Polaris Snowmobile 2017 – Polaris crystallizes the positioning of its Axys chassis in its lineup of vehicles. It’s certainly not a great year for technological innovations at the American manufacturer. However, they are capitalizing on the successes of the last few years while offering several very interesting developments. Starting with the emerging concept of a Timbersled conversion kit that transforms a summer off-road bike into a winter off-road bike. Of course, Polaris continues to dominate the mountain snowmobile market by constantly improving its famous RMK series. In addition, the number of Polaris snowmobiles on the trails has increased in recent years. This is no stranger to the success of the Rush and Switchback series. In order to continue its rise in market share in these segments, Polaris is proposing the return of a “star” of the 90s this year, the XCR. Continuing to listen to the Eastern Canadian market, the Minnesota engineers are also introducing a new version of the popular Switchback Assault 144 for hybrid enthusiasts. Finally, Polaris is bringing back the durable Cleanfire 600 engine in the Voyageur 144 series, Polaris’ most versatile utility vehicle.
TimberSled
Designed to fit most motocross bikes, the Timbersled “kit” provides the owner of these bikes with the parts needed to convert the bike into a winter bike. The system consists of a uniquely designed front ski, a rear suspension and track, and a drive system adapted to the concept. Is this the evolution of the late SnowHawk concept? In a way yes, but at a limited cost if you forget the price of the bike itself. In fact, the idea is to offer a winter solution to those who already have a summer vehicle. The package is offered in four versions combining two track lengths (121-137), with Canadian prices per package ranging from $5,400 to $7,700 plus tax. Although the manufacturer stresses that the learning curve is very easy, which is probably true, one must be aware that the physical effort for this type of sport is more imposing than for a trail snowmobile. That said, I was very impressed by the performance and agility of this type of vehicle in deep snow during an outing last winter.
XCR
When the Axys chassis was launched, many people noticed that the second generation of the Pro-Ride suspension concept changed its name to Pro-XC. Was it a coincidence or was Polaris already planning to bring back the XCR name and thus bring back the prestige and popularity of this 90s snowmobile? In reality, the XCR is actually a Rush, but with several performance features. Between the Pro-S and Pro-X in terms of comfort, the XCR benefits from the power of the 800HO engine during acceleration, as well as the new PRT braking system, which is more aerated and therefore less sensitive to heat. Unlike the Rush series, which is equipped with a RipSaw II track, the XCR surprises by offering a 121x15x1.35 Cobra track. Building on the XCR’s brand image, this snowmobile has very successful colors and graphics that show its competitive edge.
Switchback Assault 800HO 144
Adopted by many Quebec snowmobilers for its versatility, the Switchback Assault 144 gets a major facelift this season. For 2017, it is based on the award-winning Axys chassis, which benefits from the handling, rigidity and lightness of this platform. Still offered with a 144x15x1, 35 Cobra track or with the Series 4 with a 2-inch profile, this hybrid gets the new IGX-144 uncoupled suspension in the rear. This suspension was designed specifically for the 144-inch tracks that characterize hybrid snowmobiles. It offers more maneuverability on the trails while providing good control in deep snow. Essentially based on the RMK series chassis, the Assault is now equipped with the new Powertrac hybrid running boards that considerably improve snow evacuation when riding in powder.
Pro-RMK LE
Recognized in the industry as the benchmark for mountain snowmobiles, Polaris continually continues to improve its workhorse, the Pro-RMK. For 2017, the Minnesota engineers are introducing the LE series offered in 3 track lengths of 155, 163 and 174 inches. In addition to their great looks, these Pro-RMK LEs come with multiple storage bags, a mountain front bumper, and several other standard features. In addition, Polaris is continuing its efforts to make its RMKs lighter by offering a new rear suspension rail that removes more than 3 pounds from the vehicle, while being more rigid and durable.
Marc Thibeault’s favorites
Last March, I had the chance to participate in SnowShoot 2017, the annual event that allows the world’s specialized media to test the models that will be offered during the next season. Being my 9th time attending, 2017 once again offered me the opportunity to test drive some amazing models and most importantly, pick my favorites. A heartbreaking moment if ever there was one, choosing only one vehicle per manufacturer is literally torture for a snowmobiler like me. Loving all categories of snowmobiles, it is a colossal challenge to have to choose 4 vehicles among the fifty or so I have personally tested. Each vehicle has its niche, its personality, its strengths and of course, its limitations. So that’s the mission I was given and I had to make my choices. That being said, you’ll see that in addition to my favorite vehicle by manufacturer, I’ve allowed myself a special mention for each of them.
At Polaris, there has been a lot of focus for 2017 on refining the snowmobile fleet. While noting that the Roseau-based manufacturer is capitalizing on the success of its Axys platform for the upcoming season, two models in particular caught my eye. I had a soft spot for the handling and trail performance of the new XCR 800, which is a new snowmobile that is a lot of fun. However, my choice was the new Switchback 800 Assault 144.
Finally benefiting from the very efficient Axys chassis, this Switchback is now more maneuverable and better balanced thanks to this new platform. What I particularly like about this snowmobile is its great versatility in all conditions. Whether it’s with the 144x15x1.135 Cobra track, which I particularly appreciate for its trail capabilities, or with the 2-inch profile of the Series 4 track, this is a snowmobile that meets my expectations in many respects. In deep snow, the Switchback, which is largely inspired by the RMKs, performs exceptionally well, offering flawless handling. Thanks to the IGX-144 suspension, the control of the snowmobile is improved, although this new suspension would benefit from being a little softer on trails.
Its new PowderTrac running boards are really more efficient at clearing snow than the previous generation. Suffering from a near absence of standard storage in its previous version, this Assault is now equipped with a large storage bag integrated in the back of the seat, which improves the finish at the same time. It’s clear to me that this major evolution of the Switchback 800 Assault 144 makes it a particularly interesting snowmobile for many Eastern Canadian snowmobilers, and that’s why it’s my choice from Polaris for 2017.
