2008 Ski-Doo GSX Limited Touring

If you enjoy a full-blown, on-trail luxury experience, you’ll love the all-new Ski-Doo GSX 600 Limited Touring. We can’t imagine that this sled lacks anything…except excess weight.

Based on the same all-new REV-XP chassis as the 2008 MXZ versions, the GSX redefines personal performance. You can get a choice of a Rotax 600 SDI twin or move up about 30 horsepower to the 151 hp 800R Power TEK option. No matter how you look at this personal luxury machine, we found less was much more. That’s because you get all the goodies—and some new gadgets as well—you’d expect in a Ski-Doo personal luxury sled that is 66 pounds lighter than its predecessor. That’s a 13% weight loss!

The GSX lets you cruise groomed trails with the option of enjoying the action on tight trails.

A taller windshield, more touring-oriented features and cruiser-style wind protection highlight the main differences between the GSX and MXZ models.

We figure that if you’re going to go for a luxury ride, go all the way. The Limited Touring version comes from the factory with the optional passenger seat. In reality, we’d call this an ‘occasional’ seat. Your passenger best really like you if they go out for a weekend ride. Compared to the more regal king-queen seating of some competitor two-ups or even Ski-Doo’s past Grand Touring models, this ‘1+1’ seat with adjustable backrest seems more of an afterthought. You could stow gear on it or simply go for the Limited version and its singular sports seating.

We won’t badmouth the GSX Limited Touring because that’s what we would choose for our personal sled, but we would rarely haul a passenger. What we like is the Limited Touring’s slightly stiffer suspension. It comes standard calibrated for two riders. We found the single seaters a bit too soft even when we adjusted the suspension to a firmer setting. But, that’s our preference. You’ll have to make that choice for yourself.

Because we would tend to ride solo, we would be content with the 600 SDI twin. It’s one of our all-time favorite powerplants and it’s a steady day-in, day-out performer. If you are a serious two-up rider, you should consider the 800R performance upgrade. It will have much better grunt all across the power band.

We were impressed at how much the GSX shares with the more aggressively styled MXZ series. In some ways the GSX is very much an MXZ, but with more wind protection and a better package of “goodies.”

A mid-height windshield is standard, as is electric start, electric fuel gauge, and six-level heated hand and thumb warmers. Of course you’ll get the Ski-Doo pioneered, push-button electronic reverse as standard. What you gadget freaks will really enjoy is the multi-function analog/digital gauge that gives you new toys to play with. You can check top speed, actual and average fuel consumption, average speed and the engine RPM and sled speed. While new to snowmobiling, such electronic fare is fairly common on Snowmobile such as BRP’s Sea-Doo line.

Even though the GSX comes with high-pressure gas shocks, we found that we could induce fade when we rode the sled as though it were an MXZ. We’d like to see better shocks as standard equipment. That said, we realize most GSX riders will be content with the suspension package as is.

Standard on the Touring Limited, this “occasional” 1+1 passenger seat fits most GSX models.

Cruiser pilots demand better wind protection and get it with this standard GSX windbreaker.

This latest iteration of Ski-Doo’s personal performance package proved very nimble, showcasing its REV-XP baseline. In comparison to other touring snowmobiles, you should think of the GSX as the MXZ of touring sleds. In fact, that’s what it is. At its published dry weight of 475 pounds, it’s very light when compared to other touring machines.

To get that weight advantage, the GSX is based on the new REV-XP platform, which combines some parts into a singular piece to reduce weight and function. Ski-Doo engineers also studied where to cut weight without reducing overall strength in the chassis and components.

Personal performance sled riders may be impressed with how light the sled is on the trail, but they will be really impressed with its new level of comfort, most notably provided by eight extra inches of legroom on board. That means a lot to a long-distance rider. Compared to previous REV models, the REV-HP based GSX will seem like a limousine.

The benefit of extra riding room is a good thing for both driver and a rear seat passenger. Standard passenger benefits include shielded and heated handgrips and special raised platform footrest. The GSX also features a 12-volt power outlet to plug in a cell phone or GPS unit.

Short Track

While the GSX shares much to like with the MXZ series, we are lukewarm about the short, 120-inch circumference rubber track used with the new SC-5 rear suspension. Don’t misunderstand. The 120-inch track works fine, but for a touring machine we figure it may be too short for both rider and a passenger. A slightly longer Renegade-length track and suspension would be better for passenger comfort.The short track, with its 1-inch tall lug and Ripsaw XP pattern, will be quite adequate for solo riding.

Think of the GSX series as an MXZ with style—and extra features.

The new SC-5 suspension evolved from the previous SC-4 sports set up and was designed specifically for the REV-XP chassis. Up front is a specially designed RAS suspension with nine-inches of travel controlled by high-pressure gas shocks. The suspension package works well for touring and occasional aggressive sports riding. But, if you ride hard for too long, the shocks will fade away more quickly than with an MXZ. That’s a trade off you make with a personal performance cruiser. You make a choice between overall comfort and convenience and total performance.

GSX Excels

As a solo performer, the GSX excels. It combines the base values of the MXZ with the superior features of a luxury-touring machine that includes nice-to-have standard features like rearview mirrors and that taller windshield.

It’s obvious that Ski-Doo engineers understand the personal performance touring market. Maybe it stems from the fact that Ski-Doo’s engineers have immediate access to all of Quebec outside the doors of its Valcourt plant. Quebec snowmobilers are famous for riding hundreds of miles in a day’s time. But, whatever the reason, the new GSX model line, especially the decked-out Limited Touring, is an exceptionally well-conceived line of personal luxury sleds.