Axys 850: "Second Ride" Review

JJ_0909 · Nov 27, 2018

Obviously I need a lot more time on the sled. Nonetheless, a few thoughts and a video from this weekend at Togwotee.

I am not affiliated or brand loyal to any one sled company. Also, I have a broken hand and conditions are still very thin. Really getting after it isn't an option yet. Riding in this video is akin to russian roulette, only the snowmobile & rock version.

In either case, the sled wakes up after about 3 hours of real mountain riding. Is it a "turbo killer". Lol. No. It feels like an Axys, only with a slightly improved motor. At Togwotee elevation, its probably putting out a handful more horse than the OG Axys. Pro tip - anyone looking for a sled just go buy a hold over Axys. Save the $3K and ride a sled that is basically just as capable.

I started out hitting 7900-8000 RPM. Ended the day hitting 8200-8300.

It doesn't have the bottom end hit of the Gen4. Handling is very similar to the Axys of old, to the point I didn't overly notice the narrowed front end. They did a good job making it ride well on trail with a hint more agility when tipping her over.

What is better? Pick your poison. Every sled is pretty dang capable these days. I'm looking forward to a year on this guy!

Can't wait for more snow so we can really put this sled through its paces. Oh, and I know, I maybe didn't follow the owner's manual to "how to break in a sled". Couldn't help it!

Oh and if anyone found my side panel on the way to Jackson from Togwotee reward will be given! Get the word out!

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XC500mod · Nov 27, 2018

what clutch weights were you spinning at tog elevations?

JJ_0909 · Nov 27, 2018

XC500mod said:
what clutch weights were you spinning at tog elevations?

Honestly, I haven't even looked. Not too hard now though being the clutch side panel is gonzo

kidwoo · Nov 27, 2018

JJ_0909 said:
Oh and if anyone found my side panel on the way to Jackson from Togwotee reward will be given!

Why you so bad at snowmobiling?

Actually maybe it's the dick who stole all those panels from people at the lodge last year. He's hiding under your sled deck!

Dabull · Nov 27, 2018

i havnt picked up my 850 yet. so your saying its not worth the money over my 18 800? your making me rethink this along with several other reviews i am getting..

JJ_0909 · Nov 27, 2018

Dabull said:
i havnt picked up my 850 yet. so your saying its not worth the money over my 18 800? your making me rethink this along with several other reviews i am getting..

Absolutely not. Same rider, same day, you might get 1 more sled length on a big hill in deep snow.

Throw a narrow front end on the Axys 800 if you want it. Otherwise, the Polaris marketing team did a hell of a job.

If the sleds were close in price, say $1000 difference, I'd go 850. I paid $3K extra. Time will tell as this motor might be wicked under boost. But so far, its a waste...but I loved the og Axys.

Dabull · Nov 27, 2018

this seems to be what most of the reviews are all saying. Polaris does market well. Thanks for the advice and review. Ill ride my 18 another year.:face-icon-small-win

TRS · Nov 27, 2018

If the 850 engine stays together all season for me it will be worth the extra coin.
Missing my 18 for a total of 6 weeks last year for engine warranties was evil.

Wax · Nov 27, 2018

Was some of your riding in Beauty Park? Seems to run good from the video. Should run even better once completely broke in. Thanks

AKFULLTHROTTLE · Nov 27, 2018

Our first ride and they definitely make more power than a 16-18, heck they are pushing more clutch weight and a steeper angle. They make more HP, like a stage 3 800.

They have a super linear power that does not pull your arms out, but it pulls. Yes I am a Ambassador but this is just the truth. Every review from our local guys have been really good and all still in break in.

On top of a completely new engine, You are also getting way better engine mounts, wire connections, narrow front end designed to work with the short rear boards and more..

I have my 18 boosted Axys 800 and super happy I got a 850...

DRIVEBYE · Nov 27, 2018

I rode with a guy recently that liked it but did not notice much difference from his 17 800.

Jaynelson · Nov 27, 2018

JJ_0909 said:
If the sleds were close in price, say $1000 difference, I'd go 850. I paid $3K extra.

Are you saying price different to a regular season 2018 model? If so for the $3k wouldn't you be gaining the 850, additional warranty, a snowcheck model sled vs base, a year newer unit, better resale, and possibly SC options (shocks, etc) ....?

JJ_0909 · Nov 27, 2018

Jaynelson said:
Are you saying price different to a regular season 2018 model? If so for the $3k wouldn't you be gaining the 850, additional warranty, a snowcheck model sled vs base, a year newer unit, better resale, and possibly SC options (shocks, etc) ....?

Eh, to some extent you are right, but $3K is $3K. The experience on snow is basically the same.

JJ_0909 · Nov 27, 2018

AKFULLTHROTTLE said:
Our first ride and they definitely make more power than a 16-18, heck they are pushing more clutch weight and a steeper angle. They make more HP, like a stage 3 800.

They have a super linear power that does not pull your arms out, but it pulls. Yes I am a Ambassador but this is just the truth. Every review from our local guys have been really good and all still in break in.

On top of a completely new engine, You are also getting way better engine mounts, wire connections, narrow front end designed to work with the short rear boards and more..

I have my 18 boosted Axys 800 and super happy I got a 850...

Clutching has a lot to do with the new belt as well. Can't ignore that!

edgey · Nov 27, 2018

I have a 100 miles on mine in pretty good snow it is night and difference in the handling the 3 guys that rode mine all said the same thing the front is so much easier to roll and stay there. I luv mine.
At 100 miles it out climbs a piped 800 axys. I don't know what u guys expect from 40cc? I think there is some room to improve on the clutching for sure.

tdbaugha · Nov 27, 2018

JJ_0909 said:
Clutching has a lot to do with the new belt as well. Can't ignore that!

My 850 is pulling 4 more grams with the gates carbon and it’s in break in mode. The belt isn’t playing that big of difference. 10-68’s with the straight 42 helix at 6000’ is impressive for box stock.

damx · Nov 27, 2018

72g at 4000' pulled 7900, only got 26 miles on.

goridedoo · Nov 27, 2018

Got some miles on my 850 this weekend. My previous sled was a piped 2017 800. So far I’m pretty happy, but not really wowed. I’m currently at 75 miles/5.4 hours. We rode at 10,000ft or so and pulled 8100-8200 rpm with 66s in.

Some thoughts-
1. First thing I noticed is the hand warmers get hot at idle. Sounds dumb, but thats one of my favorite things about this sled so far.
2. They run super rich for the first few hours.
3. As others have said it does not have the bottom end like the Doo does. I would say it feel alot like the 800 until pretty close to WFO. We did not have an 800 with us, and haven’t ridden one since last year, so it’s hard to really know how different it feels.
4. The react front end seems to work well. The sled lays over super easy. I did bend an a arm on a fairly minor rock hit, so they must still be weak.
5. The stock shocks are bad. I would spend money here before anything else. I had Carls valving on my 2017 and it was the best money I’ve ever spent on a sled. Night and day better. I am not affiliated with them in anyway.
6. The pidd comes preloaded with trail maps.

Overall a good sled so far, hopefully it continues to get better with some more miles.

AndrettiDog · Nov 27, 2018

It seemed to take 6 hours before I really felt the sled take off. Also needed belt deflection and track adjustment to really feel how the motor performs. The big difference I've noticed is the low end torque. Power comes on w/o wrapping the motor out as high as the 800 needed. I currently have 64g weights at 10,000+.

MDS · Nov 28, 2018

MDS Clutching

I have one on my loadcell track dyno right now, have to say the new power plant is impressive. As stated it doesn't have the grunt of the 850 Doo but it no slouch either. Compared to a piped and clutched 800 Axys it's stronger with more track speed (8-9mph) in stock form using all OEM springs and my weights. 8100 to 8200 RPMs seems to the sweet spot. Now just waiting to get my hands on some cans to get rid of that suitcase and see who making some power with them.:face-icon-small-win

Axys 850: "Second Ride" Review

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