Just took a Polaris Survey inquiring about my interest in a ABS system for a snowmobile. WTF - how boring do they want to make this sport?!?! Then they wanted to know how much more of a premium would I be willing to pay for this technology - $750 - $500 - $350??? Let's see $10G's for my new ride that I have coming next year, still doesn't deliver significant improvements in MPG, running quality of the same sleds all over the map (polaris= shrug shoulders and classify differences as normal), couldn't deliver the P2 clutch that they advertised, and still can't understand that a snowmobile that is intended to be used in the winter environment should come with a functional windshield (offer the sporty windshield as a damn accessory - not standard equipment)!

With predictions of pump prices ranging from $5 - $10 a gallon, I would think the manufactures focus would be on making sleds more economical mpg and cost wise.

If pump prices do get to the levels they're predicting you will see these recreational type industries fold one after another!

ABS - Yikes....


L8TR....

ABS ?...maybe not a bad idea for some of the bigger cc 2up touring sleds but think its a waste of money on the sport models unless one is too inexperience to ride or setup a sled to begin with or not being able to process trail conditions and use commonsense. I'm starting to feel manufactures today are only building sleds so powerfull and high tech... aimed at the wealthiest of people...really doesn't matter if they have any riding experience or not. I commend polaris for the shift...wish they and others would even expand the platform.

What a strange idea...ABS ??? Well I guess it was bound to happen...we already have reverse, electric start, turbo and whatnot.
And speaking of gas prices and MPG...with Iceland having the highest gas prices in the world, a full tank on my Fusion 600 will put me back 70 $

Just took the survey myself. What a joke! Gas is pushing $4.50 where we ride and next yr it will be 5 or 5.50. THe last thing I care about is ABS. I want 20mpg all day long. I dont need 200 hp but 120-150 would be nice. Im sure I wont say this in 5yrs but, these IQs are so close to being perfected all we need is consistent gas milage.

I started my own topic on this in the IQ/Fusion section. Was redirected to this one. Here's what I wrote there:

"Does anyone else agree with me that this is pretty much a stupid idea?

In the section where they asked my suggestions on "what to call" such a system to make it sound really cool and help it sell better, I just told them to drop the whole idea, and I brainstormed a list of things that I felt their engineering department should be focusing on INSTEAD of adding an expensive feature like ABS which I had absolutely no interest in:

Fuel economy improvements/direct injection or similar
Engine longevity/reliability improvements
Weight reduction
Noise/vibration reduction
Ride/handling improvements
Integrated GPS systems
Aerodynamic improvements for wind protection and sled efficiency

I usually enjoy their little surveys, but I found this particular one to be rather annoying. Makes me wonder if Polaris is even looking in the right general direction for my own personal desires in the future...I realize it's nothing but a survey and probably means very little, but it still makes me wonder..."

They still have their head up their *ss!!!

integrated GPS would be worth it for sure I mean they have had it on some honda ATV's for years as far as ABS goes sounds like a waste of time in the engineering dept for 90% of riders and sleds on the market today

Although a lot of people would probably buy a sled with ABS for the simple reason that "My sled has ABS" . It's kind of like the people that buy the biggest HP sled on the market just to think they have the biggest, fastest. I read an article about the Mach z it said that it was too much sled for 80% of the people that own them. They buy them for the "Bling" factor. Look at me I'm fast.. I'm sure a set of studs will be cheaper than a factory installed ABS system. What will they think of next Traction control....

ABS in not wanted. We all saw the deaths when it was forced on the trucking industry. And with light trucks and cars it is common practice to pull the ABS fuse in the winter months. Pulling the ABS fuse does shorten the stopping distance up to 150 ft in winter conditions at 30 mph. How are you going to do a 180° slide turn in a narrow trail? Or maintain control in 4 ft of powder going a step down hill run.

Hands down the biggest safety feature I've used on a snowmobile for the last 15yrs has been communicators. I can't say how many times riders in my group have avoided collisions with sleds, cars (when crossing hwy's), groomers, animals, obsticles, icey trails/corners, etc! Lead rider is able to tell others of the on comming dangers, thus other riders are ready for what lies ahead. Also been on trails where riders are able to give directions to where they want to go while riding instead of stopping in the middle of the trail and discussing. We had sled failures (blown up motors, broken suspensions, or just runnability issues) where the rider is able to tell others and not end up stranded by themshelves if they were at the end of the group. Had riders in the middle warn others that they were stopping suddenly to piss, puke (pregnant wife, hung over buddy) and not get run over by others in their group, been warned of open water or ice heaves on lakes!

While this has been one of the best safety features I've used it wasn't offered by the manufacture and the systems are lacking when it comes to technology. Integrated speakers and mics into helmets, private channels, long range are all features that could be improved on. Integrated GPS systems that showed the trail's would also be very handy! Polaris are you listening???



ABS in not wanted. We all saw the deaths when it was forced on the trucking industry. And with light trucks and cars it is common practice to pull the ABS fuse in the winter months. Pulling the ABS fuse does shorten the stopping distance up to 150 ft in winter conditions at 30 mph. How are you going to do a 180° slide turn in a narrow trail? Or maintain control in 4 ft of powder going a step down hill run.

I agree, GPS and Communicators should be the the next thing they add to sleds from the factory.

kind of shows the amount of knowledge of the people in polaris building sleds. they are not diehard sledders and have no clue about sleds obviously.

While the communicators are nice to have if not riding alone...i think its long over due they add gps to sleds...i ride alone a lot and its invaluable. Still like already mentioned...table the abs...nothing beats a good set of studs and matching carbide runners.

Apparently they have no clue about sleds, since they continually improve their product and are rising to the top of the market from the bottom where they have recently been. They have been putting out things like the shift, a cheaper no frills sled--what consumers want. Obviously they know nothing about sleds, just no clue.

Althogh I probably would not buy ABS, I am not sure alot of the trail cruising crowd might not like it. The manufacturers seem to sell alot of fully outfitted touring sleds and I bet some of that market might like ABS. I wonder how many they would have to sell to justify developing the technology.

Traction control

HAve it so you can turn it on or off. Depending on the riding your doing you may or may not want it. But when traili riding , traction control would would reduce track slippage and save gas.

What do you think of that for an idea?

How would it work. Same as F!, cut out a cylimder so sled is running on one cylinder very briefly.

I rode Polaris sleds for many years until they fell asleep at the controls, so I went to Doo and have been waiting for Polaris to wake back up and build sleds that are competitive again, finally with the IQ Dragons they are getting there the 09 Dragon 800 CFI looks like it will be a hot sled, but a little bit late, most have already jumped ship, and now they need to push it one step further than Doo did with the XP. Do we need or want ABS on a snowmobile? nah! how about a new lighweight chassis with a new high tech rear skid and some reliable fuel efficient CFI engines! who is at the controls in the Polaris snowmobile division? do they ride what they build (FUSION) I have never been brand loyal and will buy what i feel is the best sled regardless of who builds it, Polaris needs to start making some better decisions on what is important to us snowmobilers.