out a new formula for the ideal utilitarian machine. The most modern technical developments are being used, and therefore sports chassis and Hi-Tech power plants are already found everywhere. Of course, 2-stroke engines will not lose ground for a long time, but today they have acquired fuel injection systems and clever devices that help them squeeze through the fine sieve of environmental prohibitions and restrictions. However, today, to create the ideal universal touring snowmobile of the 21st century, as a rule, economical 4-stroke engines are used.

The Canadian company BRP, being at the forefront of snowmobile scientific and technological progress, put such a progressive engine into mass production several years ago: we are talking about a 90-horsepower 4-stroke in-line “three” Rotax ACE 900 with a displacement of 899 cm3, equipped with a liquid fuel system. cooling and with a “dry” sump. The power plant is equipped with a cableless iTC (Intelligent Throttle Control) throttle control system, which allows you to simply switch between three engine operating modes at the touch of a button. In Standard mode, the snowmobile starts smoothly and accelerates evenly, but the control unit forcibly “pulls” the engine at maximum speed. In Sport mode you can rev the engine without any restrictions. Well, in ECO mode the electronic “collars” are configured for maximum fuel economy. The throttle valve is controlled by an electronic throttle trigger - no cables or additional mechanical devices: all manipulations take place “by wire”! And at the same time the trigger is rotary. That is, if desired, you can rotate it so that you can press it with your index finger.

The steering column of the Ski-Doo Skandic 900 Ace can be adjusted in angle. Traditional BRP snowmobile multifunctional instrument panel with dial tachometer and speedometer.

The 3-cylinder design provides the Ski-Doo power plant with a very “torque” character from the very “bottom” and a vigorous “top”. At the same time, the engine is environmentally friendly and has good fuel efficiency. Also, the undoubted advantages of the Rotax ACE 900 include its compactness, which made it possible to install this engine on various vehicles. The engine originally appeared on the Ski-Doo Expedition Sport 900 ACE touring snowmobile a couple of years ago, and a year later it was implanted into the plastic body... of the Sea-Doo Spark jet ski! And in the seasons starting from 2014, the power plant can already be seen on utilitarian BRP and Lynx snowmobiles. One of those lucky enough to receive such a progressive 4-stroke “heart” was the legendary Ski-Doo Skandic. This, by the way, is one of the most popular and long-lasting models of the Canadian concern, which has been coming off the assembly line in one form or another for about 20 years! The sled is built on a lightweight, strong and rigid REV-XU aluminum platform with a traditional LTS telescopic front suspension with 150 mm of travel. The SC-5U's 356 mm rear suspension adjusts to one of five angles of attack, reducing cornering drag and improving reversing in deep snow. The machine is equipped with a track 3920 mm long and traditional for Wide Track machines with a width of 500 mm. In general, the Skandic 900 Ace is practically no different from its 2-stroke counterparts. Nothing but the engine!

Heating the steering wheel grips and the gas trigger for a utilitarian car are elements of the most basic necessity. When you press the Eco button, the snowmobile becomes gentle and obedient, like a beloved pet! And, importantly, very economical.

In general, the appearance of such a multifunctional power plant on the company’s utilitarian snowmobiles is very justified and timely. If you look at it, the buyer receives an almost perfect “junk”, powered by a light, compact and quite powerful 4-stroke engine. This is probably the future! Down with short service intervals! Bringing fuel efficiency to the wide snowmobile masses! Damn the nervous nature of the traditional two-stroke! Comfort and smoothness are in fashion!.. Riding such a snowmobile, despite all its purely utilitarian essence, is a pleasure. The energy-intensive front telescopes and rear shock absorbers, wide track, Pilot DS 2 skis and the special streamlined shape of the front end of the snowmobile give the Ski-Doo Skandic WT 900 Ace amazing all-climbability. In deep snow, it is able to float through snow masses and feel confident on compacted surfaces. Thanks to its linear nature, the powerful but controllable engine allows you to move away even in very deep snow without much fear of digging up to the steering wheel grip. And with skillful handling of the throttle trigger, the 900 ACE allows you to confidently start in powder even with heavy sleds.

Of course, Ski-Doo Skandic WT 900 Ace is more expensive than its 2-stroke brothers Skandic WT 550 or Skandic WT 600 HO E-TEC and the younger model Skandic WT 600 Ace. And, of course, the potential buyer will have to choose. It is he who will vote with rubles for this or that version of the snowmobile. But personally, if I had the opportunity to choose and have the financial reserve, I would prefer a car with a 900 Ace engine, because, all other performance being equal, a snowmobile with such an engine is much more comfortable and enjoyable than its not so technically advanced counterparts. /

Engine

The machine is equipped with a powerful four-stroke engine with a three-cylinder layout. The power output of the engine reaches 90 horsepower. Among the main features of the engine compared to its competitors, we highlight record fuel efficiency - average gasoline consumption reaches only 11 liters per 100 kilometers. We also note the high traction characteristics due to the high torque. The last factor indicates trouble-free overcoming of any obstacles, as well as the ability to move uphill or tow heavy trailers. Among the undeniable advantages, we also note the very quiet operation of the motor, which is very rare for such a design. The four-stroke engine is considered technically superior to the two-stroke engine. In addition, it is more economical and environmentally friendly than a 2-stroke engine, and it has greater overclocking potential.

Reviews

• Andrey, Lipetsk region. The car was purchased in 2021 at a good discount. The technology pleased us with its high torque and great traction. Actually, that's why I bought it. For me, the most important thing is transporting goods, towing trailers or pulling vehicles out of ruts. The car copes with this with a bang. It has a stylish design, and a high windshield protects my face from headwinds and snow. Therefore, from the point of view of ergonomics and load capacity, everything is excellent. There are problems with reliability, but only in the chassis. The caterpillars are especially capricious - after all, I often move off-road, and sometimes I come across obstacles hidden under deep snow. On a well-trodden road such problems do not arise. Handling is quite predictable and the engine is powerful but noisy and vibrates. I will praise the car primarily for its carrying capacity, and here the Skido Scandic is a worthy workhorse.
• Konstantin, Priozersk. There are several things I don't like about this car. First of all, these are handling, build quality, slippery seat and low ground clearance. The front turning skis are very fragile - in two years of use I have already replaced two sets of skis, this is inexplicable at all. Fuel consumption exceeds 20 liters, and this is oh, how far from the official figures - the developers are talking about a sky-high 10 liters. One marketing. The design of the model was impressive - well, as I say, it’s just marketing. Poor handling is further worsened by engine noise and vibrations that transfer to the steering column. Unfortunately, the snowmobile was not a success. I will sell it to my friend, he needs a device with a high load capacity - the car did not let me down in this discipline. But I need a more balanced snowmobile, suitable for active riding, to enjoy fast riding. But unfortunately, serious skidding and slipping on this car does not inspire optimism.
• Vasily, Krasnodar region. Skido Scandic SVT 900ACE is a productive machine with many pros and cons. It cost me 1.2 million rubles, and, in my opinion, the price is greatly overpriced. The device is not intended for active driving, and is more configured for off-road driving, with large trailers and loads. A kind of workhorse, which is an analogue of a mini-truck with a tracked chassis instead of wheels. Practicality is top notch. This applies not only to cross-country ability, but also to convenient and ergonomic devices that will never go blind in the sun. The car looks stylish and original. It handles predictably, but the heavy and tight steering wheel does not allow you to quickly take turns. The snowmobile does not have the ideal balance between handling and comfort, and this is a clear disadvantage. I liked that the seat has a passenger backrest, as well as the functions of heating the gas trigger and steering wheel for low temperatures. Fuel consumption is about 20 liters per 100 km.

2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE ACE 900 Snowmobile Review

Grand Touring comfort and spaciousness at its finest.

Wide and generously equipped are the first adjectives that come to mind when looking at the 2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE 900 ACE.

Ski-Doo Grand Touring to the extreme . In other words, the Expedition SE (SE - Special Edition) is at the very top of the line of sport-utility bench models. There are three versions of this model for the 2015 model year, starting with the budget Expedition Sport and ending with this "more of everything" SE version. The Expedition LE sits between the Sport and SE, sharing the latter's long and widened REV-XU platform. The Sport's design uses a lighter, narrower chassis, which helps keep the model's price lower. You can add accessories and increase the price, but the basic equipment of this 900 ACE-powered model is very impressive.

The Ski-Doo Expedition series combines the convenience and features of Grand Touring with the essential components for off-road performance and practicality.

With 90 horsepower on tap, the 900 ACE's four-stroke, three-cylinder engine does a very good job of propelling this 313-pound sled. The overall performance of the machine leaves a very pleasant impression. The snowmobile starts very smoothly and goes well at medium speeds. Don't expect crazy speeds from this model, as it was never designed for that.

The machine is designed for excellent low-speed performance and strong low-end power, and to achieve this, a synchromesh two-speed transmission has been borrowed from sister company Lynx. It was Lynx (before its acquisition by Ski-Doo) that developed the first such transmission in 1987. It has become standard on Ski-Doo and Lynx sport-utility snowmobiles for off-road riding. Other manufacturers use high- and low-gear designs, but only the Lynx version offers the smooth shifting characteristic of synchromesh transmissions. A big plus for the Expedition.

The 900 ACE's four-stroke, three-cylinder engine runs through a synchromesh, two-speed, reverse gearbox that was first developed in the 1980s by Lynx.

The Expedition is a large utility sled designed to carry multiple people and cargo, so the rear suspension not only accommodates a large 20-inch wide by 154-inch long track, but also has articulated mounts. , which allows the track to climb up and over obstacles when the snowmobile backs up. It also improves snow traction when the snowmobile starts off with a sled in tow.

We didn't drive with a load towed during our test drive, but that certainly won't be an issue as the transmission is very smooth with the torque of the ACE 900 engine and engages at just 2,200 rpm. It is designed for a maximum speed of 7250 rpm, which is significantly less than the maximum speed of the Rotax 600 ETEC - 8100 rpm. But with this engine, the Expedition would rev to 3,000 rpm before moving off. So that's another advantage of the ACE engine in the Expedition SE 900 ACE.

As a sport-utility sled, the Expedition should meet all the expectations of such a versatile machine. A snowmobile should be comfortable for hauling wood and other cargo, delivering essentials to campsites, and transporting people to and from destinations. Expedition SE fully meets these requirements.

Ski-Doo uses a double A-arm front suspension with spring-loaded Motion Control shocks that control 211 millimeters of travel.

But the sled also needs to be smooth and comfortable, qualities borrowed from Ski-Doo's touring models. The manufacturer perfectly understands the essence of such snowmobiles, which is evident in the Grand Touring series. The Expedition is built on the bulkier, utilitarian REV-XU chassis, but the sled shares features with the wide and comfortable Grand Touring SE 1200 4TEC. For example, while the double A-arm front suspension uses basic Motion Control shock absorbers, the rear articulated suspension features an air shock absorber. In addition, you can adjust the position of the steering wheel by choosing one of four available positions. The windshield height is 584 millimeters, which provides excellent protection from the wind, and heated passenger grips will make travel much more comfortable for the passenger. Moreover, the backrest can be adjusted.

Since the sled is equipped with the 900 ACE engine, the rider will have several additional toys at his disposal. By pressing a button on the console, you can switch between three driving modes: Standard, Sport and ECO. Standard mode will suit most situations, while Sport mode will hold gears longer. The ECO mode can be useful when there is no need to rush, but you need to drive quite a lot, while refueling infrequently. In this mode, fuel consumption is as efficient as possible.

In addition, on models with the ACE 900, the throttle trigger design can be rotated, allowing you to press the gas with your thumb or the rest of your palm. This helps reduce stress on your hand and allows you to throttle more efficiently when riding in difficult snow.

The Expedition SE has plenty of room for two. The snowmobile is also equipped with a 203 mm handlebar stand, a mountain sling and durable footpegs with holes for snow dumping.

Once again we are convinced that Ski-Doo designers understand the needs and desires of snowmobile drivers no worse than other manufacturers, and in some ways even better. Perhaps it's the heritage of the company, which has been producing snowmobiles since 1949. Either way, the Expedition SE demonstrates the manufacturer's understanding of what it takes to create a great niche sled.

Who will buy this snowmobile? The circle of potential buyers for this car is small, but they will choose this model because of its ability to move on any snow. Expedition SE can perform equally well on neat trails with packed snow as well as on snow-covered, difficult terrain. The snowmobile is fueled with regular 87-octane gasoline, and a fan-cooled radiator will prevent the car from overheating in warm weather or when there is not enough snow. With a 650-watt magneto, the 900 ACE engine provides plenty of power for accessories. The luggage space under the seat does not affect ride comfort in any way and will allow you to take quite a lot of things on the road. The vertical travel of the snowmobile's front suspension is 211 millimeters, and the rear suspension is 340 millimeters.

The Expedition SE has no problem with storage space, with a large rear storage bin and roomy underseat storage.

Not everyone will like the 2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE 900 ACE, but those who need such a machine will appreciate the practicality, reliability and comfort of this model.