Just rode 2012 switchback Adventure (pro ride susp )

D

dickmsp

New member
Rode 2012 today in Two Harbors mn on Polaris demo ride. I'm not brand loyal, own Cat and Doo now, have owned yami and polaris. Last year, I rented a 2010 Rush in Ironwood MI with a bud, we rode it and my 05 doo GSX 600 sdi and traded off. We couldn't get a decent ride from the 2010 Rush, but I liked the seating position, handling, and engine. felt solid with the 5 minute epoxy construction too.. We played with the rear suspension the whole time, using the measuring tool, and finally out of frustration, cranked the rear shock all the way in, and all the way out-- no difference... It did soak up big bumps and moguls, but we felt every little stutter bump on the trail.. By the end of the second day we were fighting over my '05 ski-doo. The Doo ride was better, and it got better gas mileage. Today was a different story. They changed the suspension and the Polaris guys showed us how to set the sled up, which was quite easy now. Switchback Adventure 600- Great seating position (I'm 6'4", 220 lbs ) steered great, but you have to lean into the turn- not a big deal coming off a rev. Engine- linear throttle response, no hesitation. 136" track, soaked up big bumps, and was compliant in the stutter bumps. longer track made it a tic more stable . Over all, a nice machine--and it comes stock with lotsa storage on the back.
Rush Pro R- Rode this sled 2nd, I expected a rough ride, but ride was great. Steering was great. Engine- little to no vibration at idle, smooth linear throttle response, and lotsa power.. Was fun to lift this skis off the snow. ( lotsa wheelie vids on youtube...) Best of all, suspension was great. almost a smoother ride that the Adventure. completely differrent from last year. Both had good fit N finish. I'd be fighting my bud this year for the Rush!!
 
D

Deleted member 10829

Guest
Thanks for the info! I'm looking hard at the Adventure myself, but want to see what else comes out. Did they say when the rest of the lineup would be released?
 
D

dickmsp

New member
They weren't sure, but said probably end of feb, first week of march.. As for engines, the same cfi 600 injected engine will be in the adventure, they couldn't say anything about direct injection or a possible new 4 stroke. they didn't have a switchback 800 to demo. It would be a nice machine, but you'd have to add all the accessories the adventure has, storage, knee wind deflectors, elec face shield plug etc.. I also test drove a 2010 at a WI dealer, and had the same bad ride. Yup, I hated the ride on the 2010 Rush, but the 2011's are night and day different. Also, the 2012's have new spindles and A-arms. Get to a demo even if you have to drive a little. Try to demo other manufacturers sleds too, you may like something else better, or it will verify you Polaris decision. Again, good luck and let us know what you get!
 
P

Polarice

New member
It's either going to be the new Adventure for me next season or it's going to be a RZR this summer.

Maybe I'll do both but I already have two great IQs!

Thanks for the review on the Adventure.
 
D

dickmsp

New member
No prob, I was glad to see Polaris fixed the suspension.. How do you like the IQ? A bud just got a new 2011 IQ 600 and loves it. I haen't been able to ride with him yet and try it out. does it have a good ride? steer well?? what engine do you have? I guess the 600's are really nice, and the 550 fans are bullet proof...
 
O

olsmann

New member
Im not tryin to bash here, But are you saying the new sled from Polaris now rides about as good as an XP ?
 
P

Polarice

New member
dickmsp said:
No prob, I was glad to see Polaris fixed the suspension.. How do you like the IQ? A bud just got a new 2011 IQ 600 and loves it. I haen't been able to ride with him yet and try it out. does it have a good ride? steer well?? what engine do you have? I guess the 600's are really nice, and the 550 fans are bullet proof...
Click to expand...

I love the IQ. I have a 2007 600 121" with a 1.25 ripsaw but it has carbs. It runs really well and great comfort. With good carbides it turns great. Dave Bs old sled.

I also have a 2010 IQ Shift 600 121" with cfi. You can definitly tell a difference in the power between the two. I did upgrade the rear shock to a Fox Zero. I have a little more adjustment. I just put a 1.352 cobra track on it to do a little more in the powder. I have some more adjustments that I want to make as far as the suspension goes. There's a lot you can do for each rider.

I would like to upgrade to the Adventure for the longer track and the suspension. I just may do it next year at the end of the season or the following year. Overall the IQ is a huge upgrade from the 99 700 xcsp I had. I like to stand up and ride ;)
 
D

dickmsp

New member
you'll robably like the Adventure, or even the shorty Rush.. I was impressed with how much they improved the suspension, and both engines are nice.. really liked the 600, and of course 800 had more power and was almost as smooth..
 
D

dickmsp

New member
I rode an 09 GSX 600 e-tec last year, nice engine, and almost kept up to an 05 Doo GSX 800 P tec. (carbs with DPM ). nice seating position, but a tic lower than the Rush, and I'm 6'4", 220 lbs.. suspension on the 09's was a little stiff compared to my 05 GSX limited 600 sdi.. I do like having my feet more forward than on the rev. went on a few demo rides at Minoqua cruiser fest last year at Minoqua WI.. Drove the XP 800 e- tec and GSX SE with the 1200 4 stroke and air suspension, 137" track, and the Grand Touring, 1200 4 stroke and air suspension.. I rode the GSX SE first, and was surprised at the power, torque and speed.. plus, a great ride, and stable with the long track. Speedo read 98 mph across the lake and the engine was very smooth.. I really liked it. rode the 800 e tec next, and it was a little quicker, but coming off the 4 tec, it was a rough engine!! vibrated at idle, and wasn't as smooth as the 600 throughout the power band.. top speed was 98!! not sure if it had the beak in thing going on, or a limiter for the demo ride.. next, rode the Grand touring, and again, smooth engine with great power. top speed 98... hmmmm... actually, the GSX and Grand touring handled better, maybe because of the extra weight over the skis, maybe because the skis get real light when you crack the throttle on the 800 E tec!! I almost spring ordered a GSX SE, but was concerned about the adjustable air suspension set up.. The air compressor is about an inch and a half from the drive belt, and A dealer told me if the belt goes and takes out the air compressor and its tiny delicate air hoses, it WON'T be covered under warranty.. A potential expensive repair?? I was considering the Grand touring too, I know, its a 2 up, but it comes with great storage, and I try to ride from 8 am to about 11 pm and get as many miles as I can.. It was a tic more expensive, but was just a little more than buying the GSX SE and buying saddle bags for it. What shooed me away from the Grand touring, was the windshield top edge would bang my face shield if I tilted my head down to look at the dashboard.. I also went on the first day to the Two Harbors Yami demo last year and was able to go on 4 demo rides of about 30-40 miles each.. Loved the engine and power steering. up until then, I wasn't a fan of the steering on previous year Yamahas.. My problem was the ride wasn't as good as I hoped, and again, being 6'4" the seating position was too low. The XP, Rush, GSX and Grand touring as well as Arctic Cats fit me better..Also, the $15,000 price... (when I got home, a local Chevy dealer had a brand new Malibu on sale for $16,000 ) Oh, according to brochures and the mags, Doo has refined the suspension on the 2010's and 2011's so they most likely ride a little better than my bud's 09.. I'd like to ride an XP side by side with a 2011 or 2012 Rush and trade off to compare, but I think Polaris is as good. If not, it's very close.. The pro ride does handle the big bumps very well.. Let us know if you get a chance to compare the two head to head..
 
Last edited:
K

kicker

New member
Posted this elsewhere, too. For what it's worth ...

I was at Two Harbors, also. Had my first ride on a Pro-R 800. Extrememly impressed. Seemed like it could absorb just about anything and after some adjustments on the clickers, cornered great for me after learning how to transfer my body weight. Absolutely loved every minute on it.

Did my return trip on the Adventure. Can't say enough good about it. UNBELIEVABLE ride. Saw the taillights in front of me bobbing up and down hard, expecting to feel something. Just floated over the stutters. Really liked the seat being wider, very comfortable. Very easy steering and stayed confidently planted on some agressive cornering. And to be expected, a very capable 600. Doesn't have the clickers on it, but don't think it needs it. In my opinion will work for 95% of riders, regardless of riding style. Would have liked to have been able to experience more of it's off trail capabilities, but would assume it to be quite good from I'm hearing on the Pro-Ride short tracks. The Adventure also had the addition of small wind deflectors on the side that I really noticed considering the below zero temps. I would opt to put those on any Pro-Ride I had. And if you need more storage than what it has to offer, take your SUV.

I'm 6'6" and about 280 with gear and turning 50 this summer for a reference point. I would personally like taller bars (easy fix) and would love to experience the same sled with the 800. What summed the Adventure up for me is "versitile". My wife could ride it comfortably all day and I could get on it and runs trails (and off-trails) agressively with the best of them with little change in set-up. Polaris has an absolute winner here!

Also, kudos to Polaris and their entire team there. Very professional, informative and friendly. Thanks guys and gals! Your time and effort was much appreciated - a Pro-Ride 136 will be my sled of choice for next year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top