polaris shifts gears

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Roseau, Minn. - After a year of regrouping and refocusing, Polaris has come out swinging for 2008 with a new 800 Cleanfire engine, a racer replica sled in the 600RR and, most dramatically, a low-cost 600cc model, the Shift.

Shift tells the Polaris story as it shifts back into high gear and goes on the offensive with this new sled, the 800 CFI and the RR. The Shift is expected to be the least expensive 120-horse sled on the market at $6,999 US.

Bring it
After launching the 700 Dragon for 2007, while most other manufacturers offer at least an 800cc performance model, well, folks were sure Polaris had at least an 800 in its snow pants. The suspicion became stronger when Polaris dropped its troublesome 900 from the lineup last season too.

Well, Polaris brought it. The new 800, which is estimated to crunch out 150+ horsepower, will be dropped into the strong Raw RMK for the mountain rider for '08, and one assumes, into other sleds in the future. The 795cc engine is just 2.5 lbs. heavier than the muscular 700 Cleanfire, and you can get an upgraded 800 RMK Dragon or full-season 700 RMK Dragon too. Polaris now offers top-level performance sleds in the trail and crossover markets also in Dragon packages with new upgraded RydeFX Air 2.0 shocks.

The new 800 will be a hot performer with 48 mm throttle bodies, new Y-pipe for increased power, a more robust engine management system and a new lightweight single-ring piston that'll be shared with the 700 in 2008. Polaris adds a new oil pump on both engines for next season too.

Polaris says the 800 will deliver 10% more peak horsepower than the 700 CFI and 35% more mid-range power than the 700. So the mountain riders will be thrilled when it's plopped into the RMK. Polaris will offer the 800 only in its Dragon RMK, both in 155- and 163-inch platforms, and the 700 RMK Dragons will come in the same lengths.

This year all Dragons (no matter the segment) become red and black monsters with chrome windshields, black spindles and other upgrades as Polaris aims to deliver a hot looking package with the best performance value.

But Polaris is particularly pushing hard in the mountains where it introduced the lighter RMK last season. This year it cuts back to a 163-inch track to slash weight, plus there are new spindles that cut off a pound, but more importantly, steering effort was decreased by 15%, say the Polaris engineers. The spindles are used across the IQ chassis lineup to make for better steering, something that started last season with a new ski and mounting position.

Standard RMKs also get the new RydeFX Air 2.0 shock system with a patented dual chamber design. The shocks use nitrogen instead of air in the chambers to improve stability in a wider range of temperatures. There's an oil seal instead of air seal too, which cuts the chances of a pressure loss while riding.

The shock adds a chrome rod too; the whole deal cuts 1.7 lbs. compared with other remote reservoir designs.

Other changes on RMK include a narrow and lighter 'Freestyle' seat and a new Series 5.1 track with better lug pattern to put 19% more forward lug contact on the snow, an aid in the mountain's deep powder. Plus, the taillight has been relocated to the back of the tunnel, from below the back of the seat.

The 600 Cleanfire also will now be available in the 600 RMK 155, while the carbed 600 version remains in the 144.

Crossover changes
Big changes come to the crossover Switchback model as it drops the 144-inch track in favor of the industry consensus 136-incher. This should make the sled more popular in the East where some consumers found the 144-inch track cumbersome.

But more than just a new track, Polaris puts a coupled rear suspension under the sled to make it better in the bumps. Plus, those new RydeFX shocks go on the Dragon Switchback models, a 700 and 600. Dragons also get taller risers at 5.25 inches, compared to 2.38 inches on standard Switchbacks, again creating a more aggressive look.

Switchbacks get the new spindles and narrower seat, and the hybrid chassis gets the raw treatment that RMK received last season with the radiator removed and an extrusion extended under the tunnel for cooling. Wider running boards with bigger holes, something Polaris calls Evacu-Traction, also are added.

Performance
While the IQ doesn't get an 800 this year, there's the 4-stroke turbo Dragon model, along with the 700, to lead the charge. The Dragons get the new RydeFX shocks and taller risers too. All IQs, including the LX luxury models, get the new spindle. But only the performance models add the narrower seat and raw chassis treatment with the wider boards.

Polaris also puts larger 7.25-inch idler wheels on IQ to increase the sled's top speed. If you want Rider Select, you'll need to go the turbo Dragon route.

Touring/Cruiser
Upgrades come to the comfort cruisers for 2008. First, there's a super smooth 136-inch comfort suspension underneath that'll likely wow some of the 2-up folks. Coupled with the new spindles that really do help cut steering effort, the sleds should be a lot more comfortable for cruising.

The 2-up models also get a new adjustable backrest that can be tucked in behind the front rider, if there's no one on the back. Plus, new mirrors go on the handlebars instead of on the floppy windshield, so vibration is cut dramatically and visibility is improved.

Shifting market
With all these improvements on the top-end sleds, you might think Polaris would be content on the low-end. But noooo, for 2008 its engineers and marketers have pumped out a high-horse 600cc, the Shift, and dressed it all in black like the rebel it's intended to be.

Base price is $6,999 US, but other than some of your own graphics, you don't need to add a lot. The 600 H.O. (carbureted) engine pumps out 120 horses and Polaris estimates it'll weigh in at 466 lbs. Plus Polaris adds RydeFX MPV shocks with Arvin MPV's in back and there's a perfectly fine, clear windshield and 2.38-inch riser up top. The track is a .91-incher, which is fine for trail riding, but if you want to soup it up, well, all that is your call.

Certainly Polaris has some suggestions and will offer three packages, known as Performance, Diablo and Pink Diva (is that PC?). You might guess, that last one includes pink flames and is aimed at the female market. You can add RydeFX Air 2.0 shocks, a 1-inch HackSaw or 1.25-inch RipSaw track, hooked bars, storage and other individual performance pieces too.

For the price, Polaris says it'll kick the booty of competitors such as Ski-Doo's '07 Trail 500 SS, Yamaha's Phazer and Arctic Cat's F5, and that's not just in horsepower, but price!

Trail-legal racer
All you racer wannabes that have been clamoring for a Race Replica sled better hold onto your shorts cause that's exactly what Polaris delivers with the 600RR.

This thing is the slim snubby race sled, a white box on the side is there for your favorite number and it has the aggressive racer stance because it's on the race chassis. Race graphics are standard! Plus, there's the reliable 600 H.O. under the bonnet that will run on 87-octane, that's right, regular gas. It will be clutched like the race sled, but the suspension calibration will be dialed down slightly so you don't feel like you are driving a buckboard.

Gauges? There's only a tach, just like the racer. PERC comes standard, and there are added idler wheels, a 9-gallon gas tank and you can order a 1.25-inch or 1.5-inch RipSaw track.

If you want to be looked at like a race hero this is what you'll want to ride!

Odds and ends
Keeping with its effort to provide more value, Polaris also is trimming the price of its 340 Transport in the utility market by $250. Overall, Polaris said it expects much of its lineup to be $100-200 less than its competitors. The exception will be the Dragon models that are premium sleds, usually $750 more than standard Polaris models.

In the Sport/Kids market, there's also a new Pink Diva paint job to give the young girls something other than the typical black model. Don't girls like anything other than pink?

Final thoughts: Everyone from new general manager Scott Swenson to new director of engineering John Callahan talked about ride and handling quality and becoming the industry leader again.

"We are not doing another Fusion - EVER!," said Swenson.