Polaris hits the market with a sled specifically designed as a no-compromises snowmobile cruiser. Aptly named IQ Cruiser, this bold luxury machine comes loaded with standard features. While it can carry two people in extreme comfort, it may be best suited as the ultimate solo cruiser.

Based on an extended version of the IQ chassis, the Cruiser stretches 129 inches from ski tip to rear bumper, the same length as Polaris’ 155-inch tracked Dragon RMK 155. This is a bold sled styled in ‘look at me’ Sunset Red with striking Rally graphics. Its style gets you to see it, but its true boldness lies under the hood where a 4stroke turbo-charged twin waits for you to push in the throttle lever. With 140 horsepower on tap, the Cruiser can spin the speedometer to triple digits on a long, hard-packed run. Or, if you feel like puttering around, it can easily manage calm trail speeds.

Think of this mileage maker as the ultimate solo cruiser.

The IQ Cruiser converts from solo to two-up capability quickly.

There is room enough for a helmet —or two in the spacious trunk.

Pick one of five handlebar settings with Polaris’ Rider Select system.

4Stroke Turbo

Now in its third season in Polaris snowmobiles, the 4stroke turbo has become durable and reliable. The 750cc twin cylinder motor packs a lot of punch thanks to its Bosch multi-port sequential fuel injection system and a power-boosting turbocharger that spools up so quickly it produces virtually no turbo lag.

The Bosch system monitors the sled’s operating environment to constantly adjust engine calibration in response to changes in elevation, temperature and engine load.

This engine represents a joint effort by Polaris engineering and Europe’s Weber Motor engineers that first surfaced in Polaris Snowmobile. With the discontinuation of Polaris PWCs, the Polaris/Weber 4stroke twin was readied for a new line of IQ chassis snowmobiles. Displacing 750cc, this two-cylinder motor epitomizes the Weber Motor concept of ‘downsizing’ in which engineers utilize the thermodynamic efficiency and low weight of small, combustion-charged engines to achieve lowered emissions, improved fuel consumption and strong power.

Multi-Purpose Engine 750

The compact Weber Motor—Multi-Purpose Engine 750—was that company’s first step in designing a group of engines with a power-to-weight ratio similar to 2stroke engines, but without their attendant disadvantages of high fuel consumption, noise and excess emissions.

Polaris engineers set performance parameters for the Weber Motor engine builders. They wanted a weight target close to a comparable 2stroke and it needed to be compact and have enough power to compete against two-strokes already in the marketplace. This motor features four valves per cylinder and a single overhead cam. It also features a counterbalancer to reduce engine vibration.

Nearly as lightweight and compact as a comparable 2stroke twin, the Polaris/Weber engine fits low in the IQ Chassis to enhance handling and balance. The 140 horses from the turbo version make it competitive. This engine in a Dragon chassis is capable of covering a quarter-mile distance in less than 14 seconds with atop speed close to 100 miles per hour. The turbo twin performs.

Proving Performance

In the first season of use, the 750cc turbocharged drivetrain gave Polaris and its consumers problems. Those initial issues seem to have been solved and the package is now as reliable as it is potent. In fact, in March of 2006, Polaris riders Larry Stolte, aboard his FST Classic, and Jerry Juett, on his FST Switchback, rode 1,000 miles in just under 24 hours. To squeeze in a thousand miles of riding in a single calendar day, they had to leave their starting point of Timmins, Ont. promptly at midnight. Pausing only for fuel, they were back in Timmins after 23 hours, 44 minutes during which they recorded 1,002.9 miles on the trails. The Polaris riders claimed a personal endurance-riding milestone as the turbocharged 4stroke engines performed flawlessly.

Consider Comfort

With proven performance and durability, the IQ Cruiser needs to hit a similar note in comfort. Consider it done. The Cruiser comes standard with an M-10 suspension that is adjusted electronically via a handlebar-mounted control. While we’ve had issues with the ‘adjust-it-yourself’ manual version of the Polaris M-10, we’ve found the remote controlled M-10’s adjustability just fine. As you cruise down the trails you can experiment with ride settings. Once you program the ride to your liking, you’ll find that this lets you pile on a lot of miles in a short time.

The M-10 suspension works with a combination of RydeFX MPV shock on the front control arm and a Fox Zero Comp shock on the rear arm to fine tune the 14 inches of suspension travel. To maximize on-trail comfort, as well as to readily fit two-up riding, the IQ Cruiser comes with a 136-inch Hacksaw pattern track.

Up front the IQ Cruiser relies on an upgraded and lightened for 2008 version of the IQ front suspension. Redesigned spindles reduce steering effort up to 15 per cent. There are up to 10 inches of travel controlled by the standard MPV shocks.

Polaris Rider Select

Although the innovative Polaris Rider Select handlebar system has gone away in sport-oriented models, it’s standard on the IQ Cruiser with a choice of five settings. It’s comparable to your car’s adjustable steering column. For a ‘cruiser’ setting, pull back. Pushing the bar forward gives you a setup for standup riding in the deep ditches that run alongside many northern Minnesota highways. In general, one of the middle settings will best suit the majority of IQ Cruiser riders.

The top of the touring line IQ Cruiser offers more features than its siblings. For example, the adjustable backrest has a removable 1-up conversion kit that includes Polaris’ ‘fastback’ trunk cover. With the stylish trunk in place, the IQ Cruiser is a true ‘stretch’ solo machine with ample onboard capacity. This makes it a tremendous choice for high-mileage snowmobilers who like to head off to different nightly destinations. You can plug a GPS unit into the standard 12volt, DC outlet and the IQ Cruiser even comes with an ambient air temperature indicator.

The 750cc turbocharged 4stroke reflects the combined effort of Polaris and Europe’s Weber Motor group.

Plush Ride Home

At the annual photo session conducted in Colorado’s Rockies this past March, it was interesting to see how little time the IQ Cruiser spent in the paddock. It seemed as though it was always out on the trails with one group or another. With turbocharged power, the IQ Cruiser had no problem keeping with the hot rods and at the end of the day it was a much-cherished plush ride home.

This Polaris cruiser is similar to a Honda Gold Wing touring motorcycle in concept. It offers great standard touring fare and exceptionally well-cushioned seating. Like the Gold Wing, the IQ Cruiser is designed for a full day’s travels. The IQ Cruiser ‘couch’ is contoured with a wide, plush seat.

Combine this seat with the electronically adjustable M-10 suspension and you have a snowmobile that makes it easy to enjoy a 200-mile jaunt – in one sitting. The fuel-efficient Polaris/Weber engine combined with a 10.2 US gallon capacity fuel tank makes a long-distance, non-stop run a reality.

Don’t mistake the IQ Cruiser for a lightweight performance Polaris, but don’t concern yourself about its published dry weight of 645-pounds either. This sled has electric start and reverse gear to make it almost car-like in basic features. It has IQ componentry for ride and handling and that nifty turbo twin lets you keep pace with just about any other rider on the trail.

On-Trail Attitude

We discovered that we really enjoyed our time with the IQ Cruiser. That little 4stroke has a bit of sassy attitude on the trail that we liked. Of course, you have to like the plush seating; large, cold-deflecting windshield; better than average fuel economy; the lack of a 2stroke’s odor; and, the convenience of making suspension adjustments from a handlebar control.Even the added heft of a king-sized sled like the IQ Cruiser works in its favor. Like an old-fashioned Roadmaster, the IQ Cruiser’s weight gives it a better ride on groomed trails. It is a bit of work on ungroomed sections, but this sled is designed to make miles on the snowbelt’s system of groomed corridor trails. It’s right at home getting you from point to point in comfort and style. As a cruiser, this Polaris is a top choice.