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Legendary Polaris Indy celebrates 40 years on snow

At Polaris, our passion for snowmobiling drives us to develop and deliver the ultimate performance, ride and handling. Some 40 years ago, Polaris® innovation and manufacturing excellence led to our breakthrough independent front suspension – IFS – and it became the foundation of the most legendary model name in snowmobile history: Polaris INDY®.

Snowmobile Polaris 2020

INDY models have carried more riders down twisty trails, to new heights, and to race wins than any other sleds. INDY models have helped us make countless winter memories together, and further fueled our passion for the ride.

We celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Polaris INDY and look forward to riding exciting, ever-evolving INDY models into snowmobiling’s future.

40th Anniversary Edition

One way we’re celebrating 40 years of INDY heritage is with the limited-edition 2020 Polaris INDY® 40th Anniversary Edition. The 40th Anniversary graphics package will be available on all MY20 SnowCheck models.

40 Years of Superior Ride & Handling

In the 1960s and 1970, most snowmobiles used leaf-spring front suspensions. They were an improvement on older, solid-mounted skis, but limited the possibilities of what snowmobilers could be experiencing.

In the early to mid-1970s, the Polaris racing program was experimenting with independent front suspension technology. The innovative spirit and passion for the ride shared by the race teams and Polaris engineers led to an IFS that was tested on ice oval race sleds. Don Omdahl was the first Polaris racer to pilot a sled with IFS in a race, and it was a modest 250cc-powered prototype, but it handled better than the leafers he ran against.

In December 1976, Polaris factory racers – The Midnight Blue Express – begin their incredible run of Sno-Pro domination on RX-L models, the first Polaris race sleds with independent front suspension. In 1977, Polaris racing legend Steve Thorsen won the first of his two-straight Eagle River World Championship titles on Polaris RX-Ls with IFS.

In the late-1970s, Polaris cross-country racers on prototype TX-L Indy models help further develop and refine the Polaris IFS. TX-L Indys finished 1-2-3 in the 1979 Winnipeg-St. Paul I-500, and a TX-C Indy finished fourth.

An INDY for Consumers

In 1979, Polaris introduced its first IFS consumer snowmobile, the outstanding 1980 TX-L Indy. The IFS provided 6 inches of travel, and was powered by a 333cc liquid-cooled twin. (For comparison: The 2020 600 INDY® SP 129 has 9.3 inches of travel.)

The snowmobile world would never be the same. Trail riders experienced an incredible improvement in ride and handling. A ski could absorb and manage an impact by itself instead of that impact energy being transferred throughout the sled’s entire chassis.

The second INDY production model ever, introduced for model year 1981, was the Centurion Indy. It had a powerful, large-for-the-time 500cc engine. In 1981, this 500 INDY won the first-ever Snow Goer Shoot-Out of high-performance snowmobiles, and in 1989, SNOWMOBILE Magazine named the Polaris 500 Indy the “Snowmobile of the Decade.”

A Legendary Heritage

Over the years, INDY models have been powered by a wide range of engines, from the 244cc-powered INDY Lite to the 850 Patriot™-powered SnowCheck models of today.

By the 1980s, snowmobilers were in love, understandably, with liquid-cooled engines and the consistently outstanding performance they could deliver in all conditions. Skeptics said an INDY model with a fan-cooled engine would not succeed.

But the legendary INDY Trail, introduced for 1983 with a 432cc fan-cooled engine, proved them wrong. The Trail, as it was known, delivered the legendary INDY ride and handling along with tremendous value. It later was powered by a 488cc fan twin, and was a hugely popular model.

Polaris made more snowmobile history with its 1991 snowmobile lineup, the first in industry history to be comprised solely of models with independent front suspension (no leaf spring models).

Polaris INDY models have carried more happy riders more miles than any other model name in the sport’s history. And they continue to do so, pausing to celebrate 40 great years on the snow, then riding into snowmobiling’s history with what remains the sport’s best ride and handling.

POLARIS TRAIL PERFORMANCE AND CROSSOVER LEADERS:

  • INDY® XC® 137 AND INDY® ADVENTURE 137 MODELS DELIVER ULTIMATE COMBINATION OF PERFORMANCE & VERSATILITY

  • Indy XCR® DELIVERS RACE-READY TRAIL PERFORMANCE FOR ALL TERRAIN

The 2020 Polaris® INDY® XC® 137 and INDY® Adventure 137 models check all the boxes for riders seeking a pure, high-performance experience with quick acceleration, a smooth ride, and ultimate versatility.

The INDY XC 137 and INDY ADVENTURE 137 are both available with the 600 Cleanfire® and 800 H.O. Cleanfire® engines in season, and they’re available during SnowCheck with the 850 Patriot™ engine.

Snowmobile Polaris Indy XC 137 2020
Polaris Indy XC 137 2020

Rider Balanced® Control

The AXYS® Chassis positions a rider for comfort, control, and confidence, and the PRO-CC™ Rear Suspension provides a consistently smooth ride with the best acceleration and handling. Its coupled design controls pitch through geometry without reducing the fun factor.

Race-tested and race-proven premium Walker Evans® Shocks have improved clicker accessibility for the easiest adjustability. The IFS is equipped with Piggyback Needle shocks, while the front track shock is a Piggyback with a 2-inch-diameter housing for durability and improved ride. The rear track shock has the industry-exclusive Velocity Needle Technology for the ultimate in ride and control.

Ultimate Trail Versatility

Every one of these models comes with an integrated underseat storage bag for secure, weather-tight cargo storage. With the longer 137-inch track, a wide variety of tunnel-mounted accessory cargo solutions are available. These include the new 46-liter ADVENTURE Storage Bag that installs easily and securely. It is standard on the INDY ADVENTURE 137 models and available as an accessory for INDY XC 137 sleds.

For the ultimate in trail versatility, there’s the accessory FT2 Heated Passenger Seat. It can be installed and removed quickly and easily without tools, and it connects to the sled’s wiring harness to provide heat to the handgrips – and the seat!

Snowmobile Polaris Indy XC Adventure 137 2020
Polaris Indy XC Adventure 137 2020

Unrivaled Acceleration

These sleds deliver the power that performance-minded riders demand. The Liberty® engines deliver a class-leading power-to-weight ratio, ultimate performance, and seamless AXYS® integration. All engines now have the Patriot™ starter improvements for the best cold weather performance.

The impressive engines are complemented by the light weight of the AXYS® chassis and PRO-CC™ rear suspension, which helps to provide these sleds with industry-leading acceleration.

Among the multiple track options are the Cobra, Storm 150, and the all-new Ice Ripper XT. The snow flap is designed to enhance cooling and the rear bumper has an integrated one-piece design for improved durability and grip.

2020 Polaris INDY® XCR®

Hard-charging riders gravitate to the INDY XCR models, which deliver race-ready trail performance for all terrain. These sleds epitomize ultimate performance, impressive speed, and race-ready strength and durability.

The 600 INDY XCR is powered by the 600 Cleanfire® engine, the 800 INDY XCR has the 800 H.O. Cleanfire® engine, and the SnowCheck-exclusive 850 INDY XCR uses the 850 Patriot™ engine.

Snowmobile Polaris Indy XCR 2020
Polaris Indy XCR 2020

To achieve race-ready strength and durability, the INDY XCR has tunnel and rail bracing reinforcement, a 4-wheel rear axle, stiffer torsion spring, and race-proven aluminum rear coupling blocks. These models also have a 2.52” pitch track and drive shaft, XCR jackshaft, premium XCR braking with a cooling vent, and aluminum overstructure.

The AXYS Chassis delivers Rider Balanced® Control and Rider-Centric Comfort, which puts the rider in the ideal position for fast, smooth, and aggressive riding with unrivaled handling.

The XCR models can also be customized to suit a rider’s specific style with SnowCheck customization options for the starter, windshield, track, color, and instrumentation (the Polaris Digital PIDD is available).

NEW 2020 POLARIS® RMK® KHAOS® 155 IS THE MOST-AGILE MOUNTAIN SLED

Polaris has introduced the new 2020 RMK KHAOS 155 for riders looking for the most playful and fun – and most flickable – all-mountain sled. The industry’s first all-mountain sled is designed for all riding zones and it delivers easy, lively and dynamic riding.

It is available with the powerful 800 Cleanfire® H.O. engine, or, through Polaris SnowCheck, with the 850 Patriot™ engine.

Snowmobile Polaris 850 RMK Khaos 155 2020
Polaris 850 RMK Khaos 155 2020

ALL-MOUNTAIN ARCHITECTURE

Both of the Liberty® engines available with this sled deliver a class-leading power-to-weight ratio, ultimate performance, and seamless AXYS® integration. The Patriot™ starter improvements on the 800 engine models ensure the best cold weather performance.

The RMK KHAOS 155 has new rear suspension geometry that provides balance for all-mountain fun. Designed with the perfect amount of transfer and traction for light handling and control and the best response in all riding zones. 

Snowmobile Polaris 850 RMK Khaos 155 2020
Polaris 850 RMK Khaos 155 2020

The track options include the 2.6” Series 6 track and the 3.0” Series 7, both of which deliver outstanding traction and durability. The PowderTrac® XT Running Boards feature improvements for better deep snow performance, and there is increased usable space at the rear of the boards on 850 models.

RIDER BALANCED CONTROL

The RMK KHAOS 155 is the most playful with the least effort, giving a rider the ultimate off trail experience. The AXYS Chassis positions the rider for comfort, control, and confidence, and the React™ Front Suspension provides effortless and precise handling with less rider fatigue. The adjustable 36”-38” stance with sway bar design offers more-predictable handling, and there are forged A-arms and spindles for optimized strength and durability.

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

The Walker Evans® Velocity Hi-Lo Compression Adjustable Shocks are the best of the best for a variety of conditions, as they have proven in dominating hillclimbs and snocross tracks.

The light and rigid design of the RMK® Rear Suspension improves weight transfer for more control and to deliver more power directly to snow. The RMK KHAOS 155 is available with a choice of Quick Drive and chaincase options.

NEW 2020 POLARIS® RMK® EVO/RMK® EVO ES EVOLVED FOR NEW OFF-TRAIL RIDERS

New snowmobilers can now experience the backcountry with confidence on the Polaris® RMK® EVO or the new Polaris RMK EVO ES with convenient electric start.

Both models deliver confident control, smaller ergonomics, appropriate power, and greater flotation to help a new riders develop an off-trail riding passion that will last a lifetime.

Snowmobile Polaris RMK EVO 2020
Polaris RMK EVO 2020

PERFECT FIT FOR NEW OFF-TRAIL RIDERS

The RMK EVO is designed to put a rider comfortably in control to optimize their confidence. The sled is 5 inches lower for enhanced stability. This is a combination of a 2-inch lower chassis and 3-inch lower seat/console/tank. The handlebars and the EVO Seat are designed and positioned to accommodate both the standing and seated riding that off-trail riders engage in.

CONFIDENT HANDLING, EASY STEERING

The RMK Adjustable IFS provides a stable, effortless ride, and it features an innovative adjustable stance so the sled can evolve with the rider as skills and confidence grow.

The mountain bar and handlebar hook provide more security and control, and the EVO Throttle gives a rider a shorter, easier reach that’s more comfortable for smaller hands. The smooth throttle produces consistent, confidence-inspiring performance.

The 144 x 1.75-inch Backcountry Track provides impressive traction on- and off-trail, and the Gripper Skis feature a deeper keel for more control. Their wider design provides more flotation and predictable handling.

Motoneiges Polaris 2020

JUST-RIGHT PERFORMANCE & FUN

A 550 fan-cooled engine that is proven and reliable delivers the just-right amount of power for a new rider. The sled has a top speed of 50 MPH, ensuring the rider enjoys confidence-inspiring control.

The RMK EVO ES has electric start that lets a rider start the engine with the turn of the key.

An accessory EVOlution Kit is available to increase suspension travel and access more power from the 550 engine as a rider’s confidence grows. Several other accessories are also available, including racks, storage, and seating to meet a rider’s off-trail needs.

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