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My Honest Review of 850 still in “ Break In”

JJ_0909 said:
I'll chime in and agree with others. I sort of saw this coming, as 40ccs is a relatively small amount of displacement. That said, I, like others noticed a big difference between the 800 and 850 ETEC motor, and was expecting something similar.

Sleeper call is still to go buy a 800 hold over and slap a turbo on it. You'd be OTD for about the same price as a Patriot with a much more capable (and imo fun) sled.

I still need some real time - Axys is a very good platform regardless. Not disappointed just not impressed.
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Yes a turbo would be alot more power for the money... but its a turbo. They are not reliable like a stock sled. Yes they run as good as a stocker when they are running but it only takes one little thing to make them a turd. A stocker can have minor issues and still run decent, not really the case with boosted sleds from what I’ve seen. You have to be pretty cautious of what you are putting in for fuel. Bye bye to your warranty. Not for everyone (like a majority of guys). JMO based on what I’ve seen. You probably disagree, which is fine, but I think most guys would be better off buying the bigger motor than boosting the 800.

Back on track... Hopefully the motor is impressive once its broke in. When I snowchecked I was hoping it would be very comparable to the Doo, I love the bottom end/midrange of the 850 Etec. Sounds like the 840 is more of a top end motor.
 
What are the issues starting? Mine is starting the first or second time every time. I wonder if the added oil during break-in is causing that problem. I know my Axys 800 was boggy at idle and hard hits during break-in.
 
goridedoo said:
Yes a turbo would be alot more power for the money... but its a turbo. They are not reliable like a stock sled. Yes they run as good as a stocker when they are running but it only takes one little thing to make them a turd. A stocker can have minor issues and still run decent, not really the case with boosted sleds from what I’ve seen. You have to be pretty cautious of what you are putting in for fuel. Bye bye to your warranty. Not for everyone (like a majority of guys). JMO based on what I’ve seen. You probably disagree, which is fine, but I think most guys would be better off buying the bigger motor than boosting the 800.

Back on track... Hopefully the motor is impressive once its broke in. When I snowchecked I was hoping it would be very comparable to the Doo, I love the bottom end/midrange of the 850 Etec. Sounds like the 840 is more of a top end motor.
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I don't totally disagree - those just starting out would be a lot better with a warranty on an NA sled. That said, I do think if you poke around Snowest and sleep eat and breath this stuff you can run a turbo. Hell I have basically since year one of learning how to ride ;)

But yeah, stock sleds certainly have their place. I had a blast riding the G4 dead stock. I am not sure the Patriot is as "fun" out of the crate. More capable? Likely. More seat of the pants fun? Not yet.
 
Keep in mind Doo's have always felt quicker because of the big TRA hit, and the rear suspension design that has always wheelie'd a lot more than Polaris. Even the old Pro's ran with the 800 ETEC's in a race no prob....but always felt way slower seat-of-the-pants because they didn't pull the front end up
 
Jaynelson said:
Keep in mind Doo's have always felt quicker because of the big TRA hit, and the rear suspension design that has always wheelie'd a lot more than Polaris. Even the old Pro's ran with the 800 ETEC's in a race no prob....but always felt way slower seat-of-the-pants because they didn't pull the front end up
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I should have been clear - I don't think the Doo is going to outrun this - or rather, its way too early to say.

I do know the Axys chassis is better than the Doo, no doubt for me there.

Really, we all need some serious snow, and a few hundred miles. I'll throw a vid up when I get the snow...probably next Monday.
 
the doos always have the low end power. I liked riding 670s in the day over 700 poos for this. even their triples had grunt. always harder on belts to hmmm... I bet this 840 will be a pleaser when its broke in. if not try a ctec cat, pretty darn snappy!
 
Wow I’m a bit confused here because I have a totally different experience than most here so far! 2 hours on my patriot and I am really impressed. Strong pull and strong backshift. All I did so far is green/pink spring and 4g more weight than my last 3 800s and I’m still over reving in break in mode too!

Switched sled during the ride with my buddies 800 and you can really tell the difference! I was quicker on short drags too, even quicker off the line than my friends 800 with slp stage 3 (programmer heads and full exhaust)

Elevation was 500-1000ft tho, but still in break in mode and oil in the tank (damn dealer didint listen to me on this one)

More to come when I go back but so far so good
 
While it will be nice to have more power if the Patriot is dependable, gets the power to the snow and handles as well as those who have ridden say then it's
going to be an awesome sled.
I spoke with SLP today about the Pipe sets, clutching and silencers to get and idea when the stage kits will be available and to find out if the competition silencer will be part of those kits and the answers are as follows: Stage kits are in testing and probably won't be ready for us until January or later, new motor and all new kits so will take time. Don't know if the silencer for sale will be the same as the one on the stage kits. Clutching upgrades are in final testing stage and should be for sale very soon.
I was told the clutching upgrades make a big difference, the silencer a slight power improvement and near 10lb savings. The stage kits will be a substantial
power gain as they were on the 800 and the large weight reduction.
We have been using SLP products for many years and will again on our 850's.
 
Colbymh said:
You guys think it could be from the relaxed break in methods? Everything ive owned (dirt bikes, street bikes), ive heat cycled em and then pinned the hell out of it.

I saw about 10hp difference in relaxed break in vs balls to the walls break in on my cbr1000 street bike.

Just a thought..
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When I was moto-ing, in 89 there were three KX125 bikes. I had one, my brother had one, and another guy. It was my first new rig, so my bro and I did the easy break-in. The other guy just started doing semi-easy laps. All three were set up the same, the other guy's bike was faster. I borrowed it when I had a clutch issue, and I was very surprised. It may not have lasted as long, but it was faster.
In my experience, after 13 new Etecs, they run well out of the box, after break-in clock expires they seem to flatten out, then around 800 miles they really pick up. My opinion is that during breakin, the extra oil makes power, then once that is gone they flatten, then after 800 miles they get actually broken in and loosen up. I would say that is because of the synthetic oil. I have thought about running a tank of semi-synth to try to accelerate breakin, but am skeered, lol.
 
Happy Thanksgiving, Just remember there are 2 different break in modes fuel and oil! Yes it will be more of a top end engine due to it's stroke, but with proper weight thrown at the clutches it will use the engines torque all the way thru the power band! These sleds have to be set up from stock to get women/younger inexperienced crowd to ride them for sales overall. So they are not set-up to scare them right off the bat, you can accomplish that with aftermarket clutching etc.... Mike
 
Jaynelson said:
Keep in mind Doo's have always felt quicker because of the big TRA hit, and the rear suspension design that has always wheelie'd a lot more than Polaris. Even the old Pro's ran with the 800 ETEC's in a race no prob....but always felt way slower seat-of-the-pants because they didn't pull the front end up
Click to expand...



No more TRA to blame there kiddo. We now have the warped sheaved P-Drive.

It’s okay. Breathe. Fact, The Etec 850 makes more torque at lower RPM than the 840.
 
Ha I have no problem admitting I totally forgot about the clutch change. The new ones seem to be working out well :flame:
 
Jaynelson said:
Ha I have no problem admitting I totally forgot about the clutch change. The new ones seem to be working out well :flame:
Click to expand...

The new skidoo clutch acts just like the tra though.
Jumps off the bottom with a soft top end.
(Reeled in a few 850’s the last few years with my 16 axys)
 
Everyone needs to get on the same page. Same snow, same day, same altitude, same place. Every one of my 800/850 sleds have lost on the bottom due to the stupid wheelie, then pulled and passed Poos on top. That is stock Doo against clutched and piped Axys. That has been here. 5-8K. I don't really give a shyt myself, I like that my Doos make me happy. But keyboard racing says nothing about the sleds. Altitude makes a difference.
 
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