it a quick burst ,” one test rider noted . “ From the way it spins up RPM off the bottom or in mid-range to its incredible top-end , the power is always right on tap .”
“ Power delivery was very linear , smooth and usable in all applications ,” another tester noted . “ I started on the 9R and at first didn ’ t think it felt much faster than an 850 . However , once we started swapping sleds I quicky noticed when getting on an 850 how much faster the 9R was throughout the entire power range .”
A third rider noted that he had concerns with the P22 clutching – both with backshifting and freewheeling – on 9R and Patriot Boost RMK applications in the past . “ But they ’ ve got it figured out on this one , it ’ s shifting much better when hustling it in and out of corners .”
From the seat of the pants , our test team all thought the Ski- Doo MXZ 850 felt second fastest .
“ Like I ’ ve noted about Ski-Doo engines so many times in the past , this thing ran precisely and was truly sewing machine smooth , kind of ,” a tester wrote .
The exception , he noted , was that the way Ski-Doo clutches its 850 has always led to a bit of a harsh engagement or re-engagement of the drive belt , which can give the rider a herky-jerky sensation that ’ s fun at first but can be tiring over the course of a long day .
2025 Polaris 9R Indy XCR 136
Engine : Engine : 899cc liquid-cooled semi-direct injected two-stroke twin Bore X stroke : 88 x 74 mm Fuel : 91 octane Chassis : Matryx L x W x H ( inches ): 120 x 47 x 46 Ski stance ( inches ): 42.5 Listed dry weight : 510 pounds Front suspension , travel , shocks , skis : Matryx Front Suspension , 9.3 inches , Walker Evans 2-inch Velocity Hi-Lo , Pro Steer Rear suspension , travel , shocks : Pro-CC , 16.2 inches , Walker Evans 2-inch Velocity Hi-Lo Track : 15- by 136- by 1.35-inch Cobra Fuel capacity : 11.5 gallons MSRP : $ 20,199
“ Look , we know it ’ s fast , you don ’ t have to prove its might every time I tap the throttle ,” he noted .
“ She just runs ,” another tester wrote . “ While it still seems like a ‘ new ’ engine in my head , it is now very much time-proven as a dependable , responsive and fun workhorse .”
At first blush when diving in and out of turns on a daylong trail ride , the Cat 858 twin impressed our team but it seemed
JANUARY 2025 / SNOWGOER . COM / 17