I remember, not so long ago, I saw the Khaos at the Québec Show and I was thinking how much I was looking forward to trying it! It’s now a done deal, and the time has come for me to give my first impressions of the machine that has been creating such a buzz in the off-road world since its announcement.
And it turns heads with her wacky graphics, doesn’t it? You either like it or you don’t; no one is indifferent to Khaos! Personally, I find the blue version a little too intense for my taste, but most people love it. I prefer the red and white version. One thing’s for sure, she’s a knockout!
The look of our Khaos 2020
First of all, as mentioned by several people I had talked to, manoeuvres on the Khaos are extremely smooth thanks to the new Walker Evans Velocity shock absorbers. It is now ridiculously easy to initiate movements in deep snow. You can feel the machine is much more nervous. I had to readjust a few times both the high and low compression of the suspensions, and I think I’m going to have to play with it again. Being able to adjust both is a considerable advantage, but is at the very least complicated for someone who doesn’t know much about suspensions. I adjusted the front suspensions to the second to last hardest position to keep the stiffness of the AXYS chassis. Even so, there is no comparison with a standard Pro-RMK!
As for the 800 cc Cleanfire engine, we have the same great sound! Combined with the new geometry of the rear suspension, it seems even more powerful than in previous years! Unfortunately for me, who changed several spark plugs with the 850 Patriot last year, I burned three of them during the break-in – which isn’t finished yet. In my experience with this engine, this should no longer be a problem once the break-in is complete.
So am I disappointed to be driving a snowmobile with the 800 after a season with the 850 Patriot? The question is worth asking, isn’t it? Well, not at all! Although the 850 was extremely powerful and pleasant, the fact remains that the 800 is a good weight for my type of driving. It’s proven, powerful and, as Polaris reminded us during the introduction of the Patriot, is not a downgrade of the 850, but rather a way to expand the engine lineup and offer more affordable snowmobiles to consumers.
I think this photo answers the question!
Accessories include the Interactive Digital Display with GPS, engine information and much more. Although it comes with several useful options, I would like a lower profile meter with basic information and GPS. As an off-trail driver, I rarely look at the speedometer.
Unfortunately, the only standard storage space available is the small trunk over the steering wheel, which is not watertight. To my great sadness, the mechanical gas indicator is still relevant for the Polaris 2020 mountain snowmobiles, and is still useless when it comes to estimating how much gas we have left. I found it more accurate to open the cap and look in the tank myself. Heated grips, lights and mode/set buttons are still under the steering wheel. Although it’s not elegant, it’s more than enough to do the job, in my opinion.
The Khaos workstation
Our model is equipped with the medium height windscreen. Although it does a very good job of blocking the wind (especially at hand level), I’m always a bit scared when we have to flip the Khaos. I personally would have opted for the low windshield to avoid breaking it.
So, how’s the Khaos?
Once in the powder, Khaos is in its natural element! From the first "S,” you can feel a fluidity that was previously unknown to the RMK range. We were used to a certain amount of snowmobile stiffness, even with the introduction of the new React front suspension in 2019. With the Khaos, the movement to initiate a maneuver can be much lighter, to the point where you have to relearn how to drive the snowmobile when you’re not in powder snow. Indeed, it is a little more inclined to tilt than the RMK. Fortunately, as you can imagine, once in the powder, this becomes a significant advantage!
It’s by far the most fun RMK I’ve had the chance to drive!
One thing’s for sure, the Khaos is jittery! Whether initiating a maneuver or pressing the accelerator, the snowmobile is always ready! It’s by far the most fun RMK I’ve ever had the chance to drive!
Unfortunately, there is still a lack of snow before we can really try to make doughnuts and real side-hill. I can’t wait to compare these maneuvers with the Pro-RMK.
Enough writing, I’m going back to driving!
That concludes my first impressions of the 2020 Polaris Khaos 800,155! Despite the small amount of snow on the ground at the time of writing, I had a lot of fun during my first few hours at the wheel of this crazy snowmobile! I would like to take the time to thank Polaris Industries and RPM Rive Sud for allowing us to test drive this superb snowmobile! See you at my end-of-season review!
