2012-2013 is really a strange snowmobile season ! Even if there is snow on the ground since December, we experienced many sudden changes of weather all winter long. Snow on the ground is generally low in most regions of the province and off-trail riders long for powder snow. This is sad because I was really excited by the idea of testing the Polaris Switchback Assault off trail as well as on trail. This crossover sled equipped with a Cobra track let us think that we would have so much fun in deep snow.
Till a few days before publishing this article, we must say that we had limited our tests mostly to on-trail riding because rain and cold had taken away the possibilities to ride off trail… At least, this is what we were expecting from this winter. And then, we had the snow storm we all wished for, all over the Côte Nord region and Monts Valin East. So, finally, we have been able to test this very interesting aspect of our snowmobile in 3 feet of powder snow.
Before this last storm, we had got ready to learn more about our machine on trails. As luck would have it, last October we had received from our partner CM Barbeau, Polaris dealer on the south shore of Québec City, the Assault edition equipped with a 15 X 144 X 1,352“ Cobra track. The Assault 144 is also available with 2” lugs for off-trail riders.
If we talk about on-trail performance, I must say that I have been very impressed until now. Despite the 144 inches, this track does not give you the feeling that the sled is hard to handle, on the contrary ! Also, it provides good grip during accelerations, it is efficient when you brake and it does not require too much effort in turns. Finally, considering its length, the Cobra track is not too noisy and does not produce any vibration.
The big 800 cc Cleanfire engine with semi-direct injection delivers a very impressive power at all speeds. Somewhat robust at idle, it becomes much smoother and fluid at high speed. The big 800 cc is not the most fuel-efficient engine of its category, but the fuel consumption is still fair considering the available power. However, the injection oil consumption is very low and can be positively compared to the 2-stroke with direct fuel injection. I know we say it year after year, but the power of the 800 cc combined to the P85/Team LWT drive/driven clutch is still very exciting. The Assault offers optimal throttle response and very impressive acceleration.
There is only one problem with this big engine : the unsufficient power of the battery that feeds the electric starter on our trial machine. After a night at less than -30 °C, the battery could not start up the big 800 cc. It always ended up with me pulling the rope many times. Polaris’ engineers must resolve this problem.
The characteristic I like on a snowmobile designed to be robust is the rear suspension smoothness. Honestly, since a few years, Polaris has been reproached for offering efficient but rigid rear suspensions. The Switchback Assault 144 is an exception; it is very comfortable in small and medium bumps as well as in moguls. However, even at the highest pre-load position, the rear springs need more strength to avoid fading when we hit bigger bumps. We consulted CM Barbeau’s experts and they told us that they had found the solution to get more resistance and yet maintain our comfort. Simply, we need a higher spring pre-load adjustment block than the standard one. This way, we do not need to buy a more rigid spring and to lose comfort in small bumps. To know more about this custom part, please contact Mr Christian Barbeau through this web site www.cmbarbeau.ca .
Something else pleases me a lot on the Assault; it is the riding position, mostly when riding more aggressively. As I am over 6 feet tall with long legs, the Assault is one of the sleds that offers me the comfort I need in any riding conditions. The seat is very long so I can seat back when riding smoothly. As soon as I switch for a more aggressive riding position, I can sit forward and still have enough space for my legs. The seat height helps the transition from seated to standing, and so does the ProTaper handlebar height. It is hard not to talk about the capability of the ProRide front suspension. With its adjustable Walker Evans shocks, this suspension allows the pilot to keep control in every trail conditions, which makes me state that the ProRide front suspension is probably one of the best front suspensions of the industry.
We had low temperatures this season and yet, we can say that we had good protection against wind considering the low windshield. But we experienced minimal hand protection, considering that only the optional hand guards protect our hands. However, the hand guards mounted on the ProTaper handlebar are not satisfying.
According to the design of the handlebar, the available model consists of 3 angled parts, joined by small bolts that connect the handlebar to the hand guards. Due to wind and vibrations, the bolts loosen up and the hand guards end up against the handles of the snowmobile. The mirrors mounted on the handle guards do not help the situation and visibility is reduced. And they are affected by impacts.
Concerning the electric controls, there is a lack of ergonomy here. But, as we are talking about a rather robust vehicle, I would say they are OK. I like the Polaris gauge and I would like it better if it was 1-inch higher and 1-inch wider. There is quite enough space on the console for these modifications and it would really improve the pilot’s visibility, mostly when he is moving.
In conclusion, I will say that I had the week-end of my dreams on the Assault in over 3 feet of snow. This machine truly offers the versatility expected from a hybrid snowmobile; many models promise it without delivering it in real world.
The Assault is very easy to handle in deep snow, on flat and uneven terrains. The balance of the Assault is very impressive, such as its capability to kick off deep snow where many other hybrids can’t. Many will say that the Assault 155 RMK should be more adequate in 3 feet of snow and I will not argue with that.
However, we have so few opportunities to enjoy these exceptional off-trail conditions in a season. In fact, I had the greatest fun handling the Switchback in various situations and I did not miss the 2-inches version. Of course, just for this incredible day, I could have used more traction with pleasure… But we must not forget this important fact : the versatility provided by the 1,352 in. tipped up version is appropriate for over 90 % of the situations we met.
It is more and more obvious that the Switchback Assault is the most versatile hybrid snowmobile I have ever tested. Of course, you must like its robustness in the look, the finishing and the riding. Its riding position is without a doubt my favorite in the industry today.
It may be a snowmobile not designed for everyone, but if you look for a machine that will adjust to all conditions, then you will really appreciate the 2013 Switchback Assault 800.
