2016 Polaris 600 Indy SP Review

A couple of years ago, when Polaris first introduced us to its born-again Indy line of snowmobiles, we were impressed. We especially liked the reincarnation of the 600 Indy SP. It remains one of our faves, but in its two years of rebirth the competition has countered.

In those two seasons, Polaris pricing remained competitive, only boosting the bottom line price by US$200 heading into the 2016 model year. Originally priced at US$8,999 for the 2014 version, the 2016 600 Indy SP carries a suggested retail price of US$9,199. Not bad as value sport sleds go.

Decked out in limited edition Terrain Dominator trim, the 600 Indy SP showcase Polaris racing’s Midnight Blue heritage.

The Polaris remains a good value compared to the competition, which we identify as: Arctic Cat ZR 4000 RR (US $9,599.00), Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 600 E-TEC (US $10,949.00) and Yamaha Phazer RTX (US $8,999.00). While none of these sleds truly compare head-to-head in pricing or features, we think if you were seriously considering the Indy SP, you’d want to consider these others as well.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Polaris 600 Indy Series

We view the biggest differences not simply in dollars, but in the sense of what you get for your bucks overall. We have absolutely nothing against Yamaha’s Phazer RTX, which is the lowest priced of these sport value sleds, but it is the least potent of this value group and is also, perhaps, the most tired as a design. Its 80 horsepower 500cc four-stroke twin will not keep up with the 600 Indy. It does offer higher quality Fox Float 2 shocks up front and a piggyback compression shock in the rear suspension.

The base in-season 600 Indy SP comes in a red and black trim package that includes a mid-height windscreen.

While we may favor Ski-Doo’s MXZ TNT and its substantial US$1,750 uptick in pricing that includes many niceties (RAS2 front suspension and rMotion rear suspension, 600cc Rotax direct injection two-stroke and MXZ trail cred), we don’t see the MXZ and the Indy SP as a fair comparison, even though we brought it up. The MXZ TNT is simply another consideration, but better compared against Polaris’ Rush Pro-S. They both have the latest premium trail suspensions and features. If you have the wherewithal, the MXZ TNT 600 E-TEC is a terrific package.

For the money the 600 Indy SP remains a nice value, just as Polaris marketing intended. Spec’d out against the 2016 Arctic Cat ZR 4000 RR, the 600 Indy SP comes away US$400 lower in initial price. Plus the Polaris-engineered semi-direct Cleanfire twin with 120-ish horsepower easily scores a major advantage in overall on-trail performance versus the Cat’s smaller displacement 85 hp Suzuki-built twin.

Polaris’ 2016 600 Indy SP features rider-forward ergonomics with a single-piece handlebar and Pro-Ride seat that narrows at the front for aggressive cornering but widens out for comfy trail cruising.

With value in the sport performance category spread all over the scene, the 600 Indy SP stands out as a well-purposed all-around sled with a solid upside – as they say in sport cliché speak.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2012 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 600 E-TEC

We like the Indy SP basics that center around a proven lightweight aluminum Pro-Ride chassis that is 300 percent stiffer than the best tunnels of the older Indy-style platforms. The front suspension works well and provides up to nine inches of travel that is controlled by coil-over Fox gas shocks. Helping to plant a good grip on the snow variables is the job of Polaris’ Pro-Steer skis, which utilize shortened skags with a revamped keel for quick, easy effort steering. You may note the ribbed top of the ski, which is deliberately designed to increase torsional rigidity to the ski to reduce flop and chatter.

The SP’s nine inches of suspension travel relies on gas shocks to keep the Pro-Steer skis planted for cornering grip.

The rear slide rail design can be considered as an updated continuation of past Polaris versions or a revamping and shortening of current backcountry straight rail designs. However you view the Indy coupled rear suspension, you’ll find it adequate for most trail riding.

Because we had the advantage of riding all the newest sleds with all the newest suspension setups, we admittedly found the current 2016 Indy SP slide rail a bit lacking. We tend to ride a prescribed and surely boring test route when we take out sleds to review. But our route contains all the key components that show off the pluses and minuses of a flatland trail sled. One specific section is a consistently mogul-pocked and poor stretch that helps us feel a suspension’s reaction at a variety of speeds and a sled’s acceleration/deceleration tendencies because of it. On a top of the line model with a well setup suspension, this section is a pure gas. On others, the section seems as though it has no end. Traveling this course over a period of four days allowed us to easily determine the comfort differences between the Polaris AXYS-equipped Rush and the Indy’s coupled design. The Indy SP rear unit when pushed reacts like the older design that it is. But, so do the lower echelon, more basic rear suspensions of the competitors.

Truthfully, if you have a 600 Indy or lesser powered 550 fan-cooled version, you’ll be quite content overall. The ride is consistent and comfortable for real-world trail riding. Banging along the trails under more aggressive throttle will show you the limits of the current Indy ride.

Fitted with internal floating piston gas shocks and a sport tuned front suspension, the Indy SP offers exceptional value in trail handling.

Those under hood components of the 600 Indy SP have been upgraded a bit with the Polaris-built Cleanfire 599cc twin feeding its power to a proven and legendary Polaris P-85 drive clutch that’s now paired with a TEAM lightweight driven. Expect this powertrain to be quick in response, dependable and reliable. This has been one of our favorite drive systems and is very comparable to the Rotax E-TEC as to performance.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Yamaha Phazer RTX

Again, keep in mind that the Indy is not the latest 600 Rush with the rider-balanced AXYS chassis. What the Indy remains is a terrific bargain that compares well against the ride-forward style of Ski-Doo trail sports. This sled puts you in a good riding position to work corners or stand up over deeper moguls.

The Indy Pro-Ride seat provides an excellent office for sport riding or simply kickback cruising thanks to an actionable, narrowed front that carries back to a nicely proportioned and widened fanny support zone. Comfortable ergonomics key the 600 Indy SP as Polaris engineering redesigned the right hand controls on the one-piece handlebar with a revised throttle block that can be easily adjusted to suit your personal style. Unlike a straight bar with hooked ends, the Indy SP features a nicely pre-curved handlebar with full length heating elements to assure improved comfort.

The Terrain Dominator package hints at the wide array of Polaris accessories available for personalizing your sled.

Although the hallmark of the Indy series is value, you can customize the 600 Indy SP with all manner of accessories. Since storage options are minimal on this sled, we’d pop for an underseat bag and either a riser bag or handlebar bag. The medium height windshield works well and comes standard, but you can go low or tall if you want. There are options for mirrors, bumpers and storage. Although you can add an electric starter kit for about US$770, consider that historically the Cleanfire 600 engine has been a reliable and easy starter.

That’s the thing with the Polaris 600 Indy SP, it does virtually everything you want a fun-to-ride, low maintenance, good value sport sled to do. It will be a good value and a reliable ride for seasons to come. For what you get for the bucks you put out, the 2016 Polaris 600 Indy SP is a solid value and good value when compared to other options.