Sidewinder vs Assault 800..what to buy

[TLM]

I'm looking at parting with my nytro XTX. I was planning on a sidewinder of course, but last weekend in MI, I had the opportunity to ride both the sidewinder and the Polaris assault 144. Obviously the winder has more power, but the Polaris handled great, and the model with the 2" track hooks up really nice.......I was looking at a winder XTX with the 137" 1.75 track....Can any body give me some pros and cons of each? I know power to weight ratio is most likely an advantage for the assault, but both handle very well on the trail, as far as off trail, I ride maybe 25% of the time.......Just looking for some opinions....Thanks!

 

[Bigbluemachine]

Don't be so sure on power to weight. With some of these winders making 211 hp that issue can be mute. I would argue once st up for the sw would be a better choice long term.

 

[Mighty]

Yamaha 4 stroke compared to the Polaris 2? Keeping long term; Yamaha. Short term; Polaris

 

[Attack gt]

I am a tad partial but the Sidewinder has my vote! Alot more bang for the buck seeing as the Assault goes for about the same money. Guess it depends on what you want to do. You want reliability, longevity, quality, and the fastest production sled on the market. Winder! Honestly.... I am not sure what the up side to the Assault is? lol.

 

[TLM]

Thanks for your opinions guys!

 

[blueironranger]

My buddy rides a 14' Assault 800 with a 1.3 cobra and took a Winder for a test ride at demo days. He couldn't believe how well the "heavy" handled and how it just didn't stop pulling! He is usually pretty quick to badmouth 4 strokes.

 

[WINDER1987]

I have rode 2 assaults this year and both I had the same reaction it feels like I'm riding a weed eater they both seem to vibrate a lot ride was good but I don't think it was any better then the sidewinder only thing I liked better on the assault was the seating position and of course the assault felt like a dog compared to the winder. But make it known the sidewinder does have to be set up properly out of the box it is not the best

 

[Mighty]

I am a tad partial but the Sidewinder has my vote! Alot more bang for the buck seeing as the Assault goes for about the same money.

Very good point. A long the lines of my post. Look at what you get with the SW; a state of the art, turbo charged 4 stroke engine. Compare that to the very simple, limited life span, inexpensive 2 stroke.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Yamaha 4 stroke compared to the Polaris 2? Keeping long term; Yamaha. Short term; Polaris

Short and to the point Mighty. I agree.
My son who lives in AK has a 17 800 PRO RMK. They have a Yamaha Rider in their group and that Yamaha guy won't go into the Steep and deep as much as the other long Trak 2 Strokes will. Too front heavy.

 

[Big_Phil]

If youre planning on putting alot of miles on it, and you ride hard, I wouldnt trust that polaris 800 motor. My buddies 2017 800 has low compression in 1 cylinder with only 2700kms.

 

[Dano]

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[Dano]

I really liked the tipped up rails on my nitro XTX so I knew it would be a hit on my Assault. 2 totally different sleds when comparing to the sidewinder. Any thought of off trail riding will go to the Assault. I rode the Sidewinder LE in a 137 and was surprised how well it handled in both steering and in the junk trails. Probably no wrong answer, but if I were to get a new Sidewinder, it would only be the LE with the premium shocks all around. So that brings the price many thousands ahead of an Assault. Only the buyer can make the call if its worth spending or not.

Dan

 

[EnticerRider]

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