Launch: Polaris ATV and side-by-sides

Polaris Industries has been up to that much over the last few years it’s difficult to know where to start. Not only has it been adding to its motorcycle range with Victory and Indian as well developing new off-road and snow-based hardware, it’s also acquired a stake in American electric motorcycle company Brammo, signed a joint venture with an Indian company to develop products in emerging markets, purchased motorcycle apparel company KLIM, and acquired Global Electric Motorcars from Chrysler. No wonder it’s had to expand its product development centre in Minnesota, the same state in America where its corporate headquarters reside.

That’s not an exhaustive list, so it’s no great surprise that Polaris’ share price on the New York stock exchange has skyrocketed from $14 in 2007 to $145 in 2013. It’s not only getting the job done now, but it’s also creating another protective layer by immersing itself in future technologies. Stockmarket boffins love that type of stuff.

Locally, Australia and New Zealand remains Polaris’ biggest subsidiary market, and there’s obviously plenty of love as only last week a new bespoke downunder ATV was launched at the Melbourne 4 x 4 Training & Proving Ground in Werribee (Vic) – the Ute 570 H.D (an acronym for heavy duty). And it was a big deal, with Polaris’ product manager for Asia-Pacific, Scott Taylor, escaping the harsh Minnesota winter to be there.

The $9995 Ute, due to go on sale in March, 2014, is a true workhorse with loads of goodies including a 180kg tilting dump box, electronic power steering, independent rear suspension, 241mm rear travel, true on-demand all-wheel drive, narrow seat, six-ply tyres, back rest and four-wheel descent control, which automatically engages all four wheels when travelling down slopes for optimal traction.

The H-D theme is one that Polaris has been pushing for about a year now, and it includes sealed driveshaft splines, hardened and sealed suspension bushes; and greasable front ball joints. There’s nothing really sexy in that suite of upgrades, but for a farmer prevention is far more palatable than trying to find a cure – and have machinery out of action for extended periods.

The Bikesales Network went for a quick spin on the Ute at the Werribee proving ground – if you want some fun with your mates, pay it a visit some time -- which is powered by the same 567cc, fuel-injected engine as the revamped Sportsman 570. It’s as we expected: compact, user-friendly, flexible, well balanced and dependable. It’s just the ticket for a primary producer who wants to “do more”, as Polaris puts it.

The Ute 570 is one of 10 new or updated ATVs and side-by-sides that Polaris Industries has released over the past 12 months, which also includes the Sportsman Ace with its unique sit-in architecture; the Scrambler XP 1000 sports ATV with its 952cc, 89hp engine; the RZR XP4 1000 side-by-side; the Sportsman WV850; and the Ranger 900 XP Crew side-by-side

RZR 1000 XP4
We sampled a large number of the new products, as well as joining multiple Australian rally champion and now Polaris side-by-side racer Cody Crocker for a massively entertaining quick spin in the RZR 1000 XP4.

That was five minutes of adrenalin I’ll never forget, and instantly brought back memories of my first experience in a sports side-by-side: riding a two-seater RZR 900 XP through the Mojave Desert in California in 2012 (here
). Of course, Crocker adds a layer of class to any off-road excursion, but the XP4’s ability to soak up even the hardest of hits without even really breaking stride is exceptional – that’s what really defines it, as some other side-by-sides would simply crack the sads in those knife-edge situations and give up.

And when the terrain opens up there’s 107hp of CVT-fed smooth power to continue the animation. Top speed is about 120km/h, and the XP4 is fitted with Polaris’ on-demand true all-wheel drive/two-wheel drive system. The engine is a 999cc DOHC twin.

The buzz factor is absolutely amazing from this strapping four-wheeler – if it doesn’t get your pulse racing with its unique brand of pointing, shooting and bump-soaking brilliance, nothing will. It’s pure addiction.

And we’re only talking about the long wheelbase version here, with the XP4 boasting a 2972mm wheelbase, compared to the RZR XP 1000’s 2286mm. Ground clearance for the XP4 is 343mm, fuel capacity is 36 litres, it has 14-inch wheels, and there’s 406mm of suspension travel at the front and 457mm at the rear – so plenty of scope to ply its trade. The XP4 has top-shelf Walker-Evans needle shocks, which have previously been used in Polaris’ snow tackle.

Polaris also had the RZR XP 1000 and RZR 570 on display, the latter no slouch in its own right and not as overpowering as the big boys. As an all-round option, it may in fact be the pick of the bunch – and a lot cheaper.

In a nutshell, it feels like a smaller version of the RZRs – but probably in a more pure sense due to the centralised seating position.

Either way, the side-by-side sit-in type architecture is a major confidence booster in its own right. It’s also way more comfortable and less gut-busting than an ATV in rough terrain, but still remains a nimble proposition thanks to its ATV-like dimensions.

And throughout the rider is fixed securely in the adjustable bucket seat (the steering wheel is also adjustable) and three-point seat belt, surrounded by a certified roll-over protection structure.

Once in motion, the rider is met with a low centre of gravity, 260mm of ground clearance and 241mm of rear suspension travel. At 32hp, the Sportsman Ace certainly doesn’t shout from the rooftop in the power stakes – however, Polaris says its all-new Prostar engine is its most frugal yet – but it doesn’t really feel like you’re being short changed as the Ace has such a natural and easy feel. Whether that actually means more corner speed and momentum is another thing, and would require a true back-to-back comparison with an ATV.

Polaris is calling the Ace an entry-level unit, but I’m sure we’ll be seeing a number of extensions to the theme in future years – one with the Scrambler’s 89hp engine would be a ball tearer!

Of course, being planted in a bucket seat takes away the best part about riding an ATV: hanging your bum off and sliding through a turn. However, in rough and unforgiving terrain the picture’s not as rosy, and that’s where the Ace holds the upperhand: you can ride this thing all day and you won’t be half as knackered as you would on an ATV.

The Ace has an open floor plan which makes entry and exit quite easy, although I was riding with heavy adventure motorcycle boots which were too cumbersome – especially as the foot well for the brake and throttle is quite a compact area. Smaller, tighter-fitting shoes are the way to go.

SPORTSMAN WV850
Another new addition to the Sportsman family is the WV850, where the landscape is dominated by the non-pneumatic tyres (NPTs) which Polaris has dubbed as “Terrain Armour”. The tyres have a honeycomb interior so they never go flat, even when some of the web gets damaged. The NPTs also offer a lower centre of gravity and enhanced cornering ability, according to Polaris.

Until now, the NPT design has been the domain of military vehicles, but Polaris has kept to its promise to release the technology into consumer markets. There won’t be a huge number made initially as Polaris takers stock of demand and uptake of the NPT design.

The Sportsman WV850 H.O. is powered by the same fuel-injected twin found in the XP 850 H.O, and it has a single-gear automatic transmission rather than the ‘high’ or ‘low’ options on most vehicles. Polaris has sacrificed some top end with the single gear set-up, but the WV850 is not about blinding speed – rather toughness with features like the shift-lever lock, push bumper, an upgraded shock package (as much to handle the different demands of the NPTs), wider footwells, a 3500-pound winch and 680kg towing capacity. The steel racks also have a 272kg capacity, and there’s a beefed-up cooling system to handle extended rides and high temperatures.

Polaris is yet to announce a local price for the WV850.

For the kids there’s an established line-up of three ATVs and one side-by-side, and there are 10 Ranger utility side-by-sides to choose from, starting with the Ranger 400 right up to the abovementioned Ranger Crew 900. The Ranger line-up includes two diesels, both powered by the same 904cc three-cylinder engine.

For more information contact your local Polaris dealer.