2022 Lynx test ride

The 2022 lynx rave 850 is an impressive machine. Here are a few items that stood out to me on my 8 mile test ride. The rear skid, this is the single biggest difference that separates it from its cousin the SD Renegade. It transfers a lot of weight and absorbs 3ft moguls at 50-60 mph like nothing Ive ever ridden. Unlike the rmotion and pro cc you can feel the skid working through its travel absorbing anything you throw at it. It's incredibly playful and controllably wheelies whenever you mash the throttle. The Blade skis are impressive, they don't dart, carve without push and require minimal steering effort. The seat, its much narrower and firmer than the 2021 Ski-doo. It feels as firm as the Polaris seat, some people may not like this however I prefer it over the Doo g4 seat. Front suspension, The RASX front suspension was a huge step in the right direction in 2021 for Ski-Doo and the lynx shares the same suspension. The RASX fixes the front suspension "twitchy" feel my 17 Doo 850 and 18 850 gade had however when compared to the front of the VR1 the Lynx front end still feels numb, not providing the same feel and confidence inspiring feedback the Polaris VR1 provides. The shock package is incredible, offering a very wide operation range. It felt like a sled that would be happy cruising groom trails in the morning and attacking whooped out moguls at the end of the day. Rider position, this is very similar to the Ski-doo but as I stated earlier the seat is much firmer and narrower between your knees. I prefer the rider position of the Polaris matryx. Top speed is 95, that's it. This low top speed number must be due to how the sled is geared. For the aggressive rider, the standup mogul masher this is the sled for you. I don't think anything else on the market short of a factory cross country or race sled will compare to this machine in terms of suspension performance. Am I buying one? no. As I stated earlier I think the Polaris rider position is superior and the overall sled feel and feedback is confidence inspiring. The two 850 engines are identical when lined up side by side for a drag race however the clutching of the Polaris is much more manageable at low speeds without the jerkiness of the Doo. My only real complaint on my VR1 is the very soft shock valving. That has me leaning towards an XCR for next year.