2015 Polaris 550 Indy Adventure 155 Review

This past season I had the opportunity to ride and enjoy the forerunner to the 2015 550 Indy Adventure 155. My toy, the 2014 550 Indy Adventure, was shorter, had more narrow skis, a shorter length Cobra track and full-on “Adventure” slip on bags and backrest. And it was an eye-opener in understanding Polaris’ product surge with the Indy series.

Polaris marketers make no pretensions about the Indy. It is a “value” series of sleds that are intended to entice born-again snowmobilers back into the fold. The base 550 Indy retails for about US$6,500. It’ll take US$11,099 to put you astride the latest 2015 600 Rush Pro-S. That’s hundreds more than the fuel-injected 800 Indy SP, which sits atop the Indy line up. While the Indys may not have the latest AXYS platform of the Rush, the Indys’ proven Pro-Ride chassis provides the basis for solid performance and value.

Our 2014 550 Indy Adventure surprised us with its on-trail performance. Yeah, it’s clatter-trap 544cc fan-cooled two-stroke did make more noise than a liquid-cooled engine, but it spun the 144-inch long track quickly enough to dispatch twisted trails on our favorite test ride at very acceptable speeds, ranging rom 20 to 45 miles per hour. Typical averages for normal trail riding. We were pleased with how well the 55-horsepower engine pulled the bulky two-up sled on wide-open corridor trails as well. A speed burner? No. It’s a consistent performer with very good low end and midrange characteristics.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Polaris 550 Indy Adventure

With the 550 Indy Adventure proven as a versatile two-up recreational sled, Polaris engineers decided to use it as the basis for a new for 2015 model, the 550 Indy Adventure 155. The idea is to add versatility and utility to a sled that Polaris expects to offer to backcountry riders. It will most likely be retailed in the vast snowy wilderness north of the Arctic Circle. We expect it will do well there as it comes with features that harken back to the very first Polaris Sno-Travelers.

When you first see the Adventure 155 you’ll notice the slab-wide skis right away. They are mindful of the Sno-Travelers. It’s like Polaris replaced the snow skis with water skis. The things measure 9.5 inches across. They give you 410 square inches of combined surface area – that’s 45 percent more area than the Pro-Steer skis used on last year’s 550 Adventure! So, is it any surprise that Polaris named these snow floats the Polaris Pro-Float skis. Heck, you almost could use these skis to land a small bush plane.

Although they are wide and you might expect a heavy steering feel at the handlebar, the skis utilize an effective dual stepped keel design that actually provides amazing over-snow flotation with an easy steer capability. Give the engineers an “A” for their efforts and getting it right. You’ll also notice that the rears of the Pro-Float skis are turned up to facilitate backing over back woods obstacles.

The new for 2015 550 Adventure 155 gets its name and increased length from the extra-long 155-inch high-flotation Cobra track that it spins. The track’s grip comes from a 1.6-inch tall cupped lug that can power through ungroomed snows, yet bite into groomed trails for consistent cornering and straight line acceleration.

Built on an extended version of the aluminum Pro-Ride chassis, the Adventure 155 requires its own unique articulated rear suspension. Polaris, of course, is no stranger to designing this type of rear unit, having specified such suspensions in previous long track sleds dating back to the 1980s. The 2015 version is a parallel rail design with an articulating rear section that tips up to allow backing over trail debris and also to reduce “trenching” into the snow. At 15 inches in width and 155 inches of overall length, the Adventure 155 puts an ample footprint on the snow.

When we first boarded the Adventure 155 out in West Yellowstone this past March, admittedly we stifled a snicker. This is an odd and quirky snowmobile. There are those wide slab-like skis, that industrial strength front bumper, the extra length track hunkering behind the passenger area, and the attempt at sled dress-up with the lock and ride storage bins. Plus, the seemingly out-of-date fan-cooled drivetrain says last century, not modern and quiet fuel-injected four-stroke power.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Arctic Cat Lynx 2000 LT

But, once we headed out of the staging area and on to the trails, we forgot all that nonsense and simply enjoyed the 2015 550 Indy Adventure 155 for what it is – a very solid, amply endowed, fully featured, high value, two-up snowmobile. We expected the sled’s performance to be consistent with very easy drive off and smooth acceleration to posted trail speeds. The combination of the Fuji-built 544cc two-stroke and CVTech Powerbloc 50 drive and driven is very smooth with very good on-trail character. Remember, this is not a speed sled.

We also enjoyed the fact that for the US$8,999 asking price, this sled gives you electric start, push button electronic reverse, touring bags, a tow hitch, a very comfortable Indy Pro-Ride saddle, and a tall windshield, complete with side panel mounted wind deflectors. Having experienced the benefits of Polaris’ convertible seat last season, we can tell you that this is a nice-to-have asset. If you don’t have a passenger, simply remove this modular seat section and go solo. You still have ample cargo storage with the rear rack and side bags.

While its 500-plus pounds may deter you from venturing into deep, fresh powder, have no fear. You have high flotation 9.5-inch wide skis to break trail, a 155-inch long track to give you grip and strong low-end power from the 544cc fan-cooled twin. When we brought the Adventure 155 back to the Polaris paddock after our test ride, we weren’t snickering one bit. We were impressed.

You say this sled offers all these benefits for less than US$9,000? Seriously? Now that is value!

2015 Polaris 550 Indy Adventure 155 Specs
Engine	Polaris/Fuji 544cc twin cylinder 2-stroke; fan-cooled; dual VM34 carbs
Horsepower	55+
Drive	CVTech Powerbloc 50 drive with CVTech Invance driven
Front Suspension	Polaris Pro-Ride RMK; 9.0-in maximum travel; RydeFX shocks; Pro-Float Ski
Rear Suspension	Polaris Indy Articulated slide rail; RydeFX MPV shocks; 15.0-inch maximum travel
Length	132.25 in
Width	48.0 in
Height	56.0 in
Ski Stance	39.0 in
Track	15 x 155 x 1.6 Cobra
Weight	524 (claimed)
Brake	Polaris RMK hydraulic
Fuel Capacity	11.5 US Gal
Features	Standard: electric start; electronic reverse; mirrors, tow hitch; one-piece handlebar; tall windshield; Lock & Ride storage
MSRP	US$8,899