Polaris Demo Day, The Machines (Part II) - - ATV at Off-Road.com
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Polaris Demo Day, The Machines (Part II)

Source: ATV at Off-Road.com
 Magnum 425 6x6
We brought out the 6x6 to try and extract the Xplorer but before it was all over we had 10 tires buried in the muck. Once we got it out, which was much easier than the Xplorer extraction we had a chance to take it for a spin. Now this is a real work horse. Just look at it, this thing is just crying out to haul, tow or even pull some stumps. The Magnum 6x6 is the torque filled big brother in the 6x6 family. It has a 425cc liquid cooled, 4 valve power plant. It’s little brother is the Big Boss 6x6 which is powered by a 378cc 2 stroke power plant. It comes with a true 6x6 drive system that works very much like the 4x4 systems on the other machines. The only difference is that when you are in "2" wheel drive on the Big Boss you are still applying power to the 4 rear wheels. One of the most notable features of this machine is the built in "pick -up" type bed. This bed even has built in tilt for when you need to dump your load. This machine weighs in at a massive 825 lbs but boasts another 875 lbs load capacity and 850 lbs tow capacity. So if you have work to be done, this is the machine to get. Check out the detailed specs . Note: Use the back button in your browser to return to this page.
  Riders comments: Gerald Luiz
Striking appearance. Like the Explorer, I usually left it in L for better kick. Really stable on the uphill and downhill stuff. With such a long wheel base and 6 wheels, the rough stuff didn’t shake me up as much. I found that it took a lot more effort in steering (even in 2(4) wd) than the others. Perhaps this is just the extra weight . Would be really nice as a utility type vehicle. Better for larger riders.
Todd O’Connor
Tough machine. Very nimble with lots of power. Great for a ranch or farm owner. A workhorse.
David Gray
Great hill climber. Impressive in mud. Not upset by ruts/off camber. Great trail machine.

Scrambler 500 After mucking with the utility machines all morning it was time to move on to something a little sportier. We took out the Scrambler 500. Now this is my pick of the day. It is powered by a 499cc of liquid cooled, 4 valve 4 stoke motor. Once you get on this machine and give it some gas, it is hard to believe that you are on top of a 4x4. It has the same power plant at the Xplorer 500 but the Xplorer is over 100 lbs. heavier (649 lbs compared to 540 lbs.). This machine really moves. It has power both on the low an high end. One rider felt that it may have been faster than the 400L on the top end. This is a true all around machine. It can keep up with the sport machines racing down the trails then be popped into 4wd to crawl over the rocks. It doesn’t have a High/Low range but that didn’t seem to be a problem. The PVT was able to deliver the right amount of power in all conditions. It was on this machine that one of the riders learned about the "override" switch. This is a switch mounted on the left handlebar that allows you to apply more power in reverse. If it is not pushed there is a rev limiter that regulates your speed in reverse. If you are stuck and need more power in reverse, you simply press the override button. The rider that learned of this feature struggled to unstick the machine for quite some time. After he learned of the feature he went back to the same spot and popped right out using the override. Check out the detailed specs . Note: Use the back button in your browser to return to this page
  Rider comments: Gerald Luiz
Wow. Really fast. No need for low range because It always had lots of power on all terrain. Best handling except for the 250. Nice on bumps but not quite as comfortable as some of the others. Perhaps the suspension is stiffer.
Mike Childs
Great power, braking is better than 250. Needs a steering dampener. Rear breaks out nicely. Almost pulled out the 6x6 when it got stuck.
David Gray
Felt light up front. Power OK but to small for the big guy.
Pattie Waters
Love the Automatic. Great balance. Don’t know about purple…The belt cover on the left is in the way of ankle not too bad but could see it sore after all day of riding. Like the gradual slowing when off throttle not too fast or too slow.
Dean Waters
Felt too heavy and no power on low end. Good top end. Felt hard to handle arms were tired afterward.
Adam Bylund
May be faster than the Sport 400L on the top end. Wasn’t as hard hitting as the 400 from a stop. Handled large ruts with ease. Felt a little heavier than the 500 but not much. Four wheel drive system was flawless. It didn’t interfere with two wheel drive performance and was available when needed. It was very easy to forget that this bike was a true four wheel drive. The 500 was even smoother that the 400 over all types of terrain and even through the corners. While it seemed a little heavier than the 400L, it was by no means sluggish. It didn’t want to push the corners. You could get the bike to slide when and where you wanted it to. The bike always felt in control. This is truly the "Mercedes" of the 4x4 class. Combined braking seemed less obtrusive on this model because it is not as consciously focused on the sport market.
Positives - Unlike any 4x4 I have ridden, this 4x4 acts more like a sport model. Seamless four wheel drive system. The quad smoothes out all but the most treacherous ruts. Steep hills were no problem. It is hard to imagine a better 4x4 quad. If you are looking for a do it all quad. This is it. Negatives - Really no negatives for a 4x4 quad. Adding foot pegs would anchor the rider better, but it isn’t as important on a quad that is as multifunctional as this 500.

[ The Intro ][ The Machines (Part I) ][The Machines (Part II)][ The Machines (Part III) ][ Some Parting Words (and Photos) ]


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