Last year, Polaris brought us a new mountain snowmobile version in its RMK family, the Polaris RMK KHAOS 850 2021. Although at first glance, nothing seemed to change, the KHAOS’ behavior was really different from what we knew from the PRO RMK. With all-new rear suspension geometry and Walker Evans React-Velocity shocks in both the front and rear, the KHAOS definitely has a smoother ride.
The Polaris RMK KHAOS allows a much easier grip compared to the PRO version. Moreover, there is a big difference in the skis since the PRO version tries to keep the skis on the ground while the KHAOS version allows you to lift the front more easily without too much effort. I must admit that I was really surprised by the totally new behavior from the first turns and maneuvers in powder snow.
Now, the Polaris RMK KHAOS is definitely my favorite Polaris mountain snowmobile in terms of both its ride and its ability to get you where you want to go, all without much effort.
Mechanically, the Axys chassis, which offers rigidity and lightness, is at the center of the RMK KHAOS. The riding position is intuitive and ergonomic for all sizes of riders. The rider feels perfectly balanced and it is very easy to move around to perform all maneuvers without being hindered by the size of the KHAOS. The Axys chassis is certainly one of the great assets of this model in the mountain snowmobile segment. Combine it with the 850 Patriot engine, which offers lively power while delivering plenty of torque throughout the rev range, and you get a killer combo. There’s a reason why Polaris mountain snowmobiles do so well in this market segment, we need raw power, stiffness to handle the worst conditions while minimizing weight. And the manufacturer has understood this well with what it offers.
Polaris describes the KHAOS version as an “all-terrain” snowmobile that can handle all snow conditions and is also more forgiving in maneuvers. In addition, the effort required to ride it is greatly reduced compared to other RMK versions. Nevertheless, the PRO RMK versions still have their place because they provide a more precise ride in certain situations such as side-hill or tight maneuvers where the trajectories are definitely sharper and more consistent. Although the PRO version is aimed at an intermediate/advanced rider market looking for precision, I must admit that I greatly prefer the more “playful” character of the RMK KHAOS and especially the greatly reduced effort to ride it. The characteristics of the RMK KHAOS allow me to play longer in the snow throughout the day and also to easily lift the skis to do a huge wheelie.
What’s new for 2021?
Although the RMK KHAOS is a brand new model since only last year, the manufacturer didn’t stop there and even dared to make some quite striking changes for 2021 that further increase its efficiency and mountain capabilities.
The all-new QuickDrive2 is one of those improvements and it offers a very marked difference compared to the previous model. Available exclusively in spring order (SnowCheck), this new drive system boasts the lightest weight in the industry, but also offers a better inertia with its revised design and especially a reduced ratio of 10% which provides an even faster response. All this will directly benefit the pilot who will be able to get out of the snow instantly to float faster on it, while reducing the effort required. To allow such a reduction of ratio, Polaris has created a belt with new hyper resistant materials to support such forces.
To match the performance of the QuickDrive2 drive system, a brand new track is introduced. It’s the 8 Series track with 3.5″ pitch and 2.75″ vane that was developed specifically to fit with the reduced ratio, but also to provide optimal performance at all times. With this new combination of QuickDrive2 and 8 Series track, you get the perfect combo to get out of the snow even faster with more power at low RPM’s and to get improved traction and optimal flotation, no matter what the terrain.
Another great new feature on the KHAOS, and not the least, is the addition of the 165” version. This means that we now have a choice of two track lengths depending on our driving preferences, but also where we practice mountain snowmobiling.
Last but not least, the choice of colors and decals for 2021 is really more harmonious this year than when it entered the market. Finally! Now, the Polaris RMK KHAOS has an image that suits it.
Conclusion
The Polaris RMK KHAOS is certainly one of the most exciting mountain snowmobiles to ride, while being quickly at ease from the very first throttle. With the 2021 model, the KHAOS pushes further with new mechanical features while offering considerable gains in terms of its riding experience. All in all, it is possible to go even further, more intensely and more aggressively to attack mountains with the Polaris KHAOS 2021!
For more information on the Polaris RMK Khaos 850 2021
