2016 Real World Sled of The Year

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It's that time of year again where we make our pick for the SnowTrax Television Real World Sled of The Year (SOFTY).

[@ColeKTM]

My dad bought a 2016 axys pro s rush 600 and I rode it and its unbelievable. It makes a beginner rider look like a pro. It's effortless.

[@RageQuitGaming12]

I know I got one also, for my birthday, and when ever I ride everyone asks, can I try riding that, how much does it cost. Dude this sled is UNBELIEVABLE it's amazing

[@ColeKTM]

RageQuitGaming12 It's insane. My dad was speechless after riding it. He said it handles like no other. I was also in awe after riding it. I never wanted to get off.

[@stevenvanheel3932]

I am so jealous of all of you guys with these nice new sleds. I'm stuck riding my old 94 Yamaha vmax 600. But what I do love about my sled it you just fill it up with gas and oil, and then go beat the piss out of it all day and repeat until the season is over. In the 4 years I have had it is has been great to me. It has never fouled a plug, and I am still on the oem belt that I bought brand new 4 years ago. Maybe someday I will be able to buy a new sled, but until then I know I will always have my old Yamaha.

[@bbreckner9884]

Im jealous to! Its almost not worth buying a new snowmobile because the winters are only getting worse, unless you live in Canada where it snows in the summer time, lol!

[@kylefitzgerald4419]

I'm not at all surprised polaris won. They make an incredible snowmobile. People just have to stop being so butt hurt and saying ``polaris is writing snowtrax a big check'' like give me a break. If polaris was writing them checks then they wouldn't bother testing the other brand, and speaking of which, ski doo, Arctic cat, and yamaha wouldn't even sponsor them if they were being paid by the other brand. So get over it and buy what you want, every sled does something better then the other, just a fact!

[@conerimrie567]

Kyle Fitzgerald the only reason I don't like Polaris is because I destroyed 3 of them and I switched to arctic cat and I haven't had any problems

[@jeremiahhooper5062]

dense knight well you aint riding right ive only had polaris and only had one problem, my dad got drunk and burnt the pistons

[@Boomax-rr5fk]

Destroyed 3 of them? How lol, you must have done something they don't just "get destroyed"

[@americanpride8421]

The Pro S Switchback is the best thing I have ever rode hands down

[@uplandknight5782]

I concur!!!

[@russellvandenbrink8996]

Me too!

[@westernstartruck2528]

i own a 2016 switchback pro s 800...... 6000 miles on the clock and zero issues .....nothing

[@americanpride8421]

@@westernstartruck2528 Yell yeah mine is still running 4 years later

[@WeekendWarriors87]

i hope those fox qs3 shocks make their way to an aftermarket option for ski doos and maybe even atvs!

[@hammerheartdan6311]

Not surprised at all. Some people say the Pro XC suspension looks ugly and looks like a gimmick but I tell them you can't say sh*t about it until you actually try it.

[@bamsechips1]

I think in 2017 ski-doo will be the winner

[@Valkyrie0307]

I am amazed at the brand loyalty with sledders. I must be a small minority with sleds as I have owned all of the brands of sleds. I started with a Yamaha, moved to Polaris and then Arctic cat, back to Polaris, back to Cat then picked up a Ski-doo. Now I'm selling that 2015 Renegade 800R E-tec because I'm moving to the 2nd place finisher in this competition, the 2016 Arctic Cat ZR6000 Limited in stealth black. Looking forward to this winter (if we ever get snow)... Bottom line is this, buy what you want and enjoy the differences each manufacturer offers.

[@22337766]

Stevie Z yeah some people really get they're panties in a bunch over what's the "best"

[@22337766]

Alex C is an example

[@josephshields2057]

I'm a Brand loyalist for A/C , that said they are all Great machines period! Imagine if Rupp, Merc, Sno-Jet, or any of the great late 60's early 70's sleds were still around. they were the hottest thing on the snow back then....

[@tdavidg9176]

Ragging on the Yamaha clutches, now I've heard it all. Their clutches have been steller for years and they don't blow belts. Plus their belts are $72, everyone else's is reaching the $200 mark. They pick the Cat/Team clutches? I heard Yamaha was the one that helped Cat get rid of their belt blowing issues. The reason the Viper feels flat is because Yamaha had Cat develop the ECU chip to match the Cat instrument pod. This same motor is in the former Nytro and you can feel right away how much more snap that sled has, its because of the ECU. All this being said, I do agree the AXYS Polaris is a great ride, got to test one this year in the 800 trim.

[@pflaffik]

I agree, yamahas reliability advantage is very real.

[@MrJeffyb69]

Please, Arctic Cat pulled Yamaha out of the grave! Without the Pro cross chassis, Yamaha would only be selling the same old Apex to the 25 diehard return customers!

[@tdavidg9176]

Arctic came to Yamaha looking for a 4 stroke motor, Yamaha didn't go to them in the beginning. The only reason they decided to do so is because Yamaha's supply chain was severely hampered from the Tsunami in Japan so by using their chassis it has given them extra time to retool.

[@vulcanman64]

I have a 2016 Indy 600 SP and it was the best investment I ever made a snowmobile.

[@TheRiverstock38]

I've got the same sled. Bought it new. Upgrading this season to a 17 Pro S Switchback 800. I'm gonna miss the Indy!

[@Viewer500]

Polaris and Arctic Cat battling for the top spot three years in a row, shows that no one knows snowmobiling like American manufactures.

[@Rumblefan]

Except market share (2015) goes; Ski-Doo = 46% Polaris = 32% Arctic Cat = 19% Yamaha = 3% So how is Arctic Cat fighting for the top spot when they aren't even 10% away from the number 2 spot?

[@Viewer500]

+CorkyBurrito If you watch the past three seasons, it has been between Arctic Cat and Polaris for the top two spots in the Real World sled of the year. But those numbers are very interesting. Never new Yamaha had such a small part of the market for being such a big company.

[@Rumblefan]

+Frank May yeah i feel bad for yamaha, if they werent such a big company and dominate other industries, they would probably be going out of buisness with only 3% marketshare.

[@Rumblefan]

+Frank May yeah i feel bad for yamaha, if they werent such a big company and dominate other industries, they would probably be going out of buisness with only 3% marketshare.

[@megcroft9236]

Frank May true

[@700Dragon1]

I have both the Axys and the 2016 MXZ XRS and the Axys rear is better to me, the r motion is a great rear suspension, but the seat and its 5 inches of foam sure help. The Axys does not have 5 inches of foam and its still to hard to call which is the best. Now Polaris will sit on the Axys for awhile and the Ski Doo will change. the 850 is pretty much a ski doo Axys. All great sleds... And im not really brand loyal. I have a 2017 Yamaha Sidewinder on the way. And I am keeping the Pro X for the backcountry, my wife rides the XRS and the Sidewinder will be for the trail...

[@ericduchesne807]

What about 4 strokes in the Axys plateform?....I was a fan of Polaris product, but left to other brand for reliability problems with 2 strokes and fuel consumption to high (600cc).

[@Armfan99]

Whats the best value for a used snowmobile? My last sled was a i believe 1999 blair morgan sno pro 600cc so its been a while for me lol. I like to ride trails and ditch ride, what would be a good used sled for around 3-4 grand? Im a middle sized guy 5"8 180lbs so i would like a lighter sled too, thanks!

[@KCinvesting]

Not just a Pro 4-Stroke guy speaking but a guy who rides many Km's a season I couldn't imagine paying $16000+ out the door for a new 2-Stroke sled the having the motor go after 2 seasons of riding. Just does not seem like a smart choice for the price of these machines.

[@YZguy11]

the one thing that would bug me about the Polaris is that the rear grab handle is so low, that would be kind of tough to move around and whatnot. just cuz you have to Bend down so low to grab It.

[@bobt250]

Much better low. with a high grab bar you can't get the rear end very high unless you're hercules

[@loganobrien3525]

the arctic cat looks soooooo good

[@paulyarek]

Yes one magazine I read about the Polaris said only 6% of the sled is the same as the yrear before and 2 years later magazine again said only one thing changed on the Polaris and that is everything. If the sled has a complete make over every year or two because that was bad and this was bad how can it be any good?

[@richardkoehler9917]

When you call the snowmobile of the year is Polaris if you look back at the history of Arctic Cat had it first . Polaris really hasn't came up with anything on their own . Polaris has copy and bought it so really the year snowmobile of the year is a Arctic Cat with a Polaris name on it.

[@megcroft9236]

Richard Koehler no its not learn your shit

[@wb1231337]

Lynx Boondocker ds 800?

[@calebgriesbach2613]

Why do they always complain about the tiny windshields on the yamahas but of course never say anything about that "wind shield" on the Polaris.

[@domo2218]

that is why they​ have the switchback

[@rmitchell1]

Possibly getting the arctic cat zr 6000 limited (black) 137 with 250 miles for $5999

[@lilfijithamalefactor3386]

i wish i could afford a single sled in this video im broke af at this point id take almost any of these and have no complaints

[@Alpatriod]

I fucking hate the windshield on the Articat wtf

[@TheCuttingtorch]

Dont hate. For pocket change you can buy 5 diff shields and then find something else to bitch about. Pathetic.

[@jamessoncreek4553]

I have zr snow pro 8000 my bro has 850 summit my buddy has a rush .. Zr best rounded. Summit most smiles per gallon but id trade both for the rush it just feels right

[@Mikethomson-e9t]

The annual Polaris sled of the year

[@snowtrax]

You know Ski-Doo won it last season, right?

[@clarknawrocki3851]

POLARIS is the best

[@ryanbrandenburg1882]

He used the word "catalyst " when describing yamaha and cat...hmmmmm

[@nstag8r007]

Do a shootout on 95-05 sleds. Reliability and electric start, reverse, ask riders that have owned many sleds. Our group ranges from old Indy 500's to brand new monsters. Alot of tight trails and ditch banging in Ohio. Be a cheap video to make lol

[@coldspring624]

wouldent touch a polaris.....the company is raw

[@KnightSRB]

only BRP Ski Doo !

[@ebsell]

The Polaris 800 was poison up until the last few years.

[@uplandknight5782]

ahhhhhhdoos never blow up...top end or bottom end right???

[@super_street_racer5094]

Lol looking back at when ski doo had an old chassis And still got 3rd ahah ya ll getting smoked for the years to Come

[@Constantstate]

Yamaha clutching vs. the Cat? And you favor the cat? Ya... hate getting 2500 miles on a belt on those dumb old Yamaha clutches... I much prefer spending $500 a year for belts on the cat. ?!

[@Trooperx86]

Speaking to multiple dealers in northern michigan they are saying Yamaha has a serious problem blowing belts on their clutches. One guy we talked to with a sidewinder said he blew a belt after 200 miles. I heard the new TEAM clutches on the cats have been really good on belts. Even the thundercat. I have a 15 XF 6000 with about 2500 miles on it still using the first belt. My sled is before the changed to TEAM clutches. oh yea and cat belts are $200. last like 3-4 years.

[@Constantstate]

The only people with belt issues are the ones who don't warm up their belts prior to laying 200 HP on them... Yamaha has a bulletin regarding that issue and if you warm up the belt and chain case prior to hammering the throttle, there won't be an issue. Proper break-in of the belt also applies, but no one seems to heed the advice of the people who designed and manufactured the products, they just go balls to the walls the second the get on it. Oh Yeah, and Yamaha belts are under $100.

[@deanmiller9770]

Real world sled of the Year??? No place to mount a simple inexpensive bag, short track and poor snow evacuation and hard to adjust rear suspension when the ice/snow builds up and questionable 800 motor reliability in the past. Real world sleds dont spend their life on a groomed trail.

[@NickNick12376]

Dean Miller in flat states they do that's why they call them trail sleds

[@freakyfarmer2299]

brand favoritism

[@matthewpeters6037]

Snowtrax is biased. Hardcore Polaris fans.

[@megcroft9236]

Motos Master enough with the excuses