i like to take off from my home and tour for several days at a time. with the REV bug that i have my friends {non doo'ers} tell me that the REV will not suit my style. i am told that there are a few old fellows out there that traded their revs because they couldn't ride all day long. i have a hard time believing that because another fellow and great friend that has a bad back claims he can ride for hours now.

will the REV be a great sled for 5 day runs. i'd really like to hear from owner/riders of the REV. ???

The rev has saved my back from some serious wear and tear this season. In November, I was not even sure if it would be well enough for me to ride this year. I have put on about 1,000 miles so far this year. I am 6'2", 230 and I would not believe anyone that says they are only made for little guys. The longest trip i have done this year was 3 days. Even with my old sled (500 SKS) I found myself wanting to place my legs directly beneath me. If you like to stretch way out however, there is not that kind of room. If you end up having to ride any length of time on crappy trails (Orillia area) you will love it.

Ive been on 2, 1 week saddlebag trips with my rev this year. Its a super touring sled, you need gauntlets in the real conld temps but I use them when its real nasty anyway. After a 200 mile day I was ready to hit the hotel bar while the other guys wanted to " relax....ZZZZZZZ " for a while first..lol. Dont know how the '04's will be but adding a 2" handlebar riser really gives you alot more options for seating. I spend most of my time sitting in the back of the seat like you would on a traditional sled( Im 6' 235lbs) but I can still scootch forward to hammer the nasty stuff if I want with absolute comfort. Even though its a sled designed for easy sit/stand transitions I find it unneccesary to stand in anything but the real nasty stuff. I even jump the sled now and then sitting, the REV makes it alsmost impossible to pass on snow drifts and tempting plow banks. Another note is the REV racing saddlebag doesnt even wiggle in the rough stuff, I use 1 bungee for piece of mind and have had the best luck of any bags Ive used.

Paul, when we were on our Northern Blastoff, the REVs were in the minority compared to down here in the banana belt where they are everywhere. This may be because of 3 reasons.

The folks that ride up north are tourers & aren't interested in the "aggressive" riding style of the REV.

A LOT of the sledders we saw were from MI & NY. Poo & AC were the norm, w/ XCs being quite popular.

Finally, around the Paudash & Old Hastings trails I think a lot of the REV owners are "Saturday Warriors" that trailer up for the day, ride like maniacs & go home in the evening. Ask them if they've ever been WAYYY up north & they'll say, "What about gas?" They don't or can't wander too far from civilization.

I was on a ride the other day, and one fella had the James Bond edition of the Rev. This machine was very new to him. After about 3 hours of riding and only 85 miles logged, he could barely walk when he first got off the machine. This individual is 55 years old, 6 foot tall and weighs 210 lbs. I'm told that this is usual for the first few rides until you get used to the new riding position. I think it's going to be all up to the physical condition of the individual and their amount of saddle time on the machine. This fella also was riding a lot slower than he used to on previous sleds.

It does take a solid 100 miles or so to start to become comfortable on the rev, anyone whos only hopped on and ridden 20-30 miles really doesnt have enough saddle time to make a true assessment of the sled,its completely different thatn anything else thats for certain. I can see how ones legs may become fatigued if you are on trails that require constant standing and stitting, but it should take only a few rides to overcome that, the quad muscles get the workout, my knees never felt any pain with the exception of the normal daily pain my knees suffer from anyway. This is the first year in a very long time that I havent had any significant soreness from riding. My wrists hurt a bit after the first ride or 2 and my face hurt from smiling so much. I probably should add our trails here are much better this year than in the past too, could be a factor, but regardless Ive spent my fair share of time running mile after mile of rough stuff, the harder you push the REV the better it rides through the nasty stuff. I see speeds now on bad trails that Ive never seen in the past

I have over 8000 miles on my 600 rev and I love it in all conditions. I went 2300 miles in 7 days and wasen't sore at all. 450 miles is the longest I have done ever and the next day I was fine. It was cold the week I was gone -15C to -35C the whole time, if you dress right it's not cold.

Paul, the rev picked up an early reputation as being a ditch banger sled, but before buying mine, I took the advice of a friend who had ridden one and he said it's a great trail sled, so I gambled and won, because it is a great trail sled..............no fatigue, easy on the joints, it's lighter and feels lighter driving it..... I'm 6'2 ...220 and over 50, I wish I could get the time off work to ride it on long trips..... I would get the optional 16 inch windshield instead of the standard 14 inch one that comes on the rev sport. It's not really required except on super cold days... DooZ.......... ;) ;)

looks to me like no mixed opinions here, REV or nothing. i'm surprised that the rest of the oem's haven't done anything like it. i think the big reason why there is little fatigue from riding a REV is because of the rigidity of the chassis.

Just did 700 miles in three days from Dorset to Quebec and back. The only thing sore is my thumb from holding it wide open through Quebec.
In the crap from North Bay back to Dorset on Saturday, I had to keep waiting for the non-REV riders in my pack.

You can ride the REV as long as you want and about the only things that will get sore are you thumb and maybe a bit stiff between your shoulderblades if you ride fast and hard enough.

It used to be with my zx: if I rode as hard as always my body would be so sore that it was hard to walk up steps and even wiping the old butt hurt. I would cramp up alot more after long rides on the zx also.

Dont believe any crap people talk because its not true, the REV is way better. And Ive heard guys claim that if you have bad knees its not for you that is also BS, I have semi bad knees and dont feel a dang thing in them when riding the REV. Maybe these guys are the ones that ride normal sleds with the legs are curled back behind them? If so thats probably why, I cant ride like that in the first place and with the REV you dont even have to.

:D :D Hi Paul its a pleasure to give you my opinion on this topic.
I just turned 50 and have been sledding since the 60's. I have never ridden a machine more comfortable on the long touring trips like the REV. My main point is that you can easily change your riding position ie. stand feet forward or back without being uncomfortable.

I have suffered from back problems due to some very aggressive riding in the last 20 years and could not stay on a sled for more than 5 hour a day. This year with the rev 300 to 400 mile days and quite aggressive riding(I ride with Machzzzz1, King) I could get off the machine and be ready to party. Befor I had to lay flat on the ground or bed hoping my back would loosen up. My wife who is a very good skier has bad knees and once she got on the Rev she took it away from me. Her knees never got sore she even did the Rap tour with us this year and was often out front on the pipeline just flying. She also has had to back surgerys(short 2 disks) and after 1200 K in 4 days could have kept going.

I will Spring order a revagade this year because Perm convinced me of the benefits of a long track plus I might even be able to beat Machzzzz1 in the powder.

Get the Rev you wont be sorry. :inlove:

The first trip I did I was ready to sell it becuase my knees hurt so much, 2/200 mile days, very rough. Boy am I glad I gave it a second chance, I just wasn't used to using these muscle even though I race enduros during the summer. The last rip in feb before my sled blew-up I did, day 1-365 miles, day2 403 miles and day 3 238 miles. Felt like I hadn't ridden at all. I rode a zx chassis this past weekend and boy am I sore now.

After riding my Rev all season, I can honestly say that it's hard for me to get on any other sled and feel comfortable like I am on the rev. I find the higher more forward seating possition is more comfortable for me. When I ride on most other sleds the lower seating position is harder on my back. I do find though that there isn't much room for stretching your legs, but all I do is stand up and stretch now and then on longer rides when my legs start to get tired. I had a chance to drive an F6 Firecat that a local dealer had as a demo. This was a nice sled and the ride wasn't bad, but it didn't take the bumps like the Rev does. The Rev also handled better in the turns. I found both sleds to have similar power for 600's. In my oppinion, Bombardier is on a good track with these new Rev's. The ride and comfort can only get better if the Rev is used as a basis to improve on designs on all sleds in the future.

As far as I'm concerned the ride on the REV is by far the best. I own a REV 800 and my wife a 2000 Formula Deluxe 700. I regularly ride both and the REV is way better. I have 2,500 miles on the REV.

I just came back from a 5 day trip with an average of 250 miles per day. I can honestly say that I have a bad back and I did not have any aches at the end of each day

I was riding with an RX1, a Legend 800sdi, and a AC Powder Special. All of us traded sleds to try them out. All of them loved the REV, specialy in the rough windy trails. I could not wait to get back on the REV after trying the other sleds.

My 2 cents

Paul. I just bought my Rev and have also just returned from a one week sled tour holiday. The first couple of rides caused me pain in my knees and thighs, just a new riding position. No pain at all in the arms, shoulders or back.

In the tight twisties or in stutter bumps, I scoot right forward on the seat. This, combined with leaning off the sled on sharp turns, gave me a little discomfort in the hip joints, but that I'll blame on my age and general lack of flexibility. (I'm about as flexible as concrete)

Although it can be a little cold, I'd recommend this sled for any type of trail riding.

I would definitley reccomend the REV nice ride and good motor or so I hear I got the 440 so can't really tell ya there, the only time I got sore was on a 220 miles trip and 60 of it with 4' moguls and we were going about 45 so yeah but on normal trails you can't have a better sled handles great and takes the bumps away even with my stiff settings I can hardley feel them but if you ride hard at all I would recomend it

My buddy who has a Bond Rev said his knees hurt after the first week of driving it. Now his knees are fine and he loves the Rev. IMO the rev is the greatest thing that hit snowmobiling. They are great on the back and a FAST!!! :D

Recently did a 7 day trip in Northern Quebec. I have bad knees, they're sore on a good day. We did 1400 miles in 7 days and by the last day I was done, my knees were so sore. Thats the bad. The good is, I still wouldn't exchange my 800 Rev for any other sled out there. Extremely easy to drive (effortless), and my back feels great. Like someone else said, at the end of the day I'm ready to check out the bars (no dancing sore knees remember) :) and others are ready for bed.

After reading some of the posts here, maybe I'll try to ride my rev more. I am an old timer (50) and on a 100 mile ride my legs would be killing me. so the next ride I would use my wifes mxz700 and was very happy and could ride forever. I think I'll try riding the rev a few weeks in a row and see how I feel.

33 years of riding,4 major knee surgeries. NEVER going to switch back from a REV unless something better comes along. Sure the knees were a little sore after a 14 hour ride but if I was on my zx chassis 700,the whole body would have been sore,especially after the last 3 hrs of 2 foot moguls. It takes some time to get your body used to the REV but once it does,you will never look back.,except to see whats taking everyone else so long to catch up to you :D

I rode with TT670 a couple of weeks ago for 130+ mile day in the Chatauqua area. I only had about 250 miles on the sled because I bought it late. 1/3 of the trails we were on were rough and one stretch of RR bed was deeply mogulled. The bigger the mogules the faster you go. I had some muscle soreness in my back from being fat and out of shape but other than that I could not beleive how good I felt. I wish I would have bought the 600ho because I feel the motor is much better clutched and smoother than the 800. The 800 definitely pulls harder but the 600ho is much smoother in the slow twisty trails. My wife's FZ 600dlx is gone this year and I will have another REV probably the GSX 600SDI. When we rode in Huntsville last month she was much quicker and more confident on the 800 REV than the 600DLX. My only regret, I don't care if I ever ride my mod MXZ 700 again. That motor may find it's way into my REV this summer.
ronzx9

The REV is easily the most comfortable sled I've ever ridden. The first thing I noticed was no "arm pump" on the first hard ride of the season and no arm or shoulder stiffness the next day. No knee pain whatsoever but some stiffness in the thighs from standing up for 11 miles straight at one point (It's sooo easy and comfotable to do.). The thigh stiffness went away after riding it a few times and got the muscles conditioned. Riding for 100+ miles a day is no problem and the urge to stretch out is no longer present because of the riding position. It's like this; on a conventional sled in rough terrain, you end up sitting further forward with the knees higher than hips and when on smooth terrain you have the urge to stretch out which brings the knees below the hips and is more comfortable; the REV on the other hand, your knees are always lower than the hips for a naturally more comfortable position. The exception would be those with long legs where the knees are still higher than the hips when seated all the way back.

i'am 63 years young, have 2100 miles on my 600hox and have ridden several 200 mile trips and have not been tired or sore from any of them. i will say that the first week on the rev had the muscles around my knees a little sore, but after getting used to the rideing position that hasent bothered me since. :) :)