Polaris’ new XP 850EFI ATV
Polaris has spent more than five years completely reinventing its flagship model, the Sportsman, and the results are new industry standards for power, ride and handling.
The new Polaris Sportsman XP (X’treme Performance) is 99 per cent new. That’s right, new engines, transmission, chassis, suspension and more. The gear knob is the only carry-over part from the 2008 Sportsman.
The XP 850 delivers an unbeatable 70 horsepower with its Polaris USA manufactured 850cc, SOHC Twin Cylinder EFI engine with four valves per cylinder. Thanks to Dual Balance Shafts and rubber iso-mounting, the XP’s lack of vibration belies its unbeatable power and torque.
Since the launch of the Sportsman nameplate in 1996, each new Polaris Sportsman has set new industry benchmarks for ride quality. So if you want to ride all day with minimal fatigue, the XP should be at the top of your ATV shopping list.
The XP features Dual A-Arm front suspension with an industry-leading 22.8cm of travel and preload adjustability for those that want to tailor their ride. Even more impressive is the Rolled Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). The Sportsman was the world’s first ATV with IRS and now it leads again with Rolled IRS, which is angled rearward for greater traction and a smoother ride.
By rotating the engine 90 degrees, Polaris could widen the floorboards by 33 per cent and make the machine 8cm narrower at the knees and 12cm narrower at the ankles, reducing leg fatigue and making it easier to shift your bodyweight.
Experienced ATV users will know that the handlebars of ATVs often jolt around when crossing rocky or rutted terrain. Using longer A-Arms and the largest diameter wheels in the industry has allowed Polaris to move the steering axis closer to the neutral centre of the tyre. This superior steering geometry dramatically reduces kickback, again reducing the aches and pains of a long day’s riding.
With 30 per cent more power assist than its competitors, plus Variable Assist for easier steering effort at lower speeds and more responsiveness at higher speeds, the XP has the best power steering on the market. This helps deliver a safer and more enjoyable ride, as it minimises the distraction of bumps, letting you focus more on the terrain ahead.
As a testament to its tough driveline and chassis, the Sportsman XP boasts a world-beating 680kg towing capacity and 165kg carrying capacity (55kg front/110kg rear). This allows the XP to replace the farm ute for more jobs around the farm and also comes in handy when hunting or camping.
The Sportsman XP has many other features that opposition brands would love to crow about, including Polaris’ legendary True AWD, fully backlit digital instrumentation, standard 14" alloy wheels, plus a larger and higher mounted radiator for superior cooling performance in Australia’s extreme conditions.
For more information, visit the Polaris website at www.polarisindustries.com.au
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