Painted in ****, this 2027 Polaris Patriot 9R Switchback® Assault® 146 is the kind of crossover sled that makes “trail ride” feel like an understatement. It’s built to bounce between hard-packed corners and fresh, chopped-up snow without ever asking you to choose a side—because a machine this eager doesn’t want a single-lane plan.
At the heart of it is the **Patriot 9R**: a **turbocharged**, **liquid-cooled**, **2-cylinder**, **2-stroke** powerhouse with **899cc** of gas/oil-injected motivation. It’s fuel-injected and breathes through reed valves, delivering crisp response when you roll into the **thumb throttle** and let the sled’s CVT do what it does best—keep the power right where you want it. Starting up is no drama, either: **electric start** is ready when you are, with **pull start** as backup, and it runs on **regular fuel**, because the best rides shouldn’t require a scavenger hunt.
The Switchback® Assault® 146 stance is all about confidence. The **MATRYX aluminum frame** keeps things purposeful and precise, while the sled’s proportions—**125" long**, **47" wide**, and a **low** windshield—feel designed for riders who like to see the next line forming before it happens. With an adjustable ski stance from **39" to 41"**, you can dial in how planted or how playful you want it to feel. At a **dry weight of 497 lb** and carrying **11.5 gallons** of fuel, it’s ready for real miles, not just parking-lot laps.
Up front, the **Escape IFS** (independent A-arm) suspension delivers **9 inches** of travel and the kind of steering accuracy that makes you look for excuses to take the long way back. The ride is backed by **WER® Velocity** adjustable gas shocks with remote reservoirs—coil-over up front—so you can tune your feel instead of just tolerating the conditions. Out back, the **IGX rear suspension** brings a generous **16 inches** of travel with **two rear shocks** (plus a center shock), all **WER® Velocity** adjustable with remote reservoirs, to soak up chatter, handle hits, and keep the sled tracking true when the trail turns ugly.
And then there’s the track: a **146" Cobra Track**, **15" wide**, with **1.6" lugs**—the sweet spot for a crossover that wants to carve on-trail but still claw confidently when the snow gets deeper or the exit line turns into a powdery question mark. Composite **Gripper® skis** up front, carbide skags underneath, and manual handlebar steering give you that connected, “point and commit” feel.
Control and comfort are baked in where it counts. The one-piece vinyl seat keeps you centered, the boards are **skid resistant**, and there are practical touches like **hand guards**, a **belt guard**, tunnel braces, and a snow guard. When conditions turn cold and the miles stack up, you’ll appreciate the **adjustable heated grips**.
Tech-wise, it’s not just along for the ride. **RIDE COMMAND™ GPS** helps you keep your bearings, while **Bluetooth® Audio** and **mobile app instrumentation** bring your cockpit into the modern era. LED lighting (with a tinted lens) keeps the view sharp, and you’ve got clear warnings and readouts—fuel level by gauge, and a temperature warning light—so you can focus on the ride, not the “what if.”
Finally, when it’s time to slow things down, the **Matryx Stealth** brake setup with a **hydraulic disc** rear brake brings everything back under control—smoothly, predictably, and with the kind of feel that inspires confidence at the end of a fast straight.
In ****, this Switchback® Assault® doesn’t just show up—it announces itself. It’s a turbocharged invitation to ride farther, push harder, and treat every stretch of winter like it was made specifically for you.
