New SBA- what to mod?

[Dirty Steve]

Current trail sled is a 2011 MXZX 800 ETEC. I was riding the fence between ordering a Summit X 146 and widening the stance or the SBA. Found a new 2013 at a local dealer and after some dealing I got the sled, electric start, extra 3 year warranty 1.375 Cobra track and the 2" paddle track installed, with proper gears and clutching for $11,600.00 out the door.Also get a one shot 20% discount on any extras.
Lowest price I could get on a Summit x 146 was $11,599.00 plus all fees and extras.
Being new to Polaris, what should I get with my 20% discount. I am set up on clothing. Aside from an extra belt and oil, what mods parts and accessories are good to get right away?

I ride 50/50 trail and boondock in Northern MN and the UP with an occasional trip to the mountains.

 

[bigchevrolet]

Where abouts did you purchase?

 

[550iq]

Buy futures in a soon to come suspension redo ($300 my cost) (2011 specs). Stiffer front ski and front track springs and stiffer shock valving all the way around. The rear track spring from the International model is the heaviest available and you want that. My 013 was ridiculously soft and bad. Other than that a windshield of your choice, the Defrost Bag, cover, if you ever contemplate studding the track, then tunnel protectors. Spend enough often enough at this dealership and the 20% discounts may be become more permanent. You may find that the 1.352 track works better all around - if the average snowfall is hit and miss, nothing real deep. The 144" length covers a lot of surface and the 800 engine spins the track well. Just saying. 550iq

 

[Dirty Steve]

Where abouts did you purchase?

Got it at Bristow's in St. Cloud.

 

[Dirty Steve]

Buy futures in a soon to come suspension redo ($300 my cost) (2011 specs). Stiffer front ski and front track springs and stiffer shock valving all the way around. The rear track spring from the International model is the heaviest available and you want that. My 013 was ridiculously soft and bad. Other than that a windshield of your choice, the Defrost Bag, cover, if you ever contemplate studding the track, then tunnel protectors. Spend enough often enough at this dealership and the 20% discounts may be become more permanent. You may find that the 1.352 track works better all around - if the average snowfall is hit and miss, nothing real deep. The 144" length covers a lot of surface and the 800 engine spins the track well. Just saying. 550iq

I figured I would possibly need to get stiffer springs. I had to get big boy springs for my MXZX and have all 4 shocks revolved. I will be going on the first ride on it this weekend and will probably have a list to buy over summer.

I will definitely be studding the Cobra, so I'll get the protectors.
What about skid plates? Are the Polaris ones good?
Where can I find out more about the "International Model" I have heard it mentioned in regards to rear springs.

 

[550iq]

If your SBA came standard equipped with the 2"track, electric start and Gripper skis, then you probably got the so called International model. If so, then you also got the heavy rear springs. That is what I got anyway. 550iq

 

[fuledya]

Gripper skis, mountain strap, and Burandt boards.

 

[IQRIDR]

Whatever you do make sure the blue secondary spring is replaced with a Team spring, either black or black/purple...the stock blue secondary spring has a finish rate of 77 pounds and is absolutely pathetic and offers no chance of backshift in the mountains or powder. Random but very useful tip, applicable to ALL SBA's.

 

[jeremyp111]

I bought a 2013 SBA International back in January and it came with the 2" track, 20/42 gears, heavier rear spring and Gripper skis. The Grippers are very good on trail as well as off so if yours didn't come with them then get some. Here is the list of accessories I added at the time of purchase or soon after:

Polaris RMK skid plate
Polaris extreme front bumper
Powermadd handguards with Rox flares and Rox billet mounts (awesome setup)
Heated dash goggle bag
Under seat bag with water proof insert
Heated under hood bag
Mountain Addiction tunnel setup: (2) sets of rails, (2) 1.3 g gas cans, large tunnel bag
6" Stud Boy shaper bars
Spare belt - Gotta have it so just bite the bullet.
Duraflex Ice Scratchers (cable style)
NGK Iridium plugs
Polaris Mountain strap

Here's my take on the items I chose:
The Polaris RMK skid plate is good, but I would get the Skinz float plate if I had to do it over. It has better protection vs the Polaris plate.
The Polaris Extreme front bumper is very good and will do it's job to protect the sled but it's aluminum and will crumple upon any decent impact. I just hit a tree at a decent speed that I thought for sure did damage to the sled and it looked terrible. Once I took the parts off I realized that the bumper was the only part that was damaged...everything else was fine. I replaced it with another Extreme bumper because it was available locally but next time I'll go with the Skinz or VanAmberg front bumper instead.
Heated dash goggle bag - AWESOME, a must have item. Very good storage for spare goggles, phone, wallet, etc and yes, it's heated!
Mountain Addiction setup - AWESOME. If you want to add storage & gas to the tunnel then this is the way to go. Pricey, but worth it. Love the mounting setup.
Under seat bag - Very good - Just another place to store stuff. I use it for tools and such.
Heated under hood bag - wouldn't bother with this one if you have the heated dash goggle bag.
Powermadd/ Rox guards - Love this setup. I originally went with the Polaris lock n ride guards/mounts but they broke on the very first impact and a light one at that. I switched to this setup and it's been great since. The billet mounts are indestructible!
Shaper bars - I like them a lot. It's a good match with the 2" track (no studs)
Duraflex scratchers - LOVE them when needed. Leave 'em down on those icy hard trail rides and forget about 'em. They just flat out work. There's only been a few days where they were needed but temps never got above mid 120's. And they work in reverse!
NGK Iridiums - Great plug and they last a very long time. They just never foul.

You're going to love the SBA...I have absolutely no doubt that this is the best crossover sled out there. I have a '12 Backcountry X and had a '12 Switchback Pro-R last year and this is the best combination for trail and off trail, bar none.

I plan on adding the delrin washers to the secondary for next year and will probably replace the spring while I'm in there. They prevent the spring from binding and keep it working smoothly. Other than that, the clutching has worked great right out of the box. I have 1500 miles on the sled so far and the belt is still in great condition.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a PM.

JP

Edit - I forgot to add that I did send out my shocks to be revalved and added dual rate springs to the ski shocks and front track shock. This helped immensely and is highly recommended. One of the best upgrades I did to my SBA.

 

[Carlos Randolph]

For polaris items that you can get with your discount.....

Warranty, or exstended service contract as they call it, if you just bought it this spring, they most likely sold it to ya with a 1yr? This could be the best money you ever spent.....

Belt, cover obviously.

OIL!!!!! it's exspensive, and can't go wrong there.

Guage lifter, sould just come standard on everything from the SBA on up to the RMK. Worth every penny.

Handguards, NOT the locknrides, get the 11-12 version and mounts.

Underseat bag, get the cheaper version, as in the one that does not have a guy's last name on it.

Non polaris....

scratchers, many aftermarket ones out there, but they are a must if ya run the 2" track on trail. I personally would leave the 2" track on at all times. 1.35 is faster top end, but lacks in the fun factor. If ya stud the 1.35, it will just slow it down to where your at with the 2" anyhow. Not to mention the protectors will have to go in and out with the swaping betwen tracks. Sell the 1.35 and buy more cool stuff. -VVVVVVVVVV-

Ski's, i personally have SLP's, but slydogs or other if ya like. Not a must do, but they do turn/float better IMHO. Plus you can put your stock skis, in new condition back on for resale.

Tunnel rack, I made mine, as I have access to a break and the materials, but so many to choose from on the market.

Can, loose some weight.

Ride it like a rental......

 

[bigchevrolet]

JP could you post a picture of your goggle bag?

 

[jeremyp111]

Sure, here you go.

 

[Fast_XC]

Who are you guys using for the shock re-valves? My wifes SBA needs it bad. Blew the first rear shock and the second bottoms out just as badly. Was wondering if the walker offered a needle shock for it?
Neil

 

[SWITCHMAN]

Who are you guys using for the shock re-valves? My wifes SBA needs it bad. Blew the first rear shock and the second bottoms out just as badly. Was wondering if the walker offered a needle shock for it?
Neil

Steve @ Deycore Interprises in Stillwater MN.
He just did both my rears, rebuild and revalve. Should of done this right out of the crate. Totally different ride. He's done all my shocks over the years and does a fantastic job.
651-430-9642-Steve

 

[jeremyp111]

I'm out in NH and I used Monster Performance in NY. He did a great job on my shocks...couldn't be happier with how it rides now.

 

[Dirty Steve]

Here are the mods I did prior to the first ride.

C&A Pro MTX with 7.5" shapers- float like a boat and great on the trail

Defroster bag- works great, love the gauge location; hate the key location. I am going to try to locate the key down on the console and install a 12v accessory plug in the hole in the bag. It think if you roll the sled the key will snap off the way it sticks up.

Polaris skid plate dealer had the Skinz float plate which looked like it would pack and hold snow around the a- arms.
2" track with 20:42 gearing- works good, hit 91MPH on the lake but was turning 8350 RPM, 8100 in deep powder.

The only bad thing about this sled are the boards. Fine on the trail, junk in the deep. Constantly kicking and if you stop, the melt runs down to the foot well and freezes.

I ordered set of black Airframes yesterday they will be a summer mod. Our snow is disappearing fast here so 200 mile is probably it for the new sled this season. Got through the engine break in and broke in both belts. Never went over 7000 RPM on the first full tank of gas and varied throttle position all the time. Swapped out belts at 50 miles.

Really impressed with this sled on trail, but off trail it is amazing. Carves so easy just by shifting your weight on the edge of the boards and just a little counter steer.

Going to order the Mountain Addiction bags and tanks, black tunnel wrap and get rid of the orange decals and orange on the seat.

It's going to be a long summer. Hoping for an early season powder event out west for next fall.

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

 

[Carlos Randolph]

Dirty.....

FYI you got a great deal/steal on that sled. I paid $12,100 out the door Back in Oct. , with only a 2yr warranty and 1 track (1.35). I tried to work them on the track deal as well, but best they would do is a swap & they keep the 1.35. I ended up getting a killer deal on a new take off 2" via an auction ($200) and ran that. Got about 800miles outa it and tore quite a few lugs, and have sence have reinstalled the 1.35 for the spring and next year early season. Recently just bought another used 2" camo x to put on next year. Although Tracks USA keeps teasing me with the 159" for only $299....hmmmm

Things of note to keep an eye on with your new ride..... always let it warm up to 100+ deg before you take off. I always run mine with the temp guage showing not the speedo. On hard pack trail w/o the scratchers down temps can climb quickly.

After break in I swiched to the BR9eix plugs, never fouled a plug, and I have premixed 2.5oz of oil in the tank, every tank sence new. Cleaned the vlaves at 800mi and the pistons/rings looked flawless.

I would also recomend re-route of the exhaust valve breather hose to the exterior of the sled, as in the stock location, it dumps unused/burnt oil in the belly pan. Search the forum for a link for the fix.

Even with scratchers, mine seemed to wear the hifax weird just after the first set of bogies. They made it 800mi and still were fine, but just noticeably thinner in that spot. This might have been due to the track (2") being cliped every third window. I put new hifax on when I swapped tracks back to stock.

I pulled a cord on my first belt at 1000ish miles, I broke in the belt nice, but it took some serious abuse. Running hard down the lake/river. I personally have had good luck running the XTX belts you can get at fleet farm. $100 and change, 3rd sled now I have ran them on, No issues. The polaris 315 belt is now my limper spare.

82-8300rpm is where my sled really like to run the best, best seat of the pants feel.

I now have 1400+ miles on mine for the season, all of them flawless. Truely a gas and go.

 

[Dirty Steve]

Good to know. I will look into the exhaust vent re-route. Saw the gunk in the white belly pan of my buddies switchback Pro-R.

 

[xTonyCRx]

Whatever you do make sure the blue secondary spring is replaced with a Team spring, either black or black/purple...the stock blue secondary spring has a finish rate of 77 pounds and is absolutely pathetic and offers no chance of backshift in the mountains or powder. Random but very useful tip, applicable to ALL SBA's.

From what I can tell with my spring charts the stock black blue is 7043064 (subs to 7043152) is 120/200 with a rate of 73. The black 70463063 (sub to 7043150) is 140/220 with a rate of 65.

Do you mean to say the finish load of 200 is inadequate?