2009 Polaris 600 Dragon SP Review

When it comes to Polaris engineering knowing what its customers want, look no further than the 2009 Dragon SP. Available with either the 154 horsepower 800cc Liberty twin or the latest version of the 600cc twin, Polaris’ Dragon SP is loaded with go-fast, go-hard goodies.

Built around an evolved IQ chassis complete with rider-forward ergonomics, the Dragon series takes the IQ chassis a step forward in the engineering evolution of Polaris sleds. This is the sled on which Polaris hangs its self-claimed title of ultimate ride and handling. Attend a Polaris new sled introduction and you’ll be hammered with Polaris owner statistics telling you that surveys prove that Polaris owners understand ride and handling better than any other riders on the snow. Polaris is on to something.

Steady evolution of its IQ chassis and double A-arm front suspension geometry has led to a sled that takes a beating in the big bumps without passing it all along to the rider. The Dragon SP comes with the best front end Polaris engineering has offered to date. Partnering with famed off-road suspension builder Walker Evans, Polaris outfitted the Dragon with top of the line, fade-resistant shocks. These are the lightweight kind with a piggyback oil reservoir to help keep fluids cool. They are competition-style, rebuildable and completely adjustable for serious mogul mashing. The rear suspension comes with specially calibrated Walker Evans gas shocks on the front and rear suspension arms. The idea is to give serious big bump riders a full range of adjustability to suit their individual riding styles.

With these hardcore racing-action shock absorbers, each rider can tune his own Dragon SP to maximize the sled’s 10-inches of front suspension action and set the rear unit’s nearly 14-inches of travel. If you choose, you can further fine-tune the front suspension with optional dealer-available coil springs. That’s a step extremely serious bump riders may take, but for everyday riding, the Dragon SP comes loaded as it is.

Too often, we’ve found that when snowmobile manufacturers toughen up their performance sleds for the most serious riders, the ride gets way too harsh. We didn’t get that feeling with the Dragon SP. As noted, there are many ways to set the basic SP for your own style. Our test rides revealed a sled that is very easy to ride in the rough. Head to head with the new Ski-Doo REV-XP models, we found differences. First of all, the Dragon SP is a bit heavier at 466 pounds than the REV-XP at a claimed 415 lbs. — so there is a difference there. You can feel it as you work through a turn, but the Dragon SP bites every bit as hard and may actually feel steadier as you put the throttle to the handlebar. The SP is more of what you’re used to. The Ski-Doo seems to want to dance about a little more.  Long-time Polaris riders will feel at home aboard the Dragon SP.

Although Polaris introduced the adjustable handlebar set to snowmobiling, you won’t find it on the Dragon SP. You will grip a straight ‘flat’ handlebar that sits on a 5.25-inch riser that gives you excellent leverage for working your way through a seriously rutted out ditch line or sliding around a decreasing radius corner. With its racing heritage, Polaris wisely incorporates adjustable hook ends to add an extra edge in performance riding.

The rear suspension fits a Rip Saw rubber track that sports a 1.25-inch lug profile for extra efficiency whether you’re grabbing a handful of hydraulic brake or spitting snow when accelerating off a bump.

Polaris uses the top of the line 599cc Liberty twin in the Dragon SP. Equipped with Polaris Cleanfire technology; the liquid-cooled motor develops 125 hp from the 4-stage injection system. Fans of previous Polaris 600s might not sense a great deal of difference at top end, but the Dragon’s Cleanfire-4 offers noticeably improved mid-range performance. With this sled category, that’s exactly where you want the engine upgrade. The 600 Dragon SP provides it!

Racing pays dividends for the performance trail rider as you get Polaris’ latest P2 secondary clutch that translates the Cleanfire-4 engine’s characteristics into crisp on-snow performance. Developed on North American race circuits, the P2 delivers better backshift and provides an improved overdrive to give you a bit more top speed on those really long lakes.

The 2009 Polaris 600 Dragon SP may share some characteristics with the budget series Shift, but have no doubts, this Polaris is about uncompromising performance. Its suspensions are the best in the Polaris lineup. It features the best grade shocks from a supplier that is exclusive to Polaris. The power under the hood is the latest, cleanest and best performing version of an already popular engine — the Liberty 600.

Ergonomically the Dragon SP features unique ‘Dragon’ graphics on a racy, sloped hood that lets you know exactly where the sled’s ski tips are. Don’t underestimate that. When riders can’t see the skis, they let the sled maker know — any sled maker! Performance riders want to know where they are at all times. That visual feedback works in tight trails where hooking a ski tip is not an option.

Comfort needn’t be plush on the Dragon SP. Riders want a seating positioning that is tall enough to let them post up over bumps, but ‘leggy’ enough so they can stretch out on a long run on a groomed trail. The handlebar needs to be easy to reach and offer leverage to work a turn or skinny through a stand of trees.

The Dragon SP fills the bill with its new Freestyle seat, which is narrowed up for quick action and fits over the revised 11.5 US gallon fuel tank. A set of Dragon-styled hand guards keeps hands protected from brush and offers some wind protection. The base windshield is not much more than a fashion statement, but you can get an effective one from a Polaris dealer. The dual headlights will be bright for night riding and offer a daytime warning to oncoming sleds.

We realize that the 600 Dragon SP fits in the middle of the performance line, but given the performance enhancements to the 600’s powertrain, we prefer the 600 Dragon SP to the 154-hp 800cc version. Unless you live in an area where the lakebeds are twenty miles in length and the trails are all flat and wide open, we figure that the 600 Dragon SP can keep you incredibly happy all winter long. If you are a serious performance rider, check out the latest Dragon SP. Polaris got it right.

2009 Polaris 600 Dragon SP Specs
Engine	Polaris Liberty 599cc, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, twin; Cleanfire-4 quad fuel injection
Horsepower	125 (Estimated)
Drive	Polaris with Polaris P2 secondary
Front Suspension	IQ dual A-arm suspension; Walker Evans premium piggyback gas shocks; 10.0-inches of travel
Rear Suspension	Polaris lightweight IQ parallel rail with Walker Evans shocks; up to 13.9-inches of travel
Length	115.0 in
Width	48.0 in
Ski Stance	42.5 in
Track	15 x 121 x 1.25 Rip Saw
Weight	466
Fuel Capacity	11.5 US Gal
MSRP	$9,699

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