Any one would be a good choice. All have their different quirks and strengths. Personally, I'd choose the Assault, they are the swiss army knife of snowmobiles, and the fun factor is off the charts.

 

I have a Pro S, Indy XC and and Assault... here is what I can tell you

Pro S is a trail ripper - worth less if you get at all off the trail - effortless to carve windy trails.

XC is middle of the road. It is good at trails, it can do some off trail to a point, but overall a great all around sled.

Assault is a fun sled. You will have to put in some body effort to keep up with strictly trail sleds in the twisty stuff. But it is a blast to ride as you can jump off on the some powder and still not have to worry about getting burried.

 

A few things to help the group out, whats your age, aggressiveness, how you want to ride the sled, what creature comforts are you looking for, and what are your buddies riding?

From the sounds of it I would recommend a 18-20 Switchback XCR or Switchback PRO-S. The SBA can be made to handle the trails well but no matter what it wont have the same manners are the beavertails. A properly setup beavertail is about the best ride you can get on snow. While the 850 is nice, the 800 is no slouch and can often give 850's fits. The 800 has been fairly reliable aslong as you let it warm up properly and wait for the t-stat to open and temps level off before you whack the throttle. If you want to get into a standard tunnel the XC is also a great option, but the 19's, and 20's had some issues with the shocks from walker evans and I would recommend send-in the shocks in for a rebuild. Lots of shocks came internally assembled improperly, or were low on nitrogen charge. Once this is addressed the shocks work excellent.

 

When the Axys first came out in 2015 the "trail sleds" were the Rush 120" and the Switchback 137". These had the external rear shock (shock behind the seat, above the tunnel). The "Indy" came out in 2019 with a conventional rear suspension and a solid tunnel in 129" length. Then they added the 137" version of the Indy in 2020 I believe. But the Indy is basically a Rush/Switchback with a solid rear tunnel and coupled rear suspension.

I like the 800 myself. My Rush 800 XCR tops out around 110mph on the speedo and that's with 4k on the original clutching setup (I'm sure it's due for some maintenance). I forget the exact number since my sled is in storage but IIRC it hit 113mph on my last ride. It also gets better mpg than the 600's and weighs 1 pound less according to Polaris. So I think it's pretty sweet.

 

Good thread, similarly to the OP, I'm looking for an '18-'21 trail sled, as I already have a '17 SBA 600. Am leaning towards a beavertail aka "bailer" the dilemma is in length. After having a few 144s, I swore I'd never go back to a 121 (flotation, traction etc being why I like the longer tracks).

I'm intrigued though with the Rush XCR, which was dropped after '19 (800 dropped after '18). From all the vids and threads I've read, it sounds like the Rush XCR is the best/baddest ass hardcore trail sled ever built by Poo, maybe in the entire industry, even to this day.

For handling / trail carving, it sounds like the 137 bailers are close to 120s, would like to hear more on that...

 

I'm intrigued though with the Rush XCR, which was dropped after '19 (800 dropped after '18). From all the vids and threads I've read, it sounds like the Rush XCR is the best/baddest ass hardcore trail sled ever built by Poo, maybe in the entire industry, even to this day.

For handling / trail carving, it sounds like the 137 bailers are close to 120s, would like to hear more on that...

I currently have a '17 XCR 121", and wife has a '18 XCR switchback 136". They are a blast! I typically would have updated mine by now, but the sled is too much fun to give up. Both valving on the factory shocks is on the harsher end, but I prefer it. It has the hi/low adjustability, which none of the other models had at the time. Gives you great control with the small stutters and big hitters. My wife prefers a more planted front end, so I changed to pro s sway bar, and has more rear spring preload. Corners on rails! I prefer a more loose front end with more ability to pick front end up.
The switchback has a more planted feel to it, and looks a little better in the back end.
I get bored when I get on my dad's '19 Indy XC.... I'm 38, and just my current riding style.


Just like me driving my 2003 VW jetta TDI with 350K and some rust/bruises/etc... I do not care if I get judged by other due to the look, it's a blast to drive and been paid off for a long time!

 

Local dealer has been selling Polaris sleds since 69'.

He says all the time that he can't understand why Polaris would ever get rid of that beaver tail platform as it was the best trail sled ever built.

Do they look rather unconventional... yeah.
Do they suck in deep snow... yep.
Are they an absolute effortless rocket ship on a groomed trail... oh yeah.

 

He says all the time that he can't understand why Polaris would ever get rid of that beaver tail platform as it was the best trail sled ever built.

Sales dropped off and the costs were too high. But after the Axys came out engineers at Polaris said there was still more potential left in the beaver tail design. So I'm hopeful it might return. I'll hang onto my old Rush till it does 🤞

 

The sleds you are referring to, have the Pro-XC rear suspension.

 

i hear you i have a 17 prox 8 and am a little afraid to go back to a tunnel this thing is an animal no other sled in our group can out preform it its like in the late 90s when i put an m10 in an ultra no one could believe how that thing would pass them or walk away on the trail i would love to keep the prox till they come out with another pro x but when i had an 04 that happened in 13 years i dont think i can wait that long this round so im looking at the xcrs but the dealers have limited quantities and most of the colors i will not be seen on the them and there is no deals on them compared to the xc models i think have a rebate or extended warranty think ill keep the old girl and rebuild shocks again