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| Pure
Polaris Track System for tackling Deep
Snow or Mud makes for a great accessory
for extreme riding conditions |
A couple of the first things we noticed were
the functionality, fit, and finish of the 2008
Polaris utility ATV models. Polaris’s
composite racks with built in storage compartments
are standard on all the sportsman models. Polaris
has provided all of there 2008 models with plenty
of standard equipment but for some consumers
that is never enough. To satisfy these consumers,
Polaris has designed a full line of Pure Polaris
accessories. These accessories range from simple
bolt on parts such as windshields, brush guards,
quick attaching weatherproof cargo boxes, to
all-terrain full track systems. Polaris also
offers plenty of optional upgrades like cast
aluminum wheels and high gloss fully painted
plastic. “The painted plastic resists
scratches ten times better than standard plastic,
which sets us apart from the competition,”
said Laskin.
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For
2008, Polaris has expanded its Pure Polaris
Accessory lineup for their Sportsman Utility
ATVs to include nearly everything you
could ever imagine bolting on to your
ATV from add-on rack storage boxes &
bags, wind-shields, hand guards, and and
even an official Pure Polaris winch systems
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One of the best features that Polaris developed
and included standard on all of their 2008 premium
recreational utility ATV’s is their Active
Decent Control (ADC). This new feature, which
is activated with a simple flip of a switch,
allows the ATV to descend a steep grade at a
snails pace without the use of any brakes. “It
allows the rider to feel more confident and
safe when they are descending steep terrain,
Laskin explained. “The ADC was really
neat. I could actually get off the machine with
all four wheels engaged and walk down the hill
next to it. So if you have a situation where
you aren’t comfortable with riding the
machine, you can just kind of guide it down
the hill,” added Colby. Polaris has also
included their turf mode on their touring models,
the turf mode unlocks the rear differential
making the ATV easier to turn, and also easier
on the terrain the ATV is riding on, so you
don’t tear up the yard or fields.
The first unit we tested was the new Sportsman
400 HO, with independent rear suspension (IRS),
which actually uses the same 455cc motor as
the Sportsman 500 HO. Polaris has always had
some of the best handling utility ATVs on the
market thanks to the McPherson struts in the
front and their independent rear suspension.
The 400 HO model is what is referred to as a
mid-sized model and is aimed at the more price
conscious consumer that doesn’t need the
size and power of the larger models but still
wants a fun, capable, utility. This machine
comes equipped with all wheel drive and you
can select from 2WD or 4WD mode by with ease.
“Fun” would be a good word to describe
the 400 HO. The light and nimble chassis made
it the perfect model for blasting down the trails.
“I felt the suspension was plush and predictable
and compliments the chassis well,” stated
our test rider, Colby Kostman. “However,
the power on the 400 HO was a little less than
I expected for a 455cc machine of its size,
but some of this could have been due to the
6000 to 8000 foot altitude that we were testing
these units on,” said Colby. “I’d
really like to try it at a lower elevation to
how much better it performs.” Polaris
has also developed a new starter clutch, which
is utilized in the 400 HO that eliminates the
need for the low range but still allows for
plenty of low speed grunt.
