2022 Polaris XCR & VR1 Trailside review - Full video

This is a review of the 2022 Polaris XCR 650 136" and the Indy VR1 850 129"
Lenn Johnson and friends give their reviews and test drive the new sleds.
We tried to add as much information as possible to this video. Let us know in the comments what you think and if you have any further questions for us.
This is not a sponsored video.
Sorry for the audio malfunctions at the end.
Thank you to MOMS North Country Powersports, Polaris, Nick Vosinek and everyone involved in this video!
Please like and subscribe for more videos like this, it helps us continue sharing our experiences with you all.
Social:
Facebook: Lenn Johnson
Instagram: @not.a.skrull
Hardcoresledder: @lennstang
Filmed and edited by Brooke Johnson
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www.ljeproducts.com

[@RJ-wy6cx]

It's amazing how far ahead of everyone else Polaris is and every sport that they're in

[@berniemckenna9770]

Only if you believe they're propaganda.

[@martycarollo5843]

Great review. Just checked a 136 XCR 850. I was considering a Vr1 but now I know I made the correct choice

[@brianfaulisi6092]

Great video! Loved all the great reviews from all of you as well. I snow checked a 2022 xcr 850 136 track and I’m so incredibly excited. I am coming off a 2019 arctic cat 8000 rr and have been a cat guy for a while although I’ve always loved Polaris. Cat didn’t wow me anymore and Polaris just keeps stepping up their game. I’m with Polaris now and I probably will never look back. Can’t wait to get my new xcr. Again great video!

[@edwardabrahamiii3742]

Till your polaris engine blows an sounds static like an old vhf radio just like in 10:45 in the video

[@jimrobinson7119]

Great job Guys thanks for letting me ride the xcr on Sunday truly a great machine.

[@lennstang]

Hi Jim! You're welcome. Thanks for joining us!

[@JeffCarsboatsatvs]

Was the pipe louder think it’s a different pipe

[@lennstang]

@@JeffCarsboatsatvs No, I don't think it's any different.

[@kevinschieber1012]

Always nice to hear opinions from the "everyday rider", as it feels more real and honest. Great feedback!

[@christophergeorge6581]

HiLen Johnson now that you have full winter how did you like YOUR XCR. I got mine mid Feb all I can say the difference between my VR1 and the XCR is wow. It handles better, very easy to turn believe this has to do with tipped up rails, love shocks set as you recomended 3 stops form bottom but best of all is bumps you do not need to avoid just go right through. XCR IS BY FAR the best sledding I have owned. Many thanks for yourr eview. Christopher from canada.BythewayI bought THE XCR based on your review. April 19,2022

[@3gasman]

Great job Lenn and Brooke. It was very informative video and helps my decision for a new 22 sled.

[@elainajohnson2289]

Lenn - great Polaris salesman - giving a great review of a great sled. Keep up the good work.

[@3gasman]

Great job Lenn and Brooke. Very informative.

[@sethalos]

That's my next sled...was going to buy it this year, however with CV19 I missed out on the ordering window. I currently have a 2018 Axxis Assault...but that XCR 136 850 is my next addiction.

[@oldslow3694]

thanks lenn, this video made me decide to go with xcr 136, i was going to order vr1 850 with 129 track, i have a 021 vr1 650 129 & love it that is my spare sled going to replace my 020 850 xc 129 or maybe keep that as a spare sled also, ya never know when some ski doo riders might want to try riding a great sled

[@lennstang]

You wont' be disappointed!

[@redxj4968]

Snowchecked an xcr 128 850 yesterday. Sold my 2020 tnt 850 really wanted the stiffer and adjustable suspension with the way I ride. My doo didn't handle as good as an axys never rode a matryx but that should be even better

[@michaeldowner7233]

Great video. Your review is making me want to buy the XCR. I totally agree on the Ice Ripper track. My 21 XC Launch 137 has it and I love it.

[@snomofilms]

Very well done!! Ordered my 2022 Assault 850 146 with the 1.6 cobra just yesterday!

[@Sdm07120]

I’m considering doing the same. What color combo did you pick?

[@elainajohnson2289]

Great video Brooke. Such a wonderful job. Proud of you. Hugs.

[@jamieconnell5157]

Great Video Brooke! Jamie (Cam's Dad)

[@lennstang]

Thanks Jamie! Broke is getting very good at these!

[@toddwestward1419]

Brooke Rocks!

[@scottsweeney5005]

I ordered a 2022 Polaris xcr 850

[@scottsweeney5005]

Thanks

[@RJ-wy6cx]

Just no check the 850 xcr 2022 128 Polaris done it again 💪

[@RJ-wy6cx]

Sno

[@YAMR1000]

Everyone do yourself a favor and just keep watching snow tracks those guys know what they're talking about.

[@ajpools]

Awesome job guys. I just checked a 137’ vr-1. I’m an aggressive rider but like to cruise With the kids as well. Will the xcr be better for both than the vr-1? I can still change my check dealer said.

[@lennstang]

I have a VR1 137. I'm getting a 136 XCR. Does that answer your question?

[@Hughgass1]

I have a 2021 Indy xcr, my buddy has a maytrx and I personally feel my sled does better in the bumps and moguls. His sled I feel like I can move more on so I would really be interested in trying the maytrx xcr as I think it would be the best of both worlds.

[@davemurphy6606]

I'll take the Mach Z in the garage there, that thing looks mint.

[@kf4736]

Wish I can get knot events to try out new sleds

[@missionx4]

I’d be interested to hear reviews on the 136” xcr and how it handles on trails with real bumps. Like weekend riding in Cadillac Michigan lol. 20” deep whoops, so far I’ve only used standard Walker Evans shocks on my rush. Fox float evol 3’s in the front seem to work great.

[@stonebuilder]

Great video, One question, everyone was talking about the wind protection, is that the mid-sized windshield? I am going tomorrow to drop of my deposit!

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

Yes it’s the midsize

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

When it gets below zero the tall windshield does a way better job.

[@stonebuilder]

@@BrookeJohnson3j It's always below zero where I live :) As long as it cuts down the wind I am happy! Thanks again for the great videos.

[@JeffCarsboatsatvs]

Do you like the 128 or the 136 inch better ?

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

136 because it’s faster and has more traction and more top end.

[@jeffw7644]

To bad you didn’t do any video on the rough stuff! Every sled rides nice on the trails you videoed on......

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

We had a little bit of footage on rough stuff but my camera is good at stabilizing and on the really bad stuff it died. I wish I could get everything out there but it’s hard.

[@lennstang]

We hit plenty of rough stuff, the XCR soaks it up. It's hard to film everything in the day and a half we had it.

[@scottboulden293]

Hi Lenn and Brooke great videos do you think the spring rate in the rear of the XCR is the same spring rate as the VR one and how do you like the taller riser on the XcR

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

He loves the taller riser, it’s the same one as the assault. The spring rate is a litter stiffer than on the VR1. But it rides better than the VR1 with at least his weight from his experience.

[@av6067]

I have 2021 Vr1 with the storm 1.5 or 6 track it seems very loose on the trail. I was thinking getting it changed too the 1.25 ice ripper

[@juliendugas6865]

Lenn, ordering a XCR in coming days. will be 99% on trail. thinking 128" with 1.35" cobra track and studing it. what are your thoughts? I currently have a 21 Renegade XRS with 1.5" ice ripper that won't corner, that's why I'm looking at the combination mentioned. thanks

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

Good choice, I would run a batter carbide than stock especially if you are going to stud it. If you stud it, do a minimal of 2 per bar up the middle otherwise you will have a hard time turning.

[@keithh5611]

I had a 2018 skidoo renegade xrs. Worst handling sled I ever owned. Great rear suspension but couldn’t turn a corner. I even changed the front springs and sucked up the limiter. I switched to cat and love it but I’m thinking about the new XCR.

[@wasupfool5692]

Think I'm going 850 on the VR1

[@pro4501]

2022 XCR650 what setting did you have the torsion spring on ? I found on my 21 VR1 I had to order the heavy torsion springs

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

Medium

[@rushrider800]

Can you still wheelie the 137 vr1? I just ordered the 137, now I'm thinking about changing to the 129 for nicer cornering?

[@lennstang]

I currently have the 137 Matryx VR1. Yes, it wheelies just fine but the 129 does it a bit better, especially with studs.

[@scott1949]

Lenn would you say the 129” vr1 handled better than the XCR 136”??

[@jeremiahbuchholz9645]

I am curious too! Lenn?

[@lennstang]

The 136" XCR handled better.

[@scott1949]

@@lennstang thanks for the answer and your review Lenn very informative.

[@JeffCarsboatsatvs]

136 is the way to go unless you ride very fast all the time .

[@toobglued]

im 150 lbs and i think the xcr would be too much for me. just not chevy enough a rider. thus thinking the vr1 would be better suited.

[@youareright5431]

Those velocity shocks look like they short about 2 inches of needed Travel 🤔🤔🤔

[@shperax]

Goodbye snow. See you again next year.

[@lennstang]

Bet you $1000 that we will get much more snow this month and into April.

[@chris1448]

Lenn, does the XCR have tipped rails? One guy mentioned it in the video, but the rails don't look tipped on the flat ground. Thanks.

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

Polaris says they have a tipped rail, this was a preproduction prototype so we aren’t sure if everything is on it.

[@lennstang]

It is supposed to but it's very hard to tell on the 136 we have as a demo. I'll have to check into it.

[@chris1448]

@@lennstang Interesting. I've read it does on HCS as well. Curious because I will be Snowchecking one shortly.

[@JeffCarsboatsatvs]

I heard nothing about the high performance pipe that comes on the xcr.comes with a actuator not sure what that means lol. Any idea is it faster more hp than the vr1

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

It does not come with a high performance pipe. You are thinking of IQR race sled.

[@JeffCarsboatsatvs]

@@BrookeJohnson3j it says right on the side of the sled about the pipe at 23 secs in factory pipe sled . Somewhere I read about a actuator built into the pipe maybe I’m crazy just thought I would ask .

[@lennstang]

Good question! I'll check into it! Lenn

[@JeffCarsboatsatvs]

@@lennstang thanks lenn

[@oldslow3694]

@@JeffCarsboatsatvs it is just a decal from the race sled, nothing special about exhaust on either 650 or 850

[@fxnytroxtxFPP]

Hmmm? So different plastics make handle knight and day difference?

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

It’s more than that, the new Matryx chassis moves the rider ahead a couple inches. It puts you in the sweet spot of the sled. because the gas tank is sculpted, it allows you to get further up the chassis for more ski pressure which results in better handling.

[@fxnytroxtxFPP]

@@BrookeJohnson3j oh so the axis chassis wasn't great handling after all

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

@@fxnytroxtxFPP it is good if you have it set up for trail riding like good suspension and studs and carbides. Still a great chassis but the Matryx improves on what the Axys didn’t have.

[@oldslow3694]

@@BrookeJohnson3j alex c is not a polaris fan i'm kinda suprised he has not been more critical of polaris

[@JeffCarsboatsatvs]

@@oldslow3694 sled of the year xcr for 2022 Polaris is on top for once in 25 years let hem enjoy it skidoo has been the top dog . Thanks to the matrix chassis and a 170 hp 850cc motor and 2 ply tracks and 7s display .

[@joshfellows9601]

Old 800 skidoo triple will beat 118 stock

[@JDRTRM]

They can’t deliver sleds that deposits were put down … sucks for them guys ..

[@jamescantlin1072]

Trails get louse after the first hour in the morning i put 6,000 miles with ice riper and have ran the 1.6 for over 8,000 the 1.6 is munch better hook then the ice 1.25 by fair but the 1.25 is a better track for lasting with no sings of were ! the 1.6 track will tear a lug easy and after 4.000 miles you will see more and more lugs coming off , but for traction in granulated snow were the trails are at after 10 am most days and most of your time is spent the 1.6 is fair better then the ice 1.25 for traction and the 1.25 will last longer !

[@chadmcclurg7492]

I’ve seen no bump in these video all groom trail

[@BrookeJohnson3j]

My go pro has really good stabilization and we didn’t have many bumps just in some sections of the trails but my go pro died when we hit them.

[@rontopping2048]

Always bumps man , never perfect

[@hitemup6455]

118 😭 on the dream O speedo

[@petebusch9069]

This is all good stuff, now if these were available for purchase, until then this is all fiction. The mythical XCR only obtained through a multi year process of putting in an order and HOPE. People seriously need to go back to work.

[@justsomeone6835]

118 lmao 😂

[@edwardabrahamiii3742]

Typical polaris just a 1 day review for each rider 1 year review next year every1 will be on a new 2023 gaytryx chassis 650 every year new polaris to test cuz the engine wont make it to 10,000+ miles