You’re asking us why Polaris doesn’t build 4-stroke sleds. Here are some reasons:
1. Tried it and it didn’t work.
Polaris offered a couple of 4-strokes from the early 2000’s up until a couple of years ago and they just didn’t knock the socks off the market in the sales department.
You’ll recall the company started with a very low-key economy sled making about 60-hp in the Indy platform in the early and mid-2000s and then graduated to an IQ Turbo 2-cylinder later on. We loved that sled and it was bullet-fast. Unfortunately it didn’t sell very well.
2. The AXYS may not be hospitable to the type of 4-stroke Polaris should build.
Ever since we first saw it and rode it, we’ve felt the AXYS would make a fantastic foundation for the company’s dreamy 1000cc 4-stroke twin currently used in its off-road program.
This versatile engine platform can produce anything from 90 to 160-hp (when turbocharged) and would fill the gaps in Polaris’ model selection beautifully.
The problem is: Will consumers respond to a twin when the hottest thing is a 4-stroke triple? Also. Will a triple fit into the AXYS without spoiling its strong points?
3. Polaris is doing just fine building 2-strokes.
The company currently holds a firm grip on second place market share with nary a single 4-stroke in its sales brochures. It’s tough to argue with success and Polaris AXYS sleds are the lightest in the industry with incredibly good handling.
Why compromise it when the percentage points of 4-stroke sales are about 25-30-percent of the total market?
