Polaris Outlaw - East Vs West Test

But what about the engine, you ask? The 499cc mill was a surprise. Even after a jetting fix (dropped the needle one clip) to cure a serious blubber on the bottom, the bottom-end was lacking. It was just fluffy at low rpm and begged to be revved. Fortunately, the engine gets to high rpm in short order and makes good midrange power. I was expecting Newsom to report that smooth low-end would be an asset in the muck of the Eastern woods, as it wasn't that big of an advantage here in the dry West. A pipe and maybe airbox mods are the cure, as the White Brothers' Outlaw we rode at our 24-hour test was healthier in the bottom. Regardless of my nitpicking, the chassis and engine are adequate for the average trail junkie. It's only when the rider begins to really push the machine to higher speeds that any sign of trouble appears.

The biggest complaint we have with the Polaris isn't a performance issue. It's the mix-and-match bolts and fasteners that'll require any home mechanic to buy the entire Craftsman tool selection. Case in point, the levers; one side has Allen bolts and the other has torx bolts. Then there is the mix of standard and metric on the chassis/engine mounts. Come on, Polaris, cut it out. Riders want to carry the least amount of tools on the trail, so having six or more styles and sizes of bolts to worry about is excessive.

The IRS inherited from its utility brethren makes taming difficult obstacles and rough terrain very undemanding. Sure, the added components of the IRS mean the machine does weigh a bit more than its competitors. While not an issue while traversing the countryside, the additional pounds put the Outlaw at a disadvantage in racing and make it more of a workout when loading. With that off my chest, I'd like to commend Polaris for developing an exceptionally enjoyable trail machine. A racer it may not be, but the percentage of the market seeking a checkered flag to end their ride is the minority. With a few refinements, the $6899 Outlaw could be exactly what the masses are seeking.

Adam Campbell
Polaris is the first manufacturer to integrate a fully Independent Rear Suspension on a somewhat-sport ATV. The first thing a rider might notice is that it has a small amount of body roll, which will make the rider feel as if it's going to tip over-not the case. After putting a little time in the seat, I was able to quickly get used to the characteristics of a fully independent ATV. The Polaris felt plush at a medium pace along the trails, but fast riding made it a little unpredictable. I also enjoyed creeping along rocky roads; I rarely heard the bottom of the frame scrape, due to its ground clearance.

One thing I didn't like was the mismatched bolts (i.e., standard, metric, Allen and torx) that mean an expensive trip to the Sears tool department. The motor felt somewhat sluggish to me, and I had a hard time going up large hills without constantly feathering the clutch and/or downshifting. Also, I didn't like the clicking in the front end (A-arms and suspension) that I heard when jumping the Outlaw.

Thad "Genius" Josey
I've been lucky enough to test the Polaris Outlaw on both coasts, and I can say without a doubt that this machine is a top runner for experienced recreational trail riders. Starting off with the positive features, I was extremely impressed with the effectiveness of the Independent Rear Suspension system paired with Fox shocks. Soaking up the roughest terrain that we threw at it with a great deal of ease, the Outlaw's suspension has the most performance-oriented impact absorption of any stock sport ATV I have ever ridden. This machine eats up rocks, logs, whoops and even the gnarliest obstacles while begging to be challenged further. Flicking the Outlaw around tight, technical East Coast trails becomes a slight challenge as the rear tires tend to hook up too well, resulting in much unwanted two-wheeled riding. Unfortunately, it loses big votes in the motor department. The lack of low-end power made me wish I was back on my YFZ, but the Polaris does redeem itself as a beast to be reckoned with in high rpm. I'm not quite sure that the Outlaw is ready for pro-level competition, due to its heftiness and grueling handling characteristics. But, hey, it's marketed to be an extreme trail rider's ATV, and that's exactly the area that it shines in.