First ride:

New For

2008 The Polaris Ranger RZR

Ray (Hawkeye) Sedorchuk

     The ATV industry has taken another turn. The market has shifted and a new direction is unfolding. The side by side utility ATV, such as the full size Polaris Ranger, Yamaha Rhino or the Kawasaki Mule, has made an up-ward trend in sales and popularity. The only limitation has been the size of most machines. They are limited to trail use because of size.  Most trails only allow vehicles 50 inches or less. The typical side by side is much wider than 50 inches, as with the full size ranger coming in at 60 inches.

     With many revolutionary designs, Polaris was first to see the side by side upward trend. They have taken the project on with much enthusiasm producing the first 50 inch side by side Sport Recreational Utility Vehicle (SRUV), the 2008 Polaris Ranger RZR nick-named the RAZOR. This was a milestone in the industry as now riders have no reason to buy a conventional ATV. They have everything they need and more provided as a standard feature on the new 50 inch trail-ready RZR. For example, the vehicle can transport two riders comfortably, not back to back but in a position where they can be face to face. Also, the RZR supplies more comfort in seating, an ability to take along more gear, and a social fun factor that is unsurpassed.

     Polaris has found out through customer interest that there was a place for the smaller Ranger. First off, Polaris states big-bore ATV enthusiasts have been looking for the performance of the 800cc RZR for quite sometime. They also state, the hunting community is holding a high interest in the narrow width of the small Ranger. Lastly, sport utility side by side ATV enthusiasts have long been awaiting more performance.

     The Ranger RZR has been designed as a fast, performance originated, low-profile, narrow side by side with broad spectrum of customers as a focus. Interestingly enough, the RZR has a low center of gratify. This has been accomplished by moving the engine rear of the seating and keeping it just to the front side of the transmission. Engine placement has allowed the seating to be lowered. Now, all the heavy components of the vehicle are allowing for a low center of gratify and the passengers are placed as low as possible. The 800cc twin cylinder engine is mounted sideways in the rear and bolted directly to the CVT automatic transmission. The side ways mounting adds to the engines power level and the smooth acceleration is highlighted by a series of well placed engine mounts. The engine is Electronically Fuel Injected (EFI) and water-cooled as stated, the transmission is an automatic CVT transmission with high, low, and reverse.

     Driving the RZR is a comfortable experience. The drivers cockpit is ergonomically friendly with all the controls located with-in easy reach, lighting, push-button 4 wheel-drive, shifting lever, and an adjustable steering wheel put everything at the fingertips.                      

When seated there you’ll find plenty of leg room. The floor is molded with a center rise allowing the passenger and driver to have separate leg areas. The seats are adjustable front to back by 4 inches accommodating large and small. Also, the seatbelts have an elastic 2 inches of give making the rough terrain restraints top-not.

     The suspension is another high-end component. Here you’ll find 91/2 inches of wheel travel and 10 inches of ground clearance. This includes front double A-arms with adjustable coil over shocks and the rear is a canted independent with adjustable coil over shocks. Not only is the unit equipped with a fully independent suspension but stability is increased by a front and back sway-bar. The rolled or canted rear suspension arms add an improved up and down movement of the suspension by allowing the rear suspension arms to go up and back. This increased travel ability makes for smoother riding and more controllable ATV.

    Maintenance and cleaning is easy with a removable rear panel behind the seats and an up front removable hood making radiator cleaning a simple task. The machine seems to be complex in design but simple concept. We like to see the well designed but simple structure.

     Polaris is set with accessories. They have a hunting package and a sport package both including bumpers and winches. Other items include snowplows, cargo restraints, gun scabbards and rock-guards.

     The Ranger RZR is a sport oriented machine but work is not far off. The unit comes equipped with a 300lb cargo box, standard 1 ¼ inch receiver and a 1500lb towing capacity.

Opinion:

   First ride opinions are simple to come up with, but a long term ride review gives a much better picture. Our first ride was quite impressive. The Ranger RZR has a great amount of acceleration and control. Personally, I believe this is the best off-road suspension available in the side by side world. The vehicle looks great and is totally functional. The ride and feel is as if the RZR is part of your body. At high speed, trail navigating or on low speed technical driving. Either way this machine is predictable and easy to drive and stop. Yes, I forgot to mention 4-wheel disk braking. Let’s just keep it simple and say this is the trail capable side by side you have been waiting for sport, hunt or work.