Polaris Switchback Pro-S to Indy XC or VR1

[snowmodan17]

Hey guys. Has anyone gone from a Polaris Switchback Pro-S 137 to the Indy XC platform or the Indy VR1? I am looking to snowcheck this spring and appreciate feedback from anybody who has ridden both. Also what are thoughts on the 850 Patriot engine? Thanks in advance!

-Dan

 

[Stench]

I've heard nothing but AMAZING things about the VR1. This is a great video Levi shared....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXpCdcZKHCU

 

[slimcake]

Last three sleds 2017 pro s800 137 2019 XC Indy 850 129 2021 VR1 850 137. Vr1 is the most confident handling sled that I've ever ridden and can rail with the best of them the tune in the 2021 is a huge improvement over the 19 lots more power I smile from ear to ear every time I ride it got over 700 miles on it so far and it's awesome

 

[Stench]

2017 pro s800 2019 XC Indy 850 2021 VR1 137. Vr1 is the most confident handling sled that I've ever ridden and can rail with the best of them the tune in the 2021 is a huge improvement over the 19 lots more power I smile from ear to ear every time I ride it got over 700 miles on it so far and it's awesome

I can attest... Slim rides this like a beast!!! And he was probably taking it easy so I could keep up.

 

[slimcake]

That was nothing. They are groomed up now and rock hard. It's fabulous!! Leaving now for another rip!!

 

[xcr440]

What does the VR1 have that the Launch does not? I haven’t researched that - I prefer my 2021 XCR 850 137” over the Launch in the Matryx chassis. Ridden both back to back, and the guy with the Launch said “I bought the wrong sled”.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Hey guys. Has anyone gone from a Polaris Switchback Pro-S 137 to the Indy XC platform or the Indy VR1? I am looking to snowcheck this spring and appreciate feedback from anybody who has ridden both. Also what are thoughts on the 850 Patriot engine? Thanks in advance!

-Dan

I'm going to be doing the same but will be looking at the 650 engine. Good post! Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[szotty]

Have both went back to back yesterday. My daughter 12 yr old rode wife’s 17 switchback 800 pro s and I rode my new 137 650 vr1. Went 30 miles on each she likes the pro s ride more but the 650 motor better. I like the pro s style for its glory in deep bump trails but the new matryx has its own glory. I love the 650 power can ride the twistys way quicker on the 650 the 800 pulls the skis more so have to ride it slower. Fuel mileage is better on 650 and oil makes it 500 miles a gallon on the 650. My vr1 is for sale will be ordering a new one in snowcheck love it. The hand warms are night a day better and the shock package is amazing. Mine will have 800-900 miles and selling it for 13k obo think have someone interested in it already plan is for sale feb 15 last trip have planned ends on the 14th

 

[snowmodan17]

That was nothing. They are groomed up now and rock hard. It's fabulous!! Leaving now for another rip!!

Thanks Slim. That was exactly the insight I was looking for! I’ve loved how the Pro-S suspension handles over a long stretch of moguls without really slowing down and still feels smooth. You’re saying even better with VR1?

 

[snowmodan17]

Have both went back to back yesterday. My daughter 12 yr old rode wife’s 17 switchback 800 pro s and I rode my new 137 650 vr1. Went 30 miles on each she likes the pro s ride more but the 650 motor better. I like the pro s style for its glory in deep bump trails but the new matryx has its own glory. I love the 650 power can ride the twistys way quicker on the 650 the 800 pulls the skis more so have to ride it slower. Fuel mileage is better on 650 and oil makes it 500 miles a gallon on the 650. My vr1 is for sale will be ordering a new one in snowcheck love it. The hand warms are night a day better and the shock package is amazing. Mine will have 800-900 miles and selling it for 13k obo think have someone interested in it already plan is for sale feb 15 last trip have planned ends on the 14th

Szotty- do you think the Pro-S is better on the bumpy stretches? What are some of the things you like better about the VR1? Thanks!

 

[szotty]

I think the vr1 is just as good as the pro s in the bumpy stretches. I usually stand a lot from my years of motocross racing but I can say I like the pro s feeling under me more. Had a xcr switchback 600 last year and that by far was the best sled I ever had for bumpy trails but the vr1 corners better. when sitting the ride seems little smoother also. The vr1 was worth the price and will be ordering a new one if mine does sell like planning. I’m still kinda hoping they come out with matryx front and the funky rear end in a xcr package. The matryx does handle very nice tho and the 650 they undersold with there advertising I’m way impressed.

 

[xcr440]

I think the vr1 is just as good as the pro s in the bumpy stretches. I usually stand a lot from my years of motocross racing but I can say I like the pro s feeling under me more. Had a xcr switchback 600 last year and that by far was the best sled I ever had for bumpy trails but the vr1 corners better. when sitting the ride seems little smoother also. The vr1 was worth the price and will be ordering a new one if mine does sell like planning. I’m still kinda hoping they come out with matryx front and the funky rear end in a xcr package. The matryx does handle very nice tho and the 650 they undersold with there advertising I’m way impressed.

Besides the spindles, what is different on the front end from an Axys? A-arms look identical.

 

[szotty]

Don’t really know a arms are the same forsure side by side the steering post comes up same spot but with all the new design it feels your up front more. Way easier to get knees out on a corner and way nicer with narrow seat. Might be a lot with the shocks too that give better ride or better cornering

 

[G]

Besides the spindles, what is different on the front end from an Axys? A-arms look identical.

The rear suspension is identical to last year's XC. The front suspension is basically the same as last year's XC with the exception of the shock packages They might have changed a few pieces on the front to fit the narrower configuration but the end product is more the same than it is different. The biggest thing is the rider position. By shifting the rider position just a little the thing rides better. They make it sound like some sort of witchcraft but there are very few differences. Also for the price difference it is silly to buy a 650 instead of an 850. Unless of course a person has a bad taste in their mouth from a previous 850 experience. Ridden side by side the 850 will get better mileage than the 650. They made it sound like gas would go back in the tank on the 650 because it was sooooo good. Not so.

 

[tjmaxx]

I bought my wife a 129" matryx 650 launch edition. Her old sled was a 2014 600 switchback pro r. She said her matryx is like her old sled on steroids. Absolutely loves it

 

[slimcake]

I couldn't believe it either Kevin but it is that much different. Its a completely different handling machine the front end just rails like nothing I've ever ridden before. I too think being able to get out in front of it and alongside of it makes a big difference. As far as in the rough stuff being a big guy it's hard for me to give you guys a comparison because I set mine up a lot different than I'm sure you guys do. I agree with buying the 850 compared to the 650.

 

[xcr440]

I guess I didn’t feel the improvement on the front end cornering when I rode the launch. The Matryx did feel more ‘nimble’ but my XCR rails as good if not better, my buddy with the Launch said the same thing. I’m sure the position helps, and I can tell that difference riding it, but being 6’5”, maybe that’s why the Axys feels better to me. I can get out front and along side of the XCR pretty easily with the longer limbs.... the 850 is a no brainer for me, but I don’t use all of it that often. I can see the 650 being a good motor for most trail riding.

 

[szotty]

I actually really wanted to get the 650 over the 850 and will order another 650 for tight twisty trails it does incredible 850 if like going as fast as can in lake or grade other than that I think the 650 can run on the 850 in the woods personally. But don’t know didn’t ever see any of the sleds I went by again but .... for the 1000 bucks I think like the old 600 The 650 will last longer without need of rebuild. I think they did good with it. I can ride the 650 vr1 faster than the axys pro s 800 it tends to pull the skis up when valves open so have to slow down in corners more so

 

[1fujifilm]

I couldn't believe it either Kevin but it is that much different. Its a completely different handling machine the front end just rails like nothing I've ever ridden before. I too think being able to get out in front of it and alongside of it makes a big difference. As far as in the rough stuff being a big guy it's hard for me to give you guys a comparison because I set mine up a lot different than I'm sure you guys do. I agree with buying the 850 compared to the 650.

Once you get an 850 you won't go back to anything smaller.
You won't be able keep up with Slim if you do.

But seriously, any upcharge for the motor is gained back at sale time and the 850 works less intensly so mileage isn't much different.
Plus, the weight differnce is like 15 lbs (Slim has an emergency bag bigger than that).
Bear