2020 Crossover Snowmobile Shootout! 

Cat coming in hot! So good to hear!

I don’t know how your edits and filming in these videos are so good it blows my mind every time. These videos really tell me a lot as a watcher too. I have been especially getting questionable recently on what model sled I might want to get next. Amazing video guys! 🙌

Great video, and information Luke, thanks. To the whole Lester's work and information 👍 keep up the great work! I look forward to your new videos!

Great video! Thanks for all the testing you do!

Great honest analysis of all these sleds I appreciate the emphasis on the point is to be a truly 50/50 sled and I would say the Assault fits that best as well.

This is exactly what I was looking for as a crossover comparison. Great video ! Helps me with my choice

Excellent video absolutely enjoyed it and the results were interesting to great shootout

Yamaha XTX here in Sweden has 2 inch challenger (had 2.25inch powerclaw last year), mountain spindles and mountain skis, interesting. Wish you could try out Lynx Boondocker RE as someone said earlier, it is really fun both on and off trail.

I can't speak for the cat or the Yamaha; however, I have ridden both the Ski-Doo Backcountry XRS and the Polaris Switchback Assault (both 850s, of course). I can say from experience on riding both on and off-trail, the Ski-Doo is undoubtedly a better sled, but that is just my opinion. In the off-trail category, SnowTrax was spot on. The skidoo gets on edge much easier, keeps the skis up higher, and pulls like a freight train compared to the Polaris Switchback Assault. In terms of on-trail performance, I still believe that skidoo reigns supreme. The ergonomics allow you to lean into corners much more than the Polaris, thus keeping your stability on trail, allowing you to ride faster. On the moguls and whoopties, the Skidoo is still much better. When you are on the Polaris, your ass keeps bouncing off the seat, due to the lack of quality suspension. When I rode the Doo, my butt stayed glued to the seat, and there were no issues with the way it rode, as it was better at soaking up the bumps, in my opinion, than the Polaris. At the end of the day, both sleds are top of the line, and they are exceptional. They both have decent motors, even though the E-Tec is a bit better, as it pulls harder, and both sleds are very fun to ride. I still don't like how SnowTrax claims that the Polaris is the better cross-over, just because it is a "truer" 50/50 sled. I would take the Doo on the trail compared to the Polaris any day, no questions asked. Off trail is no question either, as the Skidoo can hold the sidehill and maneuver much better than the Polaris. When I rode the Polaris, I couldn't even get the sled on edge, even with wrong-foot foward. Is SnowTrax biased? Maybe not, but they definitely can't say that a sled is better than another, just because it matches the definition of a sled class more than the other, such as a 50/50 crossover.

I have been a loyal skidoo guy all my life. I am seriously considering snow checking a switchback assault 850 this spring... I rode a friends and I was hooked.

Currently on a Freeride.. thinking Backcounty XRS or Sidewinder XTX LE... 2021 Backcountry XRS turbo would seal the deal for me... Great video Luke

Well I see nothing changed with the shootout segment...... I don't know why I keep watching this stuff😒 although I think I know whose going to win in the next 50 shootouts! (POLARIS!!!!) so now you don't have to melt you're brain watching the next 50 shootouts👍

Did anybody else catch the two inches joke?

Nice comparison. I've been waiting for this. I am a Doo guy, but the assault certainly is the best at being 50/50 right now. I really like it's trail handling. I prefer Ski-Doo ergos and value off-trail more, but Polaris gets more tempting every year.

I’ve had a Assualt and I’m trying the backcountry this year since I like the off trail more but still wanted the somewhat on trail riding once and a while

Would and SKS 146 not compare better to a Backcountry? 70/30 off/on. Flatland freeride shootout please.

Hey! I was the 1000th like. Thats pretty cool!

I love my old 2014 assault. But since i bought it new i find i mosty ride off trail now and only do a few short groomed trail rides per year. Thinking about the SKS 146 but dont want anything that will be horrible on trail.

Lets see a 60/40 off trail/on trail comparison featuring the SKS 146, Riot X, XTX SE and Freeride 146!

And Ive driven all of those, Lynx Xtrim RE is the best 50/50. I almost did like assault, but after 2 engine failures, Its either Lynx for crossover or Lynx Boondocker for deepsnow (fun)

Aren't the spindles between the riot and the xtx different

What about the Cat seat? What would make it better - seat from a ZR? Or, something else?

Probably already commented on this video, I didn't look, but I have been going through a few of your videos and sometimes I forget what I committed to 😂, but, besides the usual praise I give all of you at SnowTrax, I have a question, I just wanted your opinion on the switch back assault,does the mid windshield which I think is what was on the sled you were showing, anyway,does it actually benefit over the low windshield?

I was wondering if you could answer a question for me, does the R motion skid perform better in xrs form with a kyb shock than the base shock on something like a TNT or Blizzard or is the difference in shock not noticable?

Looking at your video, the A-arms are nearly horizontal on the Assault, Sidewinder and Riot. Set the skis wide and reduce the front preload on the Backcountry and then let us know how it compares on the trail.

Not sure a 50/50 is the best crossover sled as it’s ok at both but excels at neither. Most people are going to be doing one thing more than the other and would benefit from a sled that sacrifices a little on one side to give you greatness on the other side. Who wants to take a 42” wide ski stance off trail??

I really think you understate the backcountry on trails. I honestly find it’s the best all around trail sled I have owned.. that being said a 40-42 stance would have made more sense. I have brain damage because I don’t think the 850 Polaris isn’t better then my 850 doo? I guess I have been drinking to much doolaide. They felt very similar to me

Polaris was one of the first with crossover snowmobiles if im not wrong..and yea they have been nr 1 in the crossover segment for some years

Really torn between a Polaris Switchback Assault and an Skidoo Renegade XRS for my Spring Snow check order. Currently ride a 2015 Renegade XRS and love it. I definitely ride trail more then I do backcountry. I’m just wondering is the assault with the 144 will feel like it’s “pushing” more into corners when trail riding.

The Cat is a completely new machine with more than enough subjective features to win out and somehow it lost? Polaris isn't only paying out pro riders anymore I guess

I love my 2021 ski doo backcountry it goes anywhere, which is perfect because I honestly hate trail riding it is too much like driving a car down the highway, never really any challenge.

Could you not tell that skidoo’s seat was literally 3 times smaller than arctic cats

Have to agree. You guys get a lot of hate, but I bought a Riot and an Assault to see for myself this year. The assault is better in every way, except groomed trail stability. The difference is huge

I think you should compare the Backcountry with the Riot X sometime. They seem to be sort of in a segment of their own, maybe throw the SKS in the mix too Edit: oh and the BTX, we haven't really seen a video on that thing either

I tend too normally agree with you here but i do think you are wrong when you pointed out the 2010 renegade to be the sled that started it all... the 03 polaris sks came out in a 700 and 800.... 144" skid with tipped up rails and a 1.25" predator track. In my opinion thats when crossover sleds began.

is cat not making the new version of the xf1100 turbo or the 9000 i had a 13 model and it was un real the limieted even had heated seat but it was heavy

Lots of details but not much mention of skid length. I saw 146 on one of them

I grew up in Minneapolis Minnesota and the only reason I still live in Minnesota is because I love my.polaris switchback

Two things for me: 1) Arctic Cat really needs a new updated engine (turbo anyone) 2) That 2021 Riot X w/ Alpha One....Ohhh baby!! I'm an Assault owner, and I agree it's the best.

Not much Backcountry riding here in Wisconsin and for that reason I'm out. But if I would the Polaris assault all the way.

Absolutely love my 2019 Polaris assault 800.

i am so sorry for you guys that you dont get the lynx bondocker re, its so much more playful than both the polaris and the doo. dont know about the arctic but the skid of the lynx is an absolut beast on rough trails!!!

I think arctic cat needs a twin turbo small displacement 4 stroke for a lightweight high horsepower 4 stroke

How can the "seat problem" on the Arctic Cat be solved? Would simply switching to the ZR/Procross seat be an option? Or, are there no options to solve this? The 2021 seat looks the same as 2020, but does color match the body work.

Good review, but still a paid promotion, by Polaris. Polaris 850 is more like a 600 in power than everyone else 800/850

Still Polairs biased i see

I will keep my summit and I live in Sask!!

Sorry, but in 2000 and before Arctic Cat made what they called a Powder Special, 600EFI, 1.6" lugs, same length track as your Backcountry. You may not like it or its name, but you're just wrong. You're love for Ski Doo is understandable, they are the sled to beat very often. But the are rarely the first, and rarely the best. 2nd place is usual for these guys. My Minnesota boys work hard, bring in the best engineers and since the Prowler 440 came out with AWS and almost 9" in the rear have been the ones to beat. Before the Thundercat we had something called the Wildcat, and it could deal with any sled, except perhaps the Indy 650 when tuned and clutched properly. Minnesota beats Canada is ok I'm saying in nearly every category, except perhaps deep snow. I love ski doos. Still can't believe they put out those early REVs with so little knee from you had to buy pads to not damage your knees. Ski Doo knows better than to try to take on the Thundercat, it's been at the top for so long, it's so far ahead of any ski Doo power wise who cares.

I was thinking about this yesterday... SkiDoo is really missing the mark with the BCX with the narrow front end. I think a Renegade front end, with a disconnectable sway bar and then an adjustable limiter strap on the tunnel, along with a 146 Cmotion rear and Storm 150 track would be a perfect combination to take on the Assault. I'm going to be swapping the skid on my Renegade XRS if I ever have to replace the track and will be doing just that combination.

Never been this early

Wow I didn’t even think Arctic cat would be in second or even first I am in pressed

The Polaris 850 the most impressive 2 stroke made? Please explain how? I’ve talked to multiple dealerships that sell both ski doo and Polaris when I was shopping for a sled. Every time I brought up the 850 and what was better everyone told me hands down the e tec is the way to go. Better fuel economy and oil consumption. I took a Mx and a xcr for a test ride. The patriot motor dose not have what the ski doo 850 has imo. Sorry man I call bs on the best 2 stroke ever comment

id sacrifice on trail handling for better deep snow handling any day.

Bx xrs handles completely fine on trail

Welcome to PolarisTtax. Today we're going to do a 2nd-4th place shootout

The xrs is not a 16x1.6, it's 15 inches wide

Just watched the sled of the year,where the riot represented the crossovers.what gives ,here you say it's not as good as the assault.do you expect us to not notice these discrepancies.

Skidoo renegade v polaris indy xc 137

Who has better reliability?

I ride my 600R Backcountry with narrowed skis on the trail just fine, because the public trail isn't my personal race track...

Backcountry XRS is king try one and you will find out

Shows how good the Axys Polaris chassis is being a 3-4 year old design and still topping the competition..

go skidoo!

Cat is about $3k less, AC wins!

Of course snow trex will never pick anything but a Polaris

For anyone that is using this for a purchasing decision, don't. These guys are incredibly Polaris biased, just take a look at their previous videos and you'll see that they have a huge Polaris bias. Every side has it's fan boys, and you don't want to listen to a fan boy when making a purchasing decision.

They only show Luke from the waist up to hide his Polaris boner.. Also....pretty sure AC had a cross over before skidoo did..the crossfire...it’s in the name CROSSfire.. ALSO..what’s the big deal with the seat on the riot? You say it’s a mountain seat..is it too small? the Polaris and skidoo seat looks like a legit half dirt bike seat...I have that seat on my high country and love it. Makes 0 sense.

I have looked at arctic cat riots and they look cheap and cheesy. The plastic looks like you would find it making tackleboxes.

I agree with this video. Lot of haters out there. I have rode both the skidoo and the Polaris. I do believe the skidoo is a little quicker. But the Polaris has a better all around experience. Let’s face it if your not happy with any of these sleds there’s something wrong.

2:40 My wife will argue this with you my friend ;)

Let me guess, the Polaris wins.

My girlfriend and I like to go backcountry

Polaris:great power good handling terrible reliability

Let’s get this comment section kicked off: SnowTrax Polaris bias at it again. Must be paid off! My friends uncles cousins 850 already blew up! My old F7 Firecat hit 115 on the lake and would smoke these new sleds! Flat landers lol.

Shop Dog sniffing the strawberry Ipone @ 06:19

cant say i agree with anything this guy says! just me maybe!

Which is why we see more trails being closed. Exploring off trail isn't what land owners want to hear.

A crossover or 50/50 sled shouldn't have a full width trail front end. A trail front end SUCKS off trail. The Backcountry, the SKS, the highcountry... Those are the real crossover sleds. The assault is a trail sled.

Lynx Xtrim RE wins

Change YTchanel name to PolarisTV.

Skidoos 850 engine is beter

Polaris always at the top!!!!

"ThE pOlArIS iS tHe LiTeRaL dEfINiTiOn oF a 50 50 CrOsSoVeR." You are the literal definition of a biased person😂