Thank you for finally making a review of the 650 that doesn’t say it’s as fast as the 800 or 850. I also disliked the hi/low beam button and the knee panels. Nice review.
I have the 850 matrix and the explanation given here by jeff is spot on, it's not for beginners and the acceleration is violent even for a experienced rider. Stay to right and be safe
great comments bud...i like the way you present your ideas.. thank you I have a 650 and I have to say...compared to my last machine a 1977 TNT 440 ahaha it satifies my tremendously and easy on the pump too !
Thanks for the analysis. I ended up snow checking a 2022 Axys chassis because I was concerned about production and delivery issues. I'm glad I did since some still don't have their Matryx sleds and our riding season starts in mid November. I may switch to Matryx in a couple years. I really like the 7s, but the narrow tank felt strange to me. I'm on and off trail, so the Matryx slash 146 with the crossover track is on my radar. I would love to see Polaris bring back the SKS in a Matryx chassis.
All the MY21 Polaris Matryx sled models... Matryx INDY XC Launch Edition, Matryx INDY VR1 and Matryx Switchback Assault 146, have the SmartWarmer system to control the temperature of grip and thumb warmers. The setting of the target temperatures on the Launch Edition sleds when equipped with the standard Message Center gauge, is just not as simple or obvious as with the Matryx sleds equipped with the 7SDD GPS & gauge. Thanks for the video.
Oh wow - an honest opinion - seat of pants versus scripted video. Great vid. We have a 2020 Indy XC850 and a 2021 Indy XC850, a 2021 Matryx 850, a 2021 Matryx 650 - Still dig the AXYS cockpit area best - the narrow tank isn't a deal breaker but it also isn't a 'game changer'...not sure the hype of the Matryx chassis over the Axys however - riding them both back to back every weekend -..they're both awesome and yet similar...(and my knees are also sore from EVERY sled these days)
Any highly competent experienced rider on a 650 is going to ride faster than 98% of all 850 riders he encounters on the trails. I've been doing it all winter.
@@nickpieters6021 I ride a 2002 edge 600 someone who rides with us has a 2021 Yamaha sidewinder turbo Because he had to have the fastest sled he could get.. he can't even come close to keeping up with me. Only time is on a long straight stretch.. I bet I'd smoke you they way you talk.
You folks are clearly biased toward the bigger displacement sleds in my opinion. Yes, you made it clear that the 650 would struggle to compete for top speed and acceleration with the 850 but of course no one thought it would. I have a 2020 Indy XC137 with the 850 and love the sled. I probably ride at more moderate trail speeds than your testers do here but I am very impressed with the linear power of the 850. This is actually the second 850 I've owned. I had a 2019 850 Assault, which I thought was a great sled, but was a little nervous after hearing of the 850 crankshaft bearing issue in these first year production. And in 2020 when the XC137 arrived I thought I would go back to a more trail friendly suspension and ride. So when the Matryx was announced a year ago I thought I would add another sled to the arsenal and stay with the 137" track. I thought long and hard about the choice between the 650 and 850 and since the 650 was getting such rave reviews I decided to go that route and let me tell you I am impressed. I think it it clearly an overachiever. The mid range hit from 30 - 70 is so pleasant that I think that there are few places "on the trail" that the 850 can justify its extra $1000 and overall greater thirst for gasoline and injection oil. This is coming from a guy who loves his 850. Of course lake running and rides on the Taconite and Arrowhead trails in Northern Minnesota give a significant boost to the enjoyment only the 850 can provide. But even on those trails the 650 is very close at the first stop sign. I just think that your review was a little tough on the more than capable 650 for trail riding. If lake riding and high speed radar runs are the preference then spend the money and get the big block. I sure like mine. But the difference for most of us may not be enough. Again, this is just my opinion and I thoroughly enjoyed your video.
Completely agree. I rode both today in the 2022 sleds. The 650 really impressed me and I didn't miss the power of the 850 on the tight and twisty trails I was riding. It really is a beast in the mid range.
@@hitemup6455 I think the original comment wasn't trying to disqualify the idea that the 850 is faster... I don't think anyone questions that. In that long rant, I think the question is... how does the 650 perform "on trail", compared to the 850. The video doesn't talk about corner to corner performance or how the weight difference effects handling. Anyone who has ridden an 800 aggressively in the twisties knows that it takes a little more to time to brake and wants to push a little more in the corners. Is there a major difference in that regard with these 2 sleds?
@@marcusbuckslayer3280 That's a great question and that's what I want to know. I will grant that the 850 is faster, but most of the time I'm not out on the lake. I'm on a trail with at best a half mile straightaway, and usually much less. Is there any real world difference? I'd like a discussion about difference between 129 and 137" in handling too. Same reason: real world trail riding. My biggest concern was the comment about vibration through the hands in the 850.
Jeff- It's been a year since this aired. I was curious, as many in the comments here are, about a fair comparison on the trail between these two engines? I don't live near lakes, so that whole segment may suit many viewers, but not this guy. The boost has come into the market, and it's all the rage, however, I feel the story from this video was left a bit, undone. Would you care to follow up? I am purely speculating here, but the 9R might end up in the XCR for 2024. What if we don't need a 9R drag race sled? I see the stage is being set for a 850 vs 9R video, if it's not already been shot. All I am saying is, the 650 driveability vs 850 from this video needs more coverage in my opinion. Now, the 850 vs 9R or boost vs 9R is going to be the same video this one was. I'd love to see a follow up for trail riders where you go alot more indepth into the power in stead of just appealing to the lake riders and their ego's for straightline speed only. Who cares how fast they are when you " skip " the trail segment that should've been more in depth for the other 50% of us who don't need a lake for self satisfaction?
my 650 hit 173kms on rail bed was fucken insane but i felt the track kept spinning out at some spots so i can't even imagine top speed these machines are wicked fast and fun as hell!!
You can adjust grip warmerd without the 7s and top speed i see 114 on my 850 and 104 on my brothers 650 and the 650 drinks just as much gas its not more fuel efficient
E tech completey suck. Iv seen more blown poo motors but they hold the record for best gas!! Polaris wasn't great 10 years ago. Seems like this new patriot motor are strong like my Arctic cat c-tech motor!! I Love that 600cc!!
I just read through the comments and got a chuckle out of inevitable arguments about which brand is best. If you're not familiar with the Iron Dog race in Alaska, look it up. It's the longest, most brutal race in the world. (some guys in Canada try to claim that title, but they must have a hard time converting miles to kilometers) Here's the total wins for each brand since the race began. Polaris: 17 Ski-Doo: 6 Yamaha: 3 Arctic Cat: 8 The race is often a battle of attrition. Who's sled can survive over 2000 miles cross country in Alaska at top speed? I'll admit, Ski-Doo won in 2020 and 2021. And it relates to this story because the Iron Dog has been limited to 600 class for several years.
@@edwardabrahamiii3742 actually sir i am selling to friend, you can assume polaris products are junk but i have been on their sleds since 1964. the handling of the maytrx is what makes it better than my xc 129's
@@edwardabrahamiii3742 sir what is your problem, please explain why you are so negative towards people who do not conform to your way of thinking. i have stated before this sport needs all 4 brands
Looks like ski doo will dominant for another year! These sleds r ugly plain and simple. I don’t know one person that ordered a Polaris, Arctic cat or Yamaha in the last 4 years.
Doesn’t really matter what anyone says about appearance anyway. It’s always and always be a choosers biased preference. I like the Polaris hood, looks futuristic, skidoo not so much.
WTH? My family's 1980s Ski Doo Formula 463cc would doo 96 mph. We didn't have a radar gun, but that had to be more than 86 mph. For a friggin 600. Weak. Nice color sleds though. The new Ski Doos don't seem to use nice color pallets though. Just black, gray, and white. So lame. I miss snowmobiling.
Hmmmm I never noticed much of a difference. Your stating there’s a mountain of difference in power and speed but I never found it that way. Neither did most sled magazines either. Nonetheless thanks for the video.
Excellent presentation! Both sleds appear to offer what most experienced riders want.
Thank you for finally making a review of the 650 that doesn’t say it’s as fast as the 800 or 850. I also disliked the hi/low beam button and the knee panels. Nice review.
I have the 850 matrix and the explanation given here by jeff is spot on, it's not for beginners and the acceleration is violent even for a experienced rider. Stay to right and be safe
FYI... smart grips come on all Matryx platforms including the Launch with the PID gauge.
great comments bud...i like the way you present your ideas.. thank you I have a 650 and I have to say...compared to my last machine a 1977 TNT 440 ahaha it satifies my tremendously and easy on the pump too !
Thanks for the analysis. I ended up snow checking a 2022 Axys chassis because I was concerned about production and delivery issues. I'm glad I did since some still don't have their Matryx sleds and our riding season starts in mid November.
I may switch to Matryx in a couple years. I really like the 7s, but the narrow tank felt strange to me. I'm on and off trail, so the Matryx slash 146 with the crossover track is on my radar. I would love to see Polaris bring back the SKS in a Matryx chassis.
All the MY21 Polaris Matryx sled models... Matryx INDY XC Launch Edition, Matryx INDY VR1 and Matryx Switchback Assault 146, have the SmartWarmer system to control the temperature of grip and thumb warmers. The setting of the target temperatures on the Launch Edition sleds when equipped with the standard Message Center gauge, is just not as simple or obvious as with the Matryx sleds equipped with the 7SDD GPS & gauge.
Thanks for the video.
Oh wow - an honest opinion - seat of pants versus scripted video. Great vid. We have a 2020 Indy XC850 and a 2021 Indy XC850, a 2021 Matryx 850, a 2021 Matryx 650 - Still dig the AXYS cockpit area best - the narrow tank isn't a deal breaker but it also isn't a 'game changer'...not sure the hype of the Matryx chassis over the Axys however - riding them both back to back every weekend -..they're both awesome and yet similar...(and my knees are also sore from EVERY sled these days)
How much better is the suspension on the bigger sled.
Great review of both sleds. Keep up the great work. love your channel
Any highly competent experienced rider on a 650 is going to ride faster than 98% of all 850 riders he encounters on the trails. I've been doing it all winter.
Keep dreaming
@@nickpieters6021 that’s what all the guys in Z06 Vettes say until they get bitch slapped by a 4 cylinder Cayman GTS on the road course.
Not saying much I have never had anyone come up behind me or come close but passed a bunch
A highly competent experienced rider on a 2005 340 Classic can keep up with any sled on the twisties.
@@nickpieters6021 I ride a 2002 edge 600 someone who rides with us has a 2021 Yamaha sidewinder turbo Because he had to have the fastest sled he could get.. he can't even come close to keeping up with me. Only time is on a long straight stretch.. I bet I'd smoke you they way you talk.
well, how about the 650 patriot vs 800 liberty? are they close?
Curious about this too
800 is faster...period.
you can get the 7s display on the xc with the smart grips
I ordered the 2023 polaris 650 patriot indy adventure 137x15x1.352 7s display all black gloss tounge tow hitch an a cover
Great review 😊. I went for the 650. I am over 60 and love my 650😁👍
I would be happy with the 650 but for $1k more i will go with the 850.
You folks are clearly biased toward the bigger displacement sleds in my opinion. Yes, you made it clear that the 650 would struggle to compete for top speed and acceleration with the 850 but of course no one thought it would. I have a 2020 Indy XC137 with the 850 and love the sled. I probably ride at more moderate trail speeds than your testers do here but I am very impressed with the linear power of the 850. This is actually the second 850 I've owned. I had a 2019 850 Assault, which I thought was a great sled, but was a little nervous after hearing of the 850 crankshaft bearing issue in these first year production. And in 2020 when the XC137 arrived I thought I would go back to a more trail friendly suspension and ride. So when the Matryx was announced a year ago I thought I would add another sled to the arsenal and stay with the 137" track. I thought long and hard about the choice between the 650 and 850 and since the 650 was getting such rave reviews I decided to go that route and let me tell you I am impressed. I think it it clearly an overachiever. The mid range hit from 30 - 70 is so pleasant that I think that there are few places "on the trail" that the 850 can justify its extra $1000 and overall greater thirst for gasoline and injection oil. This is coming from a guy who loves his 850. Of course lake running and rides on the Taconite and Arrowhead trails in Northern Minnesota give a significant boost to the enjoyment only the 850 can provide. But even on those trails the 650 is very close at the first stop sign. I just think that your review was a little tough on the more than capable 650 for trail riding. If lake riding and high speed radar runs are the preference then spend the money and get the big block. I sure like mine. But the difference for most of us may not be enough. Again, this is just my opinion and I thoroughly enjoyed your video.
Completely agree. I rode both today in the 2022 sleds. The 650 really impressed me and I didn't miss the power of the 850 on the tight and twisty trails I was riding. It really is a beast in the mid range.
It’s true the 650 is about 132 hp the 850 will walk it if you don’t think so you must believe in the dream o meter !
@@hitemup6455 I think the original comment wasn't trying to disqualify the idea that the 850 is faster... I don't think anyone questions that. In that long rant, I think the question is... how does the 650 perform "on trail", compared to the 850. The video doesn't talk about corner to corner performance or how the weight difference effects handling. Anyone who has ridden an 800 aggressively in the twisties knows that it takes a little more to time to brake and wants to push a little more in the corners. Is there a major difference in that regard with these 2 sleds?
@@marcusbuckslayer3280 That's a great question and that's what I want to know. I will grant that the 850 is faster, but most of the time I'm not out on the lake. I'm on a trail with at best a half mile straightaway, and usually much less. Is there any real world difference? I'd like a discussion about difference between 129 and 137" in handling too. Same reason: real world trail riding. My biggest concern was the comment about vibration through the hands in the 850.
Excellent reviews great tips on a long test drive keep it coming.🇨🇦👍💪
Jeff- It's been a year since this aired. I was curious, as many in the comments here are, about a fair comparison on the trail between these two engines?
I don't live near lakes, so that whole segment may suit many viewers, but not this guy. The boost has come into the market, and it's all the rage, however, I feel the story from this video was left a bit, undone. Would you care to follow up?
I am purely speculating here, but the 9R might end up in the XCR for 2024. What if we don't need a 9R drag race sled? I see the stage is being set for a 850 vs 9R video, if it's not already been shot. All I am saying is, the 650 driveability vs 850 from this video needs more coverage in my opinion. Now, the 850 vs 9R or boost vs 9R is going to be the same video this one was. I'd love to see a follow up for trail riders where you go alot more indepth into the power in stead of just appealing to the lake riders and their ego's for straightline speed only. Who cares how fast they are when you " skip " the trail segment that should've been more in depth for the other 50% of us who don't need a lake for self satisfaction?
my 650 hit 173kms on rail bed was fucken insane but i felt the track kept spinning out at some spots so i can't even imagine top speed these machines are wicked fast and fun as hell!!
Were these sleds still in break in Snowmobiler Television?
Do a 129 650 Poo and 600 Doo let’s really see I like how you guys actually tell it like it is 👍
You can adjust grip warmerd without the 7s and top speed i see 114 on my 850 and 104 on my brothers 650 and the 650 drinks just as much gas its not more fuel efficient
I saw several 108 MPH runs on my 650 this weekend. Concrete-like hardpack, but not icy. Perfect for top speed runs.
@@bedlambikes nice
Excellent Review. Thanks!!
Which engine won’t blow up after 1/2 a season of blasting around? That’s what I would really like to know.
E tech completey suck. Iv seen more blown poo motors but they hold the record for best gas!! Polaris wasn't great 10 years ago. Seems like this new patriot motor are strong like my Arctic cat c-tech motor!! I Love that 600cc!!
I just read through the comments and got a chuckle out of inevitable arguments about which brand is best. If you're not familiar with the Iron Dog race in Alaska, look it up. It's the longest, most brutal race in the world. (some guys in Canada try to claim that title, but they must have a hard time converting miles to kilometers)
Here's the total wins for each brand since the race began. Polaris: 17 Ski-Doo: 6 Yamaha: 3 Arctic Cat: 8
The race is often a battle of attrition. Who's sled can survive over 2000 miles cross country in Alaska at top speed? I'll admit, Ski-Doo won in 2020 and 2021. And it relates to this story because the Iron Dog has been limited to 600 class for several years.
you are right both engines are great, i have 650 vr1, keeping that sled but trading in my 850 xc 129 on new 850 maytrx , that vr 1 is so much better
No wonder you get rid of your polaris every few years cuz you know at about 3,000+ miles its time to get rid of them ah
@@edwardabrahamiii3742 actually sir i am selling to friend, you can assume polaris products are junk but i have been on their sleds since 1964. the handling of the maytrx is what makes it better than my xc 129's
@@oldslow3694 you mean the gaytryx chassis oop time to get rid of it after next 2 years
@@edwardabrahamiii3742 sir what is your problem, please explain why you are so negative towards people who do not conform to your way of thinking. i have stated before this sport needs all 4 brands
@@oldslow3694 come to the villages REMOTE SPOTS of Alaska youll see what im talking about but ypull never know
80 is to fast do they have something in the 65 -70 range that handles and rides as well
I wish they would make a 500 liquid again!!!!
Just back off the flipper a bit.
Thanks for telling the truth and how it really is the other Chanel will tell us it’s neck and neck and we all know better they use to manny buzz words
er...how long were the radar runs? if its 1000 feet or more, the 650 sounds pathetic.
I have the same knee issue on my VR1.
So what you just told us. IS the old triple triples still rule on the lakes.
I have had my 650 launch edition at 110
What did you do, push it out of an airplane?
How much are they? #alaskalife
Speed limit???? We don't have any speed limit.
What’s the point in riding if your not going to be first 😉
Yup polaris falls flat around 100mph i couldnt get my 2014 indy 800sp to pass 90mph
My 2015 Polaris Indy 600 121 can get into 95mph
@@nicholasbarker349 slow but fast enough rn i got a 2006 ski-doo 144 600 sdi
My Polaris Switchback Sp 600 is able to hit 102
@@joshuarife5230 on the dream o meter
@@edwardabrahamiii3742 I think somebody's jealous 🤭 cause the dream O meter also showed 114 when it had 700 miles on it consistently 110
Great review,
I know 850 faster, I got my 650 assault to 102 on lake with packed trail.
GPS or speedo
Speedo
@@brianbird7463 speedos aren’t correct i’ve had my indy 600 up to 111 speedo but that’s not correct
94 on a trail yesterday...fast enough for me :)
I’m sorry but that track looks premo. 95mph? Slow af
He's a Donut watcher.
Ice Rippers are a total waste. No substitute for studs
800s 10 yrs ago were running this fast. Ha cmon poo
Looks like ski doo will dominant for another year! These sleds r ugly plain and simple. I don’t know one person that ordered a Polaris, Arctic cat or Yamaha in the last 4 years.
Doesn’t really matter what anyone says about appearance anyway. It’s always and always be a choosers biased preference. I like the Polaris hood, looks futuristic, skidoo not so much.
And where are they dominating, in your neck of the woods? Where I’m from it’s 75 percent Polaris.
WTH? My family's 1980s Ski Doo Formula 463cc would doo 96 mph. We didn't have a radar gun, but that had to be more than 86 mph. For a friggin 600. Weak. Nice color sleds though. The new Ski Doos don't seem to use nice color pallets though. Just black, gray, and white. So lame. I miss snowmobiling.
Hmmmm I never noticed much of a difference. Your stating there’s a mountain of difference in power and speed but I never found it that way. Neither did most sled magazines either. Nonetheless thanks for the video.