I bought the same sled. My wife got the 600XC Breast Cancer sled. Both really great sleds. I had mine up to 98 on the lake. It's fast and nimble. Would recommend
Congratulations! It's really a great sled, especially for the price. The 600 might be a little bit old technology-wise, but you can't go wrong with that engine.
Watched your 2020 Cat reviews awhile back. Much better with commentary about riding and handling. Feedback is what I want as most of us never get to demo the new stuff. Subscribed!
Definitely some adjustments needed. My Switchback corners very flat. Have to be pretty aggressively to get any ski lift which is easily corrected with just a little body English. Plus, low snow conditions can make the ski bite a little too hard. I've had mine kicked sideways coming around turns, as flat as can be.
I used to ride a lot when I was younger. I haven't rode a sled in probably 15 years. I'd like to get back into it. With that being said I live in north dakota and it's like it doesn't snow anymore. We maybe had a total of 10 inches this year in my area
I hear ya, same in MN this year. The frustrating thing about snowmobiling is that good years are separated by bad years and great years are few and far between. Don't give up hope. ND is a great state, lots of history. Thanks for commenting.
Every magazine has been expressing the Polaris front end as the best in the industry since the IQ. The trails where in bad shape and when you pointed out the ski lift there where visible ruts and dirt chunks under the inside ski. You where also in a slight uphill. More riding over various conditions then possibly adjustments after
New sleds don’t corner like the old ones because you sit so high on them. The older sleds before rider forward cornered like they were on rails but suffered in every other way. The 90s ZR’s were amazing in the corners.
Just on paper, it looks identical. It's not a bad sled, but wasn't compelling to me. This is where, having multiple models, past breakin, that can be evaluated and compared with actual seat time is really important. Polaris makes too many models that are vastly different but look the same to me. Pre-Covid, I met a Polaris exec and asked him where I could find a demo event for that very purpose. He said basically that "we don't do that any more", because logistics were a nightmare and they didn't seem to convert enough riders into buyers to make it worthwhile. But I don't see another way. Sure, dealers can help, and web sites can compare models, but you still don't know which one to get (in my opinion, anyway).
Good question. I liked the handling a bit better on the MXZ and was really impressed with the 600R engine, but the throttle was too touchy for me. The MXZ was set up softer, and the trail was bumpy, so that could’ve been the difference. The only other thing about the Ski Doo that I’m not sure I like is how I always seemed to slide into the tank, and I like the option of moving around on the seat, depending on conditions. The Indy reminded me a lot of my 2002 Polaris 600, which has the original carbed 600 Liberty. I felt more at home on the Indy. I think they were about the same price. If I had to pick one, I’d probably make the sales rep give a blood oath that the Polaris could be set up to ride just as well as the Ski Doo and buy the Indy. But, I think it comes down to brand preference for me. The Ski Doo was probably a better sled.
@@ponycarfan I have always been a Skidoo fan since I was 10. Used to ride all the time to school when I was younger. I have been out of the game. I didn’t even know all the tracks are so much longer now, I don’t really understand why, but it’s another way to sell I guess. When I was younger Polaris was the red headed stepchild , seems like Arctic Cat is now. I think I would still prefer the MXZ but it appears the Polaris gives you more options and looks pretty bad ass, but is it as fun?
@@Morraless21 Both of them are fun. Besides a little better floatation and bridging bumps, I think the longer tracks also give you better traction. Of course, a lot of that is probably the tracks themselves, since they're really a lot better than the older stuff. For the money, they're both a great value. Until you hear that Ski Doo engine, you can't appreciate how smooth they are. I would say the Ski Doo cornered flatter. The Polarises have a reputation for lifting the inside ski, but respond well to body movements. The seat on the Polaris was flatter on top, which lets you sit in one spot. The seat on the Ski Doo was more sculpted and sloped toward the tank. Throttle response on the Ski Doo was instantaneous - I told the sales rep it knew what I wanted before I knew, and he grinned and said Polaris riders always say that about the 600R. The Polaris 600 is an older design and acts like it's carbureted, as far as throttle response goes. You can't make a wrong decision, if you're considering either one.
@@ponycarfan im just reading along watched the vid also im wondering what to get for my next sled my Old man is a die hard CAT BLEED GREEN type of man ive tried an owned em all and maybe Polaris XCR 650 or 600 the liberty 600 has been the same engine for 10+ years polaris must of done something right also i might go for the 650 xcr 136 im from Alaska i do ride off trail alot im also some what more of a skilled rider i wont say im the best cuz im not but i maybe better then others cuz i ride everyday i wont get any track options longer then 144 146 due to my area flat land mtns are 40 to 60+ miles away
I generally don’t do the type of riding you’re talking about, and the Indy is intended as a trail sled. They do make a 144 version, but I don’t think that would compare to the Ski Doo. Probably the best comparison of the sleds I’ve ridden would be the Norseman, I hope this helps: th-cam.com/video/F3LeUmLRu3M/w-d-xo.html
@@ponycarfan sorry I thought it was the voyageur 600. Interested in a light utility machine with some good horsepower, can crawl in the bush, pull a sled and good in deep snow. So far my options are tundra xtreme, summit 600 or maybe voyageur 600..
What confuses me is that “SP” used to mean an upgrade from the standard - my 2004 XC was an “SP”, which gave it electric start, a different color and a different seat (probably other stuff, not sure). But now, SP usually is the budget model. The Indy SP is the base machine, with base shocks and standard instrumentation. I liked the 600, but it was basically my own 2002 600, except with fuel injection. Nothing wrong with it - I love that engine. But, nothing special, and I really, really want to try their 650 this winter. Handling was also kind of so-so. I’ve heard the XC is significantly better, but I’d want to see it for myself. I still like the Polaris ergos, because I stay on the seat where I want to be. Once on it, I never thought about it, it just fits me and that’s what I’d expect from a brand I’ve ridden since 1973. Just my opinions, and hope others will chime in.
Congratulations! Polaris has done an outstanding job, making their best even better. I've ridden and owned sleds made in Roseau since 1973 and the Matryx platform has me more excited about Polaris than anything they've fielded in a long time. I'm envious!
I'm not 100% sure - somewhere in the 120-125 hp range is my guess. It's really all I'd probably ever need for trail riding. While the 600 Indy SP is a great value, I'd really like to compare it to a 650 Indy in the Matryx chassis. Rider reports this spring sounded like most of the things I wasn't impressed with are addressed. The price reflects that, however, and that's what has pushed me off from a new Polaris over the last few years. If I can find a way to test ride one this winter, I'll definitely post that video!
@@ponycarfan the 650 sh0uld be just as reliable bc its a 600+ class engine. Rn im at 1818 miles 0n my 23 indy 650 adventure. P0wer band 0n that thing is sm00ther then the 600 liberty sm00ther d0wn l0w.
Good point, and I'm sure you're right. On paper, it's hard to distinguish between all of the Indy's - SP, XC, XCR and now MATRYX - and I wish I could ride them all to compare.
That's what I thought, too. I'll bet a lot of it can be taken out with proper suspension tuning and maybe better shocks (like the XC has). If I were looking at this to buy, I'd opt for the Indy XC for the better shocks and probably the 600 for its trail manners.
@@ponycarfan Polaris are excellent off trail You must try the new Yamaha Viper GT You could really real the corners plus it has Great shocks heated Seat keep them coming thanks big AL from Michigan
You just have to lean a bit. All of the rider forward sleds reward agressive riding. I have a 2011 Rush Pro R and if you ride lazy it will lift the skis. If you toss your weight around it's on rails
I bought the same sled. My wife got the 600XC Breast Cancer sled. Both really great sleds. I had mine up to 98 on the lake. It's fast and nimble. Would recommend
It still had m0re t0 give if y0ur strech was l0nger bud! But g0ing that fast is en0ugh f0r me n0w days due t0 i n0w have my 0wn kids hahaha
I bought this sled shortly after watching your demo ride. It is a nice sled!
Congratulations! It's really a great sled, especially for the price. The 600 might be a little bit old technology-wise, but you can't go wrong with that engine.
The engine rips great!! Into the 3rd season with it. Solid sled with no issues. Have a great season.
Watched your 2020 Cat reviews awhile back. Much better with commentary about riding and handling. Feedback is what I want as most of us never get to demo the new stuff. Subscribed!
Scott Placella thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate that!
Definitely some adjustments needed. My Switchback corners very flat. Have to be pretty aggressively to get any ski lift which is easily corrected with just a little body English. Plus, low snow conditions can make the ski bite a little too hard. I've had mine kicked sideways coming around turns, as flat as can be.
I used to ride a lot when I was younger. I haven't rode a sled in probably 15 years. I'd like to get back into it. With that being said I live in north dakota and it's like it doesn't snow anymore. We maybe had a total of 10 inches this year in my area
I hear ya, same in MN this year. The frustrating thing about snowmobiling is that good years are separated by bad years and great years are few and far between. Don't give up hope. ND is a great state, lots of history. Thanks for commenting.
Every magazine has been expressing the Polaris front end as the best in the industry since the IQ. The trails where in bad shape and when you pointed out the ski lift there where visible ruts and dirt chunks under the inside ski. You where also in a slight uphill. More riding over various conditions then possibly adjustments after
Yeah, I would've liked to have some time to adjust and then go back out to see how it felt.
New sleds don’t corner like the old ones because you sit so high on them. The older sleds before rider forward cornered like they were on rails but suffered in every other way. The 90s ZR’s were amazing in the corners.
Great point.
Not true. My Indy's are very stable..
Set up on new sleds usually is on the soft position.
Have you been looking at the 2022 version? Is it any better?
Just on paper, it looks identical. It's not a bad sled, but wasn't compelling to me. This is where, having multiple models, past breakin, that can be evaluated and compared with actual seat time is really important. Polaris makes too many models that are vastly different but look the same to me. Pre-Covid, I met a Polaris exec and asked him where I could find a demo event for that very purpose. He said basically that "we don't do that any more", because logistics were a nightmare and they didn't seem to convert enough riders into buyers to make it worthwhile. But I don't see another way. Sure, dealers can help, and web sites can compare models, but you still don't know which one to get (in my opinion, anyway).
@@ponycarfan oh ok thanks
I would Get a 2022 xc
Did you like this better than the MXZ 600 TNT you test drove in the other video?
Good question. I liked the handling a bit better on the MXZ and was really impressed with the 600R engine, but the throttle was too touchy for me. The MXZ was set up softer, and the trail was bumpy, so that could’ve been the difference. The only other thing about the Ski Doo that I’m not sure I like is how I always seemed to slide into the tank, and I like the option of moving around on the seat, depending on conditions. The Indy reminded me a lot of my 2002 Polaris 600, which has the original carbed 600 Liberty. I felt more at home on the Indy. I think they were about the same price. If I had to pick one, I’d probably make the sales rep give a blood oath that the Polaris could be set up to ride just as well as the Ski Doo and buy the Indy. But, I think it comes down to brand preference for me. The Ski Doo was probably a better sled.
@@ponycarfan I have always been a Skidoo fan since I was 10. Used to ride all the time to school when I was younger. I have been out of the game. I didn’t even know all the tracks are so much longer now, I don’t really understand why, but it’s another way to sell I guess. When I was younger Polaris was the red headed stepchild , seems like Arctic Cat is now. I think I would still prefer the MXZ but it appears the Polaris gives you more options and looks pretty bad ass, but is it as fun?
@@Morraless21 Both of them are fun. Besides a little better floatation and bridging bumps, I think the longer tracks also give you better traction. Of course, a lot of that is probably the tracks themselves, since they're really a lot better than the older stuff. For the money, they're both a great value. Until you hear that Ski Doo engine, you can't appreciate how smooth they are. I would say the Ski Doo cornered flatter. The Polarises have a reputation for lifting the inside ski, but respond well to body movements. The seat on the Polaris was flatter on top, which lets you sit in one spot. The seat on the Ski Doo was more sculpted and sloped toward the tank. Throttle response on the Ski Doo was instantaneous - I told the sales rep it knew what I wanted before I knew, and he grinned and said Polaris riders always say that about the 600R. The Polaris 600 is an older design and acts like it's carbureted, as far as throttle response goes. You can't make a wrong decision, if you're considering either one.
@@ponycarfan im just reading along watched the vid also im wondering what to get for my next sled my Old man is a die hard CAT BLEED GREEN type of man ive tried an owned em all and maybe Polaris XCR 650 or 600 the liberty 600 has been the same engine for 10+ years polaris must of done something right also i might go for the 650 xcr 136 im from Alaska i do ride off trail alot im also some what more of a skilled rider i wont say im the best cuz im not but i maybe better then others cuz i ride everyday i wont get any track options longer then 144 146 due to my area flat land mtns are 40 to 60+ miles away
Do you have any experience pulling sleds or crawling through the bush with this sled? Wondering how it compares to the tundra LT 600 EFI.
I generally don’t do the type of riding you’re talking about, and the Indy is intended as a trail sled. They do make a 144 version, but I don’t think that would compare to the Ski Doo. Probably the best comparison of the sleds I’ve ridden would be the Norseman, I hope this helps: th-cam.com/video/F3LeUmLRu3M/w-d-xo.html
@@ponycarfan sorry I thought it was the voyageur 600. Interested in a light utility machine with some good horsepower, can crawl in the bush, pull a sled and good in deep snow. So far my options are tundra xtreme, summit 600 or maybe voyageur 600..
is the sp or the xc better?
What confuses me is that “SP” used to mean an upgrade from the standard - my 2004 XC was an “SP”, which gave it electric start, a different color and a different seat (probably other stuff, not sure). But now, SP usually is the budget model. The Indy SP is the base machine, with base shocks and standard instrumentation. I liked the 600, but it was basically my own 2002 600, except with fuel injection. Nothing wrong with it - I love that engine. But, nothing special, and I really, really want to try their 650 this winter. Handling was also kind of so-so. I’ve heard the XC is significantly better, but I’d want to see it for myself. I still like the Polaris ergos, because I stay on the seat where I want to be. Once on it, I never thought about it, it just fits me and that’s what I’d expect from a brand I’ve ridden since 1973. Just my opinions, and hope others will chime in.
Set up on a new sleds usually set at the soft position.
I ordered a 2022 Polaris xcr 850
Congratulations! Polaris has done an outstanding job, making their best even better. I've ridden and owned sleds made in Roseau since 1973 and the Matryx platform has me more excited about Polaris than anything they've fielded in a long time. I'm envious!
How much horsepower does this have?
I'm not 100% sure - somewhere in the 120-125 hp range is my guess. It's really all I'd probably ever need for trail riding. While the 600 Indy SP is a great value, I'd really like to compare it to a 650 Indy in the Matryx chassis. Rider reports this spring sounded like most of the things I wasn't impressed with are addressed. The price reflects that, however, and that's what has pushed me off from a new Polaris over the last few years. If I can find a way to test ride one this winter, I'll definitely post that video!
I g0t my 600cfi t0 g0 ninetyeight mph 0n speed0 and ninetyf0ur mph gps. Still felt like it had s0me m0re t0 give.
Awesome!
I cant wait t0 h0p 0nt0 my p0laris 600 and p0laris 650!
I'm a fan of the 600 Liberty and Cleanfire engines. I hope the 650 is as good.
@@ponycarfan theres s0me sn0w here in my part 0f Alaska! N0t quite en0ugh!
@@ponycarfan the 650 sh0uld be just as reliable bc its a 600+ class engine. Rn im at 1818 miles 0n my 23 indy 650 adventure. P0wer band 0n that thing is sm00ther then the 600 liberty sm00ther d0wn l0w.
Never warm it up
Just buy an XCR it's worth the extra money.
Good point, and I'm sure you're right. On paper, it's hard to distinguish between all of the Indy's - SP, XC, XCR and now MATRYX - and I wish I could ride them all to compare.
Polaris Lots of ski live in the corner Center of gravity is too high
That's what I thought, too. I'll bet a lot of it can be taken out with proper suspension tuning and maybe better shocks (like the XC has). If I were looking at this to buy, I'd opt for the Indy XC for the better shocks and probably the 600 for its trail manners.
@@ponycarfan Polaris are excellent off trail You must try the new Yamaha Viper GT You could really real the corners plus it has Great shocks heated Seat keep them coming thanks big AL from Michigan
@@alancall5113 I have a 2015 viper and its tippy in the corners a demo rode a 2020 rush and it was super flat in the corners
You just have to lean a bit. All of the rider forward sleds reward agressive riding. I have a 2011 Rush Pro R and if you ride lazy it will lift the skis. If you toss your weight around it's on rails