Finally getting some good snow in BC. I have 750km on my turbo and it decided it should drop a cylinder, no codes no engine lights. Going into the shop this week so will know what's wrong soon.
I didn't want to miss out on the recent snow so rented a 9R yesterday. The 9R was a 165 pro, I'm a 154 track guy but they didn't have one available. I would have also preferred a khaos model over the pro.
I'm an advanced rider, typically in the trees for most of the day. So was looking forward to trying the 9R and see what all the hype was about. Over the last few years I've owned 2 Polaris, 1 cat, and 2 turbo doos. Not brand loyal at all. I spent time on a Polaris boost last year too so have a pretty good idea of every new sled out there. I had a Gen 4 165 turbo ride with me yesterday so did lots of back and forth comparison.
Fit and finish: Matryx is the best Polaris has produced. I would say in line with the Gen 4 but Gen 5 takes it up a level. Matryx hood and panels are easier to take off and no tools required.
Engine:
9R is the best running sled from Polaris I've been on but not an etec. Started 3 pulls when cold, one pull all day. Etec one pull always. Fuel economy is similar, less oil with the 9R. The 9R is as advertised, very snappy immediate to full rpm. We lined up the Gen 4 and the 9R multiple times in varying terrain. 9R was always a half to full sled length in front of the Gen 4, which I found very impressive. In a long pull the Gen 4 would inch past eventually. Track speed was with in 5km/hr of each other on a climb, Gen 4 being higher. The Polaris gets up on the snow better than the Gen 4, always trenched less which made for a faster ground speed over the Gen 4. A Gen 5 easily would win if comparing to a 9R as it is noticeably faster than the Gen 4.
Handling:
Polaris vs Skidoo, both great but very different feel between them. A matryx is better then a Gen 4. The Gen 5 expert package has really closed the gap. My Gen 5 does have Slp Mohawk skis, elevate kit, and fox float QS3 which all are a big improvement over stock. I find my Gen 5 easier to initiate and just a hair less predictable on edge. Down hill descents are way nicer on the Gen 5, skidoos always been known for this. The matryx I could ride slower and in control more often. Combination of longer track and slower sled compared to my Gen 5. Crossing old tracks still favours the matryx chassis, almost zero feed back.
Ergonomics:
This is the biggest difference. Gen 5 I feel one with the sled and really like the forward laydown steering, I do run a lower bar set up from factory. The stock low bars on the 9R were too tall for me so most of the day I felt I was placed on top of the sled not one with the sled and in an aggressive position. I'd need lower bars and probably would run Turcottes laydown steering post. The stock 9R set up was hard on the shoulders and left me more tired at the end of the day. The matryx does steer a little heavier. I found I slipped on the matryx running boards multiple times, never have on the Gen 5. I don't like the hi/lo only option on the heated grip for the matryx either.
Storage: Matryx glove box is a lot better. Actually keeps the snow out and substantially larger. The 9R had the basic gauge but used a 7s before, hands down better than skidoos.
If I had one sled to choose it would be my current sled. Expert package 154 Turbo. It's on another level of fun and just a total weapon. That being said if I was running an NA sled I would go with the 9R, I'd even go with a 9R over a boost for preferred Polaris sled. A Khaos 155 9R would be a fun sled but the 180hp Turbo R is too good of a power plant with a very good chassis.
I didn't want to miss out on the recent snow so rented a 9R yesterday. The 9R was a 165 pro, I'm a 154 track guy but they didn't have one available. I would have also preferred a khaos model over the pro.
I'm an advanced rider, typically in the trees for most of the day. So was looking forward to trying the 9R and see what all the hype was about. Over the last few years I've owned 2 Polaris, 1 cat, and 2 turbo doos. Not brand loyal at all. I spent time on a Polaris boost last year too so have a pretty good idea of every new sled out there. I had a Gen 4 165 turbo ride with me yesterday so did lots of back and forth comparison.
Fit and finish: Matryx is the best Polaris has produced. I would say in line with the Gen 4 but Gen 5 takes it up a level. Matryx hood and panels are easier to take off and no tools required.
Engine:
9R is the best running sled from Polaris I've been on but not an etec. Started 3 pulls when cold, one pull all day. Etec one pull always. Fuel economy is similar, less oil with the 9R. The 9R is as advertised, very snappy immediate to full rpm. We lined up the Gen 4 and the 9R multiple times in varying terrain. 9R was always a half to full sled length in front of the Gen 4, which I found very impressive. In a long pull the Gen 4 would inch past eventually. Track speed was with in 5km/hr of each other on a climb, Gen 4 being higher. The Polaris gets up on the snow better than the Gen 4, always trenched less which made for a faster ground speed over the Gen 4. A Gen 5 easily would win if comparing to a 9R as it is noticeably faster than the Gen 4.
Handling:
Polaris vs Skidoo, both great but very different feel between them. A matryx is better then a Gen 4. The Gen 5 expert package has really closed the gap. My Gen 5 does have Slp Mohawk skis, elevate kit, and fox float QS3 which all are a big improvement over stock. I find my Gen 5 easier to initiate and just a hair less predictable on edge. Down hill descents are way nicer on the Gen 5, skidoos always been known for this. The matryx I could ride slower and in control more often. Combination of longer track and slower sled compared to my Gen 5. Crossing old tracks still favours the matryx chassis, almost zero feed back.
Ergonomics:
This is the biggest difference. Gen 5 I feel one with the sled and really like the forward laydown steering, I do run a lower bar set up from factory. The stock low bars on the 9R were too tall for me so most of the day I felt I was placed on top of the sled not one with the sled and in an aggressive position. I'd need lower bars and probably would run Turcottes laydown steering post. The stock 9R set up was hard on the shoulders and left me more tired at the end of the day. The matryx does steer a little heavier. I found I slipped on the matryx running boards multiple times, never have on the Gen 5. I don't like the hi/lo only option on the heated grip for the matryx either.
Storage: Matryx glove box is a lot better. Actually keeps the snow out and substantially larger. The 9R had the basic gauge but used a 7s before, hands down better than skidoos.
If I had one sled to choose it would be my current sled. Expert package 154 Turbo. It's on another level of fun and just a total weapon. That being said if I was running an NA sled I would go with the 9R, I'd even go with a 9R over a boost for preferred Polaris sled. A Khaos 155 9R would be a fun sled but the 180hp Turbo R is too good of a power plant with a very good chassis.
