polaris shows a pair of 2002 machines

 While at Eagle River this past weekend, we spent some time pouring over the pair of 2002 sleds sitting unguarded in the vendor barn. Careful observers will have noticed a couple of component changes, and would be able to divine some of Polaris' lineup direction for the coming season.

First off, the early-build 700 XC SP was parked in the display. It looks to be as simple as a pair of new cylinders with the basic Polaris Generation 3 variable exhaust valves and a new pipe. A new graphics package trims up the red sled, but those seem to be the extent of the upgrade.
 
The second sled showed a little more interest. It appears as if Polaris is set to streamline its lineup by dropping the Classic nameplate in favor of the straight XC. Everything we saw on the Classics last year appears on the 500 XC we found on display: electric start, reverse, EDGE chassis with the M-10 and the variable exhaust engine. Since the '01 XC sported the middle aged iron lung 500 and this '02 does not, we would surmise that the stout little mill has been retired as well.

Repeat slowly: XC has VES engines, electric start, reverse and the M-10. XC SP has VES engines and sport suspensions. It's simple and it makes sense.
 
Based on our success with the M-10 on our 800 LE test unit, we would expect Polaris to expand the cushy skid to all of its XC machines. Will there be an electric starter and valves on the 800? Maybe. Officials told us last year that valves on the bigger twins didn't provide a benefit to the engine's performance. Somewhere between then and now valves found merit, as demonstrated with the 700 VES engine.

We expect a fourth generation of the variable exhaust valve to be in distribution across the twin segment in '02. As shown on the 500 XC SP, the valves' external housing is rotated 45 degrees, indicating yet another change to the system, cosmetic at the very least, but probably performance enhancing, as castings don't come cheaply.
 
In the bellypan, we found the same old reliable P-85 clutches, flatslide carbs and all of the accessory electronics used to optimize performance. One little component we noted as a big change was a plastic fuel pump and no fuel shutoff valve. Our guess is that it saves a little weight and also saves Polaris a little money, since it can produce plastic parts at the in-house plastic facility on the Roseau campus. Time will tell.

The suspensions didn't seem to exhibit any major changes, although, a very subtle alteration in geometry may cause serious differences in performance without raising much external notice. But the track appeared to be thinner with every third window closed and have a new lug pattern as well.

Finally, we expect to see a whole wave of Bold New Graphics on the Indies this year.

Stay tuned as more information comes out from Polaris about these two sleds and the rest of the lineup, including the second four-stroker to hit the market.