The topic was mysteriously promoted as “MY15 AXYS and Cleanfire 800HO update” and our Motoneiges.ca and SledMagazine.com editors were pleased to earn an invitation to participate in the Monday conference call.
I admit that I was reluctantly anticipating recalibration news or a necessary production update that would potentially have a negative impact on some aspect of what we had experienced the “all new” AXYS to be.
Instead the conference call with Polaris executives and engineers was really more of an AXYS model “pep rally type” review of the significant chassis advancements and engine details that we have previously written about.
For me personally, it was like the song lyrics of an Alison Krauss song “What I hear when you don’t say a thing”, and “You say it best when you say nothing at all”.
No major announcements, no production modifications or performance recalibrations.
Disappointed ? Don’t be ! I wasn’t !
I’m sure it was not their intention, but for me the effect of no announcement of changes was a welcome confirmation. Confirmation that the calibrations, balance, handling, response, power and seat of the pants sensations that we experienced last January and March are indeed what all AXYS riders will get. That my snowmobile friends, is VERY good news!
No remapping and no detuning for an increased margin of durability were announced as being necessary. Targeted engineering efforts over several years with over 80,000 miles of testing and 1,000’s of dyno hours had met Polaris’ design goals of unrivaled “class leading” performance and durability.
We were told that the production calibrations of the 800 HO’s 3 stage “no maintenance interval” Electronic valves, engine specific VForce reeds, light weight Crankshaft, electronic oil pump and high flow intake/exhaust required no production changes from what we experienced.
To me, the primary purpose of the call was for Polaris to be sure the Snowmobile media and Snowmobilers everywhere didn’t forget about the technically and functionally integrated marvel of the AXYS and 800HO.
Polaris has every right to blow their own horn and can take well deserved pride in the reality of AXYS’ advancement of the snowmobile experience. In 2015 AXYS will most certainly earn them increased market share. With over 1 million AXYS specific site visits, a huge readership of our AXYS articles and their best Snow Check response in 10 years, no one seems to be overlooking the most significant “broad market” reveal for 2015.
After all, Greater Control through advanced geometry and balance, quicker Acceleration through more power with less weight and increased rider Comfort through positioning, features and integrated storage options are not things that Snowmobilers can forget about.
We’ve been thinking about them all summer long and no news was great news!
Check out our full AXYS article at www.sledmagazine.com/actions/page?docId=6888
