Just wondering who switched from skidoo xm or t3 to Polaris? Why and pros and cons?
Who has switched from skidoo xm to Polaris ?
- Thread starter skidoo144
- Start date
Started the season with 3 xm's (no t3 but did have the ras 2 front ends) and 2 pro's, got a chance to ride a guides axys in CO in January and sold two of the xm's as soon as I got home. Brother (he sold his doo too) and I each bought axys's when we got back. For me the best way I can explain the difference is that everything you could do on the pro is now 50% easier, motor is incredibly responsive, easy to roll up and hold on its side, super narrow, and very hard to get stuck unless I pick a terrible line. I spent the first couple days overriding it compared to my pro and doo, once I got that figured out I find it to be VERY predictable and forgiving to ride. I was very comfortable on the doos, but I don't miss the unpredictable handling side hilling. I still love the pro too which I why I kept them in the fleet but I'll be on an axys
I have a 2016 skidoo t3 163 hate the way it sidehills. I'm a superstar on the left but the right is a bad deal for me. Is the pro better on its right than the doo or do I just suck 
lol
lol
M
Mattxp
Member
Snow checked an axys 155 last spring without ever riding one. Friends have pros. Had an xm for three years. I like everything better on my axys. Only took maybe two hours to be able to ride it the way I could my summit. Now I'm going way more places I ever did with the skidoo. Power is better I think too. My summit was a great sled, but this isn't even comparable
I have a 2016 skidoo t3 163 hate the way it sidehills. I'm a superstar on the left but the right is a bad deal for me. Is the pro better on its right than the doo or do I just suck
Thats all about practice. Spend a day doing everything on your right side.
I had a 163 t3 last year, 155 2.6 axys this year.
T3 Pros-
DESS Key/tether
Don't have to turn key off to kill battery
Track
Stock suspension is better
1 1/8 handlebars
Less fatigue with the horizontal steering
Quick clickers
Climbs better
Downhill carving
Proven engine
More storage
Better fit and finish- more refined
Reliability
16" tracks adds stability climbing
Axys Pros-
Caught up on power (cat/doo)
Sticks to the hill- better sidehilling
Easier re entries with 15 inch track
Predictability
Gets up on snow better
Hood removal is painless
PIDD gauge!!!!!!
Lighter
Gripper skis
Easier throttle pull
Belt drive- replace belt on hill
Easy to work on
T3 cons-
S module strength
Hood is a pita to remove
Tight to work on
A arms terrible to change
Tunnel too long
Weak stock bumpers
Outdated gauge
Stock intake vents rip easy
Weight
Steep sidehilling not as effortless
Trenching issues at times
Bulky
Axys cons-
Dog**** electrical components
Weak front end
Tps issues
Seems to have a lot of belt wear
Weak tunnel thats too long
Weak stock bumpers
JUNK stock shocks
Poor e start design
Band aid driveshaft
Track perfomance
Ecu mapping needs work
Overall both very good sleds! Main reasons i switch from the doo were technical handling characteristics and s mod/time it takes to replace a arms.
Noone else in the industry has driveshaft issues. If something is broke, fix it, don't farmer rig it.
I went from having two different pros and on an xm for this season. Don't regret the switch one bit. I'm way less tired at the end of the day on my doo. Love the power.
I had an XM for 3 years and am now on an Axys. I agree with most everything above, but I'm a fan of the performance of the 2.6" track. The sleds have a totally different feel, and when trading back and forth with my buddy his 16 T3 it feels like a fat tuna boat compared to the Axys. The Axys shines in technical terrain when you ride it aggressively. Ride it passively and it is a handful. High center of gravity on the Axys isn't always your friend. I do think that the XM took a little less energy to ride than the Axys, but then it could just be that I'm old...
Ride an 154 XM for 2500 miles then switched to an Axys a few weeks ago and got 250 miles. Thus far, performance wise, this sled is more fun riding without a doubt. Did I give up some engine durrabilty? Perhaps, that remains to be seen, but damn is this sled fun to ride.
Went from Doo to Poo then AXYS and as stated above you have to screw up good to get the AXYS stuck. My 163 2.6 AXYS has improved my riding so much! Steep treed terrain I am able to ride much slower and with more precision. It took me several rides to get with this sled as it is so responsive and such a quick revving and strong motor. I am
So happy with this sled, unbelievably fun to ride. I have made a HUGE
Progression in ability on this sled, several of my riding buddies have commented on it?
BTW, I came off a 15 Pro 163 CE3", still have it but it does not compare to the AXYS IMHO
True story
B
bailer
Well-known member
Switched from a 2013 Xm163, now running the Axys 163,2.6.
I loved my Xm but just wanted a change from the chassis which I had been on since '08.
The Axys fit and finish is equal in my estimation. Fuel consumption appears equal. Power feels similar but probably more snap for the Axys. Love how easy the Axys is to work on with the quick off hood. The narrow tunnel and seat is probably my most noticeable difference while riding. I like the Polaris accessories better as well.
I miss the keyless tether system BRP uses and I really dislike the wide ski stance of the Axys. The width is undeniable in set up or tracked conditions. I don't understand why Polaris doesn't go 36" when so many like the change and there are the other models they could leave at 39". Not a problem, have a 36" going on, think it will be perfect for me now.
I really feel these sleds are so capable now a person can simply choose their weapon. There are top riders doing amazing stuff on either brand. Saying brand X can't do the kind of riding you do says more about you than it does about brand X.
I loved my Xm but just wanted a change from the chassis which I had been on since '08.
The Axys fit and finish is equal in my estimation. Fuel consumption appears equal. Power feels similar but probably more snap for the Axys. Love how easy the Axys is to work on with the quick off hood. The narrow tunnel and seat is probably my most noticeable difference while riding. I like the Polaris accessories better as well.
I miss the keyless tether system BRP uses and I really dislike the wide ski stance of the Axys. The width is undeniable in set up or tracked conditions. I don't understand why Polaris doesn't go 36" when so many like the change and there are the other models they could leave at 39". Not a problem, have a 36" going on, think it will be perfect for me now.
I really feel these sleds are so capable now a person can simply choose their weapon. There are top riders doing amazing stuff on either brand. Saying brand X can't do the kind of riding you do says more about you than it does about brand X.
thanks for the reviews guys. i am currently about ready to flip a coin over an axys vs the new G4
1. i have rode an xm for 3 years
2. the smooth, powerful engine/clutching setup is nice on the axys. much better than the original pro chassis.
3. i rode my buddy's axys and liked it. it seemed to do everything my xm would do, just as easy. the biggest thing i noticed was that it was "stable" when i wanted it to be, where as the xm always gives me that "wishy washy" feeling.
4. reliability of the polaris scares me. the week, lightened parts scare me.
5. the new EVERYTHING on the G4 scares me
1. i have rode an xm for 3 years
2. the smooth, powerful engine/clutching setup is nice on the axys. much better than the original pro chassis.
3. i rode my buddy's axys and liked it. it seemed to do everything my xm would do, just as easy. the biggest thing i noticed was that it was "stable" when i wanted it to be, where as the xm always gives me that "wishy washy" feeling.
4. reliability of the polaris scares me. the week, lightened parts scare me.
5. the new EVERYTHING on the G4 scares me
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I think the wishy washy feeling will still be there do to it coming from the t-motion but who knows. The stretched out front might make it more stable when it gets rough. The combo of that and the motor moved back should get rid of some diveyness. I am hoping for a demo.
You won't get a demo and if you did the snow will be junk by then anyways and it won't tell you much. Just drive to Revy and find one, Carl Kuster has 3 of them. $200 a ride. All your Montana buddies were just staying at the lodge all last week. 3 of them we're where I was Friday breaking into piper via the back way Lol
Would love to go to rely but getting busy and don't have a passport. Should get one. Missed a revy trip, with buds, last fall because of it. Doubt I will get a demo but it doesn't matter. The gen 4 is for my wife and I know she will like it better than her axys.
It was way more than just driveshafts, it was the belt drivebelt problems, not installed correctly per gates, it was the drivebelt bearings going bad, you had to pack drive belts and tools to change it, not to mention the main belt problems and cranks breaking off and damaging both clutches, it was front ends falling apart. I've seen current model Pros this year not quite make a hill and wheelie over backwards in soft snow and endo only 3 times and the tunnels are bent to **** and sled was totaled. They have compromised far too much on weight and for what to brag about how they side hill and hold a side hill? Cuz the defiantly don't outride or outperform
Ski doo's stock for stock. You Guys should hear how the real Canadian riders talk about Polaris. #1 thing they say is why buy a Polaris they don't keep up and you have to work on them and sure do have to buy a lot of belts.
