New sled

[Indybum]

OK guys I need some opinions on a couple of sleds I've been considering on buying.   I can't make up my mind between a 2006 fusion 600 or 700 or a 2007 iq 600 or iq 600 cfi.   The difference in price is anywhere from 400-1000.   I know the cfi is better with gas by about 5 miles a gallon but other than that I don't know.

[JoeR]

I'm not a Polaris guy so I don't know the differences between the new models, but I rode an '07 IQ last year and it rode better than anything I've ever ridden.  I'd buy one in a second if I was in the market for a new one.
Joe

[Indybum]

I should also add that I had a Ultra 700 triple for the past 12 yrs so I don't know if I would be happy with a 600 either.    I heard the vibration on the 06 fusions were pretty bad too.   Thanks Joe that helps though because I was told that the suspensions were very similar.

[Snotime]

Unless you want to put some money into the Fusion, stay away from it. The 600 engine is a great engine but the Fusion chassis, mostly the front end, is wacked. It's a great ride as far as suspension goes but unless your arms are as big as your legs you'll hate it. They steer like a 78 Ford pickup with no power steering. There were some problems with the 700 engine as well but off hand I can't remember exactly what they were. My buddy bought a left over 06 last year and I put 30 or 40 miles on it over the winter and it sucked! This guy also owned a 96 Ultra years back and to this day he still loves that sled.

Now the IQ, that's a damn nice sled. Another buddy bought the IQ carbed 600 last year also. Now that sled I loved. A great ride, great steering, and all around a good sled. If those are the choices you are going with and nothing else enters the picture, I'd definately go with the IQ and forget the Fusion even existed.

As far as power in the 600 compared to the Ultra you should be well satisfied unless your Ultra was piped. Stock the Ultra was pushing 105-110hp. The 600 carb is pushing 120 to 125hp. The piped Ultras were pushing upwards of 140hp though so if you were piped you're going to feel a difference.

Here's a pic of one of our rides last winter with the Fusion and the IQ. I still spanked them both with my Yammy!

[himiler]

Unless you want to put some money into the Fusion, stay away from it. The 600 engine is a great engine but the Fusion chassis, mostly the front end, is wacked. It's a great ride as far as suspension goes but unless your arms are as big as your legs you'll hate it. They steer like a 78 Ford pickup with no power steering. There were some problems with the 700 engine as well but off hand I can't remember exactly what they were. My buddy bought a left over 06 last year and I put 30 or 40 miles on it over the winter and it sucked! This guy also owned a 96 Ultra years back and to this day he still loves that sled.

Now the IQ, that's a damn nice sled. Another buddy bought the IQ carbed 600 last year also. Now that sled I loved. A great ride, great steering, and all around a good sled. If those are the choices you are going with and nothing else enters the picture, I'd definately go with the IQ and forget the Fusion even existed.

As far as power in the 600 compared to the Ultra you should be well satisfied unless your Ultra was piped. Stock the Ultra was pushing 105-110hp. The 600 carb is pushing 120 to 125hp. The piped Ultras were pushing upwards of 140hp though so if you were piped you're going to feel a difference.

Here's a pic of one of our rides last winter with the Fusion and the IQ. I still spanked them both with my Yammy!

.........and with the weight difference..

[winter_rules]

I can not attest to the specific sleds, but I can tell you that a 50% better fuel range is AMAZING. My older sled gets 9-10mpg and the newer SDI gets 14-15mpg. A 100 mile range is generally plenty for where I ride, but being able to ride 150 miles on a tank opens up the doors to all those side trails / longer loops / whatever you want. It's one of those things that sounds "OK" but completely unnecessary...until you experience it! Good luck and let us know what you decide!

[JoeR]

I can not attest to the specific sleds, but I can tell you that a 50% better fuel range is AMAZING. My older sled gets 9-10mpg and the newer SDI gets 14-15mpg. A 100 mile range is generally plenty for where I ride, but being able to ride 150 miles on a tank opens up the doors to all those side trails / longer loops / whatever you want. It's one of those things that sounds "OK" but completely unnecessary...until you experience it! Good luck and let us know what you decide!

....and at $50.00 to fill your tank, that can certainly add up in a single winter.  Last winter we were burning an easy $200.00 on a weekend.  That hurts when you ride a lot.

Joe

[Indybum]

  Thanks guys, that's the info. I was looking for, especially about the steering and that explains why the 06 fusion 700 was only one year in production.    My Ultra was actually a spx with triple stock pipes, clutched, and boysen reeds.    So I'm guessing around 130 Hp so I think the 600 iq cfi would be ok for the money.