2004 polaris trail touring

The engine has been refined for next year. The combustion chamber has been remodeled as has the exhaust pipe.

Polaris has also integrated better cooling fins on the heads and a digital ignition system on the 550 fan-cooled engine for this year. The result is a more durable engine with a broader powerband. An added plus is a two-horsepower gain at the top of the curve.

Harnessing the power and putting it to the track is the P-85 primary and the Team roller secondary clutch setup. The Team roller has been very successful for Polaris over the past season and a half. It delivers smooth shifts on the trail, which creates very snappy-feeling throttle response.

Polaris also uses its version of the electronic reverse, PERC, on the Trail Touring. A simple push of a button brings an idling engine down until it almost stops, then kicks it into a reverse operation. The backup alarm beeps and the sled runs backwards. A second push slows the engine again and kicks it back into normal operation.

The Trail Touring is the better-equipped of Polaris' two 550 fan-cooled touring sleds. The Sport Touring offers consumers a less-expensive option with a standard Edge rear suspension setup. The Trail retails at $5,849. The sport lists for $5,349.

This story ran in the December 2003 issue of American Snowmobiler magazine