Polaris 91 Indy XLT 650 possible purchase - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

clodev · 06-05-2008, 07:29 AM

Hey Everyone,
Finished my shed now on to winter sports. I have an opportunity to pu a 91 Polaris 650 Indy xlt but I'm very hesitant due to it being a triple. I have heard that triples are a night mare. Help me on this one just dont want to get rid of my 80 Panther for a dog unless it runs well. Anyone interested in an 80 Panther

Juice · 06-05-2008, 08:53 AM

I love mine. The 3 carbs is kind of a pain (would go efi next time) but they sound sweet. My 600 ZRT is a quick machine with more than enough power for me. My guess would be that it comes down to how the machine was maintained. Mine wasn't cared for all that well and I've had to do some work on the fuel system when I bought it but the price was right for me. Its running great right now and starts up on the first pull. I've added stabil and start it once a week for about 10 minutes for the summer. Maybe someone could weigh in on the Polaris triples as I don't know much about them.

jagermiester · 06-05-2008, 09:15 AM

Not sure on the 650 triple but I know the 580's (600 Indy's) are known for chewing up mag side crank bearings.

Ad's Cat · 06-05-2008, 09:23 AM

Have to agree with Juice, i think its all in the previous owners maintenance. I'd heard not to buy a triple because of blown crank issue, middle cylinder issues...probably lots more too. We have a 96 zrt and a 97 xc 600, the zrt engine seemed to be kept in great condition but the previous owner let the rest of the sled go quite a bit. Its great fun to ride and has lots of power. The polaris was in great shape all around, once i re-adjusted the suspension for our style of riding. Did a choke adjustment at the end of the season cause it would take quite a few pulls cold. I've heard that the polaris is prone to flooding if you don't shut the fuel switch closed when your done. Not sure if that was just the 97 xc or if it applies to other polaris triples as well. Since i adj'd the choke it fired up in 2 or 3 pulls without shutting the fuel switch. Major reason we bought em was the great prices. ...and ya, love the rumble!

clodev · 06-05-2008, 04:54 PM

seg,
Has there been any recalls on this particular year or does anyone remember any issues that i should be aware of for early 90's era polarises

IndianRvrShiver · 06-05-2008, 10:14 PM

Clode, you should PM BigBoreKing or even ITriumph..both are pretty smart about the Poo triples.......I even have BBK's cell # if you want to call him...let me know.

**smallengineguy** · 06-06-2008, 05:49 AM

One certain series of Polaris triples had serious crank bearing troubles, but I think it was the mid 90's.

Skligmund · 06-06-2008, 06:32 PM

The 1995-1996 (early) 597 Triples had the bearing issues. The 580's were good. The 1991 indy 650 is the old Triple (looks like a marine engine), and the only issue with it was keeping it tuned up. It is also very heavy. Basicly an RXL engine without Fuel Injection.

The chassis had like 1 or 2 service bulletins (brake handle and a switch I think). You shouldn't have any problems with it except for the age issue.

Octane · 06-06-2008, 06:33 PM

Polaris never made a '91 XLT and the XLT was never a 650. It was a 580 at first and then in later years it was a 600.
Im thinking that most likely that sled is an Indy 650. Great sled, very reliable and very fast. Its basically a lot like an RXL, minus the EFI.
Polaris did have some issues with crank bearings on the XLTs ('95 and '96), but that was usually caused by inadequate crankshaft oiling, which is something that Polaris fixed after '96 and as long as you update it to the new oiling system they last many thousands of miles without any issues.
Other than that, Polaris didnt really have many issues with their triples.

Octane · 06-06-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skligmund

The 1991 indy 650 is the old Triple (looks like a marine engine)

That engine was used in the Polaris SL 650 watercraft. The Polaris bigblock 700 domestic twin was first used in a watercraft before it was used in sleds and that engine was the basis for the bigblock 600 twin and the 800 twin.
Polaris used the watercraft as a testing ground for their engines. They figured that if it was good enough to endure the stress that a PWC puts it though (the constant pounding of the hull against the waves and the constant high load that was caused by the impeller), it would be plenty good enough to hold up in a sled.
As much as I love the domestic twins, you cant deny that those old Fujis were great engines.

clodev · 06-14-2008, 08:26 AM

Wow,
That was a mouth full but well worth it. Looks like i will probably get it but I'm going to have to sell my Panther 1st:-( Wife said absolutely not to 3 sleds. I tried to use the kid thing with her and she said they can ride hers :-) Until they break it and she gets pissed. More than 1 way to skin a wife

just ride · 08-07-2008, 11:58 PM

so the 580s are good its just the 600s that were crap?

Skligmund · 08-08-2008, 11:50 AM

The 597's aren't crap, there was just a bad year for them on the PTO bearing. By now most of them have been fixed, but there are still a few of them running original. Chances are they will last for a while if they made it this far. I do prefer the 580 though...

05polaris550 · 08-08-2008, 08:53 PM

That 650 will be a definite upgrade from that panther, 100 mph easy if good conditions etc..We have a heavily modded 650 and it always starts first pull, never had problems with it. Tripples rock imo..get a clutch kit to really wake it up. Oh and they sound real mean with some tripple pipes

BC_Dan · 08-08-2008, 09:39 PM

The only issue I have with my 1990 650 is the small gas tank. It only holds 7+ gallons, which gives you really poor range, especially when you are on it and getting 6 mpg. Later 650's went with a bigger tank/seat combo which will help that a LOT. Keeping the carbs in sync is also a bit more of an issue, and I have problems once in a while with bad ends on the spark plug wires. Just make maintenance a priority and they run strong!! As mentioned earlier, a clutch kit for better hook-up (I put an EPI trail kit on mine) helps a bunch but is still very well-mannered on the trails.

The suspension on mine is very limited, especially compared to some of the other sleds I have (or had). My 650 with new shocks and new springs front and back still beats you up pretty bad when running down the rough stuff. It may be a candidate for a swap to an "Edge" 144", being as I have one of those sitting around