If you didn’t get a chance to ride a Polaris Indy 600 yet, you don’t know what you are missing. This is one of most fun-to-ride sleds there is, and it just screams “Polaris” when you’re on it. It is a blend of everything you know and like about Polaris.
For several years Polaris had been trying to figure out how to get all of their riders with an older Polaris sitting in the garage to come out and buy a new sled. These are the riders with an old wedge Indy, maybe an Indy 500 or XLT, or any of the popular Gen II sleds or even an Indy EDGE. Anyone that has an older than 2010 Polaris is now in this group. The 2018 Indy 600 is a perfect match for these riders, and more.
The Indy 600 is positioned as the “price point sled”, making it the lower cost solution for the rider who wants a sled that looks like the more expensive ones but still delivers great performance at a great value. We start with the strong and proven PRO-RIDE bonded chassis that is rock solid and very rigid, and fit it with one of the best engines Polaris makes – the transfer-port fuel injected 600 two-stroke twin. We can call this an SDI engine, because that is what it is, semi-direct fuel injection. Power is right there at 120-125 HP so this is no slouch, it has best in class power.
But how Polaris made this sled the inexpensive one is brilliant – instead of giving the Indy 600 the more expensive progressive rate rear suspension of the AXYS models they instead have kept it on the PRO-RIDE platform and gave it a traditional tunnel and (key element) a coupled rear suspension that keeps the skis on the ground. It rails around the corners, stays flat through the bumps, doesn’t lift the skis much, and when you ride it you know it is a Polaris. Everything about it, the way it sounds, the way it smells, the way it goes through the bumps, the way it goes around the corners, this is a Polaris.
Low-cost is enhanced by the gas-cell Ryde FX MPV shocks all around. They actually work quite well, especially for trail riding. In fact, on the small stutter bumps they are going to be very smooth (high pressure gas shocks are not the best at the small stutters). The coupled rear suspension means the sled stays flat and level, not lifting the skis like a RUSH and helping maintain ski pressure around the corners, just like a Polaris should.
The Indy Pro-Ride seat design allows easy transitions between seated and standing positions. Plus, its wider surface where a rider plants for seated riding enhances comfort during long days of great riding. A standard-issue 14.5” mid-height windshield is tall enough for most riders so you don’t need to spend even more to stay warm.
Fitted with a .91” lug height Shockwave track and easy-steering INDY plastic skis the Indy 600 is a total riot to ride on the trails. Instead of being glued to the trail you can drift through the corners and the back end will let you throw it around. Playful, slightly loose, and a complete riot to ride. Lighter riders will not be as hooked up as heavier ones will be, but the final package of this sled is something that you absolutely must ride to appreciate.
The Indy 600 continues to be one of the best value sleds in snowmobiling. The red and white coloration gives it a fresh look as it enters year six of production, as the feature-laden Indy 600 SP model now wears the traditional black and blue coloration, bringing out the true character of the sleds. The fact these models have a regular tunnel is great for attaching a gear bag and getting through deeper snow.
The Indy 600 gives you great performance and proves you don’t need to be spending over ten grand to get a great sled. Priced at $8,599 it screams value. Get it with electric start for only $400 more. If you want or need better shocks, a taller 1.0” Hacksaw track and PRO-STEER skis go for the Indy 600 SP priced at $9,599 as it comes with Fox shocks all around so it is better suited for when you get rowdy. Compared to a base model 600 RUSH PRO-S priced at $11,599 you’re still two grand ahead with the SP, and three grand less with the Indy!
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