Talk about an unsung hero of affordable base level snowmobiles. The Indy SP model is a Super Star in my book.
At home, at camp or on any trial that you want to take it, this sled is impressive and it’s impressive for not a lot of money.
2016 Polaris Limited Edition Terrain Domination Indy 600 SP
For the 2016 season I rode the extremely responsive 600cc cleanfire powered Terrain Domination Indy SP. The goal was to ride the Indy in the riding environments and for the distances for which it was developed and targeted for. The original focus and intention of this test was to experience its’ characteristics and capabilities on short distance day trips. The ugly reality of our past winter’s snow conditions was that this was not entirely possible. It took many Northeastern snowmobilers most of a day to get to conditions that were worth riding.
So me and my Indy, we went places. I loaded her on the Biteharder.com trailer, packed up her Genuine Polaris storage accessories and hit the highway. The Indy SP was tested and seen on trails in Vermont, New Hampshire, Quebec and New Brunswick. And she looked great! Polaris offers a large number of quality Indy specific accessories to customize any Indy to your heart’s desire.
I found that the storage offered by the semi-rigid tunnel bag, extreme riser bag and windshield bag was more than adequate. The availability of an aluminum accessory rack and Lock & Ride rear rack bag option would easily offer even more travel capacity.
The longer than originally anticipated trips resulted in the unplanned discovery that this sled was surprisingly comfortable to ride over an entire days worth of distance.
In trail environments, I went everywhere and did everything that everyone else on bigger, more powerful and more expensive sleds did. In tighter wood trails, I think that Polaris’ proven 600cc outperforms 800cc models with its crisp lower RPM response, smoother acceleration and lighter balance.
Granted I experienced a feature packed Eye Candy version of the Indy 600 with the upgraded Fox shock package, but the basics are the same across the Indy 600 lineup. The P-85 clutching and Phantom brake system on the SP models are exactly the same as are found on the entry level Indy 600 offered at $8,199 US MSRP.
I enjoyed all the views, adrenaline, fun and exhilaration for less…much less. And never felt that I was significantly disadvantaged or destined to be at the back of the pack all day. This thing was a blast every time I rode it.
Anyone who took the “always underestimated” Indy for a ride came away with the same fulfilling sensation of snowmobile satisfaction.
Motonieges.ca Collaborator Louis Perron, enjoying the Indy SP
I’m not saying that we should switch our premium performance rides for an Indy. What I am saying is that this is one full size, full capability sled that is perfectly suited to many important segments of our sport.
We often think of the Indy as a small sled and I often referred to it as my little Indy. The fact is that the Indy is a full size snowmobile with the same ski stance and length as the Rush model.
The Indy is an excellent choice for introducing family and friends to the wonders of snowmobiling. Don’t put a new rider on a sled that will overpower and intimidate them or on some relic of snowmobiling times and technologies long since past. Do the future of our sport a favor and recommend or put them on an affordable, reliable ride that will allow them to experience what we all know to be one of winter’s greatest treasures.
The Indy model was a significant part of snowmobiling’s past. Current Indy models have the realistic capability of being an incredibly important part of snowmobiling’s future.
Drawbacks? Yes, but very few. The Indy coupled rear suspension does have its limitations in non bottoming bump absorption capabilities. It is not, what it is not and it is not a Polaris Pro XC or Ski-doo rMotion caliber rear suspension. It also does not have the latest and greatest of gauge packages, headlight or left hand control switches. These realities seemed minor and to be expected when keeping a sharp eye on affordability.
Is it a mogul masher? No. Is it a long distance touring sled? No. Lake racer, Deep snow performer, work sled? No, no, no! BUT, the Indy 600 definitely IS everything needed to enjoy all the things that make the recreation of snowmobiling like no other activity on earth.
The Indy offers all the best of camaraderie, life altering experiences and forever memories to everyone and it does it all for a lot less money compared to high end, higher cost snowmobiles.
To less experienced riders and newcomers, many sleds make them feel like they are just holding on for the ride. With the Indy you get, impressive 600 Cleanfire engine performance, easy to turn precision, stabile handling characteristics, and a feeling of always having rider input and control over the sled.
As a capable spare sled, reliable house/camp sled, spouse’s sled or a new rider sled, the budget friendly Indy is a winner. This 2016 was a short track, but Polaris has an Indy model for everything and everyone.
It feels a little odd to be gushing over the attributes of a less than state of the art snowmobile, but that was the “seat of the pants” reaction to the goals for the 2016 Indy long term trial. We set out to see how the Pro Ride front suspension worked with the more traditional Indy coupled rear suspension. How the Indy package responded, handled, cornered and rode. And if the fun factor of this sled would satisfy and inspire. Those were the questions that all received positive answers all season long.
We thank the entire team at Polaris for their continued support of our SledMagazine.com / Motoneiges.ca long term trial program and look forward to bringing you our 2017 season of real world, long term trial articles.
For 2016 we went back to the basics of fun and greater affordability. The fun factor was high and the Indy SP was impressive, satisfying and fulfilling from its first ride to its last.
