I
I wonder where ADDIE is ? AKA Kelsey with his big Facebook write up saying how I was wrong about every update I said the 850 needed.....
I wonder what the Facebookers have to say now ?
I went out on a limb...... and I put it all in writing.
I said time will show who is right or wrong.
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Whatever 850's have the finish this one had won't make it thru the first season.
if they don't have a lock ring the crank will 100% of the time slde over and hit the case EVERYTIME
I feel sorry for anyone who tries to make this thing a 900..... it will go from 840 great to 900 garbage in a moment.
Dan
Dan, since you asked where I was at, I will gladly tell you..
I did quote a few of your "prophecies" above (in color), that have not surfaced in my area (and some others), at least.
1) The 850's around here have been almost perfect.. I know of 1 going down due to a stripped water pump gear. (nothing you mentioned in your list of faults)
My, personal 850 has suffered abuse like no other sled I have owned. It is flawless , so far. MANY others, in my group and surrounding area have been the same.. flawless.
2) My crank bearing has not moved (nobody else's around here has either that I know of).. Got close to a 1000 HARD mountain miles (ALL in deep powder held to the bar a good part of the day.. Over 1 minute WOT fully loaded pulls (more load than can possibly be applied unless in the mountains and deep snow ie.. no matter how long you hold it across a lake, it would not equal this kind of load).. So far, so good!
3) As for your claim about the big bore being a dog... The 911 big bore, we have created, is an absolute monster in terms of power and fun. It has been flogged in the deep snow as well and has proven to be very solid and reliable.
Should be a great option for most 850 owners. Pushing 200HP on pump gas is going to put a smile on most people's faces.
4) Nice work on the bearing retainer. Polaris made a mistake and have corrected it for 2020. I have insight that this was an error that should have never happened and was originally designed and tested with a "kept" bearing. When it went to production, this got deleted by mistake. Afterall, all of their previous engines have had a retainer. This is not new technology. Mistakes happen.
5) Speaking of mistakes, the extra case sealer falls into this category as well. Screen has been added to the check valve and sealant amounts are now well defined for 2020. So it should be good as well.
6)As for hone finish, We (and almost every other person who hones cylinders) will agree to disagree on this one. I still do not agree that the hone finish wears skirts. Nothing wrong with your super hone finish, just do not think it is required or increases piston life.
7) Single ring piston and power fade... I guess another agree to disagree with regards to myself and I would guess most ANY engine builder who is looking for the most power from an engine (NASCAR, Formula 1, Karting, NHRA etc etc) The single ring piston , IMO, is a problem for those whopush their engine and want the most from it. We will see how much skirt collapse has occurred after more tear downs after this season is over. Preliminary inspections have shown nothing conclusive. This will be a time-line thing much like the previous 800 CFI engines with pistons and cranks..
Overall.. Polaris has FINALLY put out a powerplant that can compete with the other 2. Reliability has been good and should be better for 2020. In big bore form it could rival most any N/A sled out there. 2020 should be exciting for this engine..