There are some machines that leave a mark on us A machine that as soon as you first glance at it, as soon as you sit on it, as soon as you press on the gas, it brands you like a red iron! It’s about that feeling that I want to talk to you today by telling you all about my trial of the 2020 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Limited Edition.
Those who follow me on InfoQuad.com know very well that I prefer side-by-side (SxS) vehicles. It’s not that I don’t enjoy ATVs, it’s just that I have a soft spot for SxSs. However, some machines, like the 2020 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Limited, make me rekindle with my appreciation of ATVs.
I had the opportunity to try out this model a few weeks ago.
Look and finish
The Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Limited’s look leaves no one indifferent. Its aggressive look lets us guess its sporty character. Polaris has really done its homework in terms of choice of materials, quality of assembly and overall finish. The trunks integrated into the luggage racks, complement this vehicle very well.
Cockpit
When you sit in the Sportsman XP, you notice how comfortable the seat is. The controls on the handlebars are arranged so that the rider can find them intuitively. The dashboard includes the digital gauge as well as the engine mode selector. It may be the only area where aesthetics could be improved on the entire vehicle. In fact, the gauge seems a little small for the available space.
Transmission Shift Lever
When I first got on the vehicle, I was under the mistaken impression that the transmission shift lever could get snagged while driving. It really wasn’t the case. At first, I wondered why it was located in this place. When I tried other ATVs, I realized that on some of them, the handlebars could be a problem when you want to switch from forward to reverse, for example. For the Sportsman XP 1000 Limited, it was not the case.
Engine
The 952cc ProStar twin-cylinder engine produces 90 HP of power. As soon as you turn it on, you can enjoy the sound it makes. When the throttle is pressed, the engine responds quickly. The pulleys make starts a pleasant experience as they transmit the power from the engine to the wheels smoothly.
I also appreciated the On-Demand traction system that optimizes wheel traction in rougher terrain. When a wheel no longer provides traction, it stops spinning. In this way, the power of the engine is distributed to the wheels offering traction.
The transmission also has a specific mode for descending steep slopes. I haven’t really had a chance to try it out yet, but I did enjoy the work of the engine brake on several hills of the trails I took.
Recoveries are exceptionally good when exiting corners or when you have just crossed an obstacle on the trail.
Suspension
The suspension offers 22.9 cm (9 in) of travel in the front and 26 cm (10.25 in) in the rear. Arched suspension arms increase ground clearance across most of the width of the vehicle. It makes it a little easier to get over obstacles without the vehicle rubbing.
The suspension of the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Limited makes the ride very pleasant. It absorbs any bumps or obstacles that might get in your way very well. The vehicle remains stable in turns minimizing the impact of the outward displacement effect (under steer).
Assisted steering
Like many ATVs, the Sportsman XP 1000 Limited has electronically assisted steering. It works very well. You can literally turn the handlebars with a finger. I also noted the lack of feedback from the terrain. On a long ride, this can be a significant advantage as it reduces fatigue.
Storage
The vehicle has two storage compartments built into the luggage racks. Although they are not very spacious, this storage allows us to bring small tools or other items with us. The lids are easy to open and close and are impervious to dust or water infiltration.
The luggage racks also allow us to attach other luggage to it. They offer many places to tie our straps and fasteners.
As a result, I have excellent memories of my test drive of the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Limited, and I hope to have the chance to spend more time on this vehicle soon.
I would like to thank the Maltais Performance dealership in Paspébiac for making it possible to review the 2020 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Limited.
To learn more about this model : https://atv.polaris.com/en-ca/sportsman-xp-1000/
