TJ's 2020 - 20201 Seasonal log thread / modification thread

I'll start with some of the background for this year with plans, and what sleds we have and will be riding.

We should have 3 Matryx Assaults in the fleet all being 850's. Should be cool to compare run quality etc between the three. Also all three have different tracks so that will be cool to test and see all of them together. We have a 1.6" a 1.5" ice storm and a 2" Mine is the 1.5" sled as I want a decent off trail sled but will also be trying to make mine both a trail weapon and good all around off trail sled in average snow. In addition to the Polaris sleds I still have my trusty and favorite 2018 Ski-Doo backcountry X. This sled has been modified to suit my riding and area by having a 42" wide trail sled front end installed. In addition it has XRS (piggy back) shocks, clutching, and gearing done. It's a very fast sled and gives 129/137 850's fits. We also have a 2021 Ski-Doo 900 Turbo on order but it's sounding like we won't be getting it if it shows up I have a tuned ECU for it, gears, and clutching.


With that out of the way, I have purchased two barrels of VES oil for the sleds so we should have adequate oil on hand and sticking with the manufacture brand. While I don't necessarily agree the manufacturer oil is the best it makes it much easier to get things fixed under warranty if there is no protest due to oil type. If I had my way I would be burning Amsoil (No I don't need your opinion)


Plans for my Matryx are a fresh wrap from ArcticFX. Its designed and going to be very colorful and busy the way I like it. I will be adding Ski-Doo front mounted rail scratchers on it, Dupont Sliders, offset axle with larger rear wheels, and I have some clutching goodies from Dalton to play with to get started.

 

I take safety very seriously when riding. We are generally exploring very remote regions of our area, in addition to that we travel very large distances from home both on the trails and into the back country. Recently I saw and advertisement for these survival tubes by VSSL VSSL - Outdoor Utility Tools while they are not cheap they are of very high quality. They are water tight, and come with a very handy compass and flashlight. The flash light has many different modes of operation and a red / white mode for S.O.S situations. It is very bright. The two kits I felt were most needed for my riding were the first aid kit and the emergency camping supplies. Take a look for yourself maybe these would also benefit you. Very well made product, I plan to toss these under my seat or in my bag for the season.


Untitled by Jamie Attridge, on Flickr


Untitled by Jamie Attridge, on Flickr


Untitled by Jamie Attridge, on Flickr


Untitled by Jamie Attridge, on Flickr


Untitled by Jamie Attridge, on Flickr

 

I know there are many solutions to mounting the BRP Linq system to the Polaris tunnel. Honestly the new Polaris Lock and ride stuff looks really good and I would have jumped on and bought a Burandt bag and some other goodies if I didn't have so many Linq accessories. So I opted for the easy / cheap way out and will keep running the Linq system. The folks over at South Simcoe Machine https://www.southsimcoemachine.com/ make their brackets locally to me. So in my eyes there is nothing better than supporting a local business. Their parts are top quality CNC machined and come with all the necessary mounting hardware. We have a set of these on my sons EVO RMK and they are flawless. Perfect fit and finish. I will be sure to add some photos once I have them installed on my sled.


Untitled by Jamie Attridge, on Flickr

 

Got the wraps ordered today saved over $400 USD waiting for the codes! Amazing!


Guess I can show off my design now.


This will also have the Halo metal flake over it. Should stand out


Even kinda matches my tattoo.

 

I’ll upload some more data after I took a nice video of the headlight. On high beam does it ever project far like I mean crazy good!


Engine feels good for break in a little burble / rich down low but it’s -2 here and I’m sure it will clean up with more time. No hesitation or anything more of a sound than performance thing.


Suspension so far is pretty darn good, resists bottoming better than my past sleds for sure and seems decently plush but more time needed.


Sled feels really good in my hands and comfortable. I can ride it like I’m right at home and instantly comfortable.


Not a ton to say yet only got 7 miles on but more excited now than ever before to ride it!

 

Here is a quick video I made last night showing the new headlight and just how far the beam will project. This is hands down the best headlight I have ever seen on a sled, maybe even on a vehicle. The projection is incredible how far it casts the light ahead. Very well done!

 

I have had a bit of time to let the little bit of riding I did last night sink in. I really want to point out how natural the sled felt to me, it was like I had never gotten off last spring and I was instantly home and comfortable on it. No pics but I was jumping a 40' motocross track double before dark and it was like nothing. I generally wouldn't do this kind of thing until I had a bit of seat time that's how well the sled seem to fit me.


The only thing I am noticing and it may not be a thing once I start riding it is for some reason turning right is just uncomfortable for my right wrist. I may need to play with the bars here or something because its something I never notice on a ski-doo.


The only other thing I wanted to mention was vibration. I have read and seen many supertrax / snowtrax reports of how smooth this 850 is and while I can say it's decently smooth I don't feel it runs as smooth as any 850 Etec I have owned in my hands. We'll see after break in if it gets any different, its not bad just not what I was lead to expect.

 

With all the doom and gloom posted about the jackshaft bearing I figured I should at least take a look. I don't know if I got a good one or not but that sure looks like a sufficient amount of grease.


Untitled by Jamie Attridge, on Flickr

 

We have a really good balancing company in Toronto called Garland & Son's who balances some crazy stuff. He is actually a friend of mine so I will be having my clutches done at some point. I just don't want to send them in right now with the season starting. Hindsight I should have done it a couple weeks ago when I was in the city. The only trouble is that Scott likes the clutch taken apart to balance as well so each part is individually balanced then he runs it again assembled to make sure its 100%. I had some Cat and Doo clutches done and the difference is amazing. It's on my to do list but I may wait until I get a billet front cover first.


On another note my girlfriends Matryx Assault is being picked up tomorrow and I think her and I are going to head North Thursday to see if we can ride a bit at my cottage. We have about 10" of ice there now so we can at least run the lake.

 

My GF and I made the hike to the cottage (5hrs) to get a little lake running in on the Assaults!

https://flic.kr/p/2kibp4A

https://flic.kr/p/2kifFmg

 

So I’ll touch on a few things I am noticing right off the bat. The engine according to most who have posted regarding 850’s is over revving a lot. I’m at 8200/8250 at wot. I started out seeing 8000/8100 now it’s up. By all accounts I need my peak rom to be closer to 7900/8000. So it looks like I may need to do some tweaking.

With that being said I’m hoping it gains a LOT more power after it’s broken in because it doesn’t feel nearly as powerful as any of my 850 Doo’s which maybe the clutching causing this but I don’t see much over 97 mph indicated in 4” of fluffy snow. I thought it would be faster.

The engine runs pretty smooth in the range I typically ride at 60-70 mph but there is a tingle in the throttle I hope doesn’t make my hand go to sleep.

wind protection is 11/10 it’s spectacular I can’t believe how warm it is with such a low windshield.

No fouled plugs and no running hiccups. Only 30 miles though.

I groomed about 40 km of trail yesterday I’m hoping to ride today. We are getting more snow now so things are shaping up.

 

So I was seeing 8400/8500 today around the 70 mile Mark every squeeze. Temps are around 0*C

stopped and swapped my Gboost belt on and took it easy 15 miles. Then got on it. 7900/8000 every squeeze. Sled feel much faster and more powerful vs buzzy and not going anywhere.

 

I’d say yes for sure it is. Great gains just from a belt!