2025 Ski-Doo MXZ-600RS Race Sled Features Suspension Tweaks

Keeping up a Hay Days tradition, Ski-Doo used the sport’s biggest event to unveil its latest MXZ-600RS snocross-focused snowmobile on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Surrounded by hundreds of onlookers that includes racers, race team owners and fans, Ski-Doo’s Nolan Ferris and Carey Daku spoke in broad terms about little tweaks that were made in an effort to make the race sled more precise for the 2024-25 race season.

Immediately after the formal dog-and-pony show, we pulled Daku, the brand’s racing coordinator, aside for a better descriptions of the updates.

“We changed a few different things,” Daku said. “Obviously engine calibration and shock calibration we’ve adjusted again this year. We’re always refining, always kind of fine-tuning.

“The rear suspension is where we did a few different things. We have an eccentric limiter strap adjuster now that comes as standard on the sled. We also changed the coupling in the rear skid, again just kind of refining the motion ratio that we have there for a little bit better traction off the starts, of course we’re always trying to refine that.

“A new reinforced snow flap and an already installed holeshot device are the other main changes, and also we have a different coil bracket there, too, for a little bit better reliability and to keep things from breaking.”

Just off-stage to the left during the announcement was snocross superstar Elias Ishoel, standing next to the legendary Blair Morgan. Ishoel went into last season as the five-time defending champion on the Amsoil Championship Snocross circuit. A multitude of injuries suffered in a nasty crash at Deadwood last season derailed his chance for a six-peat. But Ishoel was proud to say he’s back in good health and looking forward to the new season.

Below is the full press release about the MXZ-600RS snocross-focused snowmobile from Ski-Doo.

SKI-DOO REVEALS ENHANCEMENTS TO MXZ-600RS SNOCROSS RACER

Valcourt, Quebec, September 7, 2024.  The Ski-Doo MXZ-600RS E-TEC has one of the most dominating profiles that snocross has ever seen with an incredible 70 percent win rate on the ISOC circuit in 2024. That kind of dominance isn’t by chance, the race development team fully understands the pillars they set many years ago for the snocross sled – performance, ease of use and durability – and changes for 2025 fall into the refinement category for each pillar as they look for the MXZ-600RS to continue its winning ways.

Performance is the number one priority for any racing vehicle, and the MXZ-600RS gets new rear to center coupling in the rMotion RS rear suspension for optimal transfer and agility. In addition to the new coupling the rMotion RS also receives an eccentric limiter strap adjuster to allow for perfect adjustment and tuning. Improved engine and suspension calibration top things off for even higher levels of performance.

Taking a snowmobile right out of the crate and being able to race it competitively with as little work as possible is what defines easy for a racer. With the Rotax 600RS E-TEC powerplant and its twin injector system, ease of use is already built in with optimal throttle response and maximum power in all conditions courtesy of the sophisticated engine management system – no need to tune the engine – ever. The KYB Pro 46 shocks featuring adjustable high and low speed compression and rebound damping make fast, easy suspension adjustments to suit riders and tracks the norm. A couple more features to make it easy this year will be the addition of the holeshot device and the reinforced snow-flap being installed right at the factory so racers or their crews can spend less time wrenching and more time on their riding skills.

While durability has been a hallmark of the MXZ-600RS, racers pushing the envelope find things mere mortals don’t – past improvements have addressed most items, but this year a more robust coil mount and improved frame cross brace will further strengthen the sled.

Key points:

REV Gen5 platform features an open cockpit design with a centrally balanced engine provide superior rider ergonomics and handling in rough conditions. The layout delivers agile and responsive behavior to rider input while the Ergo Step side panels and beveled tunnel allow racers the room to attack – without interference from the chassis. It features the REV Gen5 four-point engine mounting system and improved CVT alignment for more consistent clutch performance plus a stiffer chassis that provides more precise handling and better feedback to the rider. Another Gen5 feature is the quick-change drive axle for easier and faster track changes, making race weekends easier for the pit crews. The RS specific front S-Module is also reinforced for improved durability.

RAS RS front suspension with optimal shock length for long travel and a lower the center of gravity. The front suspension features a long spindle design that allows high cornering speeds and a unique power steering system exclusive to the MXZ-RS race sled that provides ultra-precise handling with less effort. 

The legendary rMotion RS rear suspension is improved with new rear to center shock coupling and features a refined center arm for improved traction in rough conditions – especially the ice edges and ridges that develop in snocross racing. The motion ratio of the rear arm linkage provides a soft initial feel and when combined with the improved coupling it delivers better traction and weight transfer for more control in wicked snocross conditions.

The MXZ-RS continues to use bespoke 46 mm KYB Pro Series shocks that have Integral Base Valves with the ability to adjust not only High and Low Speed Compression but also High-Speed rebound.

The engine powering the MXZ-600RS E-TEC is as sophisticated as any 2-stroke on earth – except maybe the Rotax 850 E-TEC Turbo R that features water injection, where it draws much of its technology from. Examples include booster injectors, a short intake tract with double reeds and digital eRAVE. But that doesn’t mean it’s finicky or high maintenance – it’s actually just the opposite. By using E-TEC advanced systems, this 600cc high output monster is a hands-off package that compensates for weather and altitude conditions while delivering maximum horsepower at all times without human intervention.

2025 MXZ-600RS Highlights

 REV Gen5 Platform DNA –

• Taper/tilt tunnel design
• 4-point engine mounting
• Quick change drive axle
• Short heat exchanger with internal loop
• 137” Track
• Lightweight Lexan Hood
• Quiet, high flow Airbox Design
• LED Lightweight Headlights
• Reinforced S module
• MX inspired seat and hi-traction cover
• Racing foot box
• 5-gallon fuel tank
• Lower center of gravity
• High Air Flow Left Vent

 RAS RS Front Suspension

• Kashima coated 46mm KYB Pro Series shocks (High Speed /Low Speed compression and High Speed / Low Speed Rebound adjustments)
• Integral Base Valve Adjuster
• Rack steering with power assist
• Long Spindle design (Stronger + better speed cornering)
• Lightweight Pilot R2 Ski – Reinforced

rMotion RS Rear Suspension

• Race proven rail design      
• 137” length
• Refined front arm
• Proven motion ratio (softer initial)
• Improved coupling
• Kashima coated 46mm KYB Pro Series piggyback center shock w/ High Speed / Low Speed compression and High Speed Rebound adjustment
• Kashima coated 46mm KYB Pro Series piggyback rear shock w/ High Speed / Low Speed compression and High Speed / Low Speed rebound adjustment
• Integral Base Valve Adjuster
• Revised geometry
• Holeshot Device

 Rotax 600RS E-TEC Engine (599.4 cc)

• E-TEC direct injection
• Monoblock cylinder design with Plasma coating- delivers high horsepower
• Large injectors (850 E-TEC-inspired)
• Intake booster injectors (850 E-TEC-inspired)
• Shorter intake length (850 E-TEC-inspired)
• Double reed valves (850 E-TEC-inspired)
• eRAVE (850 E-TEC-inspired)
• Lightweight exhaust system (Stainless steel tuned pipe)
• Racing Throttle Block – Ready for 50% throttle applications
• Reinforced engine mounts
• Hot Start Button

 Drivetrain

• Lightweight belt guard – better air flow
• Brembo Brake System – large diameter rotor, easy maintenance caliper
• pDrive primary clutch
• TEAM TSS-04 secondary clutch
• Slip gear – Better durability, less maintenance

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