Ski-Doo’s Scandinavian cousins were presented to us last year and this season, we are entitled to several new models to complete the line. This is the case of the 2023 Lynx Shredder DS that we were able to test in the enchanting setting of West Yellowstone, Montana. Discover it in detail with our team.
For 2023, Lynx is expanding its line of snowmobiles in North America and is introducing its mountain line, the Shredder. Two versions are available, the RE and the DS, which we were able to test. A brand new platform similar to the REV Gen5, a stunning mechanical system, high-performance suspensions, well-designed ergonomics, etc. Nothing was left to chance. Nothing was left to chance on this machine to present us with a snowmobile ready to climb the highest peaks.
New Radien2 Platform
The 2023 Lynx Shredder DS enters our market, based on a brand new platform, the Radien2, which is the cousin of the Ski-Doo REV Gen5. It has a completely revised fairing with a narrower design that allows for better snow penetration. In addition, the running boards have been redesigned and are now 3″ narrower in total to reduce the effort required. This will reduce drag in the snow. We can also notice a short tunnel and especially very open at the rear which provides a better evacuation of the snow as well as an increased maneuverability in the maneuvers.
The side panels have been redesigned down to the last detail. Thus, the panels on the left side now open in 2 distinct sections. One to allow quick filling of the oil tank. And the other section is dedicated for the clutch. With this new design, it is still easy to access the clutch, but more importantly the system allows for a revised air intake to cool the belt and pulleys. We now have a fresh air supply that comes directly from outside instead of reusing the heated air that used to come from inside the cabin. Thus, the belt and pulleys will be less stressed. As an added bonus, this ingenious system will extend the time before the belt needs to be replaced and reduce maintenance.
Last but not least… At first glance, you can see the new light signature with 3 LED headlights. Finally LEDs at this manufacturer! These provide a power of no less than 3440 lumens. Everything you need to light up the trails when you come back from a day in the mountains that stretched into the sunset.
Powerplant
To propel the 2023 Lynx Shredder DS, the manufacturer uses its most powerful Rotax 2-stroke engine which produces an impressive 180 horsepower. The turbo compression allows to keep this huge power up to an altitude of 8000 feet. After this altitude, even though the power gradually decreases, we still have a 55 horsepower advantage over the naturally aspirated 850 E-TEC. This snowmobile offers power that is always there no matter where you decide to venture.
There is some throttle lag due to the time required to build pressure with the turbocharger, but it has been greatly improved with the plenum system developed by Rotax. Unfortunately, you still get a less instantaneous response than the naturally aspirated engine. However, when you’re flying at altitude, it’s quite an advantage to have such a system. And in the end, you get used to initiating the throttle a fraction of a second early to counteract this negative aspect of a turbo.
Front suspension
At the front of the 2023 Lynx Shredder DS, we can see a suspension with LFS geometry with double wishbones. For good handling, Lynx opted for Blade DS+ skis that provide a lot of bite thanks to the very deep center keel. Also, a very advantageous aspect of opting for the Lynx Shredder DS is that it comes standard with KYB 36 oversized shocks with a Kashima coating for better long term durability. This way, you get excellent shock absorption and most importantly, you’ll retain those skills over the years so you can still perform those maneuvers in complete control.
Rear suspension and track options
If we turn to the rear of the Shredder now, we get something quite different from what we see in its Ski-Doo cousins. This is the PPS2 DS+ suspension geometry. The rails are bigger and very strong. Moreover, you will instantly feel a superior rigidity with its 2 oscillating lateral arms that ensure excellent deck stability. When you look at the Summit with its T-Motion, which allows for a certain amount of flexibility, we can say that the Lynx will be more precise in technical terrain. With the exception of the new Ski-Doo Summit 2023 with Expert package, which is equipped with a new T-MotionX that is now rigid. It’s impressive to see a manufacturer do the complete opposite of what it claimed to be the best system a few years ago…
In order to provide maximum traction, the Lynx DS 4100 (or 165″) comes standard with the PowderMax Light track with 3″ high lugs. For the 3900 (or 154″) version, you can choose between two stud heights: 2.5″ or 3″. To complete the package and to effectively cushion the worst terrain, Lynx uses KYB 36 shocks with a Kashima coating for longer life and consistent performance.
Driving Impressions
When you sit on the 2023 Lynx Shredder DS, you feel at ease right away. The controls are well positioned and the grip is natural. We even have an adjustable brake handle now. The vision on the dial is very good even if in the case of our test model we had the basic one of 4.5 inches. On the other hand, it is possible to get the new 10.25″ touch screen that contains a lot of information. You can also connect it to your phone to receive alerts and to use it in conjunction with the BRP GO application.
When driving, it’s easy to switch from one side to the other since the seat is minimalist. At all times, the 180 HP mechanics propel us with ease out of the snow to float in a few seconds. Certainly, the short tunnel without snow guards facilitates snow evacuation without creating any restrictions. However, we notice that there are no bumpers at the back, which could cause damage in case of impact.
The suspensions do a great job in all terrain and even with the lack of snow during our test ride, it was relatively easy to hold your lines in side-hill and tight turns. It is certain that the stiffness of the rear suspension greatly helps us not to feel any blur in these maneuvers. Also, the steering is just light enough while having a good bite with the Blade DS+ skis for precise steering. The Lynx Shredder DS is a very competent mountain snowmobile with its handling, chassis rigidity and well thought-out riding position.
Strong points
- The 850 E-TEC TURBO R engine retains its 180 horsepower up to 8000 feet.
- 10.25″ touch screen that provides a wealth of information and allows you to be connected with the BRP GO application.
- The new platform brings excellent ergonomics and concrete improvements for even better performance in the mountains.
Areas for improvement
- Delay in engine response induced by turbo compression. You can’t always have the best of both worlds.
- Basic 4.5 inch digital display… A bit too basic although it provides all the required information
- Compartment on top (lid) that allows for very few items. Granted, there is an option to make it bigger, but why not include it as standard like its closest competitor does?
- Absence of a bumper at the rear. It is recommended to add one in order to avoid damage.
Conclusion
Finally, off-road snowmobile enthusiasts will be served with the all-new Lynx Shredder. These are solid machines that are ready to take a beating with their high performance components. We are more than happy to see this manufacturer’s snowmobile line-up expand for this upcoming season.
If you would like more information on Lynx Shredder models, please visit the BRP LYNX website or your local dealer.
