polaris turns it loose

AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com

Roseau, Minn. - Last year the snowmobile community was begging for Polaris to give us a high-performance 800 twin, and the Roseau crew delivered a liquid-cooled Cleanfire H.O. in a sweet RMK package.

This year, we all clamored for the 159-horse (AmSnow dyno-tested) 800 to make it's way into more segments, and Polaris came through big time with 9 models holding 800s in their bellies. It's no longer just the mountain guys that get to enjoy this engine, now nearly every segment has an 800 option.

The Shift concept also has been spread across much of the 2009 lineup. You'll see an all-black, value-based model in 6 models covering the performance, crossover and deep snow markets.

Polaris didn't stop there; it has taken a big shot at the "extreme snow" market with its new Assault for '09. While there is no new chassis this year, Polaris has refined the IQ and RMK with plans of bringing even more customers to the dealers.

The IQ performance
The poster child for Polaris' performance segment now is the Dragon 800 SP. This "special" model from Polaris comes with the premium Walker Evans clicker shock package. Up front in the IQ IFS there are Walker air piggybackers, while the rear suspension has the Walker compression adjustable needle shock. This shock package is debatably the best high-performance shock setup available on a stock snowmobile. This is the sled we wanted when the early standard version was released to dealers in the spring. The Dragon has a big 5.25-inch riser (like the Switchback) and has hooks, handguards and gets the 1.25-inch RipSaw track too. The low windshield is cold, but sure looks cool!

The IQ snowmobiles will be equipped this year with a new lower A-arm, new light wave disc on the Phantom brake and more. Possibly the most noticeable on the new IQ is a new front bumper, and beneath that the front-end has been narrowed, made smaller and angled to enhance the performance look and create less snow buildup in deep snow.

Riders will instantly notice the new narrower Freestyle seat on the 800 and a narrower sculpted 11.5-gallon gas tank which is much easier for the driver to maneuver around.

What new snowmobile would be complete without a new BNG (Bold New Graphics) package too! A modern looking matte-white finish, similar to what many helmet manufacturers have been using lately, finishes the hood of the 800. You might not notice it, but the hood is redesigned to be lighter too.

Like the twin injector 600 CFI, detonation control, water temperature sensor and throttle position sensor with digital ignition are standard on the 800. Like other manufacturers, Polaris also has added magnesium components to save weight, including a new magnesium chaincase. It looks like Polaris is working on a new secondary clutch setup for 2009 as well, but at press time that was still being dialed in.

You'll also see the 800 motor in a new standard Switchback and the upscale Dragon version. These sleds dump the radiator and rely on big cooling extrusions and Polaris' perimeter cooling. This dropps some weight and gives the sled better balance. You'll also finally get electric start if you buy a Switchback this year, unless you opt for the lower cost Shift version.

Shifting into high gear
Last year, Polaris introduced the least expensive 120-horse 600 liquid sled available with its IQ Shift at a low $6,999 MSRP. This year, the Medina, Minn.-based company expands the flat-black, low-cost line to include an extremely well performing 550 fan with a newly tuned exhaust that makes this sled a ball in the narrow trails and 180-degree tight switchbacks. This one is supposed to have only a $5,399 MSRP.

Consumers also will see a new 600 IQ Shift Switchback with the same 600 CFI engine as the IQ, and same coupled 136-inch rear skid as the standard Switchback. Finally, mountain riders get to choose from three Shifts: a 144-inch 600 CFI, 155-inch 600 CFI and a 144-inch 800 CFI.

Unfortunately, the new Shifts will not be quite the unbelievable value that the original 600 IQ Shift was. They will be priced about $500 below the standard models in each of the segments. Prices weren't final at press time.

However, consumers are being coaxed by Polaris to decal their sleds to their liking, adding products like handguards, risers and more through Polaris' parts and accessories division. Much of the idea behind the Shift is to push consumers to the dealers to build their own personalized sleds. That's your call!

Assault the terrain
We've all seen the Slednecks, Boondockers and other extreme videos; do you want to ride like those guys?

Polaris is banking on the fact that you do. That's why Polaris has built the first "extreme backcountry" sled available direct from the manufacturer. It's called the Assault, and this 800 CFI, 146-inch tracked freestyle jumping monster appears to be just what the X-style rider is asking for.

The flat, red-masked sled has reinforced rails, heavy-duty suspension pads and gets the new lightweight lower A-arms too. New Gripper skis are offered on this tall-standing machine and Walker Evans air shocks sit just above them. You'll see remote reservoir Walker shocks in the back too.

Looking at the sled, the new flat handle Pro Taper bars and different hooks stand out on top of a tall riser. The new narrow Freestyle seat also is standard on the Assault. This isn't just a stripped version of a mountain sled though, you get the full gauge package, PERC reverse, hand and thumb warmers and a big Cyclone master brake cylinder with the new lightweight rotor.

This is no trail sled though, and that big track is not trail friendly. At press time, the lug size had not been determined, but it will no doubt be bigger than 2 inches. The Assault is strictly for the hard-core, big snow, cornice dropping, Western, Alaskan or big boondocking riders.

Utilize more utility
The IQ has finally made its way to Polaris' utility line in the new Widetrack IQ. The Widetrack gets the 80-hp FS engine that has been in Polaris' touring line for several seasons and can be shifted into high, low, neutral and reverse for all your tough utility situations. The FS gets new 120v electric block heater plugs for those super cold starts up in northern Canada. The 14.3-gal. gas tank gives this sled a 150+ mile range even in the worst conditions.

The ride on the Widetrack is greatly improved with the IQ IFS front suspension. A gas-front shock in the tipped-up-rail rear suspension and Nitrex rear shock afford 11.5 inches of rear travel. Gripper skis are added for off-trail flotation, and the rear rail features a tipped-up design like in the old Switchbacks. However, the Widetrack rides on a 20x 156-inch long track with 1.25-inch lugs.

The Widetrack has all the features of a luxury sled as well. Handwarmers for the driver and a passenger, adjustable backrest, big mountain strap grab-bar, huge windshield and a plush seat are all standard.

Get in deep
With the new line of RMKs, you can do just that, then pull right back out of it!

The new A-arms are standard issue on the RMKs, and they get new rails and spindles for '09. The new narrow front-end and bumper come on these too. Mountain folks will notice a lighter new sway bar that is easier to get to and to adjust. The 800 will be in 5 different models for the RMK this year including the Shift 144, Assault, RMK 155, Dragon RMK 155 and Dragon RMK 163.