How reliable are the 600 sdi sleds

2004 sdi 600 w/3600 miles with a couple of updates done including the rings.  Starts on 2 pulls everytime and runs like a champ.  I blow a belt every 1000 miles due to the fact that I kept the outside cover on the cluth gaurd intact.  I will have to open it up or drill out the rivets this summer.  I also ride an 04 f-7 and have had every cat from the ZR900 to the 292 lynx  since 1979.  I love the speed of the cat but am leaning towards buying another 600sdi but in the Renagade and X package for my next sled.  You can not beet the ride of the rev. 

If an f-7 is getting beat by a 600 rev then something is wrong with the f-7 or the rev is supertuned.  I have hit 110 on the digital on the icy road with the rev which is very good in my opionion for a 600.  MPG have done as well as 18 and as poor as11 in wet deep snow conditions. 

sdi :  Please explain where you get all the money to keep putting new engines in like that.  Did BRP cover them under warranty.  Mine has 3500 on it and no problems at all.  Even accidently ran it at 172:1gas to oil for 77 miles when I was adjusting my oil pump and not a hiccup.  Right now down to 66:1 and turned it down again.  No hiccup.  My '01 Cat ZL with 600 had so many power valve problems that I finally gave up on them and went to Doo.  Its like heaven.  No problems.  Go on Hard core sledder forum and Rob the head  man and his friend Bill each have over 12,000 miles on their 600's Doo engines.  Rob's is SDI.  No problems.  Its too bad you keep getting bad one.

Hey SNOCAT my wife wants too ride a renagade. Too switch brands, how is your Rev, looking for some info on them.Going too see if our local dealer has one to try or may have to rent one. Let me know about yours.

 Thanks gofast900

SNOCAT wrote:

Ski-cat, please explain how you got a digital speedometer on your 600 rev.  I didn't know they offered one.  I have never blown a  belt on mine but I did change it at 1800 miles as a precaution.  My clutch cover is stock.   I don't baby it either.  I have never been passed on a curvy or wooded trail unless I wanted to be.  On a lake that is different.  I don't go over 80-85.  You must have a bad one.  I am curious about the digital speedometer though.

Snocat,

I can not believe that you have rode your sled for over 1800 miles and never looked at your digital readout that gives you your trip,hrs, total miles.....When going over 55 mph it changes to a digital speedometer.  Are you sure you did not mean to say you don't go over 55??? 

Everyone is passable....Even Blair Morgan from time to time gets taken..... 

I do not have a "bad one" the majority of the other Revs I ride with have a "bad one" as well because they have the same issue. 

My 2004 GSX 600 SDI LTD 1+1 speedometer does not switch to digital if that is what you are referring to.  If that is what you meant by digital I understand.  I had heard some models do but not sure which ones.  Mine does not and the other '04 like mine do not.  If you don't believe me check it out with your dealer.  I'm not going to argue over what mine does and yours does.  Of course anyone can be passed that was not my point even though I don't get passed when I'm on the throttle.  I drive over 80 every time I go out riding but usually only briefly.  Also I don't know of anyone personally having issues with their SDI's.  These things get blown way out of proportion on the internet because the ones who have problems are the ones who yell the most.

I have rode 5 different revs and they all were the same with the speedo.  3-04 sdi 600, 2 800X.....  Now you have got me curious...  I will check with my dealer just to make sure I have it on my next sled if it is an option.  No argueing inteded...Just got back from another trip to the U.P.   Even got stuck a couple of times in 4ft of snow in the woods.  My wife rode the sdi and got 16 mpg the first day and 18 on the second having to be easy on the throdle on the trail towards Cederville.   2000 miles this year between the f-7 and 600 sdi truble free - a blown belt on the rev....  Knocks on wood.... 

Best riding of the year right now in the U.P.

I heard the snow conditions are great up there.  I have been trucking to Northern Wisconsin every 2 weeks.  Have had good conditions each time.  Glad to hear you got some serious riding in.  I couldn't go this weekend because my nephew got married.  They did open our trails down here in Southern Wisconsin but they are very poor to poor.  I took the day off to ride today before its gone but lots of bare spots and plowed fields.  Really make you appreciate the great trails up North.  Have a good season ski-cat..

What did you get $$$ out of your sled since I have one with 4K miles on it and what did you upgrade it with?  If you do not mind me asking..

 I am thinking of buying a 600 sdi renagade X for my next one or seeing what comes out new from cat in the 4-stroke....possibly a Yamaha Apex.??? I have heard of quite a few 800 Power Tecs squeeking a piston and the Mach is a bit of a pig in the trail ...simular to my old ZR900. 

What did you get to replace you 600 SDI ?

On Hardcore sledder website a friend of Rob's named Bill has put over 13,000 miles on his '04 600 REV engine without any serious problems.  I think Rob has over 10,000 on his SDI. .

600ski is the most reliable snomobile you will ever have because i have one and it never broke down

I have an o6 sdi it has 4000 miles no prolblem. I ride hard with my buddys that have apexs. we ride alot of feild country its wide open from stop sing to stop sing.

all ski doo electronic speedos from 03-07 switch to digital speed after 55 mph

as for the topic at hand

if you want fuel milage go with the sdi if you want reliability go with carbs

every sdi I've had 600 and 1000 have had piston, crank, and stator problems

never had any trouble with the carb versions

sucking snow into 99 500 does not count as that was never the issue with sdi's as to why they went down

600 sdi 3 times over 3600 miles one time there was only 300 miles between piston jobs

02 600 carb 9300 miles no problems and that sled was better on fuel than the sdi

04 600 carb no engine trouble but it liked its fuel