Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition ATV
The new 2022 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition will tackle even the worst mud holes, and even on dry surfaces you'll be smiling from behind the wheel of this ATV.
Polaris Sportsman XP 1000
It seems like only a short time ago that the public was introduced to the improved 2022 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000, a sport-utility ATV whose technical characteristics were simply breathtaking. When it comes to trail riding, the Sportsman XP 1000 is incredibly fast, but at the same time very compliant and handles well. Even despite its impressive weight, controlling the ATV does not cause any problems. This is facilitated by a soft suspension with long travel, exceptional stability and electric power steering from Polaris. The Sportsman is an amazing all-terrain vehicle. But if you need an ATV that will get through the deepest mud, then a more specialized unit like the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition will do the job.
On the run
The last generation RZR was noisy. The drive made noise and chattered, something was knocking, plastic rattled, and the bolts had to be tightened periodically. Having ridden over 1,500 kilometers on the new Polaris RZR PRO XP 4, I was deeply impressed by how well it was built. Not even so: how high quality he shows himself to be.
The central carrier bearing is absolutely quiet even after such a mileage. During hard braking, the drive makes virtually no noise, unlike previous RZRs, and the operation of the variator is simply vastly different for the better.
Past RZR models left a lot to be desired in some places: they are really good to drive when you get carried away with driving them and do not notice various little things. But every time you start a ride, you feel that something could have been done better - for greater reliability, durability, better handling and durability. And finally, Polaris has released a new PRO line.
Yes, the drive still squeaks when you lock the brakes, but overall the transmission is much better matched and refined. CV joints, steering axles, axle shafts, and bearings practically do not make a sound, and this adds confidence when you sit behind the wheel.
But here's a reason for you to grumble - this is the roof. Well, how can you sell (and most importantly, buy) an all-terrain vehicle without a roof for that kind of money? The aftermarket aluminum roof that was fitted to our test Polaris RZR PRO XP 4 is a great and necessary solution if you plan to keep the stock cage.
Aluminum aftermarket roof on Polaris RZR PRO XP 4
Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition
What makes it special? Based on the Sportsman XP 1000, the new Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition boasts a host of changes and enhancements that make it a true mud monster. Polaris' collaboration with High Lifter is a very good move because they have been making ATV mud machines for 20 years. According to Scott Seat, owner of High Lifter, they outfitted the Polaris ATV with custom tires and suspension and made it "waterproof." These three points are key when building a dirt quad.
Assembly of any mud all-terrain vehicle begins with tires. The 2022 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition is equipped with 29.5 x 9.5-14 High Lifter Outlaw II tires on 14-inch cast aluminum wheels. At the same time, tires with a diameter of 26-27 inches are installed on the standard model.
The ATV is powered by the same ProStar engine with two parallel cylinders of 952 cc. see (produces 85 hp). Only it was tuned for mud driving. The engine is not equipped with Active Descent Control. The CVT ratios have been retuned upward to accommodate the larger tires. The robust front-wheel drive and axle shafts were borrowed from the standard Sportsman. The all-wheel drive system operates in a 1:1 configuration, which allows for virtually no loss of rear tire traction before the front wheels lock up and begin to "row." The air intake and belt are protected from water ingress.
Familiar engine
Unlike the chassis, the engine hasn't changed much in the 2022 PRO XP lineup. Polaris and Can-Am have an ongoing rivalry over engine performance, and this year Polaris has again managed to squeeze even more horsepower out of an already known, proven and reliable engine. The 925cc ProStar turbocharged twin has been a mainstay of the RZR range for several years, and thanks to several upgrades it now produces 181bhp. And this power reserve is more than enough for most ordinary owners of such a device.
The power increase was achieved thanks to a number of modifications , including a new liquid-cooled turbine, slightly larger than the previous version. The engine is also equipped with new ignition coils installed directly on the spark plugs, rather than remote ones with a long wire. In addition, the engine is equipped with a new head design with an overhead cooling channel, which reduces local overheating on hot days to a minimum, especially when you turn off the engine after a long load), as well as a number of changes in the location, mounting and design of the intercooler.
The transmission elements have also been modified. Firstly, the 2022 Polaris RZR PRO XP 4 is equipped with a CVT that is new to the entire PRO line - from the pulleys to the cover. Polaris claims that their pulleys are better than ever, and that seems to be very true. The RZR PRO XP 4 launches extremely smoothly thanks to larger weights and an improved primary pulley design. The secondary pulley is equipped with a set of spacers that allow you to center the belt if the alignment is off. Also, the new secondary pulley design provides additional airflow - not only does it spin faster than previous generations, but it also moves more air, thereby cooling more efficiently. We can confidently say that this is the best CVT that Polaris has ever installed on its stock vehicles. Design changes, new bearings and weights provide smooth acceleration regardless of the intensity of gas work.
Waterproof
Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition 2019
The air filter, clutch inlet and outlet ventilation ducts are located above the steering wheel to prevent water from entering them. The radiator was also raised as high as possible, now it is located where the front luggage rack used to be. The cooling fans were upside down. Access to the radiator has been simplified so that it can be easily cleaned as soon as necessary.
Even though the entire electrical system is relatively well protected from water ingress, the sealed fuse box is still mounted high in front of the radiator. This arrangement also made servicing easier.
Accessories
Here's what you need to check:
- Aluminum roof
- Central rear view mirror
- Spare wheel holder
Let me mention once again that the absence of a roof in the stock is simply unacceptable, but luckily we didn’t pay for either the roof or the all-terrain vehicle. A rearview mirror is also very useful, however, you can get by with side mirrors. The spare tire holder is well made and does not interfere with access to the body. It is mounted high, which somewhat changes the weight distribution, but it allows you to carry the spare tire outside the body, freeing up space for luggage.
Mud ATV
The 2019 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition has a number of other features that make it a great dirt bike. The Extreme Duty's front bumper features built-in tow hooks and a heavy-duty 3,000-pound winch. It is installed high so that the driver does not get his hands dirty when using it. There's a rear bumper for extra protection, and it's also helpful when you need to get your friends out of a tight spot. At the top of the steering wheel you can see a special handrail; it should be used as a lever when you need to rescue the ATV from a mud captivity.
The footrests have special holes to prevent the accumulation of water and dirt. High Lifter engineers worked with Polaris to develop A-arms that provide maximum ground clearance, even on particularly rugged terrain. Both the front and rear suspension are tuned to handle not only the increased weight of the ATV, but also the additional weight from sticking mud. Stiffer springs allow the suspension to operate at the top of its vertical travel and maintain proper ground clearance. The suspension's vertical travel has been reduced to accommodate the larger 29-inch tires. The front suspension has a travel of 188 mm, the rear 170 mm.
Polaris designers decided to remove the rear anti-roll bar to allow the rear suspension to perform better even in the deepest ruts. The steering stops have been modified to prevent the wheels from turning too much and thereby avoiding rubber friction. With larger tires installed on the ATV, the dimensions have increased slightly: the 2019 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition is 2235 mm long, 1245 mm wide and 1321 mm high. Thus, the new ATV is larger than the standard Sportsman by 121 mm in length, 35 mm in width and 32 mm in height.
But the most important thing is that the ground clearance has increased by 50 mm and amounted to 343 mm. As a result, the High Lifter Edition is 45kg heavier than the standard Sportsman, now weighing in at 442kg. This colossus is stopped by hydraulic disc brakes, which are activated by a lever on the steering wheel and a pedal on the right side. The load capacity of the rear parcel shelf is 34 kg. The ATV also features 7.6 liters of luggage space (like the standard Sportsman 1000 models). The 1.25-inch hitch can tow up to 680 kg.
Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition ATV test
During our test drive, we had absolutely no regrets about the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition. As a mud all-terrain vehicle, the High Lifter Edition model is impeccable, while demonstrating excellent performance even on dry ground, which sometimes remains between two holes filled with mud. When you point the ATV into the dirt, the engine seamlessly sends power to each of the four wheels so powerfully that it feels like the new Special Sportsman is being catapulted out of the mud.
It was even possible to put it on its rear wheels when they crossed a muddy pond about a meter deep. It's amazing how, in a deep puddle, the pilot's weight affects a car that already weighs almost half a ton. When driving on the rear wheels, in order to maintain the desired direction of movement, the driver needs to hang over one side or the other.
High Lifter Outlaw II tires do not lose traction on either hard or soft bottoms; Problems can only arise if you put the ATV on its belly. But even in this case, a small push or just a swing is enough. The tread pattern has particular advantages when driving on deep ruts.
Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition 2019
Outlaw tires are the best mud tires there are , but if you drive on a dry surface, you don't feel any unnecessary shaking. They hold the given direction of movement equally well on any ground. Despite the fact that the vertical travel of the suspension had to be reduced to install larger diameter tires, this did not in any way affect comfort. The 29-inch tires handle small bumps, leaving the suspension to handle the rest. Of course, the new ATV cannot compare in comfort to the standard Sportsman, but we must admit that it is quite soft and dampens obstacles of any size well.
Even without a rear anti-roll bar, the ATV corners accurately on dry surfaces. The Polaris electric power steering is amazing at low to mid speeds. Steering is very light and the driver feels no vibration or kickback when negotiating potholes and obstacles. At high speed the ATV feels very light, which is certainly not what you would expect from an all-terrain vehicle. The brakes are powerful and have excellent feedback.
Power reserve
It's nice to note that the Polaris RZR PRO XP 4 has an excellent range and is generally prepared for long runs. You can ride it comfortably for days on end, and that's saying something. A comfortable cabin, an excellent suspension that allows you to avoid feeling both the “washboard” and large bumps, an excellent trunk that appears when the rear seats are folded - everything in this model is designed for long trips. Its tank volume is 49 liters and allows you to travel 210 km without bothering with careful handling of gas.
Results
Today, the market is filled with products that will help you turn your 4x4 ATV into a true all-terrain vehicle. However, you will have to spend a lot of effort and a lot of money to make an ATV better than the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition. This particular model is presented in the Polaris showroom as the ideal ATV for dirt riding.
If the Sportsman 1000 model is expensive for you, then you can buy the smaller 850 model. Only it is not equipped with bumpers, a winch, etc. And, of course, you need to understand that this will not be 1000 at all; the Sportsman 850 does not have enough power to spin large wheels in a deep puddle.
Cabins
Standard all-terrain vehicle layouts with one and two rows of seats are also used in the RZR. Single-row vehicles have two seats for a standard off-road crew, a pilot and a navigator. On the four-seater Polaris RZR, the seats are in two rows, the wheelbase and the car itself are longer than usual. It also weighs more. That's why the RZR 4 rides a little slower and stays on the road a little more stable. The invention of Polaris - single-seat Side-by-Side. The RZR RS1 is designed for those who prefer to ride alone. The only seat is located in the middle, so the car is more compact, lighter and cheaper than its multi-seat counterparts.
Polaris RZR ergonomics have been perfected for decades
