POLARIS BOOST COMPARISON - VR1 BOOST VS ASSAULT BOOST 2023
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- čas přidán 1. 03. 2023
- The Polaris Patriot Boost engine in the Trail and crossover sleds started a new category of sleds. Not muscle sleds like we remember from the 90s super fast on the lake, but a handful to ride on the trails because of the weight and lack of handling. The new category is Hyper sleds! crazy power but rides and handles like and 850!
With 2 different models of Boost in the trail and crossover segments, it can make it tough for riders to determine what sled is for them. We made this video to help shine some light on the differences between the VR1 Boost and the Assault Boost to help you decide which one is going to rocket you to the most fun! - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Nice explanation of the differences!
thank you.
Great video, thanks Levi.
thanks for checking it out!
Congratulations and thank you Levi you are the only one who knows the subtle differences between these 2 sleds enough to where somebody can make a decision. it is crazy how small differences can have such a dramatic impact on snowmobiles.
Hello Shawn and thank you. You are are correct, small changes make a big difference on the sleds. They both very different machines but work great at what they were designed for.
Awesome vid, loved the technical details!!!!
Thanks for checking it out!
The assault is so much fun. I had a demo to ride all day yesterday and it was the most fun sled I’ve ridden. If 90 mph wheelies don’t make you smile there’s something wrong with you.
isn't that the truth! Wheelies and still able to rip down the trail, the assault is an awesome sled!
Great informative video thanks for sharing
Thanks for checking it out!
Good job again as always Levi You're the best
Thank you! Hopefully this will help people find the right sled for their riding and conditions
I found on my matryx assault that running a few more clicks in the front arm shock than the rear arm shock, it really makes it handle the small bumps similar to my dads VR1. If you're using clicks to keep the front end planted in corners, it ends up suffering in ride quality where as if you use spring "pre-load" to keep the rear end high and tune the clickers for the bumps.... it's almost scary how good the sled does. I also have my limiter strap set all the way loose which I also found help a quite a bit in the small-medium bumps. Great video!
Well done Sir!
thank you!
Rode an assault boost demo all day yesterday. By far the most fun I’ve had on a sled
That is the sled I have put the most time on this season, and now you experience why. 🤠
Prob the best comparison of the two sled specs - great job
thank you!
thanks for video,after watching i'll stay on the VR1 137 i do all trail riding
Perfect! The best trail sled - VR1
Excellent video Levi. I love my VR1 Boost. Trail monster! Also love my XCR. Let's hope we get a Boost XCR for 2024!
That would be awesome!
Fantastic explanation
thank you!
Great video Levi. Been needing this review personally. My group mainly trail rides but I do both, been curious on the assault on trail. I like to play and ditch bang during the week and we do long rides on the weekends. Assault sounds like a good choice!
Assault is the do it all sled!
IMO, the best 50/50 sled would be the VR1 with the storm 150 track or the Hurrican 175 track and a set of C&A Pro XCS skis 🙂 I'm a cat guy, currently ride (2) 2016 ZR 8000 137 Limited's, (1) bone stock with the 1.25" Ripsaw w/ stock skis, the other has the storm 150 track and XCS skis, It is night and day different!! My next sleds will be the VR1 850 and 850 boost 🙂 Awesome video, great explanation on what makes these 2 different, I was leaning towards the assualt, but seeing that I spend about 75% of my time on trails I think the VR1 is the better choice!
You are readying my mind. Just got a 137 hurricane for my VR1! Tallest lug you can get and still put some studs in. I have a sled build plan for next season that will be pretty cool 😉
@@Levi_LaVallee Awesome, hopefully you will share that on the channel, that would be cool to see !
A 137” is not crossover material. It’ll crossover a field to the next trail, but if you get it in the trees with a few feet of fresh, bring a shovel and lunch.
The assault has tipped rails. Rides like a 137 on trail. Floats like the 146 it is off trail. Seems like the clear 50/50 winner, is the sled they claim to be the best 50/50 sled… for about the last decade.
I still love my old 19 SKS 800 146. Narrow front, two coolers and does well off trail and on.
@@ChaseLandMgmt You are correct the Assault is the best 50/50.
I miss spoke when replying to Papa Watts, the 137 is not the best for it, I'm just excited because I plan to build a more capable 137.
I had a 146 SKS and it worked great for the person who puts more emphasis on the off trail riding. in the 41" you could still rip down the trail, but the off trail carving was so nice on it. if you narrow it to 39, thing was super easy to get on edge.
@@Levi_LaVallee excited to follow the build. Can’t beat a 137” for a trail ripper in my opinion. Nimble, yet bridges a lot of the chatter.
I enjoy the SKS, had it narrowed up last weekend in the UP. I don’t mind the compromise of better off trail ability for losing some trail manners. I understand that’s not for everyone though and that’s where the assault shines. 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽
Amazing explanation.
thank you! 2 Great sleds, 2 different animals though.
@LaVallee polaris makes sleds for every rider style and terrain. You just laid it out 100% real easy for future buyers.
They must really like these videos.
Man Polaris wipes out the competition again these sleds are totally awesome have a VR1 boost 129 great sled also XCR corner like they're unrails still like the 129 over the 137
I like how racey the shorter track feels on the trails.
I’m a Doo guy but that’s the best comparison video I’ve seen. Nice job. Shared it with all my Poo friends!
Thank you! I love riding snowmobile but being able to ride all the different ones you see where they excel and if that is the kind of riding a person does, it makes the experience that much better.
The goal is to help people get the correct sled or help them with their existing sled so they can have more fun.... cause I hear life's better when there's more fun! 🤠
@@Levi_LaVallee did you optimize the suspension setup to your liking on both sleds or did you base the evaluation on a factory calibration?
@@keenanstahl both are stock with out any adjustments made.
Hey Levi, you do an excellent job of pointing out features of a sled and translating those features into how they make a sled perform differently. Really, very high information quality in your videos. I appreciate that.
I think I heard you say that some people compare an Assault to an XCR. I don’t see a lot of people talking about how an XCR handles off trail, like carving, and how it compares to, for example the Assault boost off trail. I have seen plenty of videos comparing an Assault Boost to an XCR in a drag race on a trail, but I would love to see a head to head on jumping, ditch banging, carving off trail, etc. What do you think?
Hello Mick. I'm glad you appreciate the info.
What you are talking about is my kind of riding! I love all of what you mentioned and that is a great comparison between those sleds.
I need to get equal track lugs on both of them for a real apple to apple comparison. I won't be able to get to it this season as I won't be able to get sleds in time, but next season for sure.
Knowing how both of them feel off memory, I would say XCR is easier to throw around off jumps and ditch banging , but the shorter length of XCR is a little more limiting carving because the running boards drag more and in really deep the lack of length doesn't get around as easy as the longer track.
But when you have them back to back in the same conditions, sometimes I am surprised what I find so it is definitely a test i need to do!
Thanks for the vid, Levi. I am a Skidoo guy but I checked this out because it was you. Huge fan and huge respect for your opinion. Who is this MikeinCt guy anyway. Shesh!
Thanks for checking it out Kevin!you learn to appreciate good folks like yourself after dealing with some that have a hard time finding their positive attitude.😉
@@Levi_LaVallee Dude! You just made my 2023. Short as it may be, I just had a conversation with freakin Levi Lavallee. If you are ever up in Maine look me up. Take care!
@@kevinnilsen590 LOL I will. I had the chance to ride in Maine a handful of years ago and had a blast! I probably should come out for some more fun some time!
Nice video! I think this is content people want. Now throw in a 129 just for the comparison of all 3
I wish I had a 129 as well haha. We are working on a 128 vs 136 video which will be coming soon to give people an idea of the differences
gimme the assault. it's always fun to play off trail and love the colors that "jump"
It is a very versatile sled
Awesome video... Now to decide which sled i snowcheck
I tried my best to help show you which one is your suited for your kind of riding... I guess Flip a coin is always an option . haha
Just snow checked a VR1...will have that and also keeping my switchback XC
@@rickrutledge2613 that's a great combo to have!
Do you mess with the 128s or short tracks or do you automatically move on to the longer tracks?great video
The preseason boost I had last year was a 129 and it was a trail rocket! they feel so nimble and easy to throw around on the trails.
Agreed.
I got a 23 XCR 136 with the 1.6 track and you perfectly described how it handled when you describe the assaults handling.
I’d be curious to see a break down of the Indy class, VR1, Vs XC, Vs, XCR. All 850’s all same track length
I did a video comparing the XCR and Vr1 czcams.com/video/OdiMvf31Tg0/video.html . I have not done a video with the XC though.
Always been a trail rider, still ride 75% trails. I bought an Assualt contrary to usual choice for application, but all it took was one storm dropping 3ft on me and it made my decision worth it. I have zero problems keeping up with my buddy on his vr1 when the trials are hard, slushy trials I push more but overall I'd buy an Assault again.
It's nice knowing you have the extra length incase you need it.
Can you do a better cornering video standing up version? Carving and cornering
Yes . that would be a great video
Can you tell us when the motors let go??? Like 1500 miles or so or will they last longer
I love my 21 Assault. They are amazing machines and normally an Assault will be faster from a dig compared to any other model. They just straight up rip!
I love the the playfulness of the assault
I just got a 21 Assault 850 146 with 2 inch track this year, Came off a 17 800 Xcr, And I will say this Assault is the most BAD ASS SLED I have ever ridden !!!!! Handles amazing on trail and the Off trail, You can basically go anywhere !!!
They do get around awesome! Many are surprised on how well they do on the trail.
Yes, I have a '22 Assault and honestly it's way better on the trail than my old 2014 Indy 800 129". The old one just spun and fishtailed every corner, whereas the Assault has none of that and yet doesn't push the front end through corners either.
@@dr.d4957 Awesome to hear!
Assault is such a great sled, I ride it like a mountain sled, always in 2 to 3 feet of power, love it!!
2" track? They are a lot of fun with the bigger lug track.
@@Levi_LaVallee yes 2" track. I only wish I could narrow the stance but you can't on a assault.
@@gregdavis-vn7ms yes you can, two options
#1 go to mountain side products and buy the assault 1 inch narrower spindles per side (get the highrise to raise your center of gravity) and also pick up some grippers and you can get it to like 39"
#2 swap out the front end for an RMK front end.
@@eviltweetsoffroad oh thanks, I knew about swapping front end to RMK, the one thing I love about the assault is it's stability, but I'll look into the first option!
I put my deposit down on a 24 MXZ 600R but really want to get a VR1 or XCR 650 as well for next season. Will have to call around and find a Polaris dealer with good pricing like my long time Doo dealer. Don't care if it's here in Minnesota or if I have to travel to Wisconsin, Iowa, or North/South Dakota. These 850s look like a blast but I'm still a relatively new rider and want to work my way up to them.
The boosts have a ton of power but it is very manageable when riding... as long as you done grab a handful haha. I have a 650 XCR and Vr1 so I have been putting a fair amount of time on the 650 and they are a great engine and make for a great experience out on the trails. A little less wheelieing and not as much top end as the 850 and boosts, but the 650 still brings a smile to my face.
@@Levi_LaVallee which sled do you find yourself on more often or when, let's say you are casually riding and doing flips around St Paul?
(Coolest snowmobile video ever!!!)
@@PartTimeYooper Backflipping I go back to the race sled... Stiff suspension is your friend when doing silly things. haha
Yet another great video man! I got to ride a MX track on the sled for the first time last Tuesday, was an absolute blast. Working on saving the track from the suing neighbor so we can keep ripping. Does a person still need a race license to buy a new 600R? I got to try a 2020 out that came from Henches racing and it’s definitely the next level from the IQRs. Im split if I want to try to get a new one and make it my own or find one that’s been raced for a year. If it’s impossible for me to buy a new one, that solves that.
Nice! That reminds me of the first time i rode on a MX track in the winter - that is where I learned how to do a heel clicker. Have done a lot of them since . Haha
We sell new race sleds each year. They usually come in October - November.
most people reserve them in advance as they usually are spoken for by the time we get them.
@@Levi_LaVallee yeah, I didn’t bust any heel clickers out this time… not even a little no hander… lame, I know. maybe next time 😆 I’m still pretty stiff in the air so just working on trying to get my form better and loosen up a bit.
Okay, that’s good to know. We’ll see what route I end up going. It would be awesome to get a fresh one but it was certainly nice having the clutching and suspension dialed already on the Hentges sled. Mainly the clutching. Thing was like riding a dang UFO compared to the IQRs.
@@DIPSTICKTV the clutching is pretty close on the new race sleds. for what I do, I run it stock or sometimes will put some lighter weights in to get it to rev a little quicker for backflips.
@@Levi_LaVallee okay, that’s good to know. Engagement was around 5500rpm so just seemed high. Was very snappy. I liked the response. What things get taken off/changed from a full race sled before it’s sold to the public nowadays?
i love you
Great video man!The real question is which one would you chose if you only had one choice?
Personally, I glad I have both because they work so good at what they do. 😂.
The VR1 feels a little more stable through the turns so if I was logging a lot of miles that would be my choice. If I knew there was going to be good off trail snow, I take the assault.
What I want to do is make
Wondering what you think about this I had dealer do heavy duty springs on the assault boost and a 2 up seat quick attachment for the girlfriend when she comes with I’ll be playing
with it normally myself has 2 inch paddle for me on and off trail
totally would work! I put a 2 up on my boost for my daughter to ride with me. She was only 8 so she doesn't weigh hardly anything so I didn't have to mess with the springs.
You have the perfect idea by putting the HD springs on it for 2 up. and if you need more spring just crank them up if it pushes in the turns, or you are wheeling to much.
Hopefully your girlfriend is into going fast . haha
@@Levi_LaVallee I probably will get slapped in the helmet 🤣
@@mikeysrxharris Been there before. One time I finally stopped and she jumped off the sled and started walking... Took a bit of convincing to get her back on the sled again 😂
LaVallee - How does the VR1 650 Boost & VR1 650 Patriot
and the XCR 650 Patriot compare on Acceleration / Ride / which one is faster
Hello Dave. Currently they do not make a 650 boost but the 650 Vr1 and 650 XCR run about the same.
Regarding acceleration and speed it depends mostly on the track the sled has. if you have a taller lug track it will hook up better and accelerate faster on the bottom to mid. Where as the shorter lug tracks will have faster top speeds as they are more efficient as the small lugs aren't scooping snow, plus they weigh less.
Ride is where you see the biggest difference between VR1 and XCR. you can see the difference in the XCR vs VR1 comparison video i did. czcams.com/video/OdiMvf31Tg0/video.html
@@Levi_LaVallee - Thanks!
Love my 23 850 VR1. still trying to figure out how I can get it to corner better ? coming off a cat I still think that’s a better front end but maybe mine needs dialed by somebody that has experience with the matrix. other then some random rpm issues great sled
what is the issues you have in the corner? what would you like it to do better in the corners? Have you done any thing to the suspension? How much do you weight ?
@@Levi_LaVallee 5ft10 160 lbs. ski lift and heavy steering is my biggest issue. I’ve tried more preload on the front which helped but made steering even harder. almost full preload on the front ski shock too try and get some weight off the front end. 6 in bergstrom triple points 1.5 lug track
@@giligan6534 More preload on the IFS is one way to get more ski bite, so you were on the right track.
Usually I try to avoid more preload on the IFS because it raises the center of gravity making the sled easier to have inside ski lift for the most part.
The other thing it does, is it rolls the weight of the sled back on to the rear suspension causing it to wheelie easier.
try putting your IFS preload back to stock (or even a less than stock for more stability) , then loosen (counter clockwise) your front track spring to take preload off to get more pressure on the skis.
This will help it have more ski pressure and make it harder to wheelie.
The unknown for me is the 3 point carbides as I have not ran them before. One thing that could be happening with them is the same thing I found with dooly runners.
I have been testing runners and the doolys with 2 round runners welded together prevent darting, but they will push more in the turns than the single bar of equivalent carbide.
I think snow is packing between the dooly making like a "snow hotdog" runner which causes it to push when riding hard. I wonder if the 3 carbides are filling with snow and creating the "snow hot dog" as well, making it easier to push?
The Dooly 8" bite about like a 6" regular bar, with the slim jim 8" dooly biting a little more. I run an Ace or Maverick 8" because i want the best bite, but in turn they dart more and are more effort.
@@Levi_LaVallee thanks for the advice buddy. I will give that a try and see what happens!
which one would Levi ride in a backyard Snocross race?
The VR1 coupled rear suspension would be easier to get around because it wouldn’t be wheelieing as much. If the jumps were bigger the Assaults stiffer suspension would do better.
Short tracks handle better in the trails. Period . If you’re mainly a trail rider. Get the short track. Pretty simple
Depends on what you think “good handling on the trail” is.
When you go from 129 to 137 some like the fast moving, looser feel of a 129. On the other hand some like the “locked in” feel of the 137 which doesn’t slide or pivot as well in the turns.
Also a lot depending on how the Suspension is set up. If you remember the Pro X from a few years ago, you could get it in a 129 and it was fun ditch banging with, but was harder to rip down the trails because of its ride height being so tall.
I prefer a 129.
After riding my boost 1000 miles now on trail I couldn’t imagine dealing with the wheelies on an assault being uncoupled. I had to put my coupler blocks on 3 to even make it manageable. Might even go to 4. Wheelies are fun but they wear you out and slow you down in the trails
@@ultrazls1 All in how you like to ride. Some people let the limiter strap out on the Assault...talk about wheelies. haha
Any opinion on aftermarket tunes and clutch kits for trail boost? Anyone you recommend or have tried?
@@Levi_LaVallee i still have my 17 prox 121 and i absolutely love it!
What kind of top end do they have
depends on conditions and track height.
In general I was having about 10 mph faster than my 850 with same track and conditions.
Clutch bolts come loose on the new assault. Plus the Clutches Break Watched three videos so for this year of the 2023 doing this.
Interesting. Haven’t had any issues with mine.
@@Levi_LaVallee The p22 has been blowing up all year. Almost impossible to watch a vid from the mountains without someone having issues with them. Just watched a vid from yesterday where two blew on the same ride.
@@Levi_LaVallee I just watched another video in the clutch fail
What is the reason for eliminating the 129 VR1 for 2024? Poor sales?
Not sure but would guess that.
Yes poor sales on the short track.
Why does everyone push long track sleds they are slower then short track sleds and don’t handle as good in corners
Bigger is better syndrome? haha
Both have positives and negatives but the long ones can get through deep snow better for sure.
I’ve got an XC 146. I do quite a bit off trail riding. No mountains or anything, but some deep snow and quite a few power lines.
That being said, if I were to do it again, I’d go 137 with 1.375
@@johnjg88 Hello John. Thanks for the comment.
For more clarity, why would you go away from the 146, to a 137 with 1.3 track?
What lug did you have on your XC 146?
One a scale to 100, how much do you value off trail to on trail? 50 Off /50 On? Or a different amount?
My guess is for non-trail riding. I ride a 137 and it can be hard to get around off trail. I have to maintain much higher speeds. Makes people nervous. I find 144 or 146 a great mid-length. 153(ish) is ok, but not very trail-friendly. 160+ is not at all trail-friendly, point-and-click as one of my buddies says. LOL.
They don’t wheelies like ski-doos Turbos do 2023
That's a good thing
The skidoo turbos from 2023 are all on their mountain type sleds (big lug track, narrow front end) , where as the 2 turbos in this video are both trail and trail/ crossover sleds. If you were to take an equivalent Rmk Khaos Boost with the 2.5+ inch mountain track like the skidoos, you will have no problem wheelieing it over backwards if you want.
As mentioned at the beginning of this video, both these sleds have 1.35 lug tracks which are in my eyes more of a trail specific track which does not wheelie well at all. The reason I did the wheelie test was to show how the Assault rails and rear suspension aid in wheelieing compared to the coupled Pro CC rear suspension.
You can set both of these sleds up to wheelie much better - I have had 2" lug tracks on the Assault in the past and it was way easier to wheelie.
Because these sleds are geared towards trail riding and they both have big power, I thought it was worth showing people what the wheelieing looked like even with a more trail riding specific track.
Hopefully that helps explain the wheelies portion.
@@Levi_LaVallee Doo does have the MXZ-XRS Turbo in a 137 package this year with the 1.5IR and r-motion skid. I'm sure it will wheelie similar to the VR1.
I wish they would have put one in a Lynx for me
@@PartTimeYooper Correct they do have them for 2024. But the gentleman made reference to the 2023 trail sleds I was riding didn't wheelie like the Doo Turbos (assuming he wasn't taking about the four stroke turbos??) of 2023. Being the only 2 stroke turbos that Doo had in 2023 where mountain sleds, My reply was to clarify that Comparing the Trail Turbos against mountain turbos was not an apples to apples test and of course they will not wheelie as well as a mountain sled.
I think your a little late to the party with this video, winter is almost over, This is a November video 🤦♂️
Just be happy for the new content and useful video if they continue to offer the Boost in model year 2024.
Hello Mike. Sorry I wasn't able to achieve the standards you have. Thanks for watching. 😃
Thank you for the positive message.
It's Spring order season Bro!!! If you were watching this in November, you weren't getting one of these sleds anyways. 😂
Polaris needs to get Rid of Walker Evans on snowcheck sleds, this is the worst riding sled vs the doo and the Lynx, this is a embarrassment, they have gone backwards here, we don't have all winter to send shocks back n forth to a shock guy to try and figure out the suspension so it somewhat rides good. Get on the Lynx and u can ride it all season with minor adjustments and send shocks out if u think it needs it in summer. The Polaris is just garbage out of the box with these shocks. Whoever specs these shock calibrations for these sleds, definitely doesn't ride trails in busy areas from morning to afternoon or somewhere that doesn't groom daily. It's pretty sad they come this far with a bunch of people telling them they ride good
Hello Again Mike. When coming up with the spec for the machines, I believe the goal is to try to make a set up that is in the middle of the average rider (average riding ability, average size person) that rides that kind of machine.
With that said, some riders who are bigger, smaller, more aggressive, less aggressive, or people that are trying to do things on a sled that it is not the best machine for that kind of riding will need to adjust the machine to make it work better for them.
If you would like, I could help you diagnose the concerns you may be having and give some ideas how to remedy them. Shoot me a message on my instagram- instagram.com/levi_lavallee/ and hopefully I can help. 👍🏼
@LaVallee I have a good shock guy. It's not just me. There are guys making video after video trying to dial in these shocks with valving and springs and they've done it 3 -4 times just in this season. It's crazy, no way should shocks be off this far for average 180-220-230lb riders. These shocks are either to soft on a VR1 or Stiff XCR, There is no middle of the road of adjustment on both sleds. I have 2 sleds one with Exit X2s and one with QSR3 , I can ride it at 220lb, or I can put a 100lb person on it with a few clicks. There is no cranking down on springs to set it up for me, once it's set, it's set. Then just a couple clicks to soften it up for a light rider. I can do this on a XRS Or a Lynx when my buddy and wife switch sleds I can set them with a few clicks. Polaris for get it, the shocks and springs are for a 120-150 max lb person
My point is, if Polaris doesn't get this figured out, then people are just gonna go back to the brand they use to have , most likely Doo, because they can get on it and ride it without sending shocks back n forth after first ride, or replacing undersized bearings every 500mi, Doos wheel bearings are what Polaris uses on jackshaft 🤦♂️ , Somebody needs to get them and quality control back on track or next yr there is gonna be more sleds sitting on dealer floors cause they aren't gonna deal with that for what these cost now
You can't just have a "good shock guy", go adjust your shocks for the conditions you're riding and do it every time you ride till you get it down . What you're looking for doesn't exist. Either you're just brand biased or don't know what you're doing when setting up a suspension. Skidoos and especially lynx have a better "all around" buy n go sled when it comes to suspension set up. It will work for most people and do it ok. I own both skidoo and polaris and my khaos and indy are far better riding sleds when I got the sleds set up for me and my weight/riding style but I am constantly changing them for conditions so I get optimum performance from them
Also I didn't like the velocitys at first but I've come to like them once I got them dialed in and I'm riding in alaska with conditions constantly changing. bottomless powder, hard pack, trails, soft wet snow one day and hard basically ice the next. From sea level to mountains, wide open flats to rolling hills and trees. They definitely are not the best but Definitely far from the worst
@kits-R-us u obviously don't know me! Trust me, I have a shock guy! When u have shock valving and spring rates dialed in for u, there is no adjusting spring preload. It's a couple clicks up for mogal mashing or a couple clicks down for flat and fast! Everyone who rides my sleds, then goes and buys a Polaris is in complete disappointment when they realize they need another 3-4k $ in shocks to make it ride how it should from Factory 🤷♂️
could you spend a day just off trail on the vr1 and still have fun? that motor sounds awesome
With out a doubt! It is a little more effort carving because the front end isn’t as light feeling as the assault, but totally capable.
With a longer lug track the VR1 would be very capable off trail.