1997 polaris indy lite deluxe

The report card is in on the Polaris Indy Lite Deluxe: it scored highmarks in value and it goes the "extra" mile.

And that extra mile is more comfortable thanks to a new XTRA-Lite suspensionthat gives us eight inches of cushioned travel in the rear. It certainlyisn't an all-star XTRA-12, but considering how little previous Lites offeredin the way of suspension travel, the new longer-travel rear suspension ratedreasonably well among our test staffers, earning 5.8 points on the 10-pointAmSnow scale.

Where Ski-Doo has tried to compete by out- "dooing" Polaris,the roles are reversed here; the new XTRA Lite suspension bears a strongresemblance to Ski-Doo's initial SC-10 unit used in the 1996 Formula SL.To keep costs down, you won't find Fox or Ohlins shocks on an Indy Lite;instead, there are serviceable hydraulic dampers and multi-rated coil springsboth front and rear.

Up front is a traditional Polaris IFS with hydraulic shocks that controlsup to seven inches of travel. Most staffers liked the ride, especially thosewho had a smooth section of the trail. However, there were a rather vocalfew who felt that the ride was tippy and bumpy through the rougher, ruttedparts of the trail.

Keep in mind that the steel skis are set at a somewhat narrow 37-inchstance, offering a stable, yet agile ride-a 6.0 in our book. You're notbuying an Indy XC here, but a very light, very nimble and very price-friendlymachine. Overall, though, the front suspension scored a rock-solid 7.0.And that's two hard-earned points above rock-solid average.

The Deluxe's curb appeal is not exceptional. Our first impression aswe walked up to the Deluxe was that it is your standard-issue, Polaris-lookingsled: a pair of huge air duct holes in the Lite-style hood and a swirlyswoosh of accent color on the side. Nothing fancy, nothing hideous, juststraight-forward Polaris styling.

Our test sled was not in perfect running order. Considering that it packsa perky 339cc fan-cooled twin, fed by a pair of VM30SS carbs, we were abit surprised by its reluctance to accelerate to a cruising speed. Our machine'sengine trouble showed in the individual riders' results. Some rated theengine and clutch response very highly, while others rated it poorly, notingthat they had to mash the throttle to even get up to 35-40 mph. Based onpast experience with this motor and clutch combination, we would say thiswas an isolated case and not typical of this engine, which historicallyis very sound.

The amenities on this sled include electric start, EZ steer carbides,hand and thumb warmers, speedometer and tachometer, and a low oil indicatorlight. You can pick up reverse gear, a skid plate, a front bumper, a storagerack and hitch and mirrors as options.

We really hate to straddle the fence, but our test riders have agreedto disagree on most aspects of this sled, with a few notable exceptions.They all agreed that the front suspension is a very worthy item, earninga solid 7.0 out of 10. The footrest position also scored a 7.0. On the downside, the braking needs some attention. Many in our band noted that thelever was too big for smaller hands and pinched larger ones. The brake systemscored very average at 5.5 overall.

Based on our test results, the best advice we can offer is simple: ifyou have liked Polaris Indy Lites in the past, you will probably like thisone; if you didn't, you probably won't. But like it or not, at $3,449, itstill represents one of the best values in snowmobiling.

1997 Polaris Indy Lite Deluxe

Overall Height: 44 inches
Overall Length: 105 inches
Ski Stance: 37 inches
Engine: Polaris 339cc fan-cooled twin
 Exhaust: Single tuned pipe
Clutch:
Drive: Polaris P-90
 Driven: Polaris P-90
Suspension Travel:
 Front: IFS, Hydraulic shocks, 7 inches
 Rear: XTRA-Lite, Hydraulic shocks, 9.2 inches
Fuel Capacity: 8 gallons
Key Features: Electric start, steel skis, hand and thumb warmers, EZ steer carbides, lowoil light
Retail Price: $3.449
Riding Impressions:
"Not a great sled for its class... seems out of date... tougher throttlethan necessary... nice sled for women and smaller riders."
-Jerry Bassett, Test rider