It had to be hard for the Polaris crew to hold their enthusiasm back last Spring when we test-rode the "new" Polaris models. While the new "Dial Adjust" suspension is a slick suspension, we couldn't see getting too worked up about it if that was all you had to hang your helmet on. After all, Ski-Doo had a completely new series of Safari touring machines; Arctco had made great impressions and news with its all new Prowler; and Yamaha had redone the Phazer into a totally new model, plus introduced some snazzy scooter updates.
Yeah, it had to be hard for the Polaris crew- all the while sandbagging us unsuspecting media types. Those guys knew that they had the first electronic fuel injection sled ready for an introduction. They knew that they had the latest in the 35 year history of Polaris Industries sitting nearly ready in the ultra-secret research and engineering department in Roseau. They knew and they didn't leak a word- until they sprung the EFI on the world at the Wisconsin snow show and then waited a month to unload the all new Polaris Indy Lites in private one-on-one skull sessions with the leading snowmobile magazine editors.
Yeah, they've done it. The company that came into the season last Spring with a new suspension, a wide-tracked utility sled and not much more, sure roared away with the prizes for news at year's end.
This past December, we had the chance to sit down with Polaris product development manager Bob Nygaard and discuss the Indy Lites, which, by the
way, will make Polaris the only sled maker to have the only all IFS model line in the sport! Add another first for the first name in snowmobiling. What a way to celebrate 35 years in the business!
Just for you who don't know Bob Nygaard, he is the new product guy at Polaris. Now Bob is either the luckiest guy around or the sharpest new product guy around. In the course of a year- this year- Mr. Nygaard has helped Polaris introduce six new and very noteworthy achievements in the sled biz and the
ATV biz.
Over on the ATV side of things, Bob helped bring the all new 350cc liquid- cooled Polaris ATVs into the world. He added a low cost Trail Blazer model for
newcomers or tight-fisted miser, take your pick. Last season he helped shape
the heavy-duty Big Boss 4x6 utility ATV/mini-pickup truck.
Back to sleds, along with everyone else at Polaris, Bob was busy holding his tongue about the RXL and the pair of Indy Lites.
A man not prone to hyperbole, Bob was about bursting with enthusiasm when he was telling us about the new Indy Lites. He should be. From first impressions, the lightweight, low buck Indy Lites should cause a stir.
First of all, the pair will replace the Star and Spring, the last of the leafsprung touring sleds at Polaris. These had been the price leaders for the company. Meet the $2,199 Indy StarLite and the $2,799 Indy Lite 340. These are a heckuva lot more sled for the money than the leafsprung models.
Says Bob, "What you have is a very affordable, easy handling sled that retails for the same money as a 1990 Ski-Doo Elan, only about $30 more than a leafsprung Jag, and less money than a Ski-Doo Citation or Yamaha Bravo."
Plus, Bob is quick to point out, the new Indy Lites are full-sized, not down-sized sleds. Overall the Lites measure 3.5 inches less than a traditional Indy Sport, but have the same 36.5 inch ski stance, and less girth overall, too. Our guess is that these new Indy Lites, which have been under development for four years, will be nifty handlers on the trail. Weight, size, width, ski stance, and about everything else points to a very remarkable touring machine.
There are some comparisons, but darn few, to the predecessors. The StarLite
uses the bulletproof, incredibly fuel efficient 244cc Fuji single. The 340cc
twin is the same as Sport, which was essentially the same as the Sprint.
The transmission system, which was not made overly clear to us, is a revamped
direct drive type now referred to as the "involite," which we take to mean is a combination of involute drive with direct drive. This has been a very reliable, lightweight, simple and efficient drive system in the old Star and Sprint models. Polaris, to date is the only manufacturer with this system. The only drawback is that you can't add reverse gear as you can with the standard Indy drive system. Of course, when you're on sleds weighing in at under 400 pounds, reverse isn't that big of a deal! The StarLite is said to hit 340 pounds while the 340cc Indy Lite shows up at 27 pounds more.
During the four years of designing and testing the Indy Lites, the Polaris team of engineers, designers, marketing and production people put the comfort of the rider first. Besides the famed IFS with its 6.25 inches of travel, the Indy Lites have a rear suspension that will deliver five inches of travel, about the same as the current Ovation and Jag AFS. The track is longish, by comparison, 15 inches in width by 116 inches in overall length.
This new from the snow up Indy series has been designed as the ultimate low buck touring machine. Ergonomics are key. The windshield is a high protective
unit. Nygaard commented that Polaris had played with handlebar fairings, but dismissed them because they didn't seal out cold or snow the way Polaris felt they should. In some ways, the windshield is reminiscent of the discontinued Ski-Doo Escapade system which not only kept wind away, but was used to draw
engine heat up from under the cowling and back to the rider.
The seating is a new design and built for "cush" with a rear tuck to keep a rider's fanny in position for riding. Toss in adjustable handlebars for good measure, too.
We can't comment on the ride, which we hope to experience later this month in a test of the prototypes. But we'll let you know about it in our March "Bests" wrap-up issue.
On paper, these two Indy Lites look like winners. We figure that the 340cc version in red will get a lot of play, but we'd advise you to test ride the 250cc StarLite. You might surprise yourself. We expect that model to have very good and above average performance to any other 250 or 300 model. Don't discard the idea of this 250, it's the same fundamental engine that makes the Polaris ATVs go zoom. And at about $600 less, you can save on purchase price- and fuel with its proven stingy single.
The comfortable to live with price tag makes these full featured, full-sized Polaris models a couple of the best values in snowmobiling heading into the 1991 model year.
That's not to say that Polaris cut corners to keep costs down, look at what comes standard. Both Indy Lite models come with: 150 watt alternator, rear seat storage, plus two storage console compartments in the front console, and, of course, Polaris reliability and durability, which includes a two year drive belt warranty.
The blue with silver accented 250cc Indy StarLite is priced comparably with conventional leafsprung, down-sized, single cylinder entry level machines from the other snowmobile manufacturers. The StarLites' length of 103 inches is up to 10 inches longer than competitive models. Its wide ski stance of 36.5 inches is the same as the regular Indy, however, comparable competitive models do not exceed 30 inches. The new 15x116 inch block pattern track gives the Indy Lites a bigger footprint on the snow for better traction, better climbing and better flotation than the competition, too.
When you combine a 7.2 U.S. gallon fuel tank, the largest in its class, with superb fuel economy, the Indy StarLite can offer its owner a day's riding without refueling.
The 340cc Indy Lite with its red hood shares many of the same features as the StarLite but offers a little more standard equipment: a speedometer with trip meter, a waffle seat design pattern, and the same proven performance of the dual-carbed 340cc fan-cooled twin which has powered the Indy Sport for the past four years. At only 367 pounds, the lightest in its class, the Indy Lite has a tremendous power-to-weight ratio from the sporty 340cc engine.
Best of all is the suggested retail price which is expected to be equal to conventional front end 340's and be $650 to $800 less than competitive 340 IFS models.
Nygaard says that this entry level/replacement level IFS segment of the market is "...the fastest growing segment of the snowmobile industry."
He claims, "It's bringing former snowmobilers back into the sport as they trade in their old Jags, Enticers, Citations, and Colts. Entry level IFS models are being sold as the second, third, or fourth machine in the family and it is bringing new people into snowmobiling."
He adds that value and fun are the key reasons.
"The Indy Lites give the buyer more of both," Nygaard emphasizes. "Indy Lite buyers receive unbeatable ride and handling, sporty performance in a lightweight package that's designed to last and be trouble free."
We don't doubt this product manager. Bob doesn't mince words. He's also becoming one of the sharpest product managers around. He knows his competition, knows what the consumer wants, knows what the dealers want to sell, and works hard to get it in the Polaris arsenal of new products. For this season, he looks to be batting a thousand.
By the way, Polaris plans a limited quantity production run, probably in mid to late February. That will depend on a number of things, but that is the plan for now. These pre-production, pilot build machines will be used to expose the new Indy Lites to the public and vice versa and will be used in conjunction with selected Polaris dealers. Test rides may be offered in February or March.
Best of all for us consumers, though, is that the Indy Lites will qualify under Polaris' popular Snow Check Program for delivery during the 1990-91 season. So if the program runs its normal course, you should be able to get about 200 bucks off this already reasonably priced new sled.
Polaris says that it expects that the only thing heavy about the Indy Lites is certain to be the demand.
1991 POLARIS INDY LITES SPECIFICATIONS| - | INDY LITE | INDY STARLITE |
| MEASUREMENTS |
| Dry Weight (Pounds) | 367 | 340 |
| Height (Inches) | 46 | 46 |
| Length, Inc. Skis (Inches) | 103 | 103 |
Width (Inches) | 37.9 | 37.9 |
Ski Length (Inches) | 40 | 40 |
| Ski Width (Inches) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
Ski Center Distance (Inches) | 36.5 | 36.5 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (U.S. Gallons) | 7.2 | 7.2 |
ENGINE SPECS |
| Cylinder | 2 | single |
| Cooling | Fan Air | Fan Air |
Displacement (cc's) | 339 | 244 |
Number of Carburetors | 2 Mikuni, VM3055 Slide | 1 Mikuni, VM3055 Slide |
| Clutching | Polaris | Polaris |
| Brake | Mechanical Disc | Mechanical Disc |
| Track | Molded Rubber, 15x116 | Molded Rubber, 15x116 |
| SUSPENSION |
Front Type | Parallel Link Parallel Link |
| Front Travel (Inches) | 6.25 | 6.25 |
Rear Type | Trailing Arm IFS | Trailing Arm IFS |
| Rear Travel (Inches) | Slide Rail-5 | Slide Rail-5 |
| COMPORT FEATURES |
| Storage | Rear of Seat & 2 front console | Rear of Seat & 2 front console |
Adjustable Handlebars | Standard | Standard |
| Speedometer | Standard | Accessory |
Trip Meter | Standard | Accessory |
Handwarmers | Accessory | Accessory |
Thumbwarmer | Accessory | Accessory |
Electric Start | Accessory | N/A |
| SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE | $2,799.00 | $2,199.00 |