Today I test the Ski Doo 900 ACE performance and give you my thoughts.

Dino’s Tinker Shed, S2-Ep10.I test the 2018 Ski Doo Ace 900 performance
In this episode, I test the performance of the Ski Doo 900 ACE engine in a 2018 Renegade Enduro. The 900 ACE engine was introduced in 2013 with very little media coverage as it was overshadowed by the partnership that Yamaha and Arctic Cat formed that same year and that is too bad. The small three cylinder, four stroke mill producing 90bph is a great engine for those who seek the type of features this engine provides.
The most notable features are its low fuel consumption and its quite operation, the engine is so quite in fact that many new owners myself included thought there were things wrong with the machine because all the sudden we can hear the track and drive belt over the engine, noises we never new existed in past machines I had owned.
Now even though BRP never marketed the 900 as a performance engine, at least until it was turbo charged in 2019, the most common question I still get it “Is it fast enough and how fast is it?”. In this video I will try to demonstrate how the performance of the 900 is delivered and give you my thoughts on if the sled is fast enough for the average rider.
If you find the 90 hp my sled has is not enough, Ski Doo now has four available variants: the 95 hp normally aspirated model and three turbo models, a 130hp, a 150hp and a 180hp variants so finding a smooth quiet and fast sled should not be a problem for any rider.
Time code Chapters:
00:00- Cold opening
00:33- Intro
00:52- Overview of the 900 ACE
02:30- Explaining the testing
04:16- Eco mode test
04:42- Standard mode test
05:23- Sport mode test
06:13- Summary and thoughts
MUSIC:
Back To The Wood by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@kensilver9646]

Just ordered the Expedition SE 900 Turbo. This video give me great insight of what I could at least expect. Thanks

[@DinosTinkerShed]

My friend has an 850 expedition and it's a great sled. With the turbo in it it would be very nice. Thanks for the comment Dino

[@volvogt21]

Another great video Dino. I have no idea why I watched it because I live in a hot part of Australia but I haven't seen a video of yours that I didn't enjoy watching.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Glad you enjoyed it, Dino

[@anthonya7066]

Honestly Dino I don't know why someone needs to ride faster than 120kmph anyway? For me it would be about exploring, the scenery and just getting out into nature.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Sounds like you and I would get along well. Thanks for the comment. Dino

[@rocb4222]

You forgot to mention and safety getting out of nature

[@BlueSea_72]

Have the same sled and engine. Great trail sled and more than enough for me. Max I got in sport mode on a flat smooth surface was 143 kph

[@duanesnow424]

Hi I recently had a 2022 expedition LE 900ace. I returned it within 100 kms if new. I found the throttle twitchy and the clutching was annoying. It was sluggish at slow speeds and when you accelerated it was almost too quick. As a result you’d let off the throttle and it would engine brake , also annoying. The best part was the low sound from the engine at idle and low rom engagement. Other than that, I didn’t like it So my dealer decided it would give me a full refund 👍 They suggested the 850 extreme or 600r. I decided on the 600r and absolutely love it. Its smooth, quiet, predictable, linear power and no engine braking. Its also more fun as it has more power and the front is 30lbs lighter. Throttle response is great. Zero regrets

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Thank you for your feedback, the 4 strokes are a bit different in the power delivery than the 2 strokes and the 900 receives criticism for its fly by wire system for sure. I did find the flipper a it sensitive at first but am so used to it know that it is not an issue. I k ow the engine braking is quite strong on the sled as well, but honestly I find I adapted to it and now use my real brakes much less. Thank you again for a different perspective. Di o

[@BrianSmith-si4zd]

I got the same sled and it's great. After break in it's alot quicker. Pulls the skis right off the ground.

[@duanesnow424]

@@BrianSmith-si4zd thanks for the reply! I’ve been searching the internet for info on “after break in “performance . I was curious as to what , if any changes would be seen. I’m still at 50%

[@jasonbrushett2005]

Who's dealer gives them a full refund on a machine? I've never heard of such a thing,especially given the tight inventory on powersports equipment

[@RonRivet]

Hi Dino, I snow checked a 2024 Expedition SE with 900 ACE no turbo and 125 kph is plenty fast for my wife and I. Thanks for another great video. :)

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Right on, I think the 900 is fast enough for a lot of people, they just fall into the trap of more is better. have fun with your new sled when it comes, should be very nice indeed. Dino

[@RonRivet]

@@DinosTinkerShed thanks Dino. 😊

[@sooperdan]

I just ordered my wife a new 23 renegade adrenaline with 900 ace , I went back and forth a bunch of times thinking I should get the 130hp 900t, she's been riding a '19 blizzard 850 but has never really even went half throttle on it, also the longer throttle hurts her hand after a day of riding, seeing this video makes me feel confident that I made the right choice with the 900 ace...

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Glad I could help in the decision, I really like mine and although I am not the fastest rider the sled is plenty quick for me on the trails. The lakes......well I always catch up lol. Dino

[@carguybd]

I rode today with my buddy on a 850 E-Tech, me on my Renegade 900. Riding extremely aggressively I was by and large right with him.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

I find the sled is geared just right for fast trail riding and again most riders will never be able to use any sled potential unless they are exceptional riders, which I am not lol. Thanks for the comment Dino

[@cor7740]

we used the 900 and 600 Ace in Antarctica. They were great sleds.

[@ericlevasseur6438]

Great Video!! I went with a 2023 Expedition SE with the 900 Turbo R. Looking forward to seeing how that performs.

[@wilbel4]

It really is another type of sled! The 20 inch track and heavy weight feels a lot different. The power coming from a 900 turbo is gonna make you shit your pants trust me 😂 The expedition sport is definitely slow in a straight line compared to it at high speed, but it’s way quicker in tight corners for an experienced rider. Either one is awesome anyway and I’m sure you’ll love it!

[@michaelferguson167]

That's what I'm getting next year. I enjoyed the standard 900 Ace Expedition but had to part with it for $$ reasons. I'm just going all in this time around- at 60 yo I'll never buy another sled after this. It is insane though- 180hp is just about as fast as any sled will go these days. I mainly use mine for ice fishing and occasional lake racing when the fish aren't biting. It is heavy and wide though, that's the thing I dislike about it most, but also keeps it planted at high speed and when turning. All of the Expeditions are great sleds, but the LE's, SE's or even the Extreme's are the high end models. Excellent for work projects and hauling and very decent trail sled as well. In my opinion, the very best all around snowmobile you can buy if you can afford one. Be careful, that thing is a rocket. There's a reason some of those sleds come with a "Launch Mode" feature.

[@jasonbrushett3]

Both my wide and I have 2017 models,TNT and BLIZZARD.Both with 900 Ace .Great engine and I think most riders underestimate its potential because of its 90 hp.Wonderful trail manners for sure with so much torque .I'm pretty interested in the 130 hp turbo version for my next sled.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

If I was looking for a new sled the 130hp turbo would be on my short list for sure, a bit more on the lakes would be fun now and then. Dino

[@charbvin]

Great video! Good comparison to my 850 Renegade.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Thank you for the feedback. I would imagine the creature comforts are similar but I've ridden an 850 and it most definitely has more arm stretch to it. Dino

[@Zippy1wood.]

Great video

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Dino

[@geoffreyneish7999]

Thanks for sharing your time and insight, It has helped with my dilemma! I'm a seasoned ( will call it) Dirt rider and dont like seasonal toys, but after the last 2 yrs I caved and bought a 2016 MXZ 1200 from dealer I worked at awhile ago. lol It was the owners demo and NOT A BLEMISH on it! 👍 Now to justify such seasonal toy I ordered a 2 up seat with the wife and grand kids in mind!! The seat is a no show, ordered in August and eta has changed dozen times, Dealer is now offering 2017 900 ace Grand touring model. LOL DAMN the 1200 hauls freaking tail on Lake Simcoe 😇 So am I going from a Porsche 911 to a VW Bug or just their SUV thing a ma jig? LMAO I'm sure one is more practical then the other, but now I'm committed: Sled, trailor, lic, insur, tail pass........ Gear for 2, level freaking 10 FXR to motivate wife!! 🤞 Its Bloody Well March now, should I just pull the plug and wait for the seat and next season?!? Thanks again for sharing your time with us!! 🤙😎

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Thank you for the comment and I am afraid your in a tough spot. Your choice will really depend on how you ride and what % of riding you are planning two up. If you plan to ride mostly by yourself and like the arm stretch of the 1200 the 900 may be a bit lacking, it still pulls hard to about 100kph but after that the 1200 runs away fast. If however you are planning on riding more with the wife and grand kids the 900 would be a good choice. If you have ever ridden on the back of a sled, going fast and hitting the turns hard is not all that enjoyable and the quite smooth ride of the 900 would be a benefit for sure. My son in law rides a 2014 1200 adrenaline and it is a great sled, in the twisties he really has has no advantage on my 900, only on the lakes really. It is however much louder and uses about 50% more fuel than the 900. Again I do not ride particularly fast, even on long lake crossings I run 70 to 100kph most of the time and the 900 has zero issues with that. Hope this helps. Dino

[@geoffreyneish7999]

@@DinosTinkerShed Well you certainly have pointed out some great advantages for the 900!! Now if I can just get over the fact that I'll be paying more for LESS HORSEPOWER, yikes!! LMAO The 900 is tricked out quite nice though, damn the rear end looks like a car thanks to the removal bags! And your point about passenger comfort and safety is sometime I seriously need to consider, as they will be hold on for Dear Life no matter what I go with!! 😜 Thanks again Dino for your time and insight! 👍😎

[@robdonald1246]

Sport mode gives you the engines full horsepower. Standard mode limits top end a little. If you want maximum response through out the engines rpm range and the highest top end speed - use Sport setting. I enjoyed your video. Thank you for making it.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Glad you enjoy the video, great explanation of the modes, thanks Dino

[@MalJ-eb7nv]

As a motorcycle rider I think that looks great. Stability looks good - does the snowmobile move around much when you change rider position?

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Hi Mal, sleds do move around and require a lot of body input to really get the most out of the handling. It also depends on where you are riding deep snow vs groomed trails ect. They are a blast to ride though. Thanks again for the comment. Dino

[@ulflarsson9693]

Was the suspension on soft or normal setting on the 900 Ace expedition then?.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

I have the front preload on the springs at 3 and I ride the rear skid springs on 2 and the air ride usually on 2 or 3. Dino

[@odiethesledandcarguy9884]

Great video I am thinking about a new 4 stroke for my next sled. I think I will go with the turbo to get the extra power

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Good choice! fuel range and a bit more top end. Dino

[@wilbel4]

Wayyyy heavier and slow when riding on tight curvy trails tho. The sport model will feel more like a grand Touring with the 16 inch track and lighter frame/engine. It all depends on if you want to ride trails or powder/go 180 kmh.

[@supergmx1046]

I am considering this for my next sled. I ride a MXZ 600 carb which is fast enough for me. I like the idea of not buying expensive 2 stroke oil and being more eco friendly. Though I am not sure I want to take that much of a hit in performance. In the trails it would be great but on occasion I would get left behind on the lake. I am already in the slower end of guys I ride with. Despite the money maybe I should think about the turbo even if I do not punch it that often. 120 HP would suit me well I do not need 180. I am a little concerned about the extra weight of the 4 stroke. Maybe I am getting old but the quieter ride would really be enjoyable. That is a big attraction for me and to be a good snowmobile citizen. Hey BRP how about a 700 twin 4 stroke turbo? Quiet, less weight and 120 HP range please.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Thank you for the comment. I agree that the 900 will be the last across the lake for sure, the nice thing is that Ski Doo provides options for its customers to find a sled and engine combination that suits their needs. As for the weight it is only about an 18 pound disadvantage so for a trail sled its not much. My 900 feels way lighter than my old 600 Polaris edge which was about the same weight. Again thanks for the comment 😀 Dino

[@jacquescoutu7631]

I am assuming you ride with your glasses on? Any fogging issues of your glasses with the helmet you use? Could you review different types of helmets or explain the one you use from the stand point of someone who wears glasses? Thanks

[@DinosTinkerShed]

I do ride with glasses, I have tried a number of helmets before I bought the bvs2 you see in the video. Overall it works well but a review video is something I can do for sure. The is for the comment and content suggestion Dino

[@jimeverden2244]

What year is your sled? A guy I ride with, 2022 900 Ace Expedition SE gets a top end of about 145 kph.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Mine is a 2018, I have seen close to 145 but in much better conditions than what I did my test on. To be honest I rarely ride over 100

[@jimeverden2244]

@@DinosTinkerShed oh for sure 100 kph is plenty. I have 2022 with 600R ETEC and we didn't realize how fast we were going until I was pulling ahead and glanced down...154 kph for me and a little bit of throttle left...NUTS...backed off right away, getting air born on a couple bumps...oops

[@cementpro5752]

Great video I’m Thinking about ordering a ‘23 skidoo expedition 900 ace or ace turbo which would you recommend.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

I am quite happy with my standard 900 but if I was looking at a new sled the 130hp turbo would be something I would look at closely. Although the std 900 is more than I every really need and would not trade it just for more up, the extra 40hp would add a few more ponied for the lake or deep snow or slush. I have not ridden the new turbo but I think it would be my choice. If you get a good deal on the standard 900 I don't think it will disappoint provided you are not concerned with being first across the lake. Di o

[@middlehot]

150 hp the turbo 130hp is the 1200cc

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Skidoo offers the turbo in three variations now, a 130hp, 150hp and 180hp. The 1200 also was around 130hp but is no longer available and was essentially replaced with the new 130hp 900 turbo now available. Di o

[@otahu26]

The Gearing chart is almost on. 126kph is max. You'd need to do a gearing ratio Change to Make it go any faster on a lake or long pulls. Yes 1990's sleds with 80hp would go 160 kph on a lake. It all came down to gearing and clutching.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Thanks for the information. I will take the corner to corner snap of the new sleds over top end, but that's just me. Again I have seen a bit more on top than this video but honestly I rarely ride faster than 100kph so I'm not to worried. Thank you again Dino

[@tristianhenry4514]

I have ski doo skandic wt 900 ace, my fastest speed I went was about 94mph or 151kph. It's a 2021 model I put about 2300 miles on it.

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Wow,, as I mentioned I have seen 145ish before, I think conditions can play an important factor, that and I am a bit of a heavy rider and carry a lot of gear. thanks for taking the time to comment Dino

[@tristianhenry4514]

Yea the conditions of the trail really make a big difference of how fast you could go.

[@davidpickens3117]

Could you give the speed in miles per hour as well

[@DinosTinkerShed]

Sure, 100kmph is 60 mph top speed in this video is 125kmph so around 75 mph. As I said in the video, I have seen 145kmph on the gps which is about 85mph and it was still climbing slowly, again though, this was on flat, smooth, compacted snow. Hope this helps out. thank you for the question. Dino

[@robertlevesque6160]

What year is good for a used 1

[@DinosTinkerShed]

I would not worry so much about the year but more about how it was maintained, a well maintained machine will have an owner who wants to tell you all about the service and any repairs they have done, they tend to be very proud of their rides. I would not buy anything with a monster energy sticker on it lol.

[@robertlevesque6160]

Thanks Dino where u ride

[@DinosTinkerShed]

@@robertlevesque6160 I'm in Niagara Falls but ride through Ontario and the US

[@robertlevesque6160]

@@DinosTinkerShed that's cool I ride Vermont and nh

[@DinosTinkerShed]

@@robertlevesque6160 I bet the riding is amazing, I rode through there on my motorcycle last year, fantastic trip.

[@edwinhermanson8842]

No thanks

[@BlueSea_72]

Have the same sled and engine. Great trail sled and more than enough for me. Max I got in sport mode on a flat smooth surface was 143 kph

[@DinosTinkerShed]

That's about the most I 've seen as well 143 to 145ish, but really it is more than enough for how I ride. Tha k you for the comment Dino