I ride about 50 / 50 on /off trail....which 146 skid would be better?
Xc has pro cc....assault has igx.

Both the Switchback Assault 146" and the Switchback XC 146" have the IGX rear skid, difference being shocks, Walker evans VS Fox QS3, and rail supports, and the 7S, The Indy XC has the 137" Pro CC rear skid with Fox QS3 shocks. But if your a 50/50 get either one of the Switchbacks, my vote is the Assault 146" for the extra goodies.

 

The Polaris website is wrong. The Assault, XC, and SP all have the 146 IGX.

I have an SBA and if I were to SC one I'd probably order an XC with a 7S and buy the rail supports. Im not sure I use the Walker Evans to their fullest.

 

I have an SBA and if I were to SC one I'd probably order an XC with a 7S and buy the rail supports. Im not sure I use the Walker Evans to their fullest.

More money just to have the QS3 shocks?

 

You could also go Voyager or SKS. Both have 146 IGX and narrow front end, but only in 650 I believe.

 

The marketing is strong with Polaris, they either get you with the 7s or the 850
I looked at both the assault and the xc and I don't see any reason to go xc if you can S/C because your shock package, 7s and paint.
And you can get the 1.5 Storm track if you want but you pay for it.

 

Yes on great marketing at Poo.
Lots of options with no real deals being cut on any of our options.

 

I currently have both the XC 146 and an Assault. The Assault is new and I haven’t got to drive it yet but I spent a season on the XC and love that sled, the QS3 shocks are great, far better then the walkers the older Assaults had. I have no complaints with the XC 146. I put the softer rear springs in it even though I’m 200lbs without gear and it’s rides about the same as a 22 XCR but I didn’t fiddle with the XCR suspension too much.. Im not sure what the current price difference is with equal gauges but I don’t think I would pay much more for an Assault. If the snow holds out I might get some miles on the Assault and see how that goes.

 

How does the XC 146 and the Assault compare trail riding? I have a 2020 Assault and I'm looking at a 23 Switchback XC 146. I'm looking for a more trail friendly sled. I love my 2020, just want something a little easier on myself in the turns. Or are those 2 sleds that similar?

 

Battle what track did you go with on your the XC and the new Assault. And yes I'm not saying the XC is not a good choice as Battle has stated I was making a opinion based on track options, and I like track options.

I am most likely going with a XC or Assault in Snow Check 25 so it will be good to see what Battle has to say about the walker shocks compared to the QS3

 

Both sleds came with a 1.6 Cobra but I take those off and go with a modified 1.3 cobra.

 

Just built one and it’s $300 more for assault.

 

I guess if a guy was gonna build a sled to their liking with aftermarket shocks and such the base Switchback would be a good starting point. With current prices I'm glad I kept my late 22.

 

Me too.

 

Thanks for the input guys.....dealer here has a 2021 still in stock 850 146 1.6 no Estarr no 7s.....$20135 out the door lol

 

Then he stole the 7s from it. The 21’s came with it. And that’s about $5000.00 more than you could get it for in 21.

 

Anybody that got and kept their 22 enjoyed the last year of the 4 year warranty. Saved a couple dollars too.
But they got crappy inconsistently built fuel pump assembly's and shit easily plugged fuel socks. The 22's were built in the begining of the very real era of Supply Chain problems.
Shocks, Gauges, Tracks, Fuel System delivery issues, Cheap Cables that snap or stretch easily.... Just naming a few.
I'm enjoying my 2022 as well as I've worked around some of the 2022 shortfalls. Still happy I kept it just the same but the 22's hold no big bragging rights in my book. My 2021 has been flawless.

 

About that 4 year warranty... I just purchased a 22 XC SB 650 with ES and standard gauge. When I ran the VIN on polaris website it stated there was no warranty left? Was it a snow check only warranty? How do I confirm? thanks

 

My 22 broke a recoil, but that was my fault. Other than that it has been perfect. I did, as I always have, go over it with a fine tooth comb before the season started.

 

So which shocks are better? The Assault has more track choices but the cost is pretty much a wash if you get a painted tunnel on the XC. IMO the blue XC is the best looking sled of the bunch.

 

That's subjective. I'm happy with the Walker Evans. I did upgrade to a 2" XCR rts with hi/lo. The only one I'm going to mess with before next season is the front track shock.

I have the Fox QS3s on my adventure 137. It's a much more plush ride. Position 3 is too stiff, position 2 is ok for cruising average trail junk.
Of course valving changes would help. They are by no means a bad shock. The assault calibration may be better.

The walkers at least I can add a couple clicks without going full stiff.

 

It’s safe to say owner investment in care while owning/ riding it and after season attention of critical areas have a lot to do with any report card on a sled. I honestly can say after many sleds in my time I’ve never owed a bad sled but I’ve made sure it was taking care of and ready each season. My new22 Polaris took me back to my all AC days when the new sled came home it was gone through front to back and ready as possible. Any know issues that where real was taking care of up front.

 

My 22 has also been trouble free, as have my 19,21 and 23. First thing I do is drop a Fitch fuel catalyst in the tank. Knock on wood, not a single fuel issue in any of them. None have been updated either. As many have stated, I also am not a turn the key and hope for the best type. My sleds get a thorough once over after picking up from dealer. Season is way to short to have down time.

 

As for the shocks, I don’t have anything with q3’s so only comparison I can give is on customer’s sleds in for service. If you are a set it and forget it type that rides same type of trails the fox are a good simple shock. If you very the type of trail you ride and how hard you ride the walkers are superior. I too went to a 2” hi/lo rts and added hi/lo adjusters all the way around. But I did my own valving. The valving in the clickers themselves can be changed also for even more customization.

 

My 20 and 22 has been flawless, ordered another 24 XC 850. I dont need the 7s and hate the blue on the walker shocks. No complaints with the FOX.

 

The extended warranty is Snowcheck only. It is supposed to be only for the person who ordered and took delivery on the sled. It will transfer to subsequent owners. If it was bought new off the dealer floor, it is only one year. Some dealers played with the paperwork to keep the four years intact.

 

There was also the snowcheck option to take a 2 year warranty and something like $500 in parts/accessories (in place of the 4 year warranty).

 

The matryx chassis is easier to run through the trails than the axys. I don’t think you would be disappointed with an xc 146. Just a few things different like 7s, shocks and rail braces. Other than that nothing major.

 

Here is a comp video...

 

I have an assault and my buddy has the switchback xc and tbh if you don't need the GPS the xc is just as good.

 

It's the same sled except for the gauge and walker shocks.

 

Switchback Assault also has Rail Braces, 4 rear idlers and a larger choice of tracks at SnowCheck
1.35 Cobra
1.5 Ice Storm
1.6 Cobra
2.0 Crossover

Switchback XC has 3 rear idlers and a track choice of:
1.35 Cobra
1.6 Cobra

 

Personally I wish they would put QS3’s on the assault and leave the rest of it alone.

 

Never ridden with the QS3’s but sounds like there’s really only 2 usable setups on the 3 click adjustment since 1 setting seems to be rock hard. If you’re thinking you can always revalve to make the settings more usable then the $300 up charge to the Assault is a no-brainer IMO; arguably much better shocks, rail stiffeners, extra bogie wheels and better resale value just because of the name. Different strokes for different folks and that’s why they offer different models. Now if the QS3R Kashima shocks were on the table then it could be a different comparison but… I wonder if the oem spec’d QS3 rides anywhere near as good as a well built Velocity - talking normal real world riding not Levi fly high style riding… a properly factory spec’d Velocity is pretty amazing so that alone is worth it to me… just my $.02