I do 95% of my riding in Northern Ontario where for one week it was -39 all week long in february.I had a 500 Touring sled with electric start and it at times was hard to start.It pulled over fairly well using just the recoil rope though. I just bought an 03 800 XCSP and have heard they are pretty hard to start but then someone else said on the 02-03 and up they did something to eliminate this hard starting condition.Has anyone put one of the Polaris block heaters on their sleds? The one in the Polaris catalog doesn't install in the coolant hose. It looks like attachs with a magnetic base but then again, the motor is aluminum so I really don't know where it installs. I asked my dealer and he said he wasn't sure either. Thanks!

Originally posted by PETE/NY@Sep 13 2004, 04:23 PM
I do 95% of my riding in Northern Ontario where for one week it was -39 all week long in february.I had a 500* Touring sled with electric start and it at times was hard to start.It pulled over fairly well using just the recoil rope though. I just bought an 03 800 XCSP and have heard they are pretty hard to start but then someone else said on the 02-03 and up they did something to eliminate this hard starting condition.Has anyone put one of the Polaris block heaters on their sleds? The one in the Polaris catalog doesn't install in the coolant hose. It looks like attachs with a magnetic base but then again, the motor is aluminum so I really don't know where it installs. I asked my dealer and he said he wasn't sure either. Thanks!
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TTT!

I can't comment on the Polaris unit but I put the Cat one in my 03 ZR900. It is a great add-on. I too ride alot in Northern Ontario (Timmins/Cochrane). Of course you need access to an outlet for it to be useful. I carry a 15' extension cord on overnight trips and a 75' in the trailer. In the morning the cylinders are warm to the touch even when sitting out overnight in sub-zero temps and the sled will start with little or no choke and extended warm up is not required. Installation was a pain, mainly due to the tight area it was to be installed, but worth it .

I think they added a decompression hole on that model to reduce the starting effort by 35%.

My buddy has an 01 XC 800 and I have started it a few times at -35c sitting outside over night. Hard to pull over but 2-3 pulls and it starts. Then let it run for a while to warm up.

Of course it would be much nicer and easier if it had a block heater but not necessary.

If it was a hard starting sled it would be a different story but those sleds all start well.

All the times that our sleds sit outside over night are at peoples cabins and hotels so plugging in would be a pain.

If it's cheap and easy to install go for it.

I also heard the newer ones are easier to pull.

Originally posted by SEXltsp@Sep 22 2004, 09:56 AM
My buddy has an 01 XC 800 and I have started it a few times at -35c sitting outside over night.* Hard to pull over but 2-3 pulls and it starts.* Then let it run for a while to warm up.

Of course it would be much nicer and easier if it had a block heater but not necessary.*

If it was a hard starting sled it would be a different story but those sleds all start well.

All the times that our sleds sit outside over night are at peoples cabins and hotels so plugging in would be a pain.

If it's cheap and easy to install go for it.

I also heard the newer ones are easier to pull.
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Thanks guys- after reading this and a couple PMs decided to forget the heater as it may be more trouble than its worth.Thanks again for the replies and yes my 03 800 does have a decompression hole to help with those cold weather starts

My 700 is a pita to pull over and i'm a skinny guy to boot. The sled I bought has an electric start on it though. I justt bought the sled last weekend so i'm anxious to see how well it will work this winter.

Originally posted by SEXltsp@Sep 22 2004, 09:56 AM
All the times that our sleds sit outside over night are at peoples cabins and hotels so plugging in would be a pain.

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Most lodging places we find have outlets by each room for automotive block heaters so finding a plug is usually not an issue.

It's a sweet add-on. IMO

It would be ideal to plug your machine in and have a EFI with electric start and have a remote start that way you can sit in your hotel room sipping coffee and start your machine and let it warm up without going outside. haha.

Don't the firecats have that option?

Do any of the Polaris'?