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The Polaris Ranger
Rzr800 is pure performance, and it is
hard to get behind the wheel without breaking
free the rear wheels & creating a
little roost |
The Rzr is where we run into more complex issues
regarding how well it performs. Let's face it,
if you buy a Rzr, you intend on running it hard
and this is where personal preference comes into
play. For the average Joe like me, stock form
is fine and if it can't do it then I probably
shouldn't be attempting it. For others, nothing
stock is perfect and thankfully the aftermarket
has every part needed to tweak it into a berm
ripping, jump loving beast, just have your Master
Card ready and your dreams can be fulfilled. Zipping
through jeep trails and slightly wider then average
ATV trails is a total blast as the Rzr is just
narrow enough at just 50” to navigate most
ATV trails.
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The
Polaris Rzr 800 is a high performance
UTV, so Polaris incorporated several additional
safety features on the Rzr incase the
unthinkable would happen. One great addition
is the T-handle grab bar for the passengers,
which should be standard equipment on
all UTV vehicles because it gives you
something to hold onto and help keep your
arms inside the vehicle. Also, the Rzr
has side nettings to keep your legs and
upper body in the vehicle as well for
even more protection
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Add a passenger and you can get the Rzr to do
all sorts of things as the weight balance equals
and handling is fine. Hill climbs seem to be well
within the range of what the Rzr is capable of
and we put the unit up some steep inclines just
because they were there! Bring mud and water into
the equation and you run the same risk as taking
any stock machine into those conditions however
the Rzr did perform well at a local mud obstacle
course we attended, much to the surprise of those
standing trackside, eager to pull us out, and
to the dismay of those wanting to see us buried
in a quagmire of muck. The Rzr just pulled through
it all, showering everything in a 40 foot path
of mudslinging zone of muck with the typical putrid
ick one finds at such an event. Sure it took $25
to get it clean but a man can only take so much
and the Rzr was just begging to get dirty! Flat
ground driving and power sliding is a gamble,
even though the Rzr really doesn't feel tippy.
If the terrain is loose, it is a rush to pitch
it in and hang on as the power pulls through the
corners, but if it's hard pack you can roll the
machine just the same as you would other vehicles,
so common sense would need to be employed.
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Polaris Rzr 800 & Ranger both offer
impressive rear suspension travel with
the Ranger at 9" and the Rzr at 9.5"
of wheel travel. The Ranger wins out on
ground clearance with 11" while the
Rzr is at 10", which is still plenty
for clearing most obstacles on the trails.
From the rear shot above the difference
in width of the two vehicles is dramatic,
the Ranger is 60" wide while the
Rzr is only 50" wide, which makes
it great for tight woods riding |
Suspension is more then adequate for most users.
The Ranger has a plush ride that takes on most
obstacles and even when loaded works well. The
Rzr soaks up ruts and rocks at speed and when
crawling over larger things, the suspension
preformed very well. I was worried that with
a bad back I would be punished by the Rzr seeing
I forget how to drive slow once belted in, however
I am happy to report that I can walk without
pain after a few hours of fun behind the wheel.
If you plan to upgrade, the ride would be even
better and that would take the unit to another
level.
