COMPARISON / 2025 MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOOTOUT

Arctic Cat ZR 600 ATAC Lynx Rave RE 600R Polaris 650 Indy SP Ski-Doo MXZ Adrenaline 600R Yamaha SRViper L-TX GT

Fine . We guess we could include the mid-level Indy 650 XC in our test , we thought .

The problem is that Polaris parked its Indy XC models for 2025 , citing the amount of in-field inventory at dealerships . How about a 650 Indy Adventure ? Nope , they weren ’ t bringing one of those to the spring tests , either .

So , for the second straight year , we were left with the relatively entry-level / pricepoint-oriented 650 Indy SP with baseline shocks and limited features . We were beginning to think it was something personal between us and the Roseau and Medina , Minnesota , crowd .

But then we got reacquainted with the 650 Indy SP , and discovered once more what a fun and reactive snowmobile it really is .

What ’ s New ?

If a person were to merely look at the spec charts and compare a 2025 650 Indy SP 137 to the 2024 model , a sledder might think that Polaris merely slapped a fresh coat of paint on the old model and rolled it into dealerships for another year .

In fact , the only spec change is that Polaris is now admitting this model weighs 508 pounds dry compared to a 499-pound claim last year despite no real component changes .

The astute observer , though , may recall that Polaris issued a lengthy list of running changes it was instituting throughout its lineup to make its sled more durable , dependable and problem free . Whether that list should be seen as a lot of neat attention to detail or an indictment of past foibles is up to you .

Specific to sleds with the 650 engine are new pistons that offer better heat transfer for improved durability , new spark plugs with a higher heat range for better run quality and less fouling , and a new engine mount , also with durability in mind . Updates to the two-stroke oil reservoir , exhaust mount and recoil guide were also made to solve or prevent little problems . Rather alluring stuff , right ?

From a functional / ride standpoint and what the sled feels like when taking it down a weaving trail , the 650 Indy SP was a familiar package .

It starts with the Matryx chassis platform and 650 Patriot engine that were both first introduced for model year 2021 . That combo didn ’ t make it into a price-oriented SP until model year 2023 .

Since their beginning , Matryx trail sleds feature what the company now calls the Matryx Front Suspension – a dual A-arm design that originated in Polaris ’ race program – and the coupled Pro-CC rear suspension . On this model , each is damped by Polaris IFP shocks , which are non-adjustable internal floating piston gas shocks .

A 15- by 137- by 1.25-inch RipSaw II track , mid-level Hayes brake , mid-height window , Pro-Steer skis and Message Center gauge round out the package , which for 2025 carries a $ 14,199 MSRP . That represents a somewhat surprising $ 800 price increase year-over-year .

On The Trail

Maybe not getting the sled we actually wanted lowered our expectations , but overall our test team was once again pleasantly surprised by the 650 Indy SP .

It starts with the primarily features it shares with more upscale models , including the Matryx chassis layout , the suspension geometry , the precision of the skis and the reactive powerplant .

The Matryx design is first rate . The height of the seat and handlebar , with width of the body panels , the density of the seat and the angles of hips , knees and shoulders fit our varying-sized riders the best . Whether leaning hard in turns , transitioning from sitting to standing or locking in for long cruises on endless trails , finding comfort was easy .

One of our riders complained about the enclosed footwells , now that he ’ s mentally transition to the open-side Ski-Doo design Another gave his usual complaint about the shin ’ s interface with the driver-facing body panels , but otherwise the crew loves this design .

The suspensions – particularly the front – earned more applause , despite cut-rate shock absorbers that can only be adjusted with spring rate .

The Polaris front end , when combined with the Pro-Steer

2025 Polaris 650 Indy SP 137

Engine : 650cc , liquid-cooled , semi-direct-injected two-stroke twin Bore x stroke : 74.8 x 74 mm Chassis : Matryx L x W x H ( inches ): 120 x 47 x 54.5 Ski stance ( inches ): 42.5 Claimed dry weight : 508 pounds Front suspension , travel , shocks : Matryx , 9.5 inches , Polaris IFP Rear suspension , travel , shocks : Pro-CC , 16.2 inches , Polaris IFP Track : 15- by 137- by 1.25-inch RipSaw II Fuel capacity : 11.5 gallons MSRP : $ 14,199

32 / NOVEMBER 2024 / SNOWGOER . COM