The months of May and June are usually pretty hectic for the staff here at ATV Rider. This is the time of year when many manufacturers debut their upcoming machines to the media hoping to drum up attention and interest by the time their vehicles are released to the public a month or two after we get our hands on them. As I returned from one trip, I had just a weekend to prepare for the trek to Great Falls, Montana, where Polaris had arranged for us to ride its latest and greatest ATVs and side-by-sides at the Bull Run Guest Ranch. Since I have never been to Montana before I was excited as my anticipation built to see someplace new, let alone aboard some new machines.
With the early release of the über-popular RZR 4 only six months before the 2011 product launch, ATVR Editor Thad and I could only imagine what might be in store for us. With other manufacturers releasing some amazing products only a few weeks prior, would Polaris come out swinging to keep its dominance in both the utility ATV and SxS markets? Our heads were filled with the thought of big-bore twin-cylinder engines for an even more powerful RZR or RZR 4-not that 800cc of screaming engine isn't big enough, but it never hurts to have a little more power... What we discovered wasn't what we had expected, but we were pleasantly surprised nonetheless. While there were plenty of models that featured improvements for 2011, three machines really grabbed the attention of Thad and I.
New For 2011
The first machines we were shown were the ATVs, and for this intro, it was the Sportsman 400 H.O. that truly caught our attention over all others. For 2011, the mighty 400 has been installed into a full-size chassis that features a unique styling that gives it a small and non-bulky appearance. Up front are a Lock & Ride front rack ready for a PURE Polaris front storage box, a raised and angled radiator location for less debris obstruction, a lower winch mount and a Sportsman XP-styled bumper headlight design. For suspension the new 400 is outfitted with a MacPherson strut front end that allows for 8.2 inches of travel while the rear is an IRS setup providing 9.5 inches of travel. What this all adds up to is that Polaris wanted to keep the popular 400cc machine in its lineup without riders feeling cramped on a small platform. This combination is designed to make an affordable quad that offers great performance, handling and basic utility duties.
The next two machines that tickled our fancy came from the RZR family of Polaris SxS machines. The entire RZR line receives a face-lift in the way of an aggressive front-end styling that is designed to increase radiator airflow by a whopping 29 percent. In addition to the front end redesign these units also feature new side-net protection for easy rider securing, an in-cab accessible glove box, high/low beam headlights and a fuel management system and fuel tank that offers a 30 percent improvement in range and better low-speed drivability. Other improvements include better clutch/belt cooling, improved front and rear drive durability, and sealed dash switches that should make every owner very happy compared to past units.
For 2011, the Sportsman 400...
For 2011, the Sportsman 400 H.O. gets a full size frame and many of the luxuries that come with it.
But the new RZR S is the main attraction out of the RZR family. While some may consider this a step back in progress, we see a brighter future for the popular machine. On top of the improvements for the whole RZR lineup, the S will now be outfitted with big body Sachs shocks that have a large 2-inch bore to provide better cooling and improved fade resistance. We find this beneficial since many RZR S owners still opt to replace the stock Fox shocks for aftermarket units, even though the stockers are quite capable. Along with the shocks the new standard RZR S model is outfitted with new ITP 900 XCT tires. These 27-inchers are built for high-performance, cross-country trail riding and even harsh abuse in the rocky desert terrain where the S thrives. Since some of the higher-end options were left off from the previous versions, like the Fox shocks, the RZR S will receive a new lower price, but for those who want the elite of the elite there will be Limited Edition models in different color options, Fox shocks and even one with power steering.
Finally topping our list of favorite machines was the RZR 4. This was Thad's first up-close and personal view of the four-seater, and from the moment he laid his eyes on it, he was in love with it. While it received all of the same standard style and storage upgrades as the rest of the RZR lineup, the Robby Gordon editions now come with power steering. A black and red color scheme is available as well, but that model will not have the power steering feature.
With presentations done, we were ready to slap on some gear and start hitting the great trails that the Bull Run Guest Ranch had to offer. We loaded up our gear into an RZR 4, grabbed a few willing passengers and made our way into the great wide open.
First Impressions
As I ripped down one of the first trails in the RZR 4, the only thing I could hear was Thad muttering about how much he needed one of these at home to cart around the family on daylong outings. I've had previous experience in both the RZR S and RZR 4 so I knew how they handled and what they are capable of. The RZR 4 didn't disappoint as it ate up the terrain and twisting roads as readily as it digested the desert when I first tested it a few months ago. The one thing I definitely have an appreciation for is the electronic power steering. With bigger machines the trade-off is increased weight, and that can result in a heavy feel of the steering wheel. This is definitely not the case with the RZR 4's power steering. Even when I first tested this nimble SxS I never thought the steering felt heavy, but being spoiled with power steering makes me want to upgrade. Imagine being able to turn the steering wheel in either direction with minimal effort no matter what type of terrain you might be in.
Again and again, other than the sound of the engine all I heard was the Muzak of how in love with this machine Thad was. Since I already had possession of the RZR 4 back at the office, I inquired on the possibility of upgrading the older unit with power steering, but to my dismay I was told it was not a simple addition of a few parts. Oh well, I'll just have to settle with good rather than great, at least until the new one becomes available, but I have a feeling that Thad isn't going to let that one go.
RZR 4
The entire RZR lineup...
RZR 4
The entire RZR lineup received a face-lift for more aggressive looks and better cooling of the radiator.
The next machine of choice to test was the new RZR S, which I had my reservations about since it seemed to be downgraded based on our first impression. The new front end styling and taller tire selection give the machine a very aggressive look, which I really took a liking to, but we know we're not all about looks in the ATV industry. With our 2010 RZR S test unit I pushed the boundaries of the suspension in some of the deepest whoops and biggest jumps while checking out its fast speed absorption capabilities on local high-speed trails. It shined in every environment, so the new setup had quite a high standard to live up to. I'll also admit I was going to be even more judgmental on the suspension as I was recently diagnosed with some back problems that could give me some discomfort with harsh impacts.
As I mashed the skinny pedal to the floorboards, the nimble S launched like a rocket ship and floated across a terrain that was littered with rain ruts, squared-edged potholes and rocky boulder-laden trails. The Sachs shocks seemed to be holding up quite well and provided plenty of comfort for both driver and passenger. The new ITP tires seemed to be a perfect fit as well. The 900s provided good traction on the high-speed terrain but still clawed their way out of the slippery rock-covered banks of the stream crossings we encountered along the trail. While I didn't have quite the opportunity to test out the jumping capabilities of this model, I was able to climb out of the cockpit with no aching pains running through my spine. A full test of this machine in a wide-open terrain with more obstacles will definitely come in the future.
The electronic power steering...
The electronic power steering in the RZR 4 left us oblivious to hidden underwater obstacles.
My final test ride was aboard the Sportsman 400 H.O., and I didn't expect to be overly excited to ride this machine. The redesigned and resized Sportsman changed my mind after a few minutes on the trails. The dated MacPherson strut front suspension had a good feel and provided a plush ride, and the full-size frame left me comfortable as past models have had me feeling like a giant riding a kiddie quad. When asked what I felt about the 400 by Polaris engineers, I was quick to state that I felt it needed a bit more kick, but I was reminded that I'm asking a lot from a smaller-bore engine in a full-size frame. I had to agree but I am also strong in my belief that a slight clutch engagement adjustment could make a good difference in throttle response. Either way I still had a good time aboard this machine.
The aggressive ITP tires on...
The aggressive ITP tires on the RZR S made climbing out of the slippery riverbanks a snap.
As we packed our gear from a fun day of testing, we reflected on everything we liked about the new models. It is apparent that Polaris' engineers have done their homework in finding out what consumers wanted in their machines and delivering. From a complete redesign to a simple addition of power steering, we were impressed with everything that was done, as we normally are every year.
While we only covered these three machines, you can visit our website at www.atvrideronline.com to view all of the other Polaris models that have received updates for 2011.
| RZR 4 |
| + |
Steering is super easy. |
| Great looks and styling |
| - |
EPS upgrade could leave early buyers upset. |
| = |
Still a great machine that's now even easier to drive. |
| RZR S |
| + |
Body style looks aggressive. |
| ITP tires offer predictable traction. |
| Lower sticker price will be popular. |
| - |
Simple-to-secure side-net system is not really improved from past. |
| = |
A fun-to-drive machine that still offers great power, handling and an even better price. |
| Sportsman 400 H.O. |
| + |
| New frame is comfortable for larger riders. |
| A good budget all-around work/play machine. |
| - |
Lazy power engagement on the bottom-end. |
| = |
A good quad for the target demographic. |