09 Assault, Good bad and the Ugly!

[Letitsnow***907]

I am considering selling my 07 M8 and buying an 09 Polaris Assault. Can anyone tell me what they like and dislike about the Assault? I know some of the 08 and 09's are burning down @ mid range. I would for sure get the 2010 up date with new 2 ring pistons, new head, 2010 computer mapping, and exhaust can and hopefully that is a FIX?

Thank you in advance for your input!

 

[550iq]

Well I am not an 800 guy (no altitude issue in Alaska), but if Polaro sold a 600 Assult I'd buy one. I am die hard Polaris rider because they are the easiest to work on (they have open space in the engine compartment, no wierd drive systems, etc), they cover the performance gambit (good on trails or boondocking), and just fit me and my riding style the best. The Assult reminds me of the "huckster" bicycles - those ment for jumping, leaping, and general rallying around. The Assult has a great suspension package, wide front ends, and a weight transfer (snow) rear suspension with the right size track. To me a proper balance, a sled to cover all the bases, a true cross over sled. Now if they'd get off the 800 mindset...beer;

 

[Braaap12]

the assault are nice sleds but they are WAY diffrent to ride then an M8. Not in a bad way I ride an m8 and I hopped on my buddys assault to take it for a rip and its waayy diffrent

 

[550iq]

Amen to that...I get off my 600 and get on anybody else's sled and its waaaay different, and at times, just not right (even with the same brand).

 

[MNSLEDNECK56308]

Here is the quick and dirty...the 800 blows up all the time, the stock track trenches really bad in the deep, the shocks are way to stiff!
I'm sure glad I just bought one!!!! I can't wait to ride it! All kidding aside. As others have said they are much different than the M 163 you are riding. If you are a high marker the assualt probably isn't for! All around the fun factor can be greatest with a few slight adjustments (different track)! Do a quick search and you will get lots of assault stuff!

 

[AndrettiDog]

The track is supposed to be stiff (it's a compitition track) and the shocks are supposed to be stiff with lots of rebound. The 800's are not supposed to blow up, but I think the "fix" will take care of that. I have a 2009 D8 and it never had a burn down in almost 400 miles (got it in 3/09). Don't buy an Assault if you don't want the freestyle tag it carries with it. A buddy and i joke that if you have an Assault, you better be going big because of that tag.

As for the 600...I think Polaris would do this if people would buy one. But a 600 Assault would not be much cheaper than an 800 Assault. Most people are going to swing for the 800. Up at high elevations, our 600's don't run like they do at lower elevations in Alaska.

 

[eidem024]

from the 800 miles i have on my 09 Assault i love the way it handles and the power that it has. haven't had any problems with the motor and about half of those mile were put on in minnesota and the other half in wyoming. the track does like to trench when you take off in the powder but i never had a problem with following the other 7 and 8 155's in our group. overall its a good sled for the rider that likes to do some jumping and boondocking.

 

[matt185]

If you can afford to spend a few extra bucks just go for the the 2010 Assault. I was planning on buying a 09 and it was very hard to find a carryover or even one with low miles. I opted to buy the 2010 because of the new shock package and confidence in the new motor update. Because of the limited build there are not a lot out there- and the incentives are pretty good for a new one. I got a 2 year warranty and the option of low financing so i went for it.

ps. I live in MN so we dont do much highmarking... i love the track for around here

 

[MNSLEDNECK56308]

Bug I was just playing!

 

[mountainhorse]

The engines don't blow up all the time and everyone of them gets a fresh new top end...

Many... but by no stretch of the imagination the majority of the 800's had piston failure issues.

The stock track does what it was designed for... and after watching Dan Adams ride his sled in super deep stuff as well as a local elite level rider, Smasher, tear it up .... it is more about how agressive of a rider you are...

MNSLEDNECK has it right!... The Assault is not the sled for highmarking or bottomless days.... but then again, that is not what is was designed for. It is a freeride sled for very agressive riders.

http://www.snowmobile.com/manufacturers/polaris/2009-polaris-800-assault-rmk-146-review-751.html

 

[Letitsnow***907]

Thanks for your opinions! I have loved my M8 but I miss the wheeling around feeling. I am not in to high marking but love to boondock! As long as the engine will hold up I think I would love the sled. I found one for $8200 with 912 miles on it. Or I may just put on the Power Claw track and run my M8 one more year to see how the polaris 800 holds up?

 

[550iq]

10-4 on the 600's and the whole "naming" thing. Now I need to learn how to spell assault...

 

[shagonwagon700]

I absolutely loved my Assault all season long last year. I put 1146 trouble free miles on it while dumping plenty of nos through it. I did buy the sled for what Polaris marketed it as, and it worked great for me. I'm an aggressive rider that loves to jump, boondock, and shred fresh pow. The Assault even in stock form does an amazing job of doing what it was marketed to do. The stock track isn't that bad IF your an aggressive rider, but, if you get lazy while riding the Assault in the deep stuff your going to be digging yourself out. There is no forgiving part about this sled, it is all or nothing. If you like to ride like Polaris markets the sled to be ridden get one, you will not be disappointed, but if you don't ride aggressive the sled is going to be underwhelming and a disappointment. My .02

 

[milehighassassin]

To those that have an Assault and put some miles on it, what don't you like if anything. Is anyone considering putting a different track on it? If you put a different track on it would you just go to a softer compound or would you go longer as well?

Can someone explain the difference in the 2009 shocks and the 2010? Besides the obvious coils.

 

[POWERBLENDER]

i asked polaris rep why they switced to the needles he said it was for the racers for more adjustabilty in the stock classes since suspension upgrades are not allowed

 

[Supplicate]

I guess this thread begs the question: what is the definition of an "agressive" rider?

 

[Letitsnow***907]

While I have been making the decision to switch to an Assault I found out that my favorite rider Chris Burrant made the switch, that sealed the deal for me! I have found an 09 Assault with 600 miles, slp pipe and can, 2010 upgrade & a few extras for $7500. I am doing it

 

[theultrarider]

While I have been making the decision to switch to an Assault I found out that my favorite rider Chris Burrant made the switch, that sealed the deal for me! I have found an 09 Assault with 600 miles, slp pipe and can, 2010 upgrade & a few extras for $7500. I am doing it

Welcome to our side of the fence Rob!!! I think you will love that sled. I would love to have one if I could swing it. Sounds like you found a great deal.

 

[suitcase]

The Assault and the Dragon, are in question with the motor issue. Polaris is giving the update, to all 800's 08 and 09 mobles, regardless of miles. My 08 has 2200 on it, 09 has 900 on it carl's did both no question. The large percentage of the problems came from trail riders that hold that mibrange for long periods of time. The guys that like to boondock had very little problems because your in and out of the throutle so much. The update with the new feul maping has no doudt fixed the issue, and provided a better running sled. With the new polaris you can not go wrong. For an aggresive rider there is not a better sled on the market today, they are very well rounded sleds, if you are a point and shoot kind of guy then you had better get a turbo on one with a long track, as for freeriding, and boondocking there on top of that game. Buy one and you'll have a smile on your face all day long.

Just my two penny's

 

[milehighassassin]

While I have been making the decision to switch to an Assault I found out that my favorite rider Chris Burrant made the switch, that sealed the deal for me! I have found an 09 Assault with 600 miles, slp pipe and can, 2010 upgrade & a few extras for $7500. I am doing it

Congrats, I am pulling the trigger on a 2009 with 155 miles for $7600. Recall has not been done but I can get that done while I wait for snow.

What do you mean by 2010 upgrades? Did they put the newer coil over shocks of the 2010?