You knew it was coming. Polaris releases the first of a series of releases for their 2011 model year and to top the list is the 2011 800 Rush Pro-R. The Polaris Rush, which debuted last year, is now available with their 800 Cleanfire twin 2-stroker.
Pro-Ride
Last year the Rush was introduced as a limited build with a new chassis, new ergos, new look and a whole new suspension. It was powered by the 600 Cleanfire motor, one of the industry’s most bullet-proof powerplants with quick-revving power and smooth operation. It made the Rush fun to ride and very predictable. Now with the 800 motor, the new Rush Pro-R gets more torque for quicker acceleration. Plus it gets a redesigned silencer that is 7 lbs. lighter than the one found used with the previous 800 motor.
The PRO-RIDE chassis is the newest design to come from Polaris and puts the rider in a more ergo-friendly position where better control and less fatigue allows you to last longer on the trails or ditches. The PRO-RIDE chassis is completely new, but still utilizes the best parts and geometry of their IQ front suspension. It’s built using aerospace technology based engineering with fewer welds and fasteners and a cast bulkhead for a more rigid and lighter weight chassis. Steering is positioned over the engine for lower center-of-gravity and flatter cornering.
The rear suspension is what makes the Polaris Rush stand out. It’s a true progressive rate design. This means that as the suspension travels, it’s progressively gets stiffer and reduces or eliminates bottoming. Bumps feel smoother and less harsh and it isolates the rider from the bumps better. It’s also easily adjusted from the top without having to get underneath in the ice and snow to tune it for your ride. A new plastic cover helps finish off the look of the suspension and keep snow dust down as well as house a mid-flap cooler that keeps the engine at peak operating temperature in low snow conditions.
What makes it a Pro-R?
The Pro-R gets you Walker Evans Needle Shocks with 16-position compression adjustment and remote reservoirs. This shock utilizes hydraulic pressure at the end of the stroke to reduce bottoming. The Pro-R also gets a lighter rotor and jackshaft for 2.5 lbs. of reduced rotating mass for quicker acceleration. A 15×121 Ripsaw with inch and a quarter lugs puts the 800’s torque to work on the ground.
The Rush Pro-R is available in a Red and Black combination.
Steve Franta, Max Sled Test Pilot has this to say about the Rush:
“For the kind of riding I like to do (aggressive ditch and river running), the Rush works best for me. I like how it feels, I like the rear suspension – that it doesn’t bottom out – and I like how easily it’s controlled. The Walker Evans Piggybacks don’t fade and I can tune them to my liking. I also like the new color combinations offered with the Rush Pro-R.”
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, the Rush is best looking sled to come from Polaris since the original Indy body style, and that’s a long-time coming. It brings back the classic Polaris lines and edges and yet fits in with the modern sleds of today.
Polaris is revealing another model in the next few days and the rest of their lineup in March. For now, you extreme flatlanders can set your sights on the most powerful Rush yet, the 2011 800 Pro-R.
