So I've finally got some mileage on my new 2015 SBA 800. In Parry Sound there's probably 4ft of fluff on the lakes and in the bush. I got about 100 miles in powder this weekend and 100 on the trail. I have stock clutching and gearing with the 2" track and the .375" torsion springs. I'm coming off of a 2011 ski doo xp 600 so this new sled is a huge upgrade.
The first thing I noticed is how awful the running boards are. You guys were not kidding. They hold snow like crazy, just one circle and I couldn't hold my feet on the boards anymore. Had to stop and swipe them out. I've already ordered a set of B&M Fab burly boards in textured black. They should arrive in a week or so.
Powder Handling
This sled is fantastic in the powder. The longer track, deeper lugs, slightly narrower stance and the pro chassis is crazy fun in the powder. The machine is so easy to tip over and get a nice line going, very easy to carve either just standing normally on the machine or wrong foot forward. I think I need to order a set of footwell blockoff plates though. I kept packing snow under my clutches and under the battery.
Trail Handling
I wasn't really sure what to expect with this thing on trail. I kept reading mixed reviews; some people loved some hated it on trail. I personally really like it, even with the 2" track. I installed a set of reversible ice strachers for the trail and managed to keep temps at 125-127 the entire time. There were no weird vibrations or any noticeable vibrations from the 2" track. I can definitely tell that it's a longer sled than my shorty xp but it doesn't feel like a 144. Corners great and the suspension handles the bumps pretty good. Requires a small amount more body english in the real tight and twisty trails but I was able to maintain 40+ mph speeds no problems.
I got rid of the stock skis and installed my set of USI triple threat X2's. These things float amazing in the powder, rail on the trails and are an all around great ski.
I was bottoming out on the bigger bumps but 2 clicks stiffer in the rear shock fixed that. Front shocks are at 6 clicks from full soft and spring preload is about 6 threads from full preload. Center shock I am set at 6 clicks from full soft and I think I turned the preload in about 6 turns from the lowest preload. I think it's at a good setup but its still pretty early and I'll need some more miles to know for sure but for now I am super happy with it.
Engine and Clutch Performance
Engine wise I am also very happy. Coming from a 600, this 800 definitely is more powerful. I've ridden a 2013 800 etec renegade before. I was somewhat anxious to see how the 800 cfi-2 performed because of so many people saying its underpowered (especially on dooTalk lol) but I've got no complaints. If it is a weak 800 it sure as **** doesn't feel like it. Maybe the power is getting to the ground more efficiently? I don't know but whatever the case it just works and is a lot of fun. Not to mention the motor sounds wicked.
It doesn't seem to use a whole lot of oil either which surprised me, considering it's an 800 and I installed Paaso's vented cap.
I love the clutching on this machine. It pulls hard through all RPM, clutches stay cool and I'm getting consistent RPM at 8100. I'm running a gates carbon belt and am happy with it also. It's a bit stiffer and I'm hoping it performs better than the stock 115 belt. The 115 belt is crazy expensive ($200 at the dealer!!!!) while the gates carbon belt is around $100.
Gauge cluster comments
I really like how I get an actual coolant temperature rather than bars (like on a ski doo). It's nice knowing when my sled is good to go once it hits 100 degrees and even better knowing when I need to put down the scratchers on the trail. The gauge is really nice as well. I like the red backlight. I think I may need to get a gauge lifter though as it is hard to read the RPM when I'm standing (which is most of the time).
Final Thoughts and TO DO List
So there we have it. 200 miles in an I am sold on the 800 switchback assault. I definitely see more of these sleds in my future. Like I mentioned before, my only complaint is the running boards and maybe the positioning of the gauge.
I've got the B&M Burly Boards ordered and will isntall those sometimes in the next few weeks and I may order a set of footwell block off plates. I've already installed the polaris tether and the Skinz float plate.
Frank
The first thing I noticed is how awful the running boards are. You guys were not kidding. They hold snow like crazy, just one circle and I couldn't hold my feet on the boards anymore. Had to stop and swipe them out. I've already ordered a set of B&M Fab burly boards in textured black. They should arrive in a week or so.
Powder Handling
This sled is fantastic in the powder. The longer track, deeper lugs, slightly narrower stance and the pro chassis is crazy fun in the powder. The machine is so easy to tip over and get a nice line going, very easy to carve either just standing normally on the machine or wrong foot forward. I think I need to order a set of footwell blockoff plates though. I kept packing snow under my clutches and under the battery.
Trail Handling
I wasn't really sure what to expect with this thing on trail. I kept reading mixed reviews; some people loved some hated it on trail. I personally really like it, even with the 2" track. I installed a set of reversible ice strachers for the trail and managed to keep temps at 125-127 the entire time. There were no weird vibrations or any noticeable vibrations from the 2" track. I can definitely tell that it's a longer sled than my shorty xp but it doesn't feel like a 144. Corners great and the suspension handles the bumps pretty good. Requires a small amount more body english in the real tight and twisty trails but I was able to maintain 40+ mph speeds no problems.
I got rid of the stock skis and installed my set of USI triple threat X2's. These things float amazing in the powder, rail on the trails and are an all around great ski.
I was bottoming out on the bigger bumps but 2 clicks stiffer in the rear shock fixed that. Front shocks are at 6 clicks from full soft and spring preload is about 6 threads from full preload. Center shock I am set at 6 clicks from full soft and I think I turned the preload in about 6 turns from the lowest preload. I think it's at a good setup but its still pretty early and I'll need some more miles to know for sure but for now I am super happy with it.
Engine and Clutch Performance
Engine wise I am also very happy. Coming from a 600, this 800 definitely is more powerful. I've ridden a 2013 800 etec renegade before. I was somewhat anxious to see how the 800 cfi-2 performed because of so many people saying its underpowered (especially on dooTalk lol) but I've got no complaints. If it is a weak 800 it sure as **** doesn't feel like it. Maybe the power is getting to the ground more efficiently? I don't know but whatever the case it just works and is a lot of fun. Not to mention the motor sounds wicked.
It doesn't seem to use a whole lot of oil either which surprised me, considering it's an 800 and I installed Paaso's vented cap.
I love the clutching on this machine. It pulls hard through all RPM, clutches stay cool and I'm getting consistent RPM at 8100. I'm running a gates carbon belt and am happy with it also. It's a bit stiffer and I'm hoping it performs better than the stock 115 belt. The 115 belt is crazy expensive ($200 at the dealer!!!!) while the gates carbon belt is around $100.
Gauge cluster comments
I really like how I get an actual coolant temperature rather than bars (like on a ski doo). It's nice knowing when my sled is good to go once it hits 100 degrees and even better knowing when I need to put down the scratchers on the trail. The gauge is really nice as well. I like the red backlight. I think I may need to get a gauge lifter though as it is hard to read the RPM when I'm standing (which is most of the time).
Final Thoughts and TO DO List
So there we have it. 200 miles in an I am sold on the 800 switchback assault. I definitely see more of these sleds in my future. Like I mentioned before, my only complaint is the running boards and maybe the positioning of the gauge.
I've got the B&M Burly Boards ordered and will isntall those sometimes in the next few weeks and I may order a set of footwell block off plates. I've already installed the polaris tether and the Skinz float plate.
Frank
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