The new crop of SxS's are taking us back to the late 80's, early ninetys. The new yamaha 1000 is a perfect example, people on other forums are pissing and moaning about the clutch (wife cant drive it) and no low gear,not trail worthy, were these same people pissing and moaning that the 350 Banshee had a clutch and did 90mph stock, how about a 500 Quadzilla try riding that in a tight space...The biggest problem with SxS is the
price.
Honda and Yamaha are now full steam ahead with this SxS market, it will be a slow painfull death for Polaris unless they change something dramatic. While at the MotoGP in Indianapolis a few weeks back I was bulls***ting with the Yamaha reps about the new "Banshee" I said "you guys got that comming, the Viking,Wolverine, Honda has the 1000 Pioneer on its way, about time you start taking Polaris under" His reply: "It can't happen soon enough"
Honda and Yamaha have technology and R&D that only Polaris can only dream about. Dual Clutch Transmissions were developed years ago on Hondas race bike, it took this long for it to trickle down into a SxS. The hot ticket now is seamless transmission, (both upshift and downshift) where each gear is preloaded. Polaris builds snowmobiles (great snowmobiles, I have no problem with them) They added 4 wheels and a dump bed and are now leading the SxS market. SxS's which are built in MEXICO.
The Honda Sport SxS will be similar to the Yamaha with gobs of technology, Ohlins suspension already is equipping motorcycles with Semi-active suspension. Monitors and adjusts on the go. Honda Load Leveling is the poor mans version of that....
Polaris is like H-D... MERICA!!!, If I wanted to ride a couch i'd stay home.