BIKES: 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900 First Ride

New Models

BIKES: 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900 First Ride

The latest handiwork from Polaris engineers upsizes the Ranger RZR lineup to its latest four-seat UTV model – the 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900.

Ricky Sosebee | Posted June 03, 2012 Eugene, OR

Polaris put journalists behind the wheel of its latest four-seater out in the desert where the XP 4 is right at home.

Consider how different the world of UTV’s would be if the 50-inch RZR was never brought to the market. It has changed the way many enjoy the outdoors, and with the model year 2011 wrapped up Polaris hits the ground running with another engineering marvel. Instead of taking just one other person in the ride across your favorite outdoor adventure park you can take three. Polaris already has a four-seater, but wait just a minute, not like this one. This is the 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900.

At a small town called Parker just west of Phoenix, Arizona, Polaris invited media to take a deep look into the newest model in the Ranger RZR line. The 2012 RZR XP 4 900 was revealed in conjunction with the Best in the Desert Parker 250 race. This is where we saw the XP 4 in person for the first time, as well as a version set up to be a legal racecar in the same series. Our testing ground just a few days from race was over 20 miles of the actual Parker 250 race course.

Polaris developed the Ranger RZR XP 4 900 after the fiercely popular XP 900, which came to the market in 2011. The sleek, aggressive lines and huge-over fenders make the two machines almost twins, but from the side view there is a different look as this year there are two more seats. Spreading the framework out to a 107.4-inch wheelbase gives enough room to carry the two extra riders. The cab of this newest member in the RZR line features cut and sewn plush seats and a tilting steering wheel for riders to control preference. It also gets the anti-cinch seat belts that keep your shoulders happy in choppy terrain.

Suspension
Stepping out of the RZR XP 4 900 you’ll notice the same incredible suspension that had been developed for the XP 900. This suspension gives up a massive 13.5 inches of travel in the front and 14 inches in the rear. The ground clearance isn’t too shabby either at 12.5 inches. The rear of the XP 4 swings via the three link independent rear trailing arms and is dampened by Walker Evans race-inspired premium shocks. These shocks both front and rear have pre-load and compression adjustments so the discriminating driver can fine-tune the ride. Just a touch different from the front Walker Evans shocks with 2.0-inch shock bodies, the rear utilizes a set of 2.5-inch diameter shocks. This gives the machine more damping control as well as the ability to dissipate heat more effectively with the added weight of passenger and 1390-pound framework.

Power To Go
Getting the RZR XP 4 900 down the trail is the stunning ProStar 900 fuel-injected 4-stroke, liquid-cooled Twin and super-tough transmission. Once again the 875cc mill is the center of attention in the off-road community. This powerplant was first introduced in the XP 900 and was an instant success. With 88 HP, four valves per cylinder and twin throttle bodies feeding the firebox, this beast is capable of propelling a fully loaded XP 4 anywhere you point the front wheels. The light-weight, belt-driven and compact transmission is also very capable of delivering the massive power to the ground. Where huge power to ground spike loads are concerned in the deep, rutted off-road trails, the Polaris transmission has everything covered. The weight of the engine and transmission are located specifically to help balance the machine for more controlled high speed riding.

For the rest of this article visit MotorcycleUSA.com