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Final WordsThis class is hot, new, exciting and extremely close. The power output from each of the three engines is so close that racing will once again be racing. There won't be any clear-cut favorite when the 800 twins line up this winter. Our crew felt the Polaris XC SP had the most to offer, with the Arctic Cat ZR 800 nipping very closely at its heels. The majority of our test riders didn't care much for Ski-Doo's super-stiff X package, which is what hurt the sled's relative ratings. But the reality is, this trio has achieved a kind of parity that we don't typically expect to see in a freshman class. If you can get your hands on any of these sleds, climb on, hang on and have a blast!
AMSNOW "QUICK QUOTES"• Polaris: "This is the sled I felt most comfortable on. The whole EDGE chassis fits very well for me, and the suspensions delivered a very smooth ride. I was surprised how much acceleration the sled had in relation to the others." - Test Rider Wade West
• Arctic Cat: "Certainly in riding the ZR 800, I wonder why anyone would consider buying a ZRT 800 or any other of the large triples. The low end torque on the 800 is outstanding."
- Test Rider Doug Erickson
• Ski-Doo: "All in all, a nice sled. Nice handling and good power. The main thing with the X kit is that it is almost too stiff. If you ditch bang it really hard you could be alright, but for a regular trail ride, it's a little bit too firm."
- Test Rider Les Pinz