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POLARIS FRESHENS UP
The “new” Indy sleds made their debut for the 1994 model year as Polaris forged ahead as the snowmobile industry’s top manufacturer.
Some of the biggest changes to the Indy machines for 1994 were immediately evident at a glance. A new hood design eliminated the nosecone, employed the “drop” panel design to access clutches and brakes, and required Polaris engineers to design a new belly pan, plus an integrated bumper and windshield.
Internally, the engine’s bulkhead was lowered, requiring a repositioned suspension spindle angle to provide increased ski pressure for better handling. A similar concept was used in the 1993 Storm 750.
The “evolved” Indy sleds, as Polaris called them, featured updated suspensions with the front being a new version of the Polaris IFS. It allowed for the use of ½-inch longer shocks thanks to the new V-shaped belly pan design and revised bulkhead.
The skid was the second generation of the Improved Transfer Suspension (ITS) called the Type II ITS. It calmed weight transfer just enough to make the new Indy models a little friendlier to average buyers.
Polaris also brought a new XC-100 rear suspension to the 432cc fan-cooled Indy Super Sport and the XCR for 1994. The SS was fitted with nitrogen gas cell, cam adjustable shocks, and the XCR (also the XLT Special) boasted Fox internal floating piston (IFP) shocks.
The Indy Sport series of sleds – including the Sport and Sport SKS – was a big success story for Polaris. They were some of the most in-demand sleds of their day, and for 1994 Polaris sold out of Indy Sports before the snow even stopped falling on the 1993 model year.
The Indy Storm received fanfare for its updated 1994 model, that included a new XC-100 rear suspension along with a 50cc bump in engine size, now up to 800cc. To achieve the extra displacement, the Storm received redesigned pistons, porting shapes, and cylinder head combustion chambers to its liquid triple power plant. Clutching and carburation were also recalibrated.
The end result for the 115-inch Storm and 133.5-inch Storm SKS, was a 10 percent power gain.