Ping Pong
21/12/2004, 23h00
Maximum Sled Review: Ski-Doo MX Z 550 F
A fan for REV fans
12/21/2004
TOP STORY
Larry A. Kaduce
o say the REV platform has been successful for Ski-Doo is like saying that Anna Kournikova is just okay. The REV has catapulted Ski-Doo into the top spot for market share, delivers dozens of checkered flags each season and has converted many brand loyalists to Ski-Doo for the very first time.
However, in the past, if a fan-cooled sled was desired, it was in the old chassis. All that has changed for 2005, where Ski-Doo is using the REV platform across the entire MX Z line.The Ski-Doo MX Z 550F is one of the best values in snowmobiling.
The Ski-Doo 550 F shares many features with its bigger MX Z brothers. The SC-3 rear suspension does a decent job of absorbing the bumps. The lighter weight of the fan-cooled boy racer is handled nicely with the Motion Control rear shocks on both the rear suspension and the RAS front suspension.
The powerplant propelling the 550 F is a time-proven, bulletproof 550cc Rotax fan-cooled engine. The fuel is fed through 34mm Mikuni VM carburetors and exhaust duties are handled with a tuned muffler. On the trail, the fan delivers enough spunky performance to make you forget you're missing antifreeze until you get over legal trail speeds. In the ditches, the 550 F really shines. The light 430 lbs., combined with the perfectly balanced REV chassis and perky low-end torque brought huge smiles to all the test riders. The standard RER electronic reverse is a great feature and works flawlessly.
Other obvious reminders that this is a budget sled are the obvious omission of a tachometer. Sure, a tach really isn’t needed on a fan-cooled sled, but for a large majority of trail and ditch riders don’t really need it on their 700cc and 800cc machines either, but it looks cool watching at least one needle making the moves.The sled will also push a bit in the corners when riding hard, compliments of a single carbide runner under the plastic skis.
Our test riders were a bit mixed on the verdict, but we all agreed that the value is hard to beat. Test rider Steve Franta explained, “For short rides and tight twisty trails, the MX Z 550 F delivers all the handling and fun of its MZ Z siblings, but the performance aspects leave a lot to be desired.” Test rider Shane Zeppelin agrees to disagree. “The 550 F delivers plenty of performance for a fan-cooled sled. The light weight and REV handling are second to none and it has a high fun factor,” says Zeppelin.
There’s no denying that the MX Z 550 F is a fun sled to ride. It looks like a REV, it handles like a REV and feels like a REV through most conditions. For shoppers on a budget or in need of a great second machine, the MX Z 550 F value is hard to beat.
Pour le lien sur l'article:
:deal:
http://www.maximumsled.com/maximumsled/snowmobile/articles_layout.asp?articleid=618&zoneid=1
A fan for REV fans
12/21/2004
TOP STORY
Larry A. Kaduce
o say the REV platform has been successful for Ski-Doo is like saying that Anna Kournikova is just okay. The REV has catapulted Ski-Doo into the top spot for market share, delivers dozens of checkered flags each season and has converted many brand loyalists to Ski-Doo for the very first time.
However, in the past, if a fan-cooled sled was desired, it was in the old chassis. All that has changed for 2005, where Ski-Doo is using the REV platform across the entire MX Z line.The Ski-Doo MX Z 550F is one of the best values in snowmobiling.
The Ski-Doo 550 F shares many features with its bigger MX Z brothers. The SC-3 rear suspension does a decent job of absorbing the bumps. The lighter weight of the fan-cooled boy racer is handled nicely with the Motion Control rear shocks on both the rear suspension and the RAS front suspension.
The powerplant propelling the 550 F is a time-proven, bulletproof 550cc Rotax fan-cooled engine. The fuel is fed through 34mm Mikuni VM carburetors and exhaust duties are handled with a tuned muffler. On the trail, the fan delivers enough spunky performance to make you forget you're missing antifreeze until you get over legal trail speeds. In the ditches, the 550 F really shines. The light 430 lbs., combined with the perfectly balanced REV chassis and perky low-end torque brought huge smiles to all the test riders. The standard RER electronic reverse is a great feature and works flawlessly.
Other obvious reminders that this is a budget sled are the obvious omission of a tachometer. Sure, a tach really isn’t needed on a fan-cooled sled, but for a large majority of trail and ditch riders don’t really need it on their 700cc and 800cc machines either, but it looks cool watching at least one needle making the moves.The sled will also push a bit in the corners when riding hard, compliments of a single carbide runner under the plastic skis.
Our test riders were a bit mixed on the verdict, but we all agreed that the value is hard to beat. Test rider Steve Franta explained, “For short rides and tight twisty trails, the MX Z 550 F delivers all the handling and fun of its MZ Z siblings, but the performance aspects leave a lot to be desired.” Test rider Shane Zeppelin agrees to disagree. “The 550 F delivers plenty of performance for a fan-cooled sled. The light weight and REV handling are second to none and it has a high fun factor,” says Zeppelin.
There’s no denying that the MX Z 550 F is a fun sled to ride. It looks like a REV, it handles like a REV and feels like a REV through most conditions. For shoppers on a budget or in need of a great second machine, the MX Z 550 F value is hard to beat.
Pour le lien sur l'article:
:deal:
http://www.maximumsled.com/maximumsled/snowmobile/articles_layout.asp?articleid=618&zoneid=1