2023 POLARIS BOOST VR1 vs 850 VR1 

Thanks! The VR1 is such an awesome sled!

It was great to see first hand that the Boost didn't hinder the ride

We were working on another big project with Red Bull this winter so I didn't have time to make videos for the channel. I enjoy making videos for the channel, so hopefully we can put some more energy towards it.

@@Levi_LaVallee to

@@melissaarndt2547 ?

Thank you for checking it out. Hopefully it helps people who have questions on the sled.

LOL a bolt on turbo costs a lot more and gets you ZERO warranty.

@@flyin427ford either way the patriot boost will live a shorter life.

​@@flyin427ford he clearly cares about things that lead to not needing a turbo. Hence why he said 4500 and one year less warranty, he can't justify it. It makes sense LOL🙄

The Vr1 is such a great sled on the trail and to see that the Boost worked as good or better on the trail, plus you get the extra acceleration and top end made it a blast to ride! and yes, the lake is fun on the Boost! 😁

thanks. Top end and a stronger pull between the turns.

Do you feel the front end being heavier ? Levi

Thanks! Haha you are correct on the ski lift. For high speed groomed trails like we rode most of the time, we could have taken some preload off the the ifs and center springs to simmer it down some. But for this test we left both stock settings so they where apples at apple. The other thing that I think contributed to it- there was a camera and a group of men sitting off to the side watching you perform….. there is a tendency to over drive. Lol

@@Levi_LaVallee gotcha, yeah it's tough to make it super 100% perfect. Great review though, did you run them head to head on the lake?

Thanks 👍

Thanks! I've had a busy winter chasing after a bucket list project, which you'll see in a while 😃.

Lets not get carried away now.....yes polaris has improved but not quite sure they have caught up to the doo machines

@@Dooguy Yeah right

@@RJ-wy6cx cant argue when doo owns 40% of the market.

@@Dooguy It wouldn't have a problem with that if they had a better product

I have been going to the Anch my whole life! Mom and Dad use to ice race cars when i was a little kid.

thank you!

Yeah that would have been neat

Thanks for watching! Yes they ride about the same on the trail, but you notice the Boost power on the straights and on the lake, which for me, takes the fun level up a notch!

Yes there is limited snow checks this year due to the supply chain issues.Regarding - Is it worth it? It depends on how much you value going fast and having the most powerful Polaris sled. For me the Boost is the fastest I have ever gone on a snowmobile. That's a new rush that I could have day after day with a Boost... which sounds good to me.

haha they are superstars in the making for sure!

Tell me about it! We have a big project that we worked on this winter that ate up the majority of my winter. but don't worry about Levi content, my ideas list is getting bigger and bigger 😁

Hello Robert. Both sleds were untouched. The 850 was my sled and the VR1 I got from Polaris which they usually leave them in stock settings as they are the most universal set up. I did not check the clickers to see if they were to same though so that is a variable. I re-watched the video and noticed that on the longer sweeper test that the 850 had storage bags on the back which would add additional weight to the rear. How much weight? I am not sure, maybe 10lbs if loaded but regardless that is a variable. Compound that with the additional weight of the turbo on the front end of the Boost, in theory that would give the boost less ski lift if you have a constant throttle. It was very minimal if you noticed anything at all in the corners. Regarding the sleds back to back they felt very much the same other than the difference in power.

Regarding 129 vs 137- the 137 is more forgiving as the length tracks straighter through bumps and the back end is doesn't slide / pivot in the turns as easily. The 129 feels racier to me as its is easier to move around and it pivots around the turns a little easier.

The smaller lug will give you more top end, the 1.35 will be a little better traction getting going. Regarding the boost vs the side winder- I know i'd sign up for that race😁

Seems like the boost wins in the vids I’ve watched . Lighter and 195 hp it screams

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Yes it is. The club doesn't groom in front of the bridge so it was super rough!

I have a Boost Assault video coming out at the end of the week. I had a blast on it!

@@Levi_LaVallee Sweet! Can't wait to watch it. Thanks

@LaVallee I have a Boosted assault snowchecked,cant wait to see the video,I'm hoping you drag raced them against eachother

I run Polaris Extreme in my sleds.

Great helmet!

depends on a few things- rider weight, style of riding, and terrain you will be riding on. The bumps we went through for the test were very big. Not your typical bumps on the trail. The Vr1 suspension drive through those bumps well but, was on the verge of bottoming hard if I pushed any harder, and did bottom when Jerrod (aggressive rider) who weighs a little more than me went through them. In your normal trail riding conditions, the VR1 shocks work very well, but if you slam into hard bumps or hit jumps, they are too soft for me and for heavier riders. at 160lbs I sacrifice the plushness of the Vr1 so I can blast bumps hard and jump my sled when ever i can.

LOL. You are correct the 650 is a great running engine! The Boost is an animal when you get it on the straights!

We'll have to race them next season when the sleds come in.

VR1 Boost is faster straight line on the lake than the XCR . The boost puts out more power than the 850.

Thank you! The boost makes the lake fun!

They are super fast! Moto is my summer program and winter is sleds!

@Levi_LaVallee perfect ratio. You should upload some mx videos too!

@@chartchaser I don't have much I can help people with on a dirt bike. Maybe I can get Dung to give some pointers. haha

The assault boost is going to be a 660 foot rocket ship . That’s what I want too lol,

video is coming end of the week. its was super fun off trail and FAST!

@@AnDrEw122100 that’s why I choose it, my buddy Jamie went with the vr1 boost and I picked the assault, really looking forward to hearing what Levi has to say and to see a good video on it!

I enjoyed the extra pull

I honestly do not know as I have only been on one for a week. I know they have been testing the turbos for years before it came out so i am confident the durability is there.

Kaboom!!!!!!!

1.35

Jerrod ordered one as well and he's pretty pumped after riding it!

cobra

Coming soon😉

Boost Assault video that is.

@@Levi_LaVallee can you compare a boost assault vs a XCR 136? I have a 22 XCR 850 136 and just spring checked a 23 boost assault. I wanted something more versatile for some off trail fun. Really want to see how the boost assault handles whoops and corners on trail vs XCR. I know it will be much better off trail.

@@barrthom603 We had the assault with and John and Jerrod both really liked the Assault. I think it sits up a little taller than the Vr1 so it felt like it had a little more inside ski lift. It would be an easy fix to loosen the preload in the ifs springs which would lower it a little which would make it more stable in the turns. you may have to soften the center spring if you soften the front springs if it feels like it pushes more in the turns. But the lower you go, the harder it is to get on edge off trail. In the bumps I think it will be very similar to the XCR.

@@Levi_LaVallee dude very impressive...do you know if matryx boost will have any different shock valving or settings then standard 850 assault? Thanks for your help man! great videos.

Hey Jeff. The seats are a bit firm but the 23 prototype sleds we had for these shoots seemed to be softer. Sharen who rode the new S4 has a 21 Matryx VR1 and commented right away how she liked the seat on it S4 sled compared to her sled. Not sure if they changed it but it was noticeable softer it compared to my 22s. The prototype had more miles on them than my sleds so that could be why they were soft also but not sure. Regarding the push in the corners, what do you have for carbide? Have you tried the HD torsion springs? at 245 I would recommend HD torsion springs to keep the skid from squatting which would pull ski pressure and cause it to push. Another thing you could do if you have the HD torsions and it is still pushing, turn your IFS springs a little tighter which will give it a little more ski pressure.

Ought the fat man springs last year they helped . Seat is to small for a 6,3 240 pound man needs 2 more inches wider to be comfortable. Thanks for the feed back buddy .

I didn't have access to a Cat or 900 🤷‍♂

Where do you live?

@@Levi_LaVallee I'm in the mitten (Michigan)

We didn't do an accurate test but the group of us come to conclude at the gas station it was similar to the 850. But again, we didn't do an official test yet to confirm.

I think only sleds that aren't spoken for it a new race sled and an Indy Adventure.

I thought it pulled as good or better out of the hole than the 850. Watch the video I just did with the Boost Assault. You can see a POV of me take off and it pulls the skis and carry them . The Boost pulls hard

@LaVallee thanks for the quick reply,I have a Boosted assault snowchecked,can't wait

@LaVallee with only 3 psi at sea level do you still hear the turbo flutter the bypass valve (blow-off) ?

129

Thank you! Historically the "muscle sleds' and now Hypersleds are fast across the lake, but are heavy and sluggish feeling on the trail. The unique thing about the new Boost Vr1 is it gains the power but not all the weight so it is still very rideable. The reason we did all of the "trail riding tests" was to show the viewer how it compares to the 850 Vr1, which is well known to be a great handling sled on the trails. The goal was to show whether or not you have to sacrifice the ride and handling characteristics of the 850 to gain the speed and power of the Turbo like we have grown accustom too over the years with hypersleds.

haha Mark almost dumped it. All vehicles have its tipping point and Mark found it. How do you like your 650 Vr1 corner?

I love the sled. Your review was spot on! I don't have the riding skills you have, so I'll take all the suspension help I can get.

That would be interesting to see. I know the Boost is significantly lighter.

For sure. It won't have the torque of a 4 stroke turbo sled but 200 lbs and good clutching will make the difference up. Already a 850 can sixty foot as fast as any sidewinder and cat stock for stock. So it would be really close I think.

​@@danmackey9462 i've heard rumor that the Boost is the fastest production sled to 100mph.

It is faster 195 hp and way lighter

Yes there are many ways to do a top speed test differently. The other element you have to consider if you do a side by side race is traction- if you spin is it accurately showing what the engine is capable of? You brought up another good point- I would assume if you are running 1/8mile runs you probably are drag racing or doing radar runs on a flat, possibly plowed surface. When we did this rip we literally lined up on the lake and pinned it. The lake was pretty choppy which doesn't bode well for top end speed. Next season when I have a little more time with the sled, hopefully we can get a good radar test on a more consistent run for folks to see.

I wasn't trying to be insulting, you have a good platform, just have to be careful with the "seat of the pants" and speedo readings. Yeah random run on the lake is real, it's how when a group of trail riders are going to do it. Polaris has great marketing and lots of hype , some never lived up to over the last 20 years.

IF you like fun, it's a great option!

That's what I love about it, feels light and easy to ride hard down the trail or ditches.

the big suspension slows them down quite a bit now days compared to the 90s. For the conditions we had on the lake for the speed test, I thought it ran great. I was 10mph faster than the 850 which I have had an 850 up to 110 mph before on a rail road track before. I think the Boost will run in the 120s with better conditions.

Suspension is a big component of the handling but weight and power are also very important in how the machine handles. In this test we tried to use 2 sleds that were identical stock 850 Vr1 129 sleds (no clicker/spring/ suspension adjustments from stock) other than one was a Boost which is a little heavier and has more power. The test was to see if the riders could tell if there were any differences in the handling characteristics and if they notice the power and speed.

It has the turbo flutter... when you ride it you are constantly jacking the throttle so you can hear it!

@@Levi_LaVallee I have a boost assault 2” on order, can’t wait !

@@michaelpittmann6784 That is what I am going to get! Boost Assault Video is coming out end of this week. I had a blast in playing off trail and the Boost I was on had the 1.35 lug.... the 2" lug is going to be a wheelieing fun maker!

Yes that would help for sure with the Boost blocks being bigger.

850 or 850 boost?

@LaVallee 850. My dealer, Edge Performance in Bradford Ontario, installed a new 850 motor that was flown up from Polaris. Failure was an "internal coolant leak", most likely the ring gaskets on the head. Sending blown motor back to Polaris USA for analysis. Love Team Polaris for getting my sled back to me in 3 days with a new motor!

Thanks for your input. Do you remember what codes? I had great luck with both my Boost assault and Boost VR1 last year, only concern I had was if I was playing in the powder, snow would cover the air intake and then it would bog. A quick wipe with my hand and it would come out swinging again.

Unfortunately the supply chain concerns have limited the amount machines they are able to produce. It has been a huge curve ball that the manufactures have had to adapt too. Hopefully the crazy world will get back to normal on many levels.

The XCR Triple triples were super fast! The difference between the boost and the Triple Triple is you can blast the boost down the trail and across the lake, not just across the lake. haha

Reliability is #1 on a cold dark night in middle of nowhere...No Chinese parts on old sleds...

haha. i would be interested in seeing a legit race.

haha the "bench racing" of snowmobile speeds is Classic! There are so many variables that can dictate the top speed, hard to compare sleds based on it. Air quality makes a big difference in making power, track lug height/length, snow / ice conditions, how smooth is surface, and the list goes on and on. The idea behind this was to show the difference between the 850 and Boost. A more accurate way to see how your sled compares is a radar run. Same day, same conditions, then you can get a better idea of how sleds compare top speed. We use to do quite a few when I was a kid. Dad bought his own radar gun and would plow a strip across the lake and people would run just to see what there sleds would do. Or line them up and see which one gets across the lake first.

Haha yup that’s fair, my F7 is fairly modded I got her up to 121mph! It wasn’t on radar gun but it was on a gps app, Speedo was saying 124mph which is surprisingly accurate for a 20yo sled, I’m running a 128” track with 1” lugs and picked track, it was on hard packed snow on a lake, nobody believes I could beat my dads buddys 2023 Vr1 boost I had him out the hole and even in top speed his top in same conditions fully stock besides new clutching is 118mph. Still definitely not slow tho by any means😂

I am believer of lower center of gravity as well, standing 5'6" with boots on , I am the epitome of lower center of gravity.LOL In all seriousness I always lowered the front of my snocross sleds back in the day. Due to my shorter stature, i couldn't get as much weight on the inside to corner as fast as the others. I lowered the sled and then I could put the sled where I wanted it to go instead of it taking me where it wanted to go. Stay tuned, I have a couple videos coming associated with this topic. One will be pretty fun.

Thanks for the response! I look forward to the new content. I'm a bit old school when it comes to aggressive trail riding. I prefer ripping triples down groomed trails at triple digit speeds than bouncing thru whoops at 25 mph on modern sleds.

Thanks for watching.

It's just a long video when you want to see how fast something and who's got 20 minutes to sit there and watch

I mean it should take about 20 seconds and then maybe the review video take 20 minutes

LOL. sounds like my youth. "Put Levi on it, he'll get you a couple more MPH!" - My Dad at every Radar run.

@@Levi_LaVallee hahaha I used to take my dads sleds out on the lakes and fields when our groups would stop and max them out and come back and be like dad can’t you buy something faster 😂🤣😂🤣

@@HaZe_Da_PiTBuLL 😂

Once you ride it, you are on the gas to feel the turbo power!

what makes the 850 Lynx a "real sled" in your opinion?

If you get on the gas hard, it pulls the skis and can carry them until you want them to come down. on the trail the power delivery is very smooth so it makes it easy to keep the front end down biting.

Now days with how fast word travel with social media, the manufactures know they can't come out with unreliable, sub par machines like the old days. The amount of R and D that goes into the engines is tremendous.

It is a tough situation the manufactures are in with the current supply chain issues they are dealing with. Hard to ship units that don't have all the parts. Hard to get the parts from the venders when the venders can't get the raw materials to make the parts. Looking at the issues the auto industry and Powersports are dealing with and hearing stories of parts that took 1-3 months before now taking 9-12 months makes me feel for them. The supply chain issues caught the manufactures off guard and they have had to adapt and plan much differently than before. I know Polaris has taken great strides to remedy the concerns they ran into this season and have a plan to make '23 much better.

@@Levi_LaVallee very well said-explained Levi about the current supply issues there is not one manufacturer that wants there greatest customer (snow check) people not to have there sleds on time! I feel for all the manufacturers in what they are going thru. PS great job on the comparison you are one of those guys that some people watch your videos just because you make everyone feel like you are there best friend.

​@@Levi_LaVallee Everyone knows all that. My point was, you are riding a 23 while guys don't have their 22 yet. So Polaris took the time to make some 23s, while they still had 22s yet to finish....

All the 850s i've had have worked great over the years.

@@Levi_LaVallee you’re on a new one every year

@@xdude2x that is correct

I'm sure it does. ;) If you get the chance to try the Boost, see what you think.

@@Levi_LaVallee one of my buddy’s ordered a boost maybe it will change my mind we’ll see.

@@ifproductions6748 i haven't been on the Skidoo 850 but compared to the Polaris 850s I've been riding, the Boost sure made me smile.

@@Levi_LaVallee yeah I bet I’ll give to boost a try next winter. It will definitely get up to speed faster 100%

What I've come to conclude is most every performance snowmobiler from around the world gets excited when they ride a sled that has power and is fast. haha