1998 Polaris Family/Performance Snowmobiles

If it looks like there's a Polaris parade on the trails, it's because so many riders enjoy the sport from the seat of these Family/Performance models. With their reliable and impressive liquid-cooled powerplants, and their plush suspensions, these models are the choice of many a PRO Family member. Whether it's the smooth cruising of the lndy 440, the luxury ride of the lndy 500 Classic, or the performance and XTRA-12 ride of the Indy Ultra, there's a model here to suit any solo trail rider's taste.

Highlights of this model segment for 1998 include the addition of the Indy XLT Classic, which has all the luxury features of the 500 Classic, and the evolution of the popular lndy XLT Special. If you thought you knew the XLT Special, you'll have to get reacquainted because it has undergone tremendous change for '98and with spectacular results!

lndy 440

With a ride worthy of a high-performance model and the excellent power of the lightweight Polaris 440 twin, the lndy 440 gives snowmobilers exceptional value and riding pleasure without cutting corners. The proven 432cc liquid-cooled twin uses dual 34mm carburetors, CD ignition, and feeds its impressive power to an improved P-85 drive clutch. The sophisticated handling comes from the XTRA-10 front suspension with its nitrogen cell shocks, a torsion bar, and 9.5 inches of travel. The lndy 440 also has E-Z Steer ski carbides and a hydraulic disc brake. The ride is kept smooth by the XTRA-10 rear suspension, which delivers 10.2 inches of travel and has a compression-adjustable lndy Select rear track shock.

Other standard features include handwarmers and a thumbwarmer, a tachometer, speedometer with tripmeter, 11.8-gallon gas tank, halogen headlights, and a new, more durable front bumper that improves snowmobility.

lndy 500

For Snow Check buyers, there's not one but three lndy 500 models available for 1998. Those riders will see triple because the lndy 500 will be available in a choice of three colors-but only to Snow Checker buyers: two-tone Blue Spruce fading to Bright Sapphire Metallic; white; or black, (which will be the standard Indy 500 color, the only color offered following the Snow Check period.) The two tone and white Snow Check-only versions also sport a mid-height windshield and longer seat.

Whichever color buyers choose, under the hood of their lndy 500 will be the engine that enjoys great popularity and delivers great performance, the proven Polaris 488cc liquid-cooled twin with two 38mm carburetors and CD ignition. The engine is mated to an improved, more-durable P-85 drive clutch that feeds power to the Lightning track via a new 3/4-inch-wide drive chain.

That track is wrapped around an XTRA-10 rear suspension that offers 10.2 inches of travel and has an easily adjustable lndy Select shock. Providing lndy 500 riders with great handling is the XTRA-10 front suspension with its nitrogen cell shocks, a torsion bar, 9.5 inches of travel, and the Controlled Roll Center (CRC) steering package that reduces scrub (lateral skag movement) and bump steering (lateral ski movement throughout the suspension travel). This parallellink steering system features two pivots rather than just one.

The 500's new front bumper improves snowmobility, and E-Z Steer ski carbides enhance handling. The 500 also has a hydraulic disc brake, handwarmers and a thumbwarmer, speedometer (with tripmeter), and tachometer, 11.8-gallon gas tank, and halogen headlights.

lndy 500 Classic

Named one of the Top Ten snowmobiles by SnowGoer magazine, the Indy 500 Classic gives riders great comfort features, tremendous power, and the smoothest ride in the sport. Standard features on the lndy 500 Classic include electric start, reverse, mirrors, electric fuel gauge, handwarmers and a thumbwarmer, speedometer (with tripmeter) and tachometer, and a 11.8-gallon gas tank to keep the fun rolling.

The 500 Classic's superb ride stems from the XTRA-12 rear suspension, which uses an easily adjustable shock to provide 1 1.6 inches of travel. The handling is smooth and consistent, too, thanks to the XTRA-12 front suspension with its nitrogen cell shocks, torsion bar, and 10 inches of travel.

Power for this luxury leader comes from the proven and popular 488cc liquid cooled piston-port twin with a pair of 38mm carburetors and CD ignition. A hydraulic disc brake provides consistent, reliable stopping, the E-Z Steer carbides enhance the handling, and the new front bumper provides improved snowmobility.

lndy XLT Classic

Polaris triple riders don't have to be jealous of lndy 500 Classic riders, they simply have to Snow Check an Indy XLT Classic for themselves. The new XLT Classic combines the power and handling of the popular XLT models with all the luxury features of the 500 Classic. That means Indy XLT Classic riders will enjoy standard features such as: electric start, reverse, mirrors, electric fuel gauge, handwarmers and a thumbwarmer, speedometer (with tripmeter), and a tachometer.

This luxury package is powered by the impressive 597cc liquid-cooled pistonport triple. This is the "hi-port" XLT engine with more aggressive porting to draw from three 38mm carbs and produce extra power. Like all the three-cylinder 600cc engines, the XLT Classic engine has a new 4-outlet oil pump feeding a new PTO bearing lubricator.

Indy XLT Classic owners will also enjoy the luxury of XTRA-12 suspension, front and rear. The XTRA-12 front suspension has Indy Select shocks, a torsion bar, and a full 1 0 inches of travel, while the XTRA-12 rear suspension uses Ryde AFX shocks (the front one is compression-adjustable) as it offers 11.6 inches of travel.

Enhancing the ride and handling are the hydraulic disc brake and E-Z Steer ski carbides. Also standard are a new bumper for improved snowmobility, 11.8gallon gas tank, halogen headlights, improved drive chain, strengthened P-85 drive clutch, and a high-output 280-watt alternator for improved lighting.

lndy XLT Limited

lndy XLT Limited riders can look forward to the best of both worlds as they enjoy the exceptional power of a Polaris triple and the industry-leading ride and handling available only from Polaris XTRA-12 suspensions. The XLT Limited is powered by a 597cc liquid-cooled triple with three 34mm carburetors. The power flows to the improved P-85 drive clutch and down to the Lightning track via a drive chain that's stronger than ever for '98.

Inside that 121 -inch track is the XTRA-12 rear suspension, which uses a compression-adjustable lndy Select front track shock and a nitrogen cell rear track shock and to deliver 11.6 inches of travel. The XTRA-12 front suspension uses Indy Select shocks, a torsion bar, and provides 10 inches of travel, and the handling is enhanced by the hydraulic disc brake and E-Z Steer ski carbides.

Anew, more durable front bumper improves the XLT Limited's snowmobility. Other standard features include handwarmers and a thumbwarmer, speedometer (with tripmeter) and tachometer, halogen headlights that are fed by a 280-watt alternator for maximum output, and a 11.8-gallon gas tank.

lndy Ultra

No compromises. That's what's asked of Irdy Ultra riders, who get to squeeze power from a 700 triple and enjoy the ride of XTRA-12 suspensions, front and rear. The Indy Ultra's exceptional power comes from its 679cc liquid cooled case-reed-induction triple with three 38mm carburetors, NiCaSil-lined cylinders, and digital CD ignition. A new PTO oil line improves crankshaft durability, and the big triple's power is handled efficiently by the improved P-85 drive clutch and a stronger, more-durable drive chain.

The Ultra handles beautifully thanks to its XTRA-12 front suspension with Indy Select shocks, a torsion bar, and 1 0 inches of travel. A Polaris liquid-cooled hydraulic disc brake and E-Z Steer ski carbides enhance the sled's handling. The XTRA-12 rear suspension uses a nitrogen cell rear track shock and an Indy Select front track shock to supply 1 1.6 inches of travel.

The halogen headlight benefits from the increased output of the 280-watt alternator. Standard features on the Indy Ultra include speedometer (with tripmeter) and tachometer, handwarmers and a thumbwarmer, and a 11.8-gallon gas tank.

lndy XLT Special

The name's familiar, but boy, how everything else has changed! The Indy XLT Special is practically all-new for'98 as it's built for the first time on the Aggressive chassis and features numerous new features.

XLT Special riders will love the comfortable ride and precise handling of this new setup. The superb ride is based on the new chassis letting the XTRA-10 rear suspension work to optimum effectiveness and deliver 10.2 inches of travel with its Ryde FX front track shock and Ryde AFX rear track shock. The compression rate of the AFX shock can be adjusted with a screwdriver so a rider can tune it to suit his riding style and ride preference.

Producing concise handling is the combination of the XTRA-10 front suspension with a torsion bar, 9.5 inches of travel, adjustable Ryde AFX shocks, and the Controlled Roll Center (CRC) steering package that reduces scrub and bump steer. This parallel-link steering linkage has two pivots, not just one. Also enhancing handling and control are the light yet durable Polaris composite skis with carbides, and the hydraulic disc brake.

Power is supplied by the "hi-port" 597cc liquid-cooled piston-port triple, whose aggressive porting draws the most from the three 38mm carburetors to produce extra power across a broader power band. A PTO oil line improves crankshaft durability, the crankcase has been strengthened, and a 280-watt alternator ensures maximum lighting output from the industry's brightest dual Lazer Light headlights and wrap-around taillight.

XLT Special riders will appreciate the Aggressive-style seat with an 11.8gallon gas tank, as well as large, automotive-style instruments (including a tachometer and speedometer with tripmeter), easy access handwarmers, and a thumbwarmer.

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