Will the 2014 Polaris be as disappointing as the new Cat, Yammi and Doo?

[mickyd32]

IF they do a DI, I would expect it on the 600 first. Seems to be the way polaris has always done motor releases. The 600 first then the 800 or 700 or whatever to follow the next year

With Cat introducing a DI 600, I would expect Polaris would now follow, they HAVE to have been working on that and are now the only manufacturer without something very close to DI in the 600 market

a DI 600 would also please me as I think my next pro will be the 600 with some aftermarket goodies, so a year to perfect that motor or at least get the kings out would be awesome for me

 

[SnoDay]

First and off topic but Cat did upgrade all of their sleds especially the mtn ones just in small ways to lose weight. Polaris guys should know all about a pound here a pound there. They dropped 18 lbs and did their BNG. Still heavier than a Pro agreed. If you cared about trail riding the largest market share bar none Cat now has over 7 different engine options trail riders care about 4 and 2 stroke options in all hp categories. Polaris has 2 plus a fan cooled?. They will hopefully focus this year on their trail sleds for their own sake. They have the mtn category right where they want it top market share easily. Their will not be a new 800 just refined which should be good for anyone looking for a Pro. They dropped a bomb last year with all the refinements to the Pro which worked and didn't depending on the sled/repairs. They will have these things ironed out and you'll still have the lightest mtn sled that will hopefully not break down above average. No manufacturer will year after year drop 20 lbs and add 10 hp. Unless we are okay with constant recalls, failures and downtime.

 

[pfi572]

Even if they said, kept the same motor but found a better control/ecu mid season. Would they give you the new ecu or you think you'd have to buy it.

That's what they should have did a few years ago with the Dragon.
Would have saved a lot of warranty on motors and a lot of tow ropes .

 

[polarisperformance]

How about a 146 pro rmk? I would love to see that. Maybe I'll just have to do what Darcy did, he did an awesome job with his.

That's what I am hopping for !! 146 with all the gooddies of the pro rmk and probably weighting about 410 Lbs

 

[ryan_625]

That's what I am hopping for !! 146 with all the gooddies of the pro rmk and probably weighting about 410 Lbs

If they released a 146 Assault with a QD and a DI 800 I would be all over that. It wouldn't be hard to get it near 400lbs.
As of now, I think I will be keeping my 11 again.

 

[cateye5312]

I'd be happy with the following:

1. Improve QD system and drive shaft.
2. Powder coat the tunnel (and rails - but I can do that myself too).
3. 3/4 year warranty on snowcheck (cat is 2/ski doo is 4).

Otherwise, I'm not expecting much but will be replacing the '12 with a '14 regardless.

Me too

 

[ripalip2]

Been thinking about snow checking for three years now, Hard to give up my 700 that has not missed a beat since day one. Would like to be on the pro chassis but I have questioned the 800 motor and don't think the 600 will pack my fat a$$. 700 turbo in the pro chassis would be sweet for me! Will see on March 4th

 

[Powerage]

it will have a redesigned driveshaft for 2014, with 3" pitch drivers. brake disc located on the driveshaft for lower c.o.g. and less belt stress. 3" camoplast extreme on pro 800s. snowcheck buyers will get black rails/tunnel.

^
This is what we need. Then I would snowcheck a new one.

 

[m1kflyingtiger]

The 6 is within 5 hp of what the 7 was....

 

[winter brew]

Am I the only one that is actually happy when the mfr's don't make big changes?? All we read on here are threads of people complaining about all the first year problems, helicopter rides and threatening to sue the mfr's...lol.
First year XP....problems, first year Proclimb....problems, Pro makes big changes in 13....problems.
Personally I like to see them refine the chassis and make the small changes that make them RELIABLE and fun sleds!! The last year of a chassis is typically the best, so why are so many demanding they reinvent the wheel every year??....I guess some people thrive on bitchin' about their $13K problem.

 

[snopromod]

Am I the only one that is actually happy when the mfr's don't make big changes?? All we read on here are threads of people complaining about all the first year problems, helicopter rides and threatening to sue the mfr's...lol.
First year XP....problems, first year Proclimb....problems, Pro makes big changes in 13....problems.
Personally I like to see them refine the chassis and make the small changes that make them RELIABLE and fun sleds!! The last year of a chassis is typically the best, so why are so many demanding they reinvent the wheel every year??....I guess some people thrive on bitchin' about their $13K problem.

AGREED!

 

[mountainhorse]

The basic 5 yr plan would not have Polaris relasing an "all new" sled till 2015.

4 yrs on the dragon chassis (07/08/09/10)


Refine, Work out the bugs... make them more durable with what they have... that would be stellar.

I don't see design problems...but I do see the problems radiating from lack of consistency in QC and production variables... weather internal or outsourced.


.

 

[AndrettiDog]

None of the manufacturers can provide significant changes each year or we wouldn't be able to afford the sled. We biotch about the price and then we are not happy when a sub 400lb sled with 200hp doesn't materialize.

I see Polaris making some improvements (but not a new QD drive). Why would we want a new chassis? Why take a chance of ruining the best one out there? The only thing the Pro needs is more HP and reliability (the same thing all manf. need). I agree with some other posts of seeing a 600 DI motor to advance R&D for an eventual 800 DI.

 

[summ8rmk]

06 is the first yr of the dragon.

 

[nuggetau]

My wish list for 2014: With no expectations that they will do any of it.

New drive shaft - I am grateful to report mine has been trouble free for 1600 miles, but it is still not a good design.

More reliable QD system - I am grateful to report mine has been trouble free for 1600 miles, however many others have not been so lucky

Eliminate the hot start bog

Eliminate the intermittent bog when on and off the throttle sidehilling

Change the throttle design so that snow can't freeze between the throttle flipper and throttle body causing a hung throttle( this has happened more times than I can count)

Change the design for the brake lock, it is frozen up most days so I can't use it at the end of the day

Better snow evacuation for the rear 1/3 of the running boards, front 2/3 works pretty well

Find a way to get some airflow across the exhaust pipe when the hood is constantly covered with snow, it gets so hot it melts the hood above the pipe

Make the windscreen out of a flexible rubber compound that allows the sled to be rolled over without dislodging the screen or breaking it

Ditch the push pins for the windscreen

Eliminate the d-zuz fasteners on the side panels

Vent the ves breather tube outside the engine compartment

10-20 more hp would be nice

Better foot well vents


Lest you think I'm unhappy with this sled, I'm actually enjoying this sled more than any I have owned.

 

[RMK935VA]

So far the 2014 offerings remind me of the upcoming NFL draft. Boring! I have yet to see any Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck type players for next year and the same holds true for the sleds introduced so far.

Yamaha seems hellbent on being an also ran selling overweight sleds to flatlanders even though they could be using their HPDI two stroke technology to make a light, reliable bad *** mountain sled.

Ski Doo was pretty much Ski Don't this year with no weight reduction and no 1000 DI two stroke.

Arctic Cat did reduce weight by 18 lbs. which is good unless you compare it to what a RMK Pro already weighs.

So Polaris, it is up to you to show us something spectacular for 2014 or I fear that new sled sales are going to skid. More power through a DI motor? Unlikely. A factory turbo? Unlikely. It will probably be BNG and a few tweaks to problem issues like the driveshaft, A Arms and QD belt drive. I suppose that they will also come out with a painted tunnel and skid like Ski Doo had last year and Arctic Cat is doing for 2014. If they do, I say Big Deal. It is contrary to their weight reduction goals too.

My $.02 worth.

 

[RMK935VA]

Ripalip, you should try the 600 Pro. I have both. My friend, who is a former Snocross racer, put in a day on the 600 last Sunday. He ran an entire tank of gas through it and grinned from ear to ear the whole time. By the way, he weighs over 200 lbs. without his gear on. I weigh 235 lbs. without my gear on and the 600 works well for me too. If you like the motor but want more power you can put a 660 kit on it and you will have a sled that will run with the 800s. You wouldn't be the first big guy to do that. Pick up a used 12 or 13 and you will be in the sled after adding the 660 kit for quite a bit less than a new 800. The 600 is a great motor with very few reliability issues even if you make them a 660.

 

[SXViper]

Minor Changes

I am with the guys not hoping for large changes but rather refinements to an already great sled. I don't necessarily agree that these types of years put the skids on sales. I myself like to sit back and watch how all the new innovations play out over their first season. Then if all is well buy in whats being refered to as an "off" year.

 

[06redrevx]

I would LOVE to see a CMX drive system right from Polaris, powder coating to reduce the snow build up and yeah, a DI motor that is rock solid!
Wishful thinking I know but sure would be awesome.
Snow check models should get evols and 3 inch track option please!

 

[Akprorider]

I don't want something new and flashy, a 800 gets me almost anywhere I want to go. I don't care about silly words like "flickable" or some endorsement from some dork "professional" rider. I want something that I can ride in the backcountry without having that thought in the back of my mind on what will break next.

I put money down on a xm this year, I figured I spent enough in durability upgrades on the pro that I'm keeping it. Not like I can get anything for it anyways after they sell new ones for just over 10k with rebates. I'm keeping the 13 till it dies, Polaris has a lot of QC crap to answer for before I will even consider another.