800 or Turbo Switchback

[trcty]

I want to buy a carry over 2009 Polaris Switchback. I am Looking for input on the 800
2-stroke vs. the Turbo,performance and handling wise. I know that the '09 800's need engine updates. I am most concerned about the extra wieght of the Turbo, and am also looking for feedback on the AIR 2.0 shocks on the Dragon
My current sled is a'02 800 Edge.

 

[raceinsnow]

I bought a 08 FST dragon last year and hear is my opinion on this.The chassis is the same on both and is a great chassis.There is a wieght differance bettwen the two but you don't notice it with the FST.If you read all of the post from the people that have the FSTs you will not find anyone with a weight complant. The power with the FST is very smooth and will run by most 800s and the FST motor will last alot longer and have less problems.I like my ryde fx air 2.0 shocks.Buy the air pump kit (it won't come with the sled).

 

[jeff]

I have an 800 IQ and I beg to differ on the running by most 800s I think they are both very fast and havent had an fst blow by me yet. They both have pros and cons. I too was sturggling between the two when looking to buy. After all the discussons and input about both I decided to stick with the two stroke.Yes they had the probs with some (luckily not mine) but with new updates they will prove to be a good setup. I have heard of the fst's share of probs too. Wiring isues(burning up) and LOTS of extreme heat issuses. But there again, not all. Its a tough choice, but in the end, its our call. Good luck and PRAY FOR SNOW!!

 

[redrev]

the fst sure surprised me on how fast it was...if it is a close decision between the 2 i would choose 4 stroke everytime.

 

[raceinsnow]

The funny thing is that the people who never rode or owned an FST are the same people that have the most opinions about them.If you want the truth just ask the service manager at any dealership which model has the most problems.ALL of th 09 polaris 2 stroke 800s have a major engine recall.I can say that the four stroke tubo charged or super charged engines are the future of snowmobling why not start now.

 

[jeff]

I drove an fst. SLOW off the start, good mid range, dead on the top. I LOVE my 800 two stroke power all the way thru!

 

[trcty]

Thanks for the input guys. I bought a Turbo Switchback today. NOOOOW... What should I do to the clutching. I normally clutch a Polaris 2-stroke 200 Rpm below the factory operating RPM. I also raise the engagement about 400 RPM. Does the turbo respond well to this? Has anyone messed with clutch ing on a Turbo?

 

[ezra]

dosent the 09 have the over boost at wot that is a sweet bit of programing.now if thay make a box like d&d for the z1 so you can tune it up to over 220 hp buy pushing a switch for a bit of white knuckel fun.

 

[snoughnut]

If I were in the market for a 4 stroke sled, I would not even consider buying what Polaris has to offer. I believe the other manufacturer's are way ahead of Polaris in the 4 stroke dept.

 

[raceinsnow]

Let me start by saying that i don't want to have an argument about (my sled is faster then yours) so lets be big boys.Jeff-I have the IQ rear skid under my sled not the m10 which I beleave is a slower set up.I though the same thing when I first rode my sled that it seemed slow on the take off but power is so smooth.When I lined up with my buddy,my sled pulled away.Then we swicthed sleds and tryed it again and had the same results.(all of my buddys have brand new big bore sleds,polaris,AC,skidoo)The way the power comes in is so different that it takes some time to get used to.I saw 112mph on the recall for top end but every sled is different.Snoughnut-I beleave that all of the manufactures are way ahead of polaris,2 stroke or 4 stroke.The polaris FST is a sleeper that is very under rated.

 

[raceinsnow]

trcty-The clutching is'nt that bad stock.I am running a 62-40 .46 helix with 155/222 secondary spring and stock weights with a 120/340 primary spring.One thing that has to be done is insulate the cold air pipe from the aftercooler to the air box.

 

[jeff]

I do agree with the sneaky smooth power . Believe it or not my sled has the MPH recall at 118 at 8450 RPM's and that was BEFORE the last reflash. Im curious to see if it will be faster or not.

 

[trcty]

raceinsnow; Thanks for the info. What did you use to insulate the cold air pipe? did you remove the pipe to do it? I may leave the clutches alone, the engagement is about 4200 which should be plenty. Do you know what max horsepower and torque RPM is? Thanks, TRCTY

 

[anonomoose]

The 09 FST has 136 inch track and coupled suspension which should make it run very fast on trail. It gets about 90% of it's torque by 4500 rpm, and 95% of it's horsepower (around 145). I can't understand why Jeff thinks it is slow out of the hole since it has lots of spool to handle the run and overboost too. Like any sled it needs to be set up correctly, and the setting have to be right...but I absolutely guarantee that you will blow past any 800 on the market unless it is also boosted...maybe you should meet Jeff and let him see just how fast the turbo is compared to his, once you get the machine set up right and you take the time to break it in..... don't want to shorten the life of that 4 stroke....should be a good unit for a long time, and not many other machines out there that can run with it once you learn it. Most of the rags that have run the machine on test say it is one of, if not the fastest sled out of production. Unless you sit around idling a lot, you won't need to wrap the cold air inlet.<font color="ff0000">&#149;</font><font color="ff0000">&#149;</font><font color="ff0000">&#149;</font><font color="ff0000">&#149;</font> works just fine. You might want to cut some breathing holes in the cowling around the belt to reduce heat and use the best belt you can find because there is so much torque it can be hard on them, but other than that....you will have to whipe the silly grin off your face after only the first few times you "forget" to back off the flipper. And I agree, turbos are the future of high end horsepower sleds.

 

[ezra]

145 hp is not cats 800 160hp with less weight.I will run you with my 700 with out the nos hooked up and show you how a 700 can run[set up corecctly] you pick 550 660 1000 1/4 lets say $500 if you are going to compete in the 700 class with out a firecat you may as well just go home.heck lets line up jeff to

 

[Deleted member 10829]

anonomoose is right about the belt. I have 9,000 miles on my 2006 FST Classic and I could never get more than 1,000 miles out of a belt. Before last winter, rp7x and I put the vents below on, and I am running the same belt with over 2,000 miles on it.

 

[whitedust]

Mark: Glad to hear your FST Classic is still purring

How do you feel about 9000 miles on your 4s? Are you going to stay with it maybe go for 18,000 miles? Any problems a long the way? What gas milage are you seeing? We are both 4s Power Crusiers so I was wondering how the FST held up?

 

[Deleted member 10829]

The miles don't really bother me at all as I think the engine could go 20,000+ miles easily. I plan on riding it one more season and updating with a 2011 and I am concerned what I will be able to get for it after this season with another 2,500 miles on it. I have my eye on the RUSH but want to see how that works out and if they add new models that would fit into the Power Cruiser category.

I did have the usual problems at first, but they were minor in my opinion and Polaris stood behind them and even gave us a $50 gas card. However, I have decided not to buy first year model sleds again as this model has been pretty solid after year one. I did have a problem that was a hassle though. I was in the UP and my alternator bracket broke. I was able to get back to where we were staying just before I ran out of battery power. Luckily I was there for a week and Guy and crew at Lake Gogebic Sports Center got me back on the trail in a couple of days as they had to order the part. That was early on, and the past 7,000 miles have been virtually trouble free, other than blowing some belts. Before last season I put on a new 1.5" Ripsaw. I replaced the hifax while I was at it, but they weren't even wore to the first wear line yet. I'm still running the original carbides on it. Riding in good snow makes all the difference.

I ride pretty hard and have been getting just under 14 mpg. I would definately buy a 4 stroke again, but I'm leaving my options wide open for my next sled. It would be hard for me to ever leave Polaris as I've owned nothing else the past 30 years. I do think Yammy is catching up in the suspension area so would consider them along with the Ski Doo 4-Tec.

 

[whitedust]

Mark:I have the same feeling about milage on my 2007 Attack. The sled has plenty of miles left but I don't know how the used market will perceive high 4s milage. I got my 2007 Apex Attack GT in 2008 as a non current & have been putting on about 2500 miles a season so around 5,000 now. Belt wear has been excellent changed the belt this spring just because I thought 5000 miles was enough on a belt. Setting Yamaha belt deflection is a hassle so I bought a Rich clutch tool which is a lot like the doo belt tool so I will change belts at about 2500 miles quick & easy & Yam belts are not expensive. The 150 Yam has never dropped below 12.5mpg & never above 15.5mpg but I ride hard & fast so I consider the mpg good. I had donuts replaced under warranty this spring & had an axle wheel get carved up by a rock or something but Chad @ M&M changed out in about 45 minutes & I kept old wheel as a spare. I change hyfax every year with spring oil & filter change but hyfax seems to stop wearing after breaking in new ones. Same studded stock ripsaw track but thinking about iceripper or another stock prestudded track in future. I'm running 8 inch Bergstrom Triples & really like them. I owned them all in the past 30 years Poo, AC,Doo & Yam & really think Yam is the best & has treated me the best dealer & factory wise. I plan on keeping my Attack for many more years unless a really light 4s 150 is introduced by doo or Yam that has a couple of user years on design....no first year sled for me for sure. I read in Snowtech 78% of buyers are now considering 4s for new sleds so I think we were both ahead of the curve. Good luck with your FST & maybe we will meet sometime.
Pete

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Pete,

Same to you and hope to see you on the trail sometime. Sounds like that Yam is treating you very well! Keep us up to date on the next 5,000 miles.

Mark