CLOSER REVIEW OF THE POLARIS RS1

— 10 FAST FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW —

Sporting the exact same 110-hp ProStar twin engine and suspension as the RZR XP 1000, the RS1 is surely no Ace, and it’s built from the ground up to race. In its debut race at the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) opener in Las Vegas, the RS1 dominated the SxS Pro and Pro Stock classes with Ronnie Anderson at the wheel. Here are the top ten must-know facts about the all-new $13,999 RZR RS1.

1) HEAVY TURBO INFLUENCE

While the engine is from the XP1K, the front differential, primary and secondary CVT clutches, CVT belt and transmission are from the RZR XP Turbo. This is great news for racers, knowing the drive-train can stand up to considerably more horsepower than the stock twin produces.

2) WALKER EVANS RACING SUSPENSION

Although the single-seat bodywork is much more narrow, track width is the same as the XP1K at 64 inches, and so is travel. Walker Evans 2.0 piggyback needle shocks work with long A-arms to provide 16 inches of front travel, while the rear trailing arms work with WER 2.5 remote-reservoir rear shocks to deliver 18 inches of rear-wheel travel. Two torsion bars fight body roll. The aftermarket will only have to tweak spring rates and valving to perfect RS1 suspension action. Ronnie Anderson upgraded to WER Velocity shocks for his WORCS Vegas wins. Will Polaris offer a Fox and/or Dynamix Edition RS1?

3) RACING HARNESS EQUIPPED

The RS1 gets a seat belt similar to the Rocks and Trails Edition RZR XP1K. The Sub-Zero four-point harness has padded shoulders and retains the ignition cut-out and seat-belt warning light if the lap belt is not attached. Add nets and nerf bars and go racing!

4) RAD RADIATOR MOUNTING

Since most racers relocate the radiator to behind the cabin, the RS1 starts out with the radiator in the bed. It sits at a 45-degree angle and has twin fans riding in back, and the radiator cap is accessible by a removable cover. Holes in each removable rear fender directs fresh air into the radiator area, and the fans suck cooling air into the radiator. There is also a large aluminum heat shield below the radiator, which is housed by a plastic cover with louvers to let the hot air out.

5) SEATING FOR ONE

Entrance and exit by the cut-down half door on the left, and the ignition key, two light toggles and 2WD/4WD switch are on the right-side bodywork. A combination analog/digital instrument pod rides on the tilt steering column. Speed and rpm needles are analog, and the center LCD screen can be configured to display different parameters. The standard RZR seat is adjustable, and so is the standard RZR steering wheel’s angle.

6) BRAKING FOR TWO (FEET)

A special, stepped brake pedal is designed for one- or two-foot driving, like rally and formula drift drivers do. Three-time Global Rallycross champion Tanner Foust is even interviewed on the RS1 page of the Polaris website. While the XP1K goes into Limp Mode if you use too much brake and throttle at the same time, the RS1 is programed not to go into Limp Mode.

7) BRAKES, WHEELS AND TIRES

The 29-inch Maxxis Bighorns on 14-inch blacked-out aluminum wheels are straight off of the XP1K, as is the entire braking system. Twin-piston hydraulic calipers squeeze perforated 248mm brake rotors at all four corners, but there is no EBS, just like the RZR XP1K. Anderson upgraded to 30-inch BF Goodrich KR2s on WER bead-lock wheels for WORCS.

8) RS1 HIGH-LIFTER EDITION?

Integrated into the bodywork, plastic ducts for the engine and CVT intakes run up the back of the cage to the very top, so the RS1 can go really deep without sucking water, deeper than any OEM UTV.

9) ACCESS PANELS AND STORAGE

Like we said, the rear fenders are removable; each is held on by two rubber straps and a latch like on the removable hood. There is a small storage bin under the hood, and a large panel behind the seat is removable to access the same air box and filters as the RZR XP1K. The radiator cover is also removable by twisting two latches, and the top of this cover is actually the minimalist bed with four tie-down loops and 50-pound capacity. There is also a small cubby hole in the dash for gloves and such.

10) WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

We got a chance to test drive demo units at Hammertown and were impressed with the acceleration and agility of the RS1. Although it’s only 29 pounds lighter than the XP1K, it’s much more agile, due to the 83-inch wheelbase, where the XP1K has a 90-inch wheelbase. Great, responsive power and a shorter wheelbase makes the RS1 buck and kick sideways in desert whoops, but it’ll be a terror to two-seaters in GNCCs and short-course racing!