For a few years now, Polaris saw his worldwide manufacturer first position being taken by competitors, which implied a lot less Polaris sleds in the Québec trails. So popular between 1980 and 1995, the Indy chassis was at that time the only king of sales in the snowmobile industry. Maybe victim of his own success, it seemed that the american manufacturer had prioritized the development of many other types of recreational vehicles, gradually losing his share of the snowmobile market. Acknowledged for his innovation in this field, Polaris took by storm the mountain segment since about 10 years with the IQ chassis. Becoming so dominant in this segment, many people in the industry had doubts about the manufacturer’s interest for the trail sleds. With the introduction of the Pro-Ride chassis and suspension, Polaris interest for this market segment has just been confirmed… and with good reason!
With about 4 000 km in trails on the 2010 Polaris 600 Rush and this, despite the bad snow level of last season, we managed anyway to correctly analyze this new machine. Offered in limited quantities in 2010, this snowmobile is based on the new Pro-Ride chassis and progressive-rate rear suspension. This one is noticeable by an innovation that positions the rear shock and spring under the pilot’s seat. They are attached to an articulated arm mecanism that comes from the motorcycle world. And there is no coupling between the front and rear shocks of the track. Even if based on avant-gardist designs, the 2010 Rush has many tested sure values such as the IQ front suspension and the impressive 600 cc 2-stroke Cleanfire injection engine. This combination comes from the best Polaris innovations and offers an exceptional rider positioning due to the seat that is located higher than on the IQ chassis. Even if it is a little too firm, the seat remains comfortable and the sporty handlebar is very efficient. Our trial model was equiped with an optional mid windshield, needed in our cold weathers, and with 2 mirrors fixed to the handlebar that are very effective despite their predominance.
The year 2010 was a big year for the Rush because the introduction of a chassis and a suspension working in harmony needs often more than one year before giving their full potential. Even if this theory applies to the 2010 Rush, our experience during the last season has proven great possibilities that will be obvious in the 2011 vintage. Among the 2010 Rush strong points, we notice the extraordinary handiness of this sled combined with a very efficient rider positioning. The very performing and well-tried 600 cc Cleanfire engine along with the chassis lightness give very impressive reaction times. The rear suspension does a good job in big bumps, but is really too rigid in 15 to 30 cm bumps. This situation occurs at the front suspension of the track that seems not to react correctly in some conditions and makes it feel constantly like if our beast was going to kick. Fortunately we already know that the 2011 models had a correction on the front suspension of the track that fixed up this situation.
Another element that asks for adaptation is the weight distribution on the snowmobile. More than 30 pounds out of the 460 of the Rush are moved backwards compared to a traditional inner tunnel suspension. More precisely, the weight is located at the articulated system of the Pro-Ride suspension. This is the price to pay for the manifold required in the suspension itself. This asks for a more precise adjustment of the suspension in order to keep the skis from rising during accelerations. We could instinctively believe that the snowmobile is transfering too much at rear. In fact, it does not transfert that much… The weight is simply already at rear.
The most impressive element on this snowmobile is the pleasure to ride it in different situations. It is easy to handle and very performing. The only tiny observation would be the Polaris longtime typical electric control push-buttons that are too small to be used with our gloves or mitains on. Coming from many years of development, the 600 Rush demonstrated great potential for the coming years. Especially with the proposed modifications on the rear suspension for 2011 (that we have already tested), the future seems very positive and promising in trails for the american manufacturer. With the Rush, Polaris clearly committed themselves to win back the 1st position in trails that they once had.
