Polaris 800 H.O. Switchback PRO-S: final report

Table of contents

It has been a great experience to ride two consecutive years on the same model. In fact, we wanted to deepen our understanding of the vehicle, to test its reliability on two units during two seasons and ultimately, to refine our impressions of the first season. Obviously, we tried to find some differences between the 2015 model, which was the first year of the AXYS chassis, and the 2016 model I had the chance to ride this winter. We must admit that there has not been significant modification brought to the 2016 Switchback PRO-S… This shows without doubt that the introduction of this model has been successful right from its first year, which says a lot in the snowmobile world. Once again this season, what impresses me the most is the balance between the AXYS chassis, the PRO-XC suspension and the outstanding 800 cc engine.

Handling

One of the highlights this season with the new Switchback PRO-S is once again the balance provided by the AXYS chassis, and this, in a panoply of conditions and situations on trail. When we ride many thousands of kilometers during one season, we experience unexpected situations or situations where the pilot has to make quick decisions. Being much more predictable than competitors’ snowmobiles, many situations are easy to fix, where the pilot has wrongly evaluated the terrain, because the snowmobile very easily forgives piloting errors. As soon as we understand the vehicle balance (more or less 500 km), we become very skilled with it and it responses to our every move. The machine feels smaller and lighter than other models, which is not only an impression. Even without accessories under the skis, we can quickly find how to get a precise steering and to reduce understeering.

Comfort

Since a few years, Polaris is much more sensible to the comfort issue and has produced successfully a chassis and a suspension that provide incredible results of sporty riding combined with pilot’s comfort. The PRO-S edition of the Switchback I tested again this season offers a package much more adapted to trail riders than the PRO-X. The Switchback remains flat in turns, which prevents the pilot from having to bend aggressively or worse, from having to manage inner ski lift. In bumpy trails, the PRO-XC rear suspension remains comfortable while being much more progressive than the previous generation. At 185 lbs / 83,9 kg, I adjusted the front springs with a significant preload (3/4) in order to keep good steering, just like at rear to avoid collapse. Same thing for the front shock of the rear suspension. It must not be too soft because it produces a propulsion effect when exiting big bumps. Rebound adjustments on shocks depend mainly on your preferences in style of riding. Even if bottoming in some kinds of bumps is mostly reduced compared with the PRO-RIDE chassis, it is not totally eliminated. We know it, comfort depends on the riding position on the vehicle. Here, the Switchback is almost perfect because we are always at the right position to face various situations. The shape of the seat contributes a great deal to this comfort, even if it could be a little more padded.

Power and traction

With all the new technologies of the 800 Cleanfire H.O. engine since 2015 and its performance of last year, we only hoped for the same experience this year. Still announcing more than 160 HP, it was really quite a pleasure to find this big motor. Fuel consumption did not really change this year, between 17 and 19 l/100 km depending on the style of riding. We got an oil consumption of about 0,5 l/100 km. What matters when piloting this engine is the acceleration ! It is always very impressive, just like its instant pick-ups at all speeds. The P85/TEAM LWT drive system transfers all the available power to the RipSaw II track of 15x137x1,25 in. / 38,1x348x3,18 cm. This track would probably deserve a lug of 1.5 in./3,8 cm because the machine slightly skids during acceleration under some conditions of thicker snow. However, this turns into an advantage in curve, because the track offers a perfect side skidding point for a track of 137 in./348 cm that makes the Switchback very agile in sporty riding.

Accessories and finishing

As I already said, the quality of design, assembly and finishing of the new AXYS chassis that equips the Switchback is much higher than the previous generation. The design of the central hood, easy to remove, and the side panels equipped with new attachment systems are much easier to use, even under extreme cold temperature. The electric start is much more silent than before and also more efficient under extreme cold temperature. Polaris made the right choice to offer LED lights as standard feature because their efficiency is obvious. The overall look of the vehicle left nobody indifferent; the more refined design of the hood pleased a lot of snowmobilers we met on trails. However, the standard storage is almost nonexistant, which is a disadvantage with this type of suspension because there is no rear tunnel. So, we chose to add the optional cargo rack with Lock & Ride saddlebags. It is definitely appropriate if you want to leave for a few-day ride.

Conclusion

One way to know if a snowmobile is a success, is to look at the modifications brought by engineers the year after its introduction. Result : no modification for 2016. The 800 Switchback PRO-S gives huge fun and incredible sensations all while being very comfortable for long-distance rides. Even after 2 years testing this snowmobile, I still have fun riding it and this, on each one of my rides. Peformance, comfort and handling, this summarizes the great qualities of this snowmobile. Once again, I had the chance to benefit from the wise advices given by the team of CM Barbeau, Polaris dealer north of Québec City, who took very good care of my beast. This trial again made me appreciate their attentive and good care. Personally, I am convinced that the AXYS platform is now a leader in the industry because it has already reached its peak right on its second year of production. At first, I was a little scared of getting bored during a second season with the same snowmobile, but the 2016 Polaris 800 H.O. Switchback PRO-S totally made me forget my fear. Each ride gave me lots of fun and pleasant sensations in all conditions I met. With this snowmobile, Polaris is back among trail leaders on the Québec and north-eastern continent market.

Marc Thibeault

Marc Thibeault's passion for snowmobiling is not new. He drove his first snowmobile at the age of 5, on a frozen lake, to the great dismay of his parents. At 18, he already owned his own snowmobile. Two years later, he was practicing this sport more assiduously. For the past 19 years, he has been traveling thousands of kilometers each winter, but this has not prevented him from combining his knowledge of the Internet, his interest in business, his passion for snowmobiling and his family, and in 2002, he created Motoneigistes.com magazine, which is dedicated to this sport. Firmly believing in the need to unite the efforts of the various stakeholders in the field on the WEB, he merged the operations of the magazine with the Magazine motoneiges.ca (presided by Mr. Denis Lavoie) thus creating the largest French-speaking information portal dedicated to the sport of snowmobiling in America. It must be said that Mr. Thibeault has covered many different aspects of snowmobiling. In addition to his involvement in the snowmobile industry on the Web for over 20 years, he has previously worked as a volunteer, sector director and public relations officer for the Club de motoneigistes Saguenay. He was also a tourist guide for snowmobile trips organized for European groups. Finally, he has participated as a columnist and host in several radio and television programs devoted to snowmobiling. He is still the host of the AMS-Motoneiges program on Télémag. In terms of his professional career, Mr. Thibeault works as a senior executive in a major company in the Quebec City area.

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