Anler Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 No surprise really. 2021 Snowmobile Of The Year: Polaris 650 Indy VR1 December 7, 2020 Snow Goer Staff The 2021 Snowmobile of the Year is the Polaris 650 Indy VR1. Editor’s Note: Each year since 1991, Snow Goer magazine has honored one machine as its Snowmobile of the Year based on criteria focusing on innovation, fresh-thinking, new technology, market buzz and things that are moving the sport forward. This article appeared in the November 2020 issue of Snow Goer. Separately, we also annually name a Top 10 Snowmobiles for the coming season. To see past Snowmobile of the Year honorees, click here. For decades, snowmobilers have unfolded flimsy trail maps on damp and breezy days, trying to figure out where we were, which direction was north, or if we’re on the right path. We’ve also stood there and wondered about the exact locations of others in our riding group after stopping at nearly every intersection and waiting until the last rider showed up. We’ve long done other little things that could soon become obsolete: Fumbling with our hand and thumb warmer switches all day as fingers oscillated between freezing cold and burning hot; wondering about the operating conditions of our engine; or, in more recent years, pondering about whether that vibration from a pocketed phone was a legitimate call or text that needed immediate attention, or just a dang telemarketer! A glorious view of the future of snowmobiling is coming into sight with those things in the rear-view mirror, thanks to the features found in the 2021 Polaris 650 Indy VR1 – the Snow Goer Snowmobile of the Year. It’s the most high-tech package a traveling snowmobiler can buy and a showpiece for futuristic snowmobiling. Never in our wildest dreams did we think a gauge – yes, a gauge! – would help a snowmobile earn this high honor, but the many features in the standard 7S Digital Display did just that. Controllable three ways – through a touch-screen, gauge-mounted toggle switch or left-side handlebar switches – a rider can choose from a deep menu of options to customize their view and see many different types of information many different ways. More importantly, the gauge ties into Polaris’ existing Ride Command software, allowing incredible mapping capabilities and “group ride” functions where you can track the locations of the people with whom you’re riding. Zooming in and out happens about as fast as it does on your cell phone. You can pre-plan your routes and install them on the gauge to have turn-by-turn navigation; or drop “breadcrumbs” along the way for others to follow. Never has distance riding been easier. And, like Polaris’ previous (but smaller and slower-reacting) PIDD gauge, it ties seamlessly through a Bluetooth connection into your cell phone, letting you see who’s calling or sending a text. Wait there’s more! The gauge ties into Polaris’ new Smart Warmers, which offer climate control to the driver’s hands and thumb. You can pre-set your temperatures and then forget them, as the warmers separately and constantly adjust to maintain an even temperature. This incredible gauge and the Smart Warmers tie into the broader new Matryx chassis platform, which allows a rider incredible freedom of movement for maximum machine control through narrower body panels, yet also has an impressive amount of wind protection to the rider. Intense attention to detail has resulted in improved driver ergonomics, impressive fit-and-finish and copious amounts of on-board storage. From the exotic-looking Night Blade projector beam headlight and the new Lock-N-Ride Flex accessory attachment system to the positive sensitive Walker Evans Velocity shocks, designers looked everywhere to improve the overall riding experience. Plus, on this particular model, Polaris also showcases a new 650 Patriot engine that is sure to raise the bar for middleweight performance. It’s reactive, fun and exhilarating. When dropped into this precise-handling, well-suspended platform, it’s an ideal match for trail riders who enjoy corner-to-corner excitement and predictability. Since its founding in model year 1991, the Snow Goer Snowmobile of the Year award has focused on new technology, fresh thinking and features and benefits that move the sport of snowmobiling forward. For 2021, the Polaris 650 Indy VR1 fits that description expertly. Editor’s Note: Every issue of Snow Goer magazine includes in-depth sled reports and comparisons, aftermarket gear and accessories reviews, riding destination articles, do-it-yourself repair information, snowmobile technology and more! Subscribe to Snow Goer now to receive issues delivered to your door or your computer for a low cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anler Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 Top 10 is also mostly Polaris with some obligatory mentions to the others... Top 10 Snowmobiles For 2021 December 7, 2020 By John Prusak; Photos by Wayne Davis Let’s pretend for a moment that you lived in a nursery rhyme world where you had 180 total children with four different women. Including some twins that were quite similar to one another but where maybe one was just taller than the other, you had 75 kids with a lady named Skyla-Doo, 55 with another named Polara, 30 with a gal named Articia and 20 with Yolandaha. Each child had certain qualities that made them good at some things – some had functional skills, for example, while others were more creative and playful – and maybe not as good at other tasks. Supposing of course that you could keep track of all of these rugrats and keep their names straight, how would you go about selecting your favorites out of the bunch? And, if you had to go on a worldwide adventure and could only bring 10 of them with you, how would you narrow it down? In the real world, that’s our annual task when it comes to selecting the Top 10 snowmobiles of each given year. We start with a huge pool of snowmobiles – including 180 sleds for 2021 – and start whittling it down to the ones that perform their tasks the best. Whether it’s for twisting down groomed trails, clawing through bottomless powder, zooming across frozen laketops, performing utilitarian tasks with ease, introducing new people to the sport, scaling mountains, providing the best bang-for-the-buck or doing other functions, these are the snowmobiles that stand above the rest, in additional to our Snowmobile of the Year. 2021 Ski-Doo Summit X 850 Turbo 175 Ski-Doo Summit X 850 Turbo 175 with Expert Package No snowmobile has ever pushed the limits of what is possible in the mountains as far as this long, proud and incredibly powerful beast. For 2021, it comes with the first-ever factory turbocharger on a two-stroke, giving back to riders the power that would normally be lost as they carve their own paths at rising altitudes. That provides a true 160-plus horsepower to push around the sport’s longest track that encompasses the tilting tMotion skidframe. Mountain-specific features like the SHOT hot-start system, easily adjustable limiter strap, short tunnel, small seat and more help make the Expert Package upgrade well worth the cash. In the right hands, this machine is seemingly unstoppable. Arctic Cat Blast ZR 4000 2021 Yamaha SXVenom Arctic Cat Blast ZR 4000/Yamaha SXVenom Two of this year’s most impressive snowmobiles are also the smallest. The Arctic Cat Blast ZR 4000 and its Yamaha clone, the SXVenom, are unintimidating, approachable snowmobiles aimed at keeping young riders involved and inviting new people to join the sport. Narrower, lower-set and less-powerful than virtually all other adult trail sleds, they are nonetheless fun, agile and engaging. They get amazing power from a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder 397cc engine that is surprisingly composed, with limited vibration. We’re guessing that sled historians may someday look back positively on these sleds for saving the sport that we all love, but you don’t have to wait to experience the enjoyable ride they provide. 2021 Polaris 850 Indy Launch Edition Polaris 850 Indy Launch Edition 137 Polaris couldn’t have picked a better season to make a full-season version of its latest-and-greatest platform. Riders seeking the new Matryx chassis still have their chance with the available Launch Edition. It gets the expertly sculpted ergonomics, narrow new body work, premium fit-and-finish, expanded on-board storage and many of the other items that made the VR1 our 2021 Snowmobile of the Year. It doesn’t, however, carry the amazing 7S Digital Display and its multiple features, plus it has Walker Evans Force shocks above the skis. That said, it costs less, and, possibly more important, it’s available right now at well-stocked dealerships. So, if COVID-19 stopped you from ordering a Matryx sled in the spring, you can still get one. 2021 Ski-Doo Renegade X-RS 850 E-TEC Ski-Doo Renegade X-RS 850 E-TEC Just when Ski-Doo riders thought it couldn’t get much better than what they were currently driving, they were given a legitimate new reason to trade up. Rumors of improved handling and better ride quality aren’t fake news – we can confirm they are fact after falling in love with MXZ and Renegade models equipped with the rMotion X and RAS X suspension geometry, plus new Pilot X skis. Previous models already had the best bump-absorbing ride; the big change comes in the way these machines hold their line into and through the corners. Add in the sport’s smoothest and most efficient big-bore engine and Ski-Doo build quality and you’ve got an easy pick for the top 10. 2021 Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE A perennial pick for the Top 10, the sport’s fastest sled gets even better for 2021 with new Stryke skis that significantly improve its handling. That allows riders to confidently guide this big dog down twisting trails with ease. Hold on tight when you reach a long straightaway or laketop, though, because when the turbo starts boosting the cylinders, it provides the sort of exhilaration that is unrivaled in the sport! Close to 200 horsepower lights up the track and launches the rider into another realm. The suspension has more sit-in for added top-speed, but works well, and the Fox iQS shocks has be adjusted electronically between soft, medium and firm without leaving the driver’s seat. 2021 Polaris 850 Switchback Assault 144 Polaris 850 Switchback Assault 144 The number in the headline is not a typo – we are in fact talking about the “old” Switchback Assault here. Debunking the theory that newer is always better, for true excitement in crossover riding, the supreme balance, incredible reactiveness and ideal weight transfer of the SBA in the Axys chassis is still the most fun extreme crossover in the sport. Maybe time will prove us wrong – eventually – and a more-recently updated Backcountry, Riot X or SBA 146 in the Matryx chassis will pass it, but in our testing of spring models this was still the most entertaining and engaging machine built today, allowing it to create endless smiles from whomever is guiding its handlebar. 2021 Ski-Doo MXZ Sport 600 EFI Ski-Doo MXZ Sport 600 EFI BRP took a different approach when designing an entry-level snowmobile and came up with a darling of a machine. Its new fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 599cc twin runs clean and pulls strong considering its 85 horsepower claim. And, while the switches, shocks and seat have been “dumbed down” a bit to keep its MSRP in check, the sled handles amazingly well and, when in the right hands, can keep up to sleds with significantly higher horsepower on twisting trails, thanks in part to its full-width front end that provides premium stability. It’s fitted into the most modern REV Gen4 chassis and utilizes the LinQ attachment system and, best yet, its MSRP is surprisingly close to the downsized Blast/SXVenom machines. 2021 Arctic Cat M 8000 Mountain Cat Alpha One 2021 Yamaha Mountain Max LE 165 Arctic Cat M 8000 Mountain Cat Alpha One/Yamaha Mountain Max LE 165 For deep snow days when heroic-looking moves can make you appear like a legend, a sled equipped with the Alpha One rear suspension is one fine dancing partner. Carrying the sport’s only single-beam rear suspension and a custom PowerClaw track, it prances through powder with ease thanks to a platform that makes it easy to tilt and hold on its line. It also doesn’t hold as much snow as competitive designs. The unique Fox QSL shock on the rear arm can quickly stiffen the rear end for easier climbing. New for 2021 is a Yamaha version of Arctic’s Mountain Cat, bringing Team Blue back into the legitimate mountain market with a big-power two-stroke engine. 2021 Ski-Doo Backcountry X-RS 850 E-TEC Ski-Doo Backcountry X-RS 850 E-TEC 146 Some so-called 50/50 crossovers truly are trail machines with some off-trail capabilities; others are more-or-less just short mountain sleds. The one sled that nails a true 50-percent trail, 50-percent off-trail focus is the 146-inch Backcountry. Its trail manners are immense, with a smooth riding cMotion skid soaking up trail bumps and a decent front end allowing riders to keep up with the trail bombers on groomed paths. Off-trail, its light weight, easy maneuverability and quick-hitting engine make it a worthy companion for conditions that 50/50 buyers are likely to encounter. It’s not a MXZ or Renegade; nor is it a Summit or Freeride – it’s right in-between, which is where a 50/50 crossover is supposed to be. 2021 Polaris Titan Adventure Polaris 800 Titan SP 155 In the mountains or trail segments, we’re used to seeing the factories annually one-upping each other – it’s what makes the sport continue to get better. Well, after Polaris more-or-less defined the mega-utility-beast segment with its Titan lineup for 2018, Ski-Doo responded with its most extreme Expedition models for 2020, matching Polaris in virtually every area but exceeding it in one key area: noise and vibration control. Frankly, the track howl and vibration from the old Titan could drive a utility worker to drink! For 2021, Polaris answered with a new track and other upgrades that upped the game again. How will Ski-Doo answer next? We’re excited to see, but in the meantime the utility buyer is the ultimate winner. (Titan Adventure is pictured.) 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f7ben Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Too bad there’s not gonna be a groomed trail to ride until fucking February 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member SnowRider Posted December 10, 2020 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted December 10, 2020 54 here today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GGNHL Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 12 minutes ago, f7ben said: Too bad there’s not gonna be a groomed trail to ride until fucking February 8 minutes ago, SnowRider said: 54 here today Better than riding 5 miles in 6.5 hours cutting blowdowns from the 13 inches of paste we got Sunday.... Getting a big crew together this weekend to try to bang out 10 miles at least, then probably again next weekend... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f7ben Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 1 minute ago, GGNHL said: Better than riding 5 miles in 6.5 hours cutting blowdowns from the 13 inches of paste we got Sunday.... Getting a big crew together this weekend to try to bang out 10 miles at least, then probably again next weekend... Good job Sasquatch Lummox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anler Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 18 minutes ago, f7ben said: Too bad there’s not gonna be a groomed trail to ride until fucking February Im headed to Edmos place on Sunday to ride in 16" of fresh pow! Says John dee anyways... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anler Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 3 minutes ago, GGNHL said: Better than riding 5 miles in 6.5 hours cutting blowdowns from the 13 inches of paste we got Sunday.... Getting a big crew together this weekend to try to bang out 10 miles at least, then probably again next weekend... That happened in the UP last year. Downed trees everywhere. Took em weeks to get it cleared up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecat Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) MOTO SKI SLED OF THE MILLENNIUM! Edited December 10, 2020 by Mainecat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member SnowRider Posted December 10, 2020 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted December 10, 2020 18 minutes ago, GGNHL said: Better than riding 5 miles in 6.5 hours cutting blowdowns from the 13 inches of paste we got Sunday.... Getting a big crew together this weekend to try to bang out 10 miles at least, then probably again next weekend... Lotta work ahead of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ez ryder Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Snow goer loves sucking them some Polaris cock even in the iq days it is what happens when your rag is a short bike ride away from the .Armitage ddot and a even shorter drive to pick up demos. That said my but got the new 650 and already has 500ish mi on it and really likes it so far. He will have over 5k on it this yr if it holds up that will prob be my 22 Dimond pounder .he says he is very impressed with the 650 so far . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ez ryder Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 22 minutes ago, GGNHL said: Better than riding 5 miles in 6.5 hours cutting blowdowns from the 13 inches of paste we got Sunday.... Getting a big crew together this weekend to try to bang out 10 miles at least, then probably again next weekend... Just take off the limiter strap and brap over that shit . On 2ndcthought that might be why my 18 is missing about 7 lugs in under 900mi lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ez ryder Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 21 minutes ago, Anler said: Im headed to Edmos place on Sunday to ride in 16" of fresh pow! Says John dee anyways... So call it 3 inch then rain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anler Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 2 minutes ago, Ez ryder said: So call it 3 inch then rain I know right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awful knawful Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 52 minutes ago, GGNHL said: Better than riding 5 miles in 6.5 hours cutting blowdowns from the 13 inches of paste we got Sunday.... Getting a big crew together this weekend to try to bang out 10 miles at least, then probably again next weekend... Went out on atv today. Trails look just like that.. Gonna take the saw out tomorrow and do my part. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anler Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 50 minutes ago, Ez ryder said: Snow goer loves sucking them some Polaris cock even in the iq days it is what happens when your rag is a short bike ride away from the .Armitage ddot and a even shorter drive to pick up demos. That said my but got the new 650 and already has 500ish mi on it and really likes it so far. He will have over 5k on it this yr if it holds up that will prob be my 22 Dimond pounder .he says he is very impressed with the 650 so far . STFU you butthurt sally... Nobody is sucking Polaris cock, they are making the best machines right now and that is just what it is. Skidoo has been riding the wave too long its about time someone kicked them in the nuts. Polaris FTMFW! 1 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ez ryder Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 1 hour ago, Anler said: STFU you butthurt sally... Nobody is sucking Polaris cock, they are making the best machines right now and that is just what it is. Skidoo has been riding the wave too long its about time someone kicked them in the nuts. Polaris FTMFW! Like I said snow gower has always been polaris mistress even in the iq days and as far as naming wait for it Wait for it The fusion 900 sled of the yr Can't make this shit up But then when the markiting dept and there deep liquid lunch expense account is just down the road what can you expect I said it the 650 holds up I will own one next yr what more do you want ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anler Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) 31 minutes ago, Ez ryder said: Like I said snow gower has always been polaris mistress even in the iq days and as far as naming wait for it Wait for it The fusion 900 sled of the yr Can't make this shit up But then when the markiting dept and there deep liquid lunch expense account is just down the road what can you expect I said it the 650 holds up I will own one next yr what more do you want ? Is Polaris paying everybody off because they have had the best sleds out for the last 5-6 years now. And yeah that gauge is a game changer! Nobody has anything that good. Shit the cat and yamaha gauges aren't even as nice as the alarm clock I had in high school... Edited December 10, 2020 by Anler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rump-rider Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 Imagine buying a $15k+ sled based on how cool the gauges look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayward Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 5 hours ago, GGNHL said: Better than riding 5 miles in 6.5 hours cutting blowdowns from the 13 inches of paste we got Sunday.... Getting a big crew together this weekend to try to bang out 10 miles at least, then probably again next weekend... That needs an excavator and a thumb, then get the hell out of my way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f7ben Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 Polaris is absolutely killing skidoo everywhere but the motor Arctic cat is embarrassing trash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awful knawful Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 3 hours ago, Anler said: Is Polaris paying everybody off because they have had the best sleds out for the last 5-6 years now. And yeah that gauge is a game changer! Nobody has anything that good. Shit the cat and yamaha gauges aren't even as nice as the alarm clock I had in high school... 5 years they started coming around. 6 they still had that 800 abortion. Lucky to make 3000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladefever Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 9 hours ago, rump-rider said: Imagine buying a $15k+ sled based on how cool the gauges look. I'm all over that. Any Monster stickers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 If I had to buy a 2 stroke that'd be it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f7ben Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 50 minutes ago, Tinker said: If I had to buy a 2 stroke that'd be it A fucking 650? If I had to buy a 2s for my 13 year old that would be it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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