New 850 or holdover 17/18 with turbo?

venom

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The 850 sounds promising for sure. But what's your thoughts on an holdover with a sidekick turbo for about the same money? Haven't rode a sidekick or even been around one.

Cheers!
 

calltrex

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Engine mounting not very good. 850 way better and whole engine is beefier. Way better for long term
 

Lund

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The 850 sounds promising for sure. But what's your thoughts on an holdover with a sidekick turbo for about the same money? Haven't rode a sidekick or even been around one.

Cheers!

That would be a no brainer for me, turbo all the way, love the Boondocker's.
Plus 200+proven hp vs an unproven 160-65hp, give me the turbo please.

I rode a turboed Polaris last week, it was a hootin good time. N/A 2 stroke are a BORE to ride.
 
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Dazzler

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The 850 sounds promising for sure. But what's your thoughts on an holdover with a sidekick turbo for about the same money? Haven't rode a sidekick or even been around one.

Cheers!

Not sure I will be much help but, I have 10,000+ boosted miles on boondocker turboed 11-15 pro's with very little to no issues, and currently riding a 2018 with sidekick.. The Axy is frickin awesome and loves boost. The Axy at 5-6 lbs pulls as good as the pro's at 8-10!!!(seat of pants dyno). I have had no engine or drive trane issues on any of them to date, just make sure you insulate a few things on the turbo side...
Unfortunately I got tangled up in the 850 snow check excitement and have one on order!!! I really do know better than to go into the candy store during snow check month!!
My personal issue really is, I'm pushing 60, riding more with grandkids, so should really slow down a little and get away from turbos. That was my intention with the 2018 Axy, but day two there just wasn't enough power and a turbo was ordered. So here's hoping this 850 is everything they say it is.
If you live for tree riding, the turbo Axy is no slouch, however the 850 with the low end torque, should be awesome according to the reports I've heard, from the few people I know that have rode them. If your mixed riding (open hills, trees etc.) I think dollar for dollar, the turbo 800 Axy will guaranteed, put a mile wide grin on your mug every time you squeeze the throttle, along with kick some a$$. If you've never had Boost? it is an addiction :p, but keep in mind your giving up warranty..
I hope this helps more than confuse!!!
 

venom

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Thanks for the input!
Mixed riding but mostly trees. I'm riding an XM T3 174 BD Turbo right now. It's not the sidekick but the Tial/intercooled kit. 0 issues with the turbo and pulls like a tractor, but the 174 is a bit much for me @ 175 lbs. Looking a getting a 163 and 36" ski stance. Can buy aftermarket A arms if decide on an 18.
The only thing about going with the 18 is it's old iron. If the 850 pans out and I'm sure it will, the 800 Will b worthless.
 

ktmsx350f

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Turbo Axys rock you cant go wrong with a left over and a turbo. The Axys responds to boost much better then the xm and will blow your mind how much better it will be. I just sold my BD turbo xm and have 2 Axys with turbos one MTNTK and one BD st w2a intercooled. I have over 60 days and a pile of miles on the mtntk with no turbo related issues at all. motor mounts had to be changed and 1 a arm. My BD had to have a turbo replaced but it came with a stupid mta so upgraded it to gt2860 rs. Hands down pick up a cheep 800 put a mtntk turbo on it, engine brace and some powder freaks drivers, fire and ice vents and ride it you wont have to touch it for a long time. My bd does seem to make more power but it is set to 11-12 psi and the mtntk is only on 7-8. mtntk hands down spools faster and has better drivability.
 
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venom

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Turbo Axys rock you cant go wrong with a left over and a turbo. The Axys responds to boost much better then the xm and will blow your mind how much better it will be. I just sold my BD turbo xm and have 2 Axys with turbos one MTNTK and one BD st w2a intercooled. I have over 60 days and a pile of miles on the mtntk with no turbo related issues at all. motor mounts had to be changed and 1 a arm. My BD had to have a turbo replaced but it came with a stupid mta so upgraded it to gt2860 rs. Hands down pick up a cheep 800 put a mtntk turbo on it, engine brace and some powder freaks drivers, fire and ice vents and ride it you wont have to touch it for a long time. My bd does seem to make more power but it is set to 11-12 psi and the mtntk is only on 7-8. mtntk hands down spools faster and has better drivability.[/QUOTE
Thanks.
I've had great success with the 2 BD kits that I've owned. That's the way I'll probably go again, but sidekick this time. I'll keep an eye out for discounts on the 18 for sure.
CHEERS!
 

Dazzler

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I've had great success with the 2 BD kits that I've owned. That's the way I'll probably go again, but sidekick this time. I'll keep an eye out for discounts on the 18 for sure.
CHEERS![/QUOTE]

I know of one possibly two 2018 Snowcheck 800 Axys, both with sidekick BD, one has a 163x3.2 track the other is a 163x2.6 track.. maybe 500 klm most on both and both belt drive.. Both sleds were set up by the local BD dealer/head Polaris mechanic.. He actually owns the one, he sets up new one every fall.
Shoot a PM if interested.
 

venom

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I've had great success with the 2 BD kits that I've owned. That's the way I'll probably go again, but sidekick this time. I'll keep an eye out for discounts on the 18 for sure.
CHEERS!

I know of one possibly two 2018 Snowcheck 800 Axys, both with sidekick BD, one has a 163x3.2 track the other is a 163x2.6 track.. maybe 500 klm most on both and both belt drive.. Both sleds were set up by the local BD dealer/head Polaris mechanic.. He actually owns the one, he sets up new one every fall.
Shoot a PM if interested.[/QUOTE]

I'll most likely buy new and install everything myself. Thanks all the same.
 

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One major down side to the bd is they aren’t a flash so oil system doesn’t get tuned up. The one real nice thing though is ebc and boost by throttle
 
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I contemplated the same question. Left over turbo. New alpha. Or 850. Ended up deciding on the 850. Like stated if this engine is a home run then it’s going to leave the previous 800 sitting pretty low on the resale pole. But again This could be another 2008-2010 fiasco. Fingers crossed. That being said. Either of your choices will leave you smiling. The axys at 10-12 is an absolute riot to ride. The boondocker kit is amazing. Haven’t got a leg over a mtntek but with as much as you talk them up they can’t be ****ty. To bad you couldn’t still get a big boost Boost-It kit
 

ktmsx350f

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The fun factor of a good working turbo 800 vs a NA 850 personally I would take the turbo every time. A 850 skidoo makes roughly the same power as what we expect out of the 850 Polaris give it take a few. I’ve let a few guys in our group ride my turbos vs their stock axys,850 and mountain cat. All loved it and said no comparison one guy that rides a cat his took one of my turbos up for a day when his was broken. He’s not a big climber usually but had no issues pulling a nice chute that he said he never would on his cat and he loved it in the trees. Said he wants one for his cat now. I have 2 turbo axys and 1 NA and could never go back to NA my self it’s just so much more fun. If my turbos were to both brake is steal parts or part out the NA sled before riding it. Turbos have come along way and are very reliable. My MTNTK kit for parkland has 3500 miles now and has had zero issues never put a wrench to it yet other then just doing some fresh motor mounts for last trip. It over due for a top end but still on stock pistons and reeds. I could be wrong but I have a 850 on order but it will only be risen 1-2 days before getting a mtntk turbo it will sit in the trailer while I ride a turbo 800 if the mtntk isn’t ready in November. I may seem one sided but the fun factor of the 800 with boost is awesome. Best part mtntk at 7-8 psi pump gas no other fuel needed pull and go with the flash. My turbo 800 has been more reliable then every stock cat and 850 in our group. I’m no where near a pro ride but I f ride hard and I treat my sled bad and probably worse then anyone else in our group. If I had to pick one it would be the 800 turbo cuz I know it’s going to work too the 850 is a total unknown im hoping it will he even better but I bet skidoo guys were with the G4 too .....
 

ktmsx350f

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I contemplated the same question. Left over turbo. New alpha. Or 850. Ended up deciding on the 850. Like stated if this engine is a home run then it’s going to leave the previous 800 sitting pretty low on the resale pole. But again This could be another 2008-2010 fiasco. Fingers crossed. That being said. Either of your choices will leave you smiling. The axys at 10-12 is an absolute riot to ride. The boondocker kit is amazing. Haven’t got a leg over a mtntek but with as much as you talk them up they can’t be ****ty. To bad you couldn’t still get a big boost Boost-It kit

I have both a mtntk and BD the BD makes big power at 12-13 psi but if I had to pick just one it would be my mtntk for sure and all the guys I ride with said the same
 

venom

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I've yet to make a decision on what to buy, but time is running out for a snow check . Holding off till last min to maybe read some more ride reviews. would have liked to see a side by side comparison with an alpha. whatever I end up with I'm sure it will get turboed .
 

LennyR

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The fun factor of a good working turbo 800 vs a NA 850 personally I would take the turbo every time. A 850 skidoo makes roughly the same power as what we expect out of the 850 Polaris give it take a few. I’ve let a few guys in our group ride my turbos vs their stock axys,850 and mountain cat. All loved it and said no comparison one guy that rides a cat his took one of my turbos up for a day when his was broken. He’s not a big climber usually but had no issues pulling a nice chute that he said he never would on his cat and he loved it in the trees. Said he wants one for his cat now. I have 2 turbo axys and 1 NA and could never go back to NA my self it’s just so much more fun. If my turbos were to both brake is steal parts or part out the NA sled before riding it. Turbos have come along way and are very reliable. My MTNTK kit for parkland has 3500 miles now and has had zero issues never put a wrench to it yet other then just doing some fresh motor mounts for last trip. It over due for a top end but still on stock pistons and reeds. I could be wrong but I have a 850 on order but it will only be risen 1-2 days before getting a mtntk turbo it will sit in the trailer while I ride a turbo 800 if the mtntk isn’t ready in November. I may seem one sided but the fun factor of the 800 with boost is awesome. Best part mtntk at 7-8 psi pump gas no other fuel needed pull and go with the flash. My turbo 800 has been more reliable then every stock cat and 850 in our group. I’m no where near a pro ride but I f ride hard and I treat my sled bad and probably worse then anyone else in our group. If I had to pick one it would be the 800 turbo cuz I know it’s going to work too the 850 is a total unknown im hoping it will he even better but I bet skidoo guys were with the G4 too .....

Pfft , you already told us you only do 100 Kms in a day, so obviously you spend a lot of time sitting eating sammiches and talking about your turbo. All sleds would last that long if we just rode only 100 Kms a day !!!!
 

Chrisco

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Pfft , you already told us you only do 100 Kms in a day, so obviously you spend a lot of time sitting eating sammiches and talking about your turbo. All sleds would last that long if we just rode only 100 Kms a day !!!!

Nice Len....ktmsx350f does put a lot of miles on.
 

ktmsx350f

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Pfft , you already told us you only do 100 Kms in a day, so obviously you spend a lot of time sitting eating sammiches and talking about your turbo. All sleds would last that long if we just rode only 100 Kms a day !!!!

100 km of tree riding is usually 1 and 1/2 tanks of fuel. I’m far from a pro more in the average category but I ride trees almost all day every day. I haven’t seen many sleds that get more the 100-120 miles in a day with a Jerry can. Trust me I don’t sit around and eat or drink. My sandwich and beer don’t come out until my fuel is gone when my buddies stop I ride along.
 

ktmsx350f

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I think Ktm is the Maxie of the Polaris world. Rides better than any one, runs the best equipment and is way way smarter than us common folk.

I definitely don’t ride better then everyone I’ve never claimed to be more then average. I like all sleds and have dislikes of all sleds. I speed my mind from experience usually maybe sometimes to much but I’m far from brand loyal I’ve had every brand going as far as toys and try to go with the best at the time and set it up best I can with out spending retarded money or being unreliable
 
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