Every day there are advancements in the world. From breakthroughs in medicine, new styles and designs in the clothing industry and even the in the style and design of ATVs and UTVs. Every reputable manufacture is always searching for a new way to make their machine the best and most powerful to increase their sales and generate happy customers, and Polaris Industries is one of them. Normally companies take us to an area where we can put their machine of choice to the test and see how it handles. Well with the slew of new updates to both their ATV and UTV lineup, Polaris invited Thad and myself out to their corporate test facility in Wyoming, MN to ride the latest and greatest in the exact place they do their research for what works right.
As the employees rolled the updated machines onto the lawn for us to look over, overwhelmed is the only word that could describe my feeling. We only had one day to test over 10 revamped and updated models to give you readers our first impressions on their performance. Missing from the group was the popular Outlaw line of sport ATVs. Polaris felt that the changes to the machines in 2009 pleased such a large number of people; changes for the 2010 models weren't needed. Only time will tell.
Starting with modifications to the ATV line-up, Polaris updated the Trail Boss 330, Trail Blazer 330 and Scrambler 500 4x4 with new body styling, new chassis and suspension, stronger lighting, thicker disc brakes with a new master cylinder and remote fuel gage. Even though the chassis and suspension received upgrades, none of them were in the form of a dual a-arm front end. The McPherson strut still lives on to keep costs down and make these machines affordable for entry-level buyers. While the machines are fun to ride, it is very clear that they have their limits on how hard they can be pushed. That is what the Outlaw line of performance sport ATVs is for I guess. Next...
Next in line for us to experience was the line-up of either all-new or new-and-improved ATVs starting with the Sportsman 550 X2. The X2 line is considered to be one of the most versatile ATVs on the market with their fold-down second seat and cargo box. This year Polaris incorporated the features of the XP models into the X2 line of machines with the release of the Sportsman 550 X2. This machine features the Sportsman XP chassis that is known for its great handling and features the same strong power plant in the form of their 550cc engine that is EFI equipped for precise tuning in any condition. Stopping power is handled by large disc brakes at all four wheels when you need to stop on a dime. This machine gives you a great workhorse of a machine while having the capability of carrying an extra body for a fun day out on the trails.
For those that want a dedicated 2-passenger machine but are trying to avoid a hard hit in the wallet, there is the Sportsman 500 H.O. Touring model. This machine uses the same award-winning Sportsman Touring chassis and body style and features a 500cc high-output, carbureted engine, engine braking system, on-demand all-wheel drive and rolled Independent Rear Suspension. Great style, performance and convenience are all packed into an affordable package for the adventurous rider on a budget. Don't think that Polaris stopped with these two machines when it comes to new or upgraded ATVs because they've also made changes to their Sportsman 850 and 550 Touring machines and let's just say that EPS is an awesome thing for these. You can read more on these units in the September/October issue of ATV Rider Magazine.
For 2010 Polaris entered a new segment of the UTV market in two completely different directions. First was the new from-the-ground-up Ranger 400. This scaled down UTV is the perfect machine for both light recreation and as a strong workhorse. While it doesn't have some of the same features as some of the larger displacement models it doesn't boast the same price tag either. The Rangers 455cc H.O. carbureted engine does feature the highest horse power in its class with a top speed of 40 MPH while the cargo box is easily capable of holding loads up to 500 lbs. The next big announcement in the mid-size UTV department is their new Ranger EV, and yes EV stands for Electric Vehicle. This was one of our favorite machines that we had the opportunity to test and you can find a full feature review in our September/October issue of ATV Rider Magazine as well.
In 2009 the Full-Size Ranger lineup came with plenty of improvements from the units of previous years most notably the upgrade to a dual a-arm setup on the front end. This year improvements in the way of ergonomics and passenger comfort take center stage. Most notably, the entire Ranger line, including the two previously mention models, receive new Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS) certified cages in addition to 3-point seat belts from the previous years lap belts. Additional upgrades starting with the Ranger 500, which was formerly known as the Ranger 4x4, receive the powerful 500 H.O. engine while the rest of the Ranger line has been upgraded to the 800cc twin-cylinder EFI power plant. This change given to the Ranger 500 H.O. increased its horsepower by 13 percent while the 800cc upgrade in the others has been boosted by 15 percent.
The 2010 Ranger XP not only benefited from a larger engine but is now also available with the option of Electronic Power Steering (EPS). Previously only available on the Ranger HD model, this upgrade makes a huge difference for the driver by making steering effort minimal at slow speeds. Next in line for upgrades is the Ranger 800 HD. Last year this was the big news out of the Polaris camp because it came with their EPS system in addition to a 1-ton towing capacity and self-leveling suspension system for operators that carry big loads. This year it not only benefited from the engine power increase but also in looks with 8-spoke 12" aluminum rims and 26" PXT radial tires as a standard. Not a huge change from last year, but notable none the less.
This year Polaris also decided to outfit the Ranger 800 Crew and 6x6 with the dual a-arm front suspension like the rest of the Ranger line. This long awaited upgrade makes these machines handle better than ever before and with the additional power received from the 800cc engine will make plenty of owners happy. The entire Full-Size and multi passenger Ranger lineup will all benefit from tilt steering, new gas and brake pedal orientation to reduce driver fatigue, angled seat backs for operator comfort, relocated brake lever for operation inside and out of the vehicle and finally increased seating and leg space. All in all they have made the machine much more comfortable to ride in which has long been a complaint.
We decided to save the best for last in the Ranger RZR and RZR S. Aside from the RZR now being able to hit a new top speed of 60 MPH and both having cages that are ROPS certified, they are left virtually unchanged.
There you have it... The new 2010 model line from Polaris has brought some new great features on many machines while they have also introduced a few new quality ATVs as well. Whether you're looking at new machines for either work or play, Polaris has you covered no matter what you're looking for.