Any body have any input on these two sleds. I am looking at buying a new sled and really like the cross overs because I do a good amount of trail riding but also enjoy getting off the trail as often as possible. I stopped by my dealer tonight who sells both, and he is sold on the cat, says they cant keep them in stock. Until tonight i was sold on the polaris..... any input is appreciated!
Polaris Assault 144 vs Arctic Cat XF High Country 141
- Thread starter herbstpa
- Start date
I would like to get some seat time on one of the XF141s, that being said...
Personally I think the only advantage the Cat has is the powerclaw track being almost 1 inch deeper lugged than the Assault track. The results are in when you read all the reviews the Pro chassis is still the one to beat this year when it comes to technical sidehilling, agility and jumping up on top of the snow. If I wanted the absolute best sled in this class I would get the Assault and get a deeper lugged track under it. I don't know if the tunnel will allow for it without modifications though.
Personally I think the only advantage the Cat has is the powerclaw track being almost 1 inch deeper lugged than the Assault track. The results are in when you read all the reviews the Pro chassis is still the one to beat this year when it comes to technical sidehilling, agility and jumping up on top of the snow. If I wanted the absolute best sled in this class I would get the Assault and get a deeper lugged track under it. I don't know if the tunnel will allow for it without modifications though.
Switchback assault
Switchback Assault for sure! Proven lightweight chassis, get one with, or order a 2" paddle and you will have the best all around (in my opinion, I own one...) sled on the market. Im coming from a 10' RMK 800 and I would say by far this sled gets around better, if not just from the ease of handling it. I cant say much bad or good about the xf141 because i've never run one but My money is on the switchback. You will love it.
(Of course if you wanted people to convince you to buy the XF141 you wouldnt have posted in the "Pro Ride" forum
)
Switchback Assault for sure! Proven lightweight chassis, get one with, or order a 2" paddle and you will have the best all around (in my opinion, I own one...) sled on the market. Im coming from a 10' RMK 800 and I would say by far this sled gets around better, if not just from the ease of handling it. I cant say much bad or good about the xf141 because i've never run one but My money is on the switchback. You will love it.
(Of course if you wanted people to convince you to buy the XF141 you wouldnt have posted in the "Pro Ride" forum
)
I was in the same boat couldn't decide what I wanted. I have cats for the last 10 years and this is my first Polaris and I am liking what I see so far. There is not a bad review of the assault 144's in any of the mags and is supposed to be around 30 lbs or so lighter then the cat. Seatin position and standing position are awesome on the new Assault. I sat on the new cats and found my knees hit the console and from seated to standing up I had to move my legs back to be comfortable. Both sleds are nice and I'm sure the cat will have more hp but I like the fun factor of the assault better.
my thoughts were the same as there is really not a bad review of the assault except it doesnt come with deeper lugs. like i said i was sold until i started talking to my dealer, who ive bought everything from, and he basically said i would be crazy to not get the cat. said it has the best power to weight ratio on the market and it comes with 2.25" lugs, not to mention their sno pro suspension adn telescoping handle bars. still sounds like everyone here is sold on the polaris yet, and yes i know this is the pro ride forum! but i posted on the cat forum to see any variances between response and even there the one person who responded said go with the polaris unless you plan on doing alot of mods...
I will be riding with 2 XF High Countries and 2 Switchback Assaults in the group all this season.
Not sure on what tracks are on the Cats, but one Assault has the 2.25" on it and mine has a 1.75" Backcountry
so far we have only been able to compare the 2 Assaults and mine seems to have a traction edge, so far.
Mine is also better at dodging rocks and because of this no more tests for a week or 2
when I have more info on direct comparisons I will let you all know
Not sure on what tracks are on the Cats, but one Assault has the 2.25" on it and mine has a 1.75" Backcountry
so far we have only been able to compare the 2 Assaults and mine seems to have a traction edge, so far.
Mine is also better at dodging rocks and because of this no more tests for a week or 2
when I have more info on direct comparisons I will let you all know
I believe the best power to weight ratio goes to the polaris. Also, you dont want those crappy telescoping handlebars. They are loose as hell even when brand new. My cousin had a 2010 m8 and couldnt stand the bars, you had to turn them about 15 degrees before they even took up the slack. The worst riser design imho.
(Of course if you wanted people to convince you to buy the XF141 you wouldnt have posted in the "Pro Ride" forum
Actually, being a cat guy, when the same question was posted in the cat forum I recommended the poo!!
My take is if you would leave them stock, the poo is a much better sled (the "much" could be debated, but that's my opinion), but if you're going to mod it, I'd go cat because of reliability modded & the mods bring the cat in line with the pro quickly.
btw, by my figures the cat has a slight edge in power to weight ratio... but it's so minimal that it's a non issue.
I ride a 141 in the mtns every day (cat) and LOVE it, having ridden a few 144 & 146 poos the first thing I'd do is put a new track under it (the 141 PC) and I think you'll be much happier.
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I'm thinking the assault seems to be the more popular pick, actually really the only pick unless mods are in the future. which after buying a sled I wont have really any mod money left, maybe enough to putts around and put a new can on or buy a lightly used/year old track better suited for powder...will have to check out the warranty situation on the polaris still.
Another option in the crossover market is the RMK 600 144. It has a 2" track and is priced very aggressively. In a lot of ways it is a Switchback Assault with a 600 - same chassis, 2" track that some SBAs have.
One other thing to consider, your dealer is in the business to sell sleds, if the polaris's are selling them selfs then he doesn't have to sell them but if the cats are not selling he has to sell them. He might also be a cat guy at heart, not that there is anything wrong with that. It just seems strange that he is steering you away from what could be the best chassis on the market today.
Just my opinion!
PS one other thing to think about, RESALE
Just my opinion!
PS one other thing to think about, RESALE
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