[Northbushrider]

650’s I have ridden are not as responsive as 850’s. That being said, 650 will stay with 850 for a bit but it is only due to available traction. If all is equal the 850 smokes the 650 as it should. I am not putting them down as they are a great power plant but I will not be going down to one to get 1/2 to a gallon better mileage per tank. Besides if I rode with the 850’s I’m sure it would get same mileage trying to keep up.

Sold my 19/850 last year and bought 22/650/137. 850 had the rpm fade after a few miles unless the temp was -30c or colder, then it was 115 all day. I added big vents to the side panels. 5,00 miles and no other issues. Love the 650, easier driving in the tight bush, no trails. Guys I ride with all have 800’s. We all burn about the same amount of fuel. Uses way less oil than the 850, a little disconcerting. But there is no way the 650 runs with an 850 from dead stop to full throttle. Not even close.

 

[fastsleddr]

What did you do to stabalize the rpm on 850

It's been so long ago--can't remember--Im think it was the tune. I haven't had it since 19.

 

[BattleStorm]

650’s I have ridden are not as responsive as 850’s. That being said, 650 will stay with 850 for a bit but it is only due to available traction. If all is equal the 850 smokes the 650 as it should. I am not putting them down as they are a great power plant but I will not be going down to one to get 1/2 to a gallon better mileage per tank. Besides if I rode with the 850’s I’m sure it would get same mileage trying to keep up.

Sold my 19/850 last year and bought 22/650/137. 850 had the rpm fade after a few miles unless the temp was -30c or colder, then it was 115 all day. I added big vents to the side panels. 5,00 miles and no other issues. Love the 650, easier driving in the tight bush, no trails. Guys I ride with all have 800’s. We all burn about the same amount of fuel. Uses way less oil than the 850, a little disconcerting. But there is no way the 650 runs with an 850 from dead stop to full throttle. Not even close.

I agree, it’s not even close and even when racing the non stock 650’s vs stock 850’s. Can’t make up 30hp. What is the price difference between a 650 and 850 all things being equal? It would be great if the 650 was a lot less weight. I think the advantage the 650 has over the 850 is if you want to run 87 octane. The 650 is better tuned for that. I heard that Polaris’s intention with the 650 was for Canadian guys who run 87. There is millions of 600 etec sleds there and Polaris wants more if that market.

 

[scott0700]

My complaint on all three of my 850s is not the mileage, it is the oil consumption. All three were absolute pigs on oil. 2019 XC850, 2020 XCR850 128, 2022 XCR850 136.
Many have said that the 650 is great on oil. That’s what makes me want to try one.

 

[ExcursionPSD]

650’s I have ridden are not as responsive as 850’s. That being said, 650 will stay with 850 for a bit but it is only due to available traction. If all is equal the 850 smokes the 650 as it should. I am not putting them down as they are a great power plant but I will not be going down to one to get 1/2 to a gallon better mileage per tank. Besides if I rode with the 850’s I’m sure it would get same mileage trying to keep up.

When doing easy riding, the 650 will definitely get better MPG, as you said. And It can lift the skis over an obstacle or a dip, whenever needed.

I do not like the idea of depending on a sled that I cannot start with the recoil starter when it is below zero. An 850 twin is too much for me. A 700 or 800 triple pulls over much easier.

 

[Hub]

Buddy of mine rides with me and he is going back to the 850 for '23. He said the 650 was a good/fun sled in the woods but hanging with the bigger sleds in open areas & carrying higher speeds it wasn't what he was expecting it to live up to with a lot of the excitement around it. Fuel economy wasn't anything to brag about either. And the other item he really didn't like was the excessive warm-up time the 650 required to get up to 85-90 degree temps.

 

[ExcursionPSD]

Buddy of mine rides with me and he is going back to the 850 for '23. He said the 650 was a good/fun sled in the woods but hanging with the bigger sleds in open areas & carrying higher speeds it wasn't what he was expecting it to live up to with a lot of the excitement around it. Fuel economy wasn't anything to brag about either. And the other item he really didn't like was the excessive warm-up time the 650 required to get up to 85-90 degree temps.

The 650's do seem to warm up slower, but after I have had the engine running for a few minutes, I start driving it slowly, and the coolant temperature comes up quickly.

You definitely don't have to wait for the handwarmers to come up to temp. They get warm, very quickly.

 

[Northbushrider]

I agree, it’s not even close and even when racing the non stock 650’s vs stock 850’s. Can’t make up 30hp. What is the price difference between a 650 and 850 all things being equal? It would be great if the 650 was a lot less weight. I think the advantage the 650 has over the 850 is if you want to run 87 octane. The 650 is better tuned for that. I heard that Polaris’s intention with the 650 was for Canadian guys who run 87. There is millions of 600 etec sleds there and Polaris wants more if that market.

I live in small town Northern Canada and I can get non ethanol 91 octane fuel almost every where in NW Ontario. I chose the 650 over the 850 for the type of riding I do. Off trail, tight bush, lots of slow going. Sure miss the 850 when I get out of the bush onto the lakes.

 

[Rakrem]

Only had my last ride of season on my new 850( March delivery) I made sure it was in ethanol mode and left it there. I have 91 non ethanol available but will likely never try switching as I don’t think it’s worth the difference or the surprise. The sled ran awesome....