Okay, so I am seriously considering purchasing a new 2008 Polaris IQ Shift, and I am wondering if there are any other fellow riders out there that have rode this sled, or own this sled, or knows anyone that owns this sled and would like to comment (good and bad) on its performance, handling..etc. My other sled is a '94 Indy Special 580 XLT that was bored out to a 600 and even though I am in LOVE with the ole girl, it was getting time to upgrade. My fear is that I am not going to love the steering on this sled because I have found that the sleds with more suspension seem to feel more "tippy" around the "dead man curves". Whats everyones take on this subject?

Okay, so I am seriously considering purchasing a new 2008 Polaris IQ Shift, and I am wondering if there are any other fellow riders out there that have rode this sled, or own this sled, or knows anyone that owns this sled and would like to comment (good and bad) on its performance, handling..etc. My other sled is a '94 Indy Special 580 XLT that was bored out to a 600 and even though I am in LOVE with the ole girl, it was getting time to upgrade. My fear is that I am not going to love the steering on this sled because I have found that the sleds with more suspension seem to feel more "tippy" around the "dead man curves". Whats everyones take on this subject?[/b]

I'm in the process of getting used to the rider forward sleds. Have an 07 600 HO carb that's nearly identical to the Shift (different color). '07 Apex RTX too, but that's a totally different animal. The new sleds are darn sure different. At first I thought no big deal, then I started beaking some old habits and paying more attention to to what THIS sled was doing. It's faster. It doesn't have the "railing" feeling so natural to me from the Edge, GenII, and Wedge sleds, but my riding friends say I'm riding faster when in the lead - even though it doesn't feel like it to me. Maybe it's still new. Dunno. Increased bump capabilities (suspension still stock for the time being) goes without saying. I'd have to say do it. As many fond memories as I have of some of the sleds I've had in the past, I don't miss any of them.

Couldn't agree more. When I went from my Gen 2 to the IQ, I had a tough time with the handling of the new sled because it tended to push so much more in the corners than the old ones, and i prefer my setup loose. But, I adjusted and use my weight a little more than I used to, and now I wouldn't trade it for the world. I never have a sore back anymore, and its powder capability is much better. I don't know if it is because of the lack of trailing arms or better front end clearance, but the thing flat goes in deep snow.

I'd say go. The upgrade from a 94 will be incredible in terms of usable torque and ride quality.

Couldn't agree more. When I went from my Gen 2 to the IQ, I had a tough time with the handling of the new sled because it tended to push so much more in the corners than the old ones, and i prefer my setup loose. But, I adjusted and use my weight a little more than I used to, and now I wouldn't trade it for the world. I never have a sore back anymore, and its powder capability is much better. I don't know if it is because of the lack of trailing arms or better front end clearance, but the thing flat goes in deep snow.

I'd say go. The upgrade from a 94 will be incredible in terms of usable torque and ride quality.[/b]


Now, when you say you have to "use your weight" more, do you mean you have to lean more on the turns or else you would flip or tip? I was riding my husbands ZR 600 and at times when I was taking a sharper turn at a higher speed I felt more unsteady like I was gonna tip right over. The suggestion of not having a sore back sounds great because my sled seems all over the place this year and I cant even keep her straight on a straight away anymore, it feels like I am in a rodeo or something, and my back just gets sorer and sorer! I just want to be able to ride hard but not have to work as hard as I do now. Thanks for your feedback!

I'm in the process of getting used to the rider forward sleds. Have an 07 600 HO carb that's nearly identical to the Shift (different color). '07 Apex RTX too, but that's a totally different animal. The new sleds are darn sure different. At first I thought no big deal, then I started beaking some old habits and paying more attention to to what THIS sled was doing. It's faster. It doesn't have the "railing" feeling so natural to me from the Edge, GenII, and Wedge sleds, but my riding friends say I'm riding faster when in the lead - even though it doesn't feel like it to me. Maybe it's still new. Dunno. Increased bump capabilities (suspension still stock for the time being) goes without saying. I'd have to say do it. As many fond memories as I have of some of the sleds I've had in the past, I don't miss any of them.[/b]

Thanks for the feedback! It seems like me and you are gonna be in the same boat because I think I am going to go into withdrawl from the lack of "railing" I get from my sled. It seems though THAT is even going because my sled is all of a sudden "ski heavy" and I am having a hard time keeping her under control even in the straight aways so I think I may just have to go for it!

I bought a 07 600 rmk ho last year. I had to get used to the tippy characteristics on this sled. I tipped over more than a few times lasat year. This year its different for me when you are trail riding and are approaching a turn, just really lean to the inside of the corner. I hang my bottom off the sled completly if the corner is really sharp and you can push down on the same side with your foot and pull up handle bar on opposite side that keeps me from flipping. I have to use my weight more because I am a girl and do not have the upper body strength that the boy's have. I love this sled. I can keep up with the 800's. Good luck.

Just purchased one the other day (upgrade from 95 Mountain Cat) and I will say that getting use to the push feel on the trail is going to be a challenge. Other than that, I love the feel in deep pow and the snappy throttle response.

Just picked up a '08 Shift and didn't get to ride it much to really get a feel for it, but the previous owner mentioned that he has heard of some people adjusting the front limiter strap of the rear suspension one hole and that helped reduce some ski lift while turning-at least that was he was told.

I have to agree that it takes a bit of getting used to the seating position on the IQ from an EDGE or previous chassis but once you do, you'll really like it.

I had a Yamaha Apex and the seating is similar to an IQ, and really noticed when I went back to riding an EDGE chassis for the past winter.