2004 polaris pro x 550
Amsnow
The rules for snocross will be changing next year to allow fan-cooled sleds up to 600cc to compete. This means we'll be seeing more work on the existing consumer-grade fanners in the 550+ segment. One of the first signs of this is the expansion of the 550 Fuji fan-cooled engine into the Pro X chassis.
The engine itself has been modified to provide a broader powerband, which makes it feel much stronger overall. There was actually only a modest two horsepower performance boost at the peak of the curve.
There is a new head design, which incorporates improved cooling fins and a redesigned combustion chamber. Polaris also added a digital ignition system to the powerplant in order to further develop the sled's performance. Finally, a new two-piece exhaust pipe has been designed to replace the old single tuner. This is the same design type as found on the high performance liquid-cooled sleds.
The 550 Pro X uses the same Pro X chassis platform as the liquid-cooled machines. This chassis differs from the Edge platform primarily in the bulkhead design. The Pro X uses an extruded piece with high shock tower locations. This allows the spindles to come rearward, resulting in a shorter wheelbase and quicker steering response.
The Pro X platform includes wide runningboards with boot grips on the roll. It also features the dual angle tunnel design to evacuate snow quickly and efficiently.
The 550 Pro X is listed as race-ready with aluminum-bodied RydeFX gas shocks on all four corners. The ProX rear suspension setup uses a remote reservoir shock with 10 clicks of adjustments on the rear torque arm.
The 550 Pro X also features the Team roller secondary clutching setup and has PERC electronic reverse as standard equipment.
Ergonomically, the 550 is set up the same as the other Pro X models. It has the standard length racer seat, riser bars and midsize windshield.
The 550 Pro X is a good value for consumers who want suspension and handling performance, but who maybe don't need to have all of the power of an ultimate performance machine. At $5,799, the fan-cooled model is a winner.
This story ran in the January 2004 issue of American Snowmobiler magazine