At the beginning of the 2016-17 season, I had the opportunity and the chance to run a short-term trial, in collaboration with RM Motosport Polaris dealer in Victoriaville, of the Switchback Assault 144 in its brand new configuration on the AXYS platform. Propelled by its powerful 2-cylinder 800 H.O. engine with direct injection and its standard Camoplast track with lug of 2 in./5,08 cm, the Assault gave me pure adrenalin and exhilarating sensations for fans of aggressive riding like me! Modifications were expected since many years now by snowmobilers who appreciate this Switchback model and this new redesigned hybrid machine, classy and robust, meets all the expectations for 2017. Its very successful looks and its manufacture top quality attract attention. Versatile, easy to handle and efficient in any conditions, the new Assault edition will sure please its buyers for the new season.
To begin our tests, on my first day, I piloted the new Polaris on hardened and icy trails and then, I had the chance to go snowmobiling on Monts Valin in the beautiful region of Saguenay in the Province of Québec, where we are sure to enjoy plenty of snow and this, for rides on federated trails as well as for off-trail adventures. I ended my tests on local and federated trails in Centre-du-Québec region where, here, I faced all conditions, from the freshly groomed trail on powder or hardened snow to bumpy trail of end of the day where lots of snowmobilers have already left their prints. With the 2017 Switchback Assault, you choose the terrain you want and you will never be in trouble. Versatility, easy steering, performance, those are the words that come to my mind to summarize my impressions about this very successful new model.
As I have been able to ride lots of kilometers with this new edition of the AXYS chassis, I can really present my deepest impressions because I had plenty of time to appreciate and study the main characteristics of this dual-purpose impressive snowmobile.
Firstly, the redesigned concept of the Assault 144 in the AXYS platform combined with the new IGX 144 suspension and its rear tipped rail beam design make this snowmobile able to compete with the most efficient of each category. The lightness, the great maneuverability of the machine and the winning design of the new IGX 144 suspension make a package that lets us climb easily on snow. I must say that at first, I hesitated to jump off into deep snow but when I realized what this performance beast was able to do, I was not scared anymore and I really enjoyed to face such snow conditions. It is surprising to see how well the Camoplast Series 4 2.0 in./5,08 cm track can work.
The new PowderTrac running boards, designed with 56 % open space, clear snow pretty well and are very gripping on the sides, which lets us always keep a safe grip of our feet on the machine. Only one thing could have been added as standard feature, a grab bar on the handlebar to help us maneuvering in some tougher situations in deep snow, but otherwise, the configuration of this hybrid snowmobile is perfect. And if you get stuck and need to get out of trouble by other means than by yourself, the underseat bag fixed to the rear chassis is very useful, discrete and very well designed. Its included shovel and adjustable compartments under the top allow us to store personal items like a bottle of water, among other things, to quench our thirst after consistent efforts!
I have been nicely surprised on trail. Power, handiness, lightness make this machine a very exhilarating snowmobile to pilot. And if you are the kind of pilot who likes optimal adrenalin surge, you will be satisfied! However, if you prefer a lighter steering, it matches all conditions because its Liberty 795 cm3 Cleanfire H.O. liquid engine delivers power on demand, but it can also stay quiet if you want and you will enjoy its smoothness. Often, with this type of 2-stroke engine, we feel the vibrations of its power in the handlebar; but with the Liberty 800 of latest design, the 2-stroke engine is really smooth in sensations and in our ears. The clutching and the track of 144 in./365,8 cm on rear tipped rail work together and give good responses with the powerful engine. During my tests, I had the opportunity to pilot the Assault on trail where about 15 cm of fresh snow had fallen the night before; and what I really enjoyed with this track with lug of 2 in./5,08 cm is that we never experience any lack of traction and it moves forward on each push of the accelerator.
The AXYS chassis allows a low rear location of the engine under the hood for a good mass centralization. Personally, I think that the aluminum PRO-TAPER handlebar, of good diameter for the handles, and the seat, of good height and design for easy sideways moves, combined with the lightness of the machine are the important features of this snowmobile that make it easy to handle on trail and so enjoyable to pilot. However, I noticed some darting with the PRO-STEER skis, for the most sensible in this matter, but this common fact on many trail snowmobiles of any brand can be easily fixed by adding correctors if desired. Even if the snowmobile is equipped with a track of 144 in./365,8 cm, the combination with the suspension rear-tipped rail gives it a shortened trace on trail and we do not feel the tunnel length even in sharp bends. And as this track has large studs, it is essential to have removable scratchers on each side of the suspension rail to face the hardened and icy snow conditions. The ice scratchers on this machine did a great job.
In matter of suspension and shocks, the Polaris Assault Switchback is really well designed at front and rear with the Walker Evans shocks with remote reservoirs that are easily adjustable by each included valve. Despite the fact that I found the suspension very satisfactory at front, I would have liked more flexibility at rear. The first part of the 16 in./40,6 cm rear travel reacts well and is efficient, but personally, I think that it becomes too firm at the end of the stroke, giving some harsh bottoming on rough trail despite the adjustments previously made. This said, since perfection does not exist anyway, you will experience great sensations with this incredible snowmobile because it offers an excellent efficiency/versability ratio.
The steering post is very nicely designed for pleasant riding conditions. The digital gauge delivers lots of useful data that are easy to read even on the go. The starting key, the reverse switch, the thumb and hand warmer heat level switch and the low beam switch are at the right place and easy to operate.
I also liked the overall manufacture details of this snowmobile. For example, the LED headlight with large ray provides an excellent night vision and the underseat storage compartment is nicely designed, discrete and also useful. Clearance of components under the hood and the useful removable side panels make maintenance and inspection easy to achieve. Braking is very efficient thanks to its quality design and activating the brake lever is done with only one finger if desired, even for pilots with small hands!
This concludes my short-term trial of the 2017 Polaris Switchback Assault. Special thanks to Mr René Montreuil, owner of RM Motosport dealership in Victoriaville, who nicely provided this snowmobile to be tested and reviewed by SledMagazine.com. Thanks for your trust and total collaboration.
