My Honest Review of 850 still in “ Break In”

akpowderhound · Nov 20, 2018

My Honest Review of 850 still in “ Break In”

It currently has approximately 70 miles on it.
All miles so far are just loose snow on a trail. I have not put it on a good hill climb yet.
Right out of the gate it’s throttle response was lacking.
After about 20 miles on the odometer that has noticeably improved. At that point it was safe to say it’d out run my stock 800 Axys. Even with the rpms not exceeding 7850 it feels like it’s got a little more power than the 800 in the mid range and top end. In between cool downs I did experience twice the sled not wanting to start on the second pull unless I applied a little bit of throttle.
Not exactly sure on why, assuming it could have something to do with the additional fuel and oil supplied.
This engine seems impressive for sure, it is a smooth power with out the huge bottom end the skidoo is known for. I’m sure once it’s broke in I’ll be more impressed but at this point it’s a modest power increase, nothing to drastic.

<img src="https://image.ibb.co/fPKukV/B66791-AB-CA8-A-4215-8081-E8-DCE529-BE08.jpg" alt="B66791-AB-CA8-A-4215-8081-E8-DCE529-BE08" border="0" />

<img src="https://image.ibb.co/buPS5V/0-D3-BBB40-2-B68-45-D6-BBEE-9-B142413-F5-A5.jpg" alt="0-D3-BBB40-2-B68-45-D6-BBEE-9-B142413-F5-A5" border="0" />

<img src="https://image.ibb.co/kPr75V/9-EEE6-A05-4915-4269-8-D04-4-F8-E4-A2-C385-E.png" alt="9-EEE6-A05-4915-4269-8-D04-4-F8-E4-A2-C385-E" border="0" />

no_uh · Nov 20, 2018

Were you expecting a drastic power increase? My assumption was that for Axys 800 owners switching over it would be definitely noticeable but nothing jaw dropping. I've switched from an 2015 800 PRO, so it'll probably be more noticeable to me (I hope), but I guess I just wonder if people's expectations are a little too high re 850 power.

deten8 · Nov 20, 2018

Expectations are definitely to high, myself included. I have about 30 miles and experienced the same hard starting. Very hard starting. So far I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, but I'm definitely not impressed. All the hype leaves alot to be desired.

goridedoo · Nov 20, 2018

no_uh said:
Were you expecting a drastic power increase? My assumption was that for Axys 800 owners switching over it would be definitely noticeable but nothing jaw dropping. I've switched from an 2015 800 PRO, so it'll probably be more noticeable to me (I hope), but I guess I just wonder if people's expectations are a little too high re 850 power.

I would say I wasn’t expecting a drastic increase when Doo came out with the 850, but I was pretty blown away by it... So my expectations are pretty high for this motor I guess.

akpowderhound · Nov 20, 2018

no_uh said:
Were you expecting a drastic power increase? My assumption was that for Axys 800 owners switching over it would be definitely noticeable but nothing jaw dropping. I've switched from an 2015 800 PRO, so it'll probably be more noticeable to me (I hope), but I guess I just wonder if people's expectations are a little too high re 850 power.

You know, my expectations might be a bit high but as “goridedoo” said. The competitors 850 flat out blew me away with the engine. Now my 800 Axys would hang with that 850 everyday. So I still do believe the Polaris 850 will be king of the Hill with this sled but the engine at this point is not a game changer.
Polaris has built one game impressive sled here.

no_uh · Nov 20, 2018

goridedoo said:
I would say I wasn’t expecting a drastic increase when Doo came out with the 850, but I was pretty blown away by it... So my expectations are pretty high for this motor I guess.

Yea, I'm not trying to diminish anyone's experience. I just think a lot of it is very subjective, and made better/worse by expectations. Kind of like when someone overhypes a movie, and this polaris 850 has been hyped to the max by polaris, burandt, etc. Time will tell. Looking forward to getting past break-in and a full season of riding.

Nine2Nine · Nov 20, 2018

akpowderhound said:
You know, my expectations might be a bit high but as “goridedoo” said. The competitors 850 flat out blew me away with the engine. Now my 800 Axys would hang with that 850 everyday. So I still do believe the Polaris 850 will be king of the Hill with this sled but the engine at this point is not a game changer.
Polaris has built one game impressive sled here.

Looking forward to comparing the two, coming off an 850 Doo, there's no doubt that engine was amazing. If the 840 is in the ballpark we'll be fine. The game changed in 2017, but it looks like we are all here now!!!,

AndrettiDog · Nov 20, 2018

I have just over 65 miles on mine now. I've noticed the power band becoming more "fun". The 850 is very docile during break in. Getting the stock can off really makes it sound so different. With the stock can, all you hear is the QDS moaning.

I have done some strong pulls on good size hills at around 11,000 feet. To no surprise, the motor holds strong as it is more torquey than the 800. I think it is a good partnership with the motor and this chassis/skid. Bleeping the throttle keeps the sled up on top of the snow. The 800 would bog a little more until it got wound up.

wellfed777 · Nov 20, 2018

i'm returning mine tomorrow !

sledhead_79 · Nov 20, 2018

no_uh said:
and this polaris 850 has been hyped to the max by burandt,.

BINGO!

Devilmanak · Nov 20, 2018

Sounds the same as my 13 Pro. Felt like I had an anchor hanging out the back until it was broken in. I was super mad about how slow it was. After some miles it came alive. Doos take 250-300 miles to come off the clock, I am sure Poo version will be fine after breakin seeing as they now have the same oiling system. I have heard good things from legit peeps about the Poo 8 whatever it is. Going to be an interesting year!

Colbymh · Nov 20, 2018

You guys think it could be from the relaxed break in methods? Everything ive owned (dirt bikes, street bikes), ive heat cycled em and then pinned the hell out of it.

I saw about 10hp difference in relaxed break in vs balls to the walls break in on my cbr1000 street bike.

Just a thought..

akpowderhound · Nov 21, 2018

I am more than confident this 850 will wake up!
I don’t think the low end will be that of a doo 850 but I’m betting it’ll out perform one any day once it’s all broke in.

RMK-King · Nov 21, 2018

It will gain another 6-8hp yet once broken in, that is about the equivalent of adding a pipe to a 800ho which makes a noticeable difference.

MKULTRA · Nov 21, 2018

the 840 makes all his power on top just like the 800ho. Just checking the dyno sheets you can see poo got nothing to compete doo's 850 at low/mid rpm but it's neck to neck at max rpm.

Motorbreath_ · Nov 21, 2018

Interesting.. Just FYI, the 850 etec is very impressive straight out of the box.. and easy to start.

Colbymh · Nov 21, 2018

Odd Q, but what size pro taper pad is that?

JJ_0909 · Nov 21, 2018

I'll chime in and agree with others. I sort of saw this coming, as 40ccs is a relatively small amount of displacement. That said, I, like others noticed a big difference between the 800 and 850 ETEC motor, and was expecting something similar.

Sleeper call is still to go buy a 800 hold over and slap a turbo on it. You'd be OTD for about the same price as a Patriot with a much more capable (and imo fun) sled.

I still need some real time - Axys is a very good platform regardless. Not disappointed just not impressed.

snowmobiler · Nov 21, 2018

wellfed777 said:
i'm returning mine tomorrow !

LOL.

Woodsrider · Nov 21, 2018

Looks like Eureka up Red Fox.

My Honest Review of 850 still in “ Break In”

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