AN OPEN LETTER TO POLARIS ENGINEERS

[mountainhorse]

Dear Polaris Engineering,

The evolution of your sleds has been nothing short of amazing. The refinements to the sleds... listening to your pro riders and consumers in producing a mountain specific sled has yeielded great results in the new AXYS-Mtn sleds... so kudos there.

One big area that could be improved on is getting rid of the cable driven, non reduction remote electric starter. The design, to be frank, of this starter system is outdated at best, and seems like an afterthought rather than a real accessory.

Todays release of the new Ski Doo.. shows a compact, high powered gear-reduction starter system that drives the flywheel rather than the clutch. A very 'elegant' solution... compact and protected from debris and other wear. This has been common on street and MX bikes for years. Tiny and lightweight on the KTM's.

It seems counter to the design goal of your AXYS-Mtn sled in the first place... grafting this outdated starter and battery system onto the sled... and adding rather unreliable, heavy "old-tech" to your flagship sled.

Please take the effort to integrate this into the amazing, compact, quick revving 800 CFi-2 that seems to be working very well.

This new monster stroke E-Tec motor has done a decent job with this starter... I think you can do better!

Sincerely,
Mountainhorse

PHOTO OF 2017 SKI-DOO 850 E-TEC W/ELECTRIC START.

 

[phatty]

10,000 times yes! As someone who loves lightweight and electric start this needs to be done!

 

[Excalibur]

YES! I have a KTM with estart. It is light and effective. As I get older and my shoulders complain more I would love to have the magic button. But I can not see buying the lightest and greatest Mountain sled built (Oh did I tell you I love My Axys 155!) and having that outdated starter system. So yes please update it!

 

[diamonddave]

Thank you Eric. I would like to convey my 100% agreement to this. Previous to my current sled, my previous 3 Polaris sleds were electric start. The first sled was factory installed and the next two sleds I purchased e-start kits.


I would like to add one more thing: Please make a change to the electrical system that will aim to provide more current with cleaner power from the stator/charging system. According to BRP, they increased the overall power output (more at idle) which will help warm up the handgrips much quicker not to mention help with engine warm up and runnability in very cold ambient air temps if the engine control management and fuel injection system is getting more than adequate power/current/voltage, etc.

This would make a big difference with cold engine starts in real cold air temps and give quick and proper steady engine warm up RPM without the struggle of headlights and gauges flickering on and off from the low engine idle which can possibly lead to other electrical issues.

This would also help when people add on accessories like GPS, heated shields, cell phone chargers, etc.

I would also like to see a real 12 volt powerpoint where I can access fused, clean, usable power.


Thank you for listening.

Dave

 

[Pro-8250]

Thank you Eric. I would like to convey my 100% agreement to this. Previous to my current sled, my previous 3 Polaris sleds were electric start. The first sled was factory installed and the next two sleds I purchased e-start kits.


I would like to add one more thing: Please make a change to the electrical system that will aim to provide more current with cleaner power from the stator/charging system. According to BRP, they increased the overall power output (more at idle) which will help warm up the handgrips much quicker not to mention help with engine warm up and runnability in very cold ambient air temps if the engine control management and fuel injection system is getting more than adequate power/current/voltage, etc.

This would make a big difference with cold engine starts in real cold air temps and give quick and proper steady engine warm up RPM without the struggle of headlights and gauges flickering on and off from the low engine idle which can possibly lead to other electrical issues.

This would also help when people add on accessories like GPS, heated shields, cell phone chargers, etc.

I would also like to see a real 12 volt powerpoint where I can access fused, clean, usable power.


Thank you for listening.

Dave

Nice letter MH.
Dave, I like your idea on clean fused power circuits. On AC systems we use isolation transformers for a clean power supply. I am not familiar on how that's done on DC circuits. I just know the basics on DC circuits. But yeah, I would love to have a charging circuit for cell phones, GPS etc. Interesting topic guys.

 

[GoBigParts]

Thank you Eric. I would like to convey my 100% agreement to this. Previous to my current sled, my previous 3 Polaris sleds were electric start. The first sled was factory installed and the next two sleds I purchased e-start kits.


I would like to add one more thing: Please make a change to the electrical system that will aim to provide more current with cleaner power from the stator/charging system. According to BRP, they increased the overall power output (more at idle) which will help warm up the handgrips much quicker not to mention help with engine warm up and runnability in very cold ambient air temps if the engine control management and fuel injection system is getting more than adequate power/current/voltage, etc.

This would make a big difference with cold engine starts in real cold air temps and give quick and proper steady engine warm up RPM without the struggle of headlights and gauges flickering on and off from the low engine idle which can possibly lead to other electrical issues.

This would also help when people add on accessories like GPS, heated shields, cell phone chargers, etc.

I would also like to see a real 12 volt powerpoint where I can access fused, clean, usable power.


Thank you for listening.

Dave

Not to mention a TPS that does not need resetting everyday. Well at least on my Pro it seem too.

 

[Bobby26]

Open letter

Can you ask them why my Switchback 600 keeps fouling plugs?

 

[Perk]

I think this thread speaks volumes about the level of customer satisfaction with the Axys... we could not find anything that you could improve on - well, maybe you could refine the electric start (and get the hand grips to warm up a little quicker)! It might also say something about the mountain riding demographic - we might be getting old.

All in good fun MH -- Cheers

 

[richracer1]

Stop using aluminum foil for the sides of the tunnel. Use a little thicker aluminum for the tunnel sides.

 

[revrider07]

Show up at the expo

 

[Dootimes2]

For $14k plus a proper tps and quality electrical connectors should be a given, but they suck. Not like the tps is a new problem, it has existed since 2012 in my case. Fix it already.

 

[SRXSRULE]

electric start is pretty low on my list for things that need improved.

When I first started reading your letter and seen the words cable driven, I thought you were going to say Exhuast valves....lol, nope you went the starter route.

All the steering post bushings are junk in 500 miles, that would be another good thing to fix.

The redesigned intake vents get covered with powder all the time and many times while doing a technical climb it deep powder you have to ride one handed while you clean the snow off the vents so you dont end up stuck.

The fuel mapping needs a bunch of work, and the clutching and belt are just not consistent and the belt wears out VERY quick for the 200.00 price tag it has.

They could also get to the bottom of the track/driver issues thats causing noise/vibrations, and abnormal track wear (internal).

The solid snow flaps on the 3" is a big fail, its keep the sled cool until it breaks off the sled. EVERY sled I has seen or talked to that has this snow flap is cracked, or fallen off, or about to fall off.

I could list a few more...... But I think you get the point. Eric

 

[dboivin]

i have ES on my 15' because it was part of the sweet RMK standard snowcheck deal they had last year. That ES is biggest pile of poo ever installed. works about 50% of the time and its incredibly polish by design.

 

[fredw]

Have you ever heard of patents.. Sorry to burst the bubble but brp has more patents on this new motor than you think..

I see it in eight years once the patent is over..

 

[FatDogX]

MH,

Great insight and suggestion to the gentlemen at Polaris.

Honestly, one simple thing that Polaris needs to step up and do is........Add a tether from the factory!!!!!! Personally, I think a tether is about as important as wearing a helmet or the proper riding gear. This is a basic accessory that can save you as the rider, your machine or possibly both from disaster.

Polaris has been great about modifying and changing the Pro RMK and ultimately producing the Axys. Endless research, development and continued refinements to become the premier backcountry mountain sled. The research is done, the results are known on the benefits of a tether. Now please add a basic accessory that is needed, wanted by most riders and can potentially keep someone out of harms way.

 

[QuickDraw94]

My buddy pointed out how cool his electric start was to not have to pull the rope he then said he bought a can to "nullify" the weight gain I laughed and said good for you as I started my sled by slowly pulling the rope using only my pointer finger hooked on the loop.
If your not 60+ or have a bad shoulder what's the point!!!

Do other stuff first poo electric start last!

 

[Thunder101]

ELECTRIC START

as I said to my son when he was young, if you cant start it you cant ride it.

 

[SRXSRULE]

as I said to my son when he was young, if you cant start it you cant ride it.

I was told the same thing. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to start a 72 cat sitting outside in the cold when your 12yrs old! Eric

 

[mountainhorse]

Especially when that 72 Cat has a 303 Sachs Wankle!


.

 

[MountainFanatic]

I was told the same thing. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to start a 72 cat sitting outside in the cold when your 12yrs old! Eric

Me too from when i was 9yo on the phazer haha