Sled recommendations

D

durphee

Well-known member
So, I have been cruising the online sled listings and not jumping on a new sled since I still owned one. I sold it last week and now getting serious. I know I could wait til after the first of the year but I would miss a trip with my three boys and I am not willing to do that. So.....I have narrowed it down to three different sleds and they are in order of preference but there’s only a minimal preference even between #1 and #3. I am just looking for real world recommendations and some input, I really don’t think I could go wrong with any of them. I ride about 75% on trail and pretty aggressively, I am no Tucker Hibbert of course. Here they are:
1. Polaris Assault 2019 or 2020 preference 850 but an 800 would be fine. I just sold a 2017 Polaris Assault 800 and loved it. Would have zero problems purchasing another 800......but that 850 engine really has my attention. Wanting the 1.6 track over the 1.35, 2 inch is just too much for the way I ride. Would like the longer warranty.
2. Ski Doo Renegade 850 with 1.6 track. That 850 engine ......so nice and smooth. If Polaris has more 850’s available I would be all over it but with limited amount I may jump to ski doo. I really like the renegade, wish the X had the XRS shocks. Would consider the XRS.
3. Ski Doo Backcountry 850 XRS with 1.6 track. Read it wasn’t as good on trail as Assault but better off trail. It would be the 2019 version. Great looking sled, smooth, nice warranty.

I am buying one of them, probably within a week. Any input on dealers and/or comments would be appreciated. You can PM me also.
 
J

just_ride

Member
Go with the Ski Doo Backcountry 850 XRS
Motor rips
Great shock package, very adjustable
I prefer the 1.5 ice ripper over the 1.6 for the trails....
I think the 2019 had the 1.6 and then in 2020 they went to the 1.5.....no never mind thats the Renegade....Backcountry still runs 1.6
just my 2 cents
Good Luck...let us know what you choose
 
W

whitedust

Well-known member
If you buy a Ski doo I would recommend Lando Rec Ben Parling store manager. He will shoot you straight usually has accessories in stock and stands by his products. Lando Rec new sled set up is excellent as well as their service techs. I total support dealers in the areas you ride just the way I do it.
 
S

ss440

Member
I’ve had nothing but bad experiences at the lando lakes doo dealer. Keep driving north and go to Timberline sports. No deals to be had at Lando Rec
 
1

1fujifilm

Well-known member
durphee said:
So, I have been cruising the online sled listings and not jumping on a new sled since I still owned one. I sold it last week and now getting serious. I know I could wait til after the first of the year but I would miss a trip with my three boys and I am not willing to do that. So.....I have narrowed it down to three different sleds and they are in order of preference but there’s only a minimal preference even between #1 and #3. I am just looking for real world recommendations and some input, I really don’t think I could go wrong with any of them. I ride about 75% on trail and pretty aggressively, I am no Tucker Hibbert of course. Here they are:
1. Polaris Assault 2019 or 2020 preference 850 but an 800 would be fine. I just sold a 2017 Polaris Assault 800 and loved it. Would have zero problems purchasing another 800......but that 850 engine really has my attention. Wanting the 1.6 track over the 1.35, 2 inch is just too much for the way I ride. Would like the longer warranty.
2. Ski Doo Renegade 850 with 1.6 track. That 850 engine ......so nice and smooth. If Polaris has more 850’s available I would be all over it but with limited amount I may jump to ski doo. I really like the renegade, wish the X had the XRS shocks. Would consider the XRS.
3. Ski Doo Backcountry 850 XRS with 1.6 track. Read it wasn’t as good on trail as Assault but better off trail. It would be the 2019 version. Great looking sled, smooth, nice warranty.

I am buying one of them, probably within a week. Any input on dealers and/or comments would be appreciated. You can PM me also.
Click to expand...

Anyone that knows me knows I love the 850 Gade in any form even though I owned a new Poo 800 for 5 weeks last winter.
Poo wants like $500 for painted rails, $500 for painted bulkhead, this takes an expensive sled to numbers that are ridiculous (a fine sled but come on) ; POO CAN TAKE A LEAP IN THE RIVER DUDE!

Sorry to say, to find a sled with each of your demands (in-season) means full price..if you can find one (yuk). Buy something cheap and ORDER what you want for 2021. Call three Dealers and cross-price, if you want the best price P.M. me (I shop six or more dealers..Poo or Doo).

One last consideration; when looking at high end sleds, one brand will have a lower price and better resale together..I'll let you guess that one Dood.

Bear
 
indy_500

indy_500

Well-known member
If you’re going to go Polaris 850 I would shy away from the 19s and go 2020 ONLY. The 19s had a few hiccups and spending that kind of money you’d be crazy not to get the 2020 with the engine updates. If you were in love with the Polaris chassis that you had, there’s a good chance you won’t like the doo as they ride drastically different. Any sort of off trail and the assault will stomp the gade. The doo will most likely take the cake for long term reliability though. Can’t go wrong either way.
 
O

old abe

Well-known member
Poo or Doo? I spent many years on both. The last 22 on Doo. All good picks. If I were younger, I'd be all over the Backcountry! Good luck, you can't go wrong! Also I have all the respect in the world for Timberland Sports.
 
H

Highflyer

Active member
Finding a 850 Polaris will likely be a challenge. I'd go with a 800 Assault which will be way easier to find and less expensive. Any 850 Assault you do find will likely demand top dollar.

Unless you are loyal to a certain dealer up North, I would check these dealer in IL as they tend to give better pricing in order to unload sleds. The dealer up north can demand higher dollar as you have the luxury of riding right out of the lot.
 
W

wirev

New member
Mark & Marlin at Timberline Sports are the best. Great deals and super on shop work and getting you going after a breakdown.
 
S

snobuilder

Well-known member
Polaris dealer in Elkhorn ,WI has a 2019 Poo 850 SB w 4 yr warranty for 12,500. Buy it so I quit thinking about it...lol.
Otherwise get a regularly available Doo 850 and tell Poo with their spring order only 850 program to go jump in one of their 10,000 lakes.
 
H

HardwaterHoosier

Member
Sounds like you need the renegade. The assault and BC are geared a little more off trail in their geometry and would be better with a 2-2.5 track. The renegades ride really good with a 1.5" track and can dip off trail a little, but just not as extreme as the others would go.
 
S

slowsi00

New member
the assault 144 is a trail sled - complete trail front end with the back end to go anywhere.


the assault 1.6" is going to be great for you, but I would tell you to think very hard about the 2.0" the amount of fun the 2.0" track adds off trail is worth the trade off of not being able to go 110mph on the rail road beds/lakes.


if you pick skidoo go to timberline drive right past every other dealer with your middle finger in the sky as you drive by. Timberline is by far the best skidoo experience I have ever had. We still have one in the family. They set my wife sled up perfect for her, they try to be patient and that's worth its weight in gold.

if you pick Polaris go to Pat's we bought a couple SKS's from Kip last year.
 
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D

durphee

Well-known member
After some thought I ended up purchasing the 2020 Assault 850 with all the goodies. I took it up to Mass City area this weekend and really enjoyed it. Trails were hit and miss but that’s what you get for early season riding, no complaints from me. Rode all over from the Mosquito down to Sidnaw. Definitely put some mud on the new sled (pic is of my friends sled) from open water areas but I didn’t purchase it to sit in my shop Put about 300 miles on it. E36D0138-2F37-47BE-BD67-07B1CC5E0ED0.jpg 4CA41D23-27BB-4B24-B542-13C90FD8E7F9.jpg F37FBACC-F221-4067-85E2-E81626A5AB57.jpg F8DABDE1-D3B7-4034-8A92-1AB849C1F064.jpg

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And I have no idea why the pics are upside down :)
 
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