Axys vs new ski doo 800

[sno*jet]

Not the '17 but plenty of time on the '14 '15 and '16 models. He was asking about 800s not the 850 so the power advantage is gone. My Axys smokes the Doo hard off the line everytime. It was himarking my buddys '15 163 XM last weekend and my sled is only a 155.


We will just have to agree to disagree. I can't stand how those sleds ride. You like the flat steering, most people hate it. Even my Doo buddys set their risers so the post is more vertical. That makes for some weird steering behavior in my experience.



I like not having to worry about my boot hitting something in the footwell, it does bother me. My dang toes were sore after a day of riding the '16 Cat with the same problem.


T-motion is a bad joke, precisely why the sled wont sidehill with the Polaris. Torsion springs? Heavier and less adjustability, yes different but worse too.


There are lots of valid reasons why I do not like them. They didn't fix a single issue I had with the new version. Still has all of the above listed defects with 50 more cc in the 850 model. Big deal. Looks like a minor evolution and not a true revolution like the Axys.

all good points but the toe jammer thing is a little bitter-sweet.
Polaris needs to step up and move the brake disc to the driveshaft already. Get that spinning weight lower and might help it feel more stable. stopping your track with a belt or chain just dont make sense anymore to me. If they did that and maybe put a better driver set up on it i woulda gone that route over the cat for sure.

 

[Red Mtn]

all good points but the toe jammer thing is a little bitter-sweet.
Polaris needs to step up and move the brake disc to the driveshaft already. Get that spinning weight lower and might help it feel more stable. stopping your track with a belt or chain just dont make sense anymore to me. If they did that and maybe put a better driver set up on it i woulda gone that route over the cat for sure.

I agree that having the brake on the driveshaft is probably the best for a few reasons. Thing is, three QD sleds in and almost 4000 combined miles, I haven't had a single issue with the current set up. You fault it in theory but in practice the system is solid and I wouldn't trade it for a brake rotor in the footwell based on actual experiences.

 

[Pro-8250]

I agree that having the brake on the driveshaft is probably the best for a few reasons. Thing is, three QD sleds in and almost 4000 combined miles, I haven't had a single issue with the current set up. You fault it in theory but in practice the system is solid and I wouldn't trade it for a brake rotor in the footwell based on actual experiences.

We have two QD. One has 3000+ miles and has been ridden hard. No problems with the QD on either sled.

 

[sledhappy]

I agree 2 lbs lighter in the clutch. And it's working well with the clickers etc.
if it can fit good deal

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

all good points but the toe jammer thing is a little bitter-sweet.
Polaris needs to step up and move the brake disc to the driveshaft already. Get that spinning weight lower and might help it feel more stable. stopping your track with a belt or chain just dont make sense anymore to me. If they did that and maybe put a better driver set up on it i woulda gone that route over the cat for sure.

So you want it to be more stable?
I kinda like how nimble my axys is......

The junk in the footwells is a real thing, not to be confused with standing farther back on mild sidehills.
Super steep wrong foot forward dragging the uphill leg and body in the snow.
Your toe is in the footwell tight to the tunnel.
If there is a brake rotor there (and narrow running boards) (because they really need it) then you're foot gets dragged off the sled.

Obviously you prefer the cat, thats fine but don't try to blame the advantages the poo has over the cat for your choice. Thats called denial.

The introvert drivers have less rolling resistance is why poo uses them, I guess they have worked flawlessly for me on my last three poo sleds......
The 10 m8 i had worked fine too, not a noticeable difference that i saw.

Indydan's billet introvert drivers are a noticeable decrease in rolling resistance from the poo drivers. Always perfect pitch with no scrubbing against track nubs or windows.

 

[BILTIT]

Sheetmetalfab- do you run indy Dans drivers? I have been trying to get some feedback on those things.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Sheetmetalfab- do you run indy Dans drivers? I have been trying to get some feedback on those things.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

Ran them on my pro.
Smooth and fast.
Less vibration.
Allowed the same clutching to backshift quicker when dropping in a hole.
And to easily regain trackspeed (rpm steady) as you climb on top of the snow again.

 

[AndrettiDog]

This thread is confusing. Didn't the original poster ask about the Doo 800? The Axys motor is stronger than the etec 800, speaking from experience. I rode the 850 yesterday and I did think there were some improvements. The steering wasn't as far forward as the '15 800. But overall, the 850 had the same characteristics as the XM. Great power in the mid range and up high. My Axys could get it off the line (I have a SLP pipe/can). But the 850 would get me by a sled length. What i didn't like about the 850 was that it would plane up on a sidehill. We where in 6" of fresh on a strong layer so it was a good test of how a sled could sidehill (anyone can sidehill in the super deep). The 850 wanted to go straight up on the sidehill instead of holding the line.

Polaris needs to step up and move the brake disc to the driveshaft already.

Have you seen how the brake rotor is in the way of your feet on the 850? The brake caliper is sticking out of the side. The nipple for bleeding the brakes is sticking out in the footwell. Terrible design. The Polaris layout works great IMO. It would only be a problem if you lost the chain/belt and had to be towed.

 

[DITCHBANGER]

This thread is confusing. Didn't the original poster ask about the Doo 800? The Axys motor is stronger than the etec 800, speaking from experience. I rode the 850 yesterday and I did think there were some improvements. The steering wasn't as far forward as the '15 800. But overall, the 850 had the same characteristics as the XM. Great power in the mid range and up high. My Axys could get it off the line (I have a SLP pipe/can). But the 850 would get me by a sled length. What i didn't like about the 850 was that it would plane up on a sidehill. We where in 6" of fresh on a strong layer so it was a good test of how a sled could sidehill (anyone can sidehill in the super deep). The 850 wanted to go straight up on the sidehill instead of holding the line.



Have you seen how the brake rotor is in the way of your feet on the 850? The brake caliper is sticking out of the side. The nipple for bleeding the brakes is sticking out in the footwell. Terrible design. The Polaris layout works great IMO. It would only be a problem if you lost the chain/belt and had to be towed.

the 850 has the steering post further ahead than the xm.

brake caliper/rotor cover is a non-issue, on the xp,xm,or g4 it does not affect anything.

 

[fredw]

Don't think the latest axys is even in the same league, but we are ussally in deep snow and if your not on a 174 you are the hind tit.. Let alone big power to turn it.. Maybe in a hard pack snow condition there is more common ground between the two

 

[goridedoo]

Doo's for beginners and old guys like Fred, if you ever leave the trail the Axys will be the far superior sled, ages ahead of the G4.

 

[AndrettiDog]

the 850 has the steering post further ahead than the xm.

brake caliper/rotor cover is a non-issue, on the xp,xm,or g4 it does not affect anything.

I don't know how the steering actually measures, but the G4 "felt" like it was further back in the saddle that up on the skis. Just my take. Any Polaris guy who gets on a Doo knows what I'm saying. The "dash" is much longer on the 850 so maybe it just feels that way. I'm not knocking the G4, I think it will be a good sled for the Doo guys, but I don't think it handles like an Axys. It does have power advantage.

Don't tell me that the caliper/rotor is not an issue. I've seen the dented in covers on the XP's and that caliper nipple could easily get smashed. That's fine if it works out but why have something protruding from the tunnel when the Axys jackshaft style works just fine for me.

 

[fredw]

Trying to put my mind around the caliber nipple.. Not sure if they changed it from before, but never had a issue with hitting anything.. As for being dented in, I have seen guys kicking ice and snow out in cover area and dent cover, but not that big a issue over all...

As for why doo has it there compared to poo is for being the last defense of braking.. On a poo it's at the top of the gear case.. Could be in a better location from doo, but if your chain or belt, or drive shaft break you have no breaks on the poo.. Where doo has it on the end of the jack shaft allowing you three more locations to fail and still having a break system..

I don't know how the steering actually measures, but the G4 "felt" like it was further back in the saddle that up on the skis. Just my take. Any Polaris guy who gets on a Doo knows what I'm saying. The "dash" is much longer on the 850 so maybe it just feels that way. I'm not knocking the G4, I think it will be a good sled for the Doo guys, but I don't think it handles like an Axys. It does have power advantage.

Don't tell me that the caliper/rotor is not an issue. I've seen the dented in covers on the XP's and that caliper nipple could easily get smashed. That's fine if it works out but why have something protruding from the tunnel when the Axys jackshaft style works just fine for me.

 

[GoBigParts]

My local crew of buddies rode the 850 in McCall.
2 ride Doo, 2 ride Polaris, 1 rides a cat.
Except the Doo riders, the other 3 are not brand loyal and have owned everything over the years.

ALL of them said the power of the 850 was noticeably stronger.
They said the chassis handles much more similar to the Polaris chassis, but it's not the SAME yet, of course.
They all agreed that it's the best handling Doo they've ever been on.

ALL of them, even the two Doo-dicated riders feel the Axys tips and carves easier than the Doo. It takes less effort to carve the Polaris over the Doo.
They all state that the Doo wants to upright itself and plant the skis too easily and they always have to counteract and fight against that with the XP/XM chassis.

I saw the Duck in person at the sneak peak. I ride an Axys and a Pro before that for the obvious reasons. The new Doo is pretty impressive looking in comparison to the old chassis. The nose is no longer as low to the ground. The doo always looked as if it was nose diving. The new chassis looks much lighter and more user friendly but still has the wider tunnel which feels awkward to me. Also the typical doo band aids are still there. Super narrow stance, t-motion, flex edge.

Funny how the doo riders always complain how the Polaris feels too them. But Doo keeps striving for the same feel as the Polaris.

 

[Turblue]

I rode a pro for couple years, road a demo axys for a weekend, ended up buying a 174 doo. Really like the handling and power compared to my pro. Steering effort is a lot less I found on the skidoo.

 

[TRS]

I don't know how the steering actually measures, but the G4 "felt" like it was further back in the saddle that up on the skis. Just my take. Any Polaris guy who gets on a Doo knows what I'm saying. The "dash" is much longer on the 850 so maybe it just feels that way. I'm not knocking the G4, I think it will be a good sled for the Doo guys, but I don't think it handles like an Axys. It does have power advantage.

Don't tell me that the caliper/rotor is not an issue. I've seen the dented in covers on the XP's and that caliper nipple could easily get smashed. That's fine if it works out but why have something protruding from the tunnel when the Axys jackshaft style works just fine for me.

Riding one down the hill with a broken QD belt sucks. Take ski brakes with you, I will never ever ride one down the hill again with a broken QD belt. A chain usually wads up and gives you a chance, not a broken QD belt.

 

[diamonddave]

Riding one down the hill with a broken QD belt sucks. Take ski brakes with you, I will never ever ride one down the hill again with a broken QD belt. A chain usually wads up and gives you a chance, not a broken QD belt.

Am I the only guy that carries a spare quickdrive belt (and tools) with me?

 

[AndrettiDog]

Riding one down the hill with a broken QD belt sucks. Take ski brakes with you, I will never ever ride one down the hill again with a broken QD belt. A chain usually wads up and gives you a chance, not a broken QD belt.

I've never heard of a belt breaking (snapping), usually the teeth of the belt start to strip. I did one on the 2013 with my turbo but was still able to ride (and brake) if I kept momentum. The Polaris QDS has been very reliable since the 2014 belt. Polaris also gives you options to have a QDS or chain case. These are not reasons to buy a Doo for me, and I just don't believe that Polaris should change their design and have that tumor sticking out of the tunnel. I guess some of us will just have to disagree there.

I rode a pro for couple years, road a demo axys for a weekend, ended up buy a 174 doo. Really like the handling and power compared to my pro. Steering effort is a lot less I found on the skidoo.

850 definitely has more power than the Pro 800 (2011-2015). It has more power than the Axys but doesn't show it near as much. The 800 XM is really the comparable to the Axys 800 but no contest there. The 850 is a factory big bore (longer stroke, not bigger bore) so I'm not sure how they will be compared moving forward. Unless Polaris builds an 850, they will just be compared naturally. If Polaris builds a 2 stroke 1000cc (which doesn't make sense), would they compare the 850 to that?

 

[TRS]

Am I the only guy that carries a spare quickdrive belt (and tools) with me?

Not anymore.

 

[Sage Crusher]

Not anymore.

Always have from day one- Never needed it and the weight is next to nothing- but I can tell you that it would be a pain changing one out with ES- in the back country as the entire tray has to come out.. but have the tools for that with me also.
S/C