I bought a Gen 5 at the start of the season put just over 1800km on it. I’ve had it in the shop twice for warranty work. First go around was reeds and an injector, second was chain case. My sleds been at the dealer for 2 weeks still waiting on parts, expecting another few weeks. I’m on belt number 4 with my sled and all my track rods at the paddles are broken. It’s been my least reliable skidoo. BC has been getting epic snow the last few weeks so didn’t want to miss out, picked up a late arrival snowchecked Boost 155 Khaos. My Gen 5 expert 154 turbo r has fox float qs3, elevate spindles, and slp Mohawk skis which make it handle better than stock. The Gen 5 is the best handling skidoo sled to date and a nice step up from the Gen 4 but after putting 450km on the boost Polaris is still the better sled for handling. It just effortlessly goes where you point it using very little input. The skidoo takes more pull through the bars and steering with the bars to keep it going where you want. You can also feel the weight difference doing hip overs, bow ties, re entries…ect. For my riding Polaris is the best option handling wise. My boost out climbs my buddies stock Gen 5 turbo easily, he is 50-60lbs heavier than me. Stock for stock the Gen 5 will climb a bit higher, Polaris just needs a better track and there wouldn’t be a lot of difference. The power and power delivery on the Gen 5 turbo r is phenomenal, with out that there is no reason to run a Gen 5. The boost I find is in the middle of a Gen 4 and Gen 5 for seat off the pants power. The 2023 boost once through break in is pretty good off the bottom but more a mid to top end power sled. The Gen 5 has more low end instant power. Going to clutch and gear down my boost to help the low end. I have the large gauge on my doo it is very clean and nice to use as a gauge but horrible compared to the 7s in every way. I have had 2 spark plug separations on my boost switched to 94 chevron and have had no issues since. I’ve broken 2 primary springs, but since putting in glide washers haven’t had an issue.
End of the day both sleds are unreal and neither sled makes me a better rider over the other. I can take them both the same places. I’m more confident and in control with the boost in steep terrain but prefer the Gen 5’s power. Both turbos in 154-155 length are rowdy sleds that 80-90% of riders will never fully use.