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First Impressions of the 2025 Patriot Boost INDY VR1

Once again this winter, I have the opportunity to ride a Polaris snowmobile. This time, I’m testing the 2025 Patriot Boost INDY VR1 with its turbocharged engine. In the following lines, I’ll share my impressions from my early-season rides. Most of my observations are very positive, but there are a few drawbacks nonetheless.  

Patriot Boost Engine: Is the Turbo Necessary?  

Let’s start by talking about the famous Patriot Boost engine. As soon as I found out my INDY VR1 would have this engine, I was thrilled and excited. After all, I had some idea of what to expect, having tested the Switchback Assault with the same engine last year.

I can definitely feel the 180 hp of the Patriot Boost during acceleration, and it’s a lot of fun. However, the turbo kicks in with a slight delay. Maybe a computer reprogramming could fix this—I’m not sure. For now, though, this small detail doesn’t ruin the thrill of its acceleration.

That said, it does raise some questions for me. Is a turbo really necessary? Given the relatively small increase in power it provides, I’m not entirely convinced. After all, the naturally aspirated 850 Patriot engine already delivers 165 hp out of the box. Plus, there are additional costs associated with using a turbo, particularly when it comes to oil consumption.

I plan to make up my mind on this question over the course of the winter and will revisit it with you later.  

Oil and Fuel Consumption to Monitor  

Now, let’s talk about that oil consumption. You should know that a turbocharged engine needs oil to function properly. It draws this oil from the two-stroke oil reservoir that the machine already uses for engine operation. So, it’s normal for it to consume more oil. “But how much more?” you might ask.

First, you should know that my data is based on sportive riding. Without jumping to conclusions, I think I’m seeing the same thing as last year: a total consumption of about 1 L per 150 km. I’ll come back to this later.

As for fuel consumption, I strongly expect it to be similar to last year’s results. I’ll be able to tell you more in my next article, as I haven’t had enough time to study this aspect yet.

Walker Evans Racing Suspension: A 9.9/10 Rating  

In terms of suspension, the 2025 Patriot Boost INDY VR1 comes equipped with Walker Evans Racing (WER) shocks. So far, I find they have done an excellent job. I especially like the fact that I can adjust all four shocks independently. This allows me to control the compression and rebound of each one individually, resulting in a smoother and more comfortable ride when trail conditions get rough. I’m even giving these shocks a 9.9/10 rating—they’ve really impressed me.  

Matryx Platform: A Design Focused on Comfort  

The Matryx platform has been around for a while now. It’s designed with rider comfort in mind, and it certainly delivers! What I appreciate most is the narrow cockpit, which allows me to adopt the riding posture I prefer. For a sportier ride, I can move closer to the handlebars, for example. Then, I can easily switch back to a more relaxed and comfortable position for normal riding. Finally, my knees are neither too high nor too low relative to my hips—it’s perfect!  

Cobra R-Rated Track: Quiet and Effective  

The 2025 Patriot Boost INDY VR1 is part of Polaris’ trail-dedicated snowmobile lineup. It’s equipped with a 137-inch track, specifically the Cobra R-Rated 15 × 137 × 1.35. So far, I find it performs well and isn’t too noisy. It’s worth noting that a track with one-inch lugs is also available.

RIDE COMMAND: An Essential Navigation System for Polaris  

The RIDE COMMAND system serves as the onboard computer for the 2025 INDY VR1. It comes with indispensable features that I wouldn’t want to do without:  

  • Bluetooth connectivity  
  • 7-inch touchscreen (works with gloves)  
  • Route creation on the map  
  • Geolocation of participants added to our routes  
  • Independent adjustments for thumb and grip warmers  
  • Vehicle diagnostic tab  
  • Customizable display of driving instruments  
  • Maintenance alerts (e.g., chain case oil change)  
  • Fuel type selection (with or without ethanol)  

In short, I consider the RIDE COMMAND navigation system a must-have.  

NightBlade Headlights: High-Precision LED Lighting for the INDY VR1  

The 2025 Patriot Boost INDY VR1 is equipped with NightBlade headlights. These LED lights provide top-notch illumination for nighttime riding. The six optical beam projectors deliver precise lighting. The INDY VR1 also features Sinister Amber auxiliary lights—small orange lights located at the top of the headlight that add a bit of extra style when the key is connected.

Dimensions and Features of the 2025 Patriot Boost INDY VR1  

Here are some key specs that are handy to have when chatting with friends who own other types of snowmobiles:  

  • Estimated dry weight: 531 lbs  
  • Fuel capacity: 43.5 L  
  • Ski stance: 42.5 inches  
  • Ski type: PRO-STEER  
  • Rear suspension travel: 16.2 inches  
  • Overall height: 46 inches  
  • Overall length: 120 inches  
  • Overall width: 47 inches  

The 2025 Patriot Boost INDY VR1: Agility, Comfort, Handling, and High Performance  

What defines the 2025 Patriot Boost INDY VR1 most is its agility, comfort, handling, and high performance. Of course, there are some downsides, like excessive oil and fuel consumption. But would that be enough to stop me from buying this machine? We’ll see! For now, I just want to go out and enjoy it, so I’ll have more to share with you soon!

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