Polaris tiered their releases this year starting with the new 2011 Rush Pro-R 800 and following it with the 800 Pro RMK. The thing is, Polaris has a lot more to show; over 55% more! There’s more Rush, more Pro, and more accessories.
Engines
The biggest news in the Polaris motors is the updated 800. It’s always been a strong motor, but had its issues the last few years. Polaris has tried remapping, different parts and different calibration, but some motors just had issues. Polaris to their credit gave everyone who bought the 800 over the past few years the 2010 updates, but for next season Polaris made some additional changes (going from 4 injectors to 2 and recalibration) to help eliminate any longevity issues. We rode this engine and while we’ve said this in the past, we will say it again; it’s a strong torque motor. Polaris is banking on this engine being their top-performer and it really performs well.
Along with the 8, their 600 Cleanfire has the reputation of that of the older Fuji 488 Liquid; it’s tried and true and always runs well. It continues to be a smooth runner with great 600 power.
Speaking of the Fuji 488, it is still available in one model and lives yet another year. The 550 fan engine continues in three models as a great motor with very tame power. Finally the 750 four-stroke continues to power four models; three of them on Turbo.
| Liberty 795cc Cleanfire | 7 models |
| Liberty 599cc Cleanfire | 10 models |
| Polaris 750cc Four-Stroke Turbo | 3 models |
| Polaris Fuji 544cc Fan | 3 models |
| Polaris 750cc Four-Stroke | 1 model |
| Polaris Fuji 488 liquid | 1 model |
Trail
Ok. Polaris introduced the Rush last year with a little fanfare, so this year they are going pretty much all-out. There are two top-performing Rush models for 2011; the standard Rush and the Rush Pro-R. The Pro-R gives you a high-performance shock package as well as a few lighter weight parts. It’s basically like last year’s Rush. The standard Rush gives you a good shock package, but lacks the lighter weight parts that the Pro-R offers. They have four models for this segment; 800 Rush Pro-R, 600 Rush Pro-R, 800 Rush and 600 Rush.
The IQ chassis returns in the Turbo IQ, 600 IQ Shift and 550 IQ Shift.
| 800 Rush Pro-R | Liberty 800 engine, 15x121x1.25 RipSaw track, Pro-Ride Chassis, Walker Evans Piggyback shocks, Lightweight Freestyle Seat |
| 800 Rush | Liberty 800 engine, 15x121x1 HackSaw track, Pro-Ride Chassis, Fox shocks, Lightweight Freestyle Seat |
| 600 Rush Pro-R | Liberty 600 engine, 15x121x1.25 RipSaw 2-ply track, Pro-Ride Chassis, Walker Evans Piggyback shocks, Lightweight Freestyle Seat |
| 600 Rush | Liberty 600 engine, 15x121x1.25 RipSaw 2-ply track, Pro-Ride Chassis, Fox shocks, Lightweight Freestyle Seat |
| Turbo IQ | Polaris 740 4-stroke Turbo engine, 15x121x1.25 RipSaw track, IQ Chassis, Walker Evans Piggyback shocks, Freestyle Seat |
| 600 IQ Shift | Liberty 600 engine, 15x121x1 HackSaw track, IQ Chassis, Shift Package, Ryde FX shocks, Lightweight Freestyle Seat |
| 550 IQ Shift | Polaris 550 Fan engine, 15x121x.91 Shockwave track, IQ Chassis, Shift Package, Ryde FX shocks, Lightweight Freestyle Seat |
Mountain
While the Rush has had time in the spotlight, nothing seems to be more anticipated than the new Pro RMK. This is the Pro-Ride body work with a more conventional style tunnel and new rear suspension. The new chassis is only available with the 800 motor. If you were hesitant to buy a Polaris with an 800 motor the last couple years, don’t be for next year. You’ll get a great machine with a more reliable, yet strong engine. The 600 RMK utilizes the very capable IQ style chassis.
| 800 Pro-RMK 163 | Liberty 800 engine, 15x163x2.4 Series 5.1 track, Pro-Ride Chassis, Walker Evans shocks, RMK Freestyle Seat |
| 800 Pro-RMK 155 | Liberty 800 engine, 15x155x2.4 Series 5.1 track, Pro-Ride Chassis, Walker Evans shocks, RMK Freestyle Seat |
| 800 RMK 155 | Liberty 800 engine, 15x155x2.4 Series 5.1 track, Pro-Ride Chassis, Ryde FX shocks, RMK Freestyle Seat |
| 800 Assault RMK 155 | Liberty 800 engine, 15x144x2 Series 4 track, Pro-Ride Chassis, Walker Evans Needle shocks, Freestyle Seat |
| 600 RMK 155 | Liberty 600 engine, 15x155x2.4 Series 5.1 track, RMK Chassis, base package, Ryde FX shocks, RMK Freestyle Seat |
| 600 RMK 144 | Liberty 600 engine, 15x144x2 Series 4 track, RMK Chassis, base package, Ryde FX shocks, Freestyle Seat |
Crossover
More exciting news is in the crossover models. The Pro-Ride body work comes to this model segment as well. The 800 Switchback Assault gets the updated styling with the new RMK tunnel and a 144 version of the new suspension. The 600 Switchback is the same as last year and the 600 Shift 136 and 550 Shift 136 are perfect for the customizer or frugal buyer.
| 800 Assault Switchback | Liberty 800 engine, 15x136x1.25 RipSaw track, Pro-Ride chassis, Walker Evans Piggyback shocks, Pro Taper bars, Lightweight Freestyle Seat |
| 600 Switchback | Liberty 600 engine, 15x136x1.25 RipSaw track, IQ Chassis, Walker Evans Piggyback shocks, Lightweight Freestyle Seat |
| 600 Shift 136 | Liberty 600 engine, 15x136x1 HackSaw track, IQ Chassis, Ryde FX, Freestyle Seat |
| 550 Shift 136 | Liberty 550 Fan motor, 15x136x1 HackSaw track, IQ Chassis, Ryde FX shocks, Freestyle Seat |
Tour and Utility
So you’re a solo touring rider but you like the Pro-Ride chassis and suspension? Well Polaris has that model in the 600 Rush LX. It’s similar to the performance Rush, but includes mirrors and a rear rack for saddle bags. The rest of the touring and utility models have remained pretty much the same as last year.
| 600 Rush LX | Liberty 600, 15x120x1 LWT track, Pro-ride chassis, Fox shocks, mirrors, luggage rack |
| Turbo IQ LX | Polaris 740 4-stroke Turbo engine, 15x136x1 HackSaw track, IQ Chassis, MPV shocks |
| Turbo IQ LXT | Polaris 740 4-stroke Turbo engine, 15x136x1 HackSaw track, IQ Touring Chassis, Touring Package, MPV shocks, 2-Up Pillow seat, Removable, Adj. Backrest |
| 600 IQ LXT | Liberty 600 engine, 15x136x1 HackSaw track, IQ Touring Chassis, Touring Package, RydeFX MPV shocks, 2-Up Pillow seat, Removable, Adj. Backrest |
| 550 IQ LXT | Polaris 550 Fan engine, 15x136x1 HackSaw track, IQ Touring Chassis, RydeFX MVP shocks, 2-Up seat, Removable, Adj. Backrest |
| 600 IQ WideTrak | Liberty 600 engine, 20x156x1.25 track, IQ Utility Chassis, Nitrex shocks, 2 Passenger with storage, Adj. Backrest |
| FS IQ WideTrak | Polaris 740 4-stroke engine, 20x156x1.25 track, IQ Utility Chassis, Nitrex shocks, 2 Passenger with storage, Adj. Backrest |
| WideTrak LX | Polaris 488 liquid engine, 20x156x1 Shockwave track, GEN II Chassis, Nitrex shocks, 2 Passenger with storage, Adj. Backrest |
So there you have it; more of everything from Polaris. The Rush line and Pro-Ride chassis expands across all model segments in one model or another. The Pro-Ride has a lot to offer and is the most exciting chassis to come from Polaris since the original Indy. We liked the Rush in 2010 and you’re a Polaris die-hard looking for the latest and greatest, Polaris is offering it for you in 2011.