A couple of weeks ago Supertrax had the opportunity to ride all the new 2014 models in Montana. Just so you know, the elevation was about 6,600 feet above sea level, so some of our engine evaluations are tempered by the high altitude. However, we did get a good chance to check out suspensions, clutching and handling on the key new sleds you’ve been waiting to hear about. Over the next days we’ll be filling you in on our riding experiences with these new sleds.
Okay, if you liked last year’s new Indy 600, you’re gonna love the ’14 Indy 800.
Lets clear this up right out of the gate: This was the fastest 800 we rode at altitude.
The combination of a super-light Indy shock-in-skid chassis and Polaris’ rock-solid 800 Cleanfire 2-stroke is a formidable blend. Throw in spot-on clutching and typical Polaris driveline efficiency and you’ve got a sled that really exceeds expectations.
Polaris has moved in a different direction here with a sled that appears to be lower-tech than its competitors, one of which is Polaris’s own 800 RUSH.
It uses the same double-coupled falling rate skidframe as the 600, it doesn’t have super-exotic shocks (Fox IFP gassers), it has the bare minimum gauge package by today’s standards and even has Plain Jane running boards.
However, it rides surprisingly well, delivers mountains of torque and has a muscular mid-range that keeps squeezing the belt relentlessly as you fingerwalk past the more exotic 800s.
Although it only comes with a 1-inch lugged track, we found it hooked up surprisingly well and out-accelerated the other sleds we matched it with.
Would it be better with a 1.25? Maybe, but Polaris claims the lower friction of this track is one of the reasons the sled accelerates so hard. We’re not complaining. This sled took us completely by surprise.
Pricing will be extremely favorable we’ve been told. This could be the biggest sleeper of 2014.
