Sportsman XP 1000 Test

Insane! Ridiculous! Irresponsible! I want my mommy! Reactions to the new Sportsman 1000 are bound to be as outrageous as the machine. Here at ATV UTV Action, we look at things like ATVers and UTVers. We know some people really need all that power for plowing snow or pulling cultivating equipment. Lots of other riders just like crazy-powerful ATVs. We also know you don’t need us to be the fun police; you need us to tell you if the quad is good or not, so let’s get to it!

HOW POWERFUL IS IT?
The Sportsman XP 1000 puts out 88 horsepower. That’s just one horsepower less than the Polaris Scrambler 1000. Can-Am’s Outlander 1000 puts out 82 horses. Arctic Cat’s 1000 XT makes 70 horsepower.

HOW EXPENSIVE IS IT?
The Sportsman XP 1000 is $11,999; not cheap by any means, but this is Polaris’ top-of-the-line 4×4 ATV. A look at the prices of other similarly equipped 1000s reveals that it’s the most expensive, but when you want the most powerful sport utility 4×4 on the planet, who cares? For the record, a Can-Am Outlander 1000 with power steering, painted bodywork and cast-aluminum wheels is $11,599. Arctic Cat’s nicely outfitted 1000 XT EPS is $11,199.

WHAT MAKES IT SO POWERFUL?
A big-bore, long-stroke version of the Sportsman 850’s 850cc, fuel-injected, single-overhead-cam, four-valve-percylinder inline twin. The compression ratio is 11:1, which is on the high side for a 4×4 ATV, but the Sportsman runs on regular gas. The 1000 is actually 952cc, and in case you’re wondering why the Scrambler 1000 makes one horsepower more, it’s the Sportsman’s quieter single-outlet exhaust. Polaris felt the Scrambler’s snorting dual exhaust was a little too rowdy for the more conservative Sportsman rider.

DO YOU GET MORE THAN POWER?
Of course. When you choose a topof- the-line machine, the list of luxuries almost never ends. The 1000 comes with power steering, Black Pearl Metallic paint or Polaris Pursuit Camo, 14-inch cast-alloy wheels with 26-inch PXT six-ply tires, a 2500-pound winch, and red shock springs.

WHAT KIND OF 4WD SYSTEM DOES IT HAVE?
The Sportsman 1000’s 4WD system has selectable 2WD/4WD with an automatic-locking front differential. It remains in 2WD until the speed-sensing system detects slip, then the front differential locks, providing power to all four wheels. The 1000’s front differential locks and unlocks even more quickly than previous Polaris speed-sensingsystems. Thanks to the power steering, there’s almost no extra steering effort when the system is in 4WD.

HOW FAST IS IT?
It’s really not that mind-boggling—if you drive top fuel dragsters or fly fighter jets for a living. If you ride normal 4×4 ATVs, tighten that helmet, because you are in for an eye-opening ride when you flip open those two 42mm throttle bodies. Before you even think of pinning this thing, give yourself some room to slow down, make sure nobody is too close up front—you don’t want to ram somebody and look like a goon—and don’t have anybody you like following too close, because you’re gonna roost ’em!

The fun of rolling the throttle open on the XP 1000 never gets old because there’s so much entertainment going on. The acceleration alone is a blast, and there’s the 1000’s muscle-car-like sound, and if there’s enough traction, you can wheelie while you accelerate. Less traction just means more roost.

HOW IS THE POWER ON THE TRAIL?
The 1000 isn’t the unruly beast we expected. In fact, it’s way more manageable than we anticipated. The Sportsman feels fast when you grab big handfuls of throttle, but Polaris made the off-idle response smooth to make the machine tractable and to keep people from getting into trouble.

We navigated some very technical rock formations on the Polaris, the kind where precise throttle control and smooth power delivery make all the difference, and the 1000 was remarkably easy to control. Minutes later, we were in deep sand, enjoying the 1000’s ability to climb and carve turns.

Regardless of where we rode the 1000, its smoothness and comfortable ergonomics made it a pleasure.

WHAT’S KIND OF SUSPENSION DOES IT HAVE?
Dual-A-arm front and rear suspension with 9 inches of travel up front and 10.25 inches in the rear. The rear A-arms are canted rearward to absorb bumps more smoothly. Spring preload is adjustable on the front and rear shocks.

HOW DOES THE SUSPENSION WORK?
It’s very good, especially considering what it has to handle. Great all-around suspension performance is a tough goal with any machine, and much tougher when it’s a very fast sport utility 4×4, the kind of quad that’s expected to be plush and comfortable exploring at slow cruising speeds and well-composed at a fast trail pace. The Sportsman 1000 has a truly luxurious ride in difficult terrain that you have to pick your way through. When the trail opens up and you can open the 1000 up, the suspension handles the machine’s amazing speed well.

HOW DOES IT HANDLE?
Like a lighter, less powerful machine than it is. It’s easy to go fast on the 1000 because the machine is so predictable and easy to maneuver, which says a lot about the chassis and suspension. Power steering does great things for the 1000’s feel, too, because it calms harsh feedback that tries to reach the rider through the front suspension and steering while it lightens the steering effort. The 1000 handles well in slow-going, too, with a secure, stable feel in off-camber terrain.

HOW IS IT ON HILLS?
Let’s just say power is not an issue when climbing hills. There’s no shortage of traction, either, thanks to the excellent 4WD system. Downhills are easy to navigate too. The Sportsman 1000 has an Active Descent Control mode that limits speed and provides four-wheel engine braking for going back down steep climbs. Separate front and rear brake controls would offer more control than the single brake lever, but the Sportsman’s brakes are strong.

HOW DOES IT HANDLE MUD AND WATER?
It’s one of the best-equipped machines around, no matter what you have to cross. Tons of power is always handy in deep water and mud. TESTED: POLARIS SPORTSMAN XP 1000 The Sportsman also has more ground clearance than most ATVs. The 4WD system is extremely effective, and the Polaris PXT tires are more aggressive than typical original-equipment meats. All that working together gives you a very good shot at reaching the other side.

HOW ARE THE DETAILS?
The Sportsman 1000 is everything you’d expect from a top-of-the-line machine. The wheels, the winch, and the richlooking paint give you lots to admire, but the best part is the machine itself is impressive. The engine and driveline are smooth and quiet, and the ergonomics are exceptionally comfortable. If we could change anything, we’d make the range selector more smooth and positive and reduce the power-steering assist slightly to add more feel at high speeds.

WHAT IS OUR FINAL ANSWER?
The Sportsman XP 1000 is more machine than most riders need, but it’s not too much for the human race to handle. Any experienced ATVer knows you can’t have enough power when you’re plowing snow, pulling cultivating equipment or making your riding buddies look bad. Even though it’s hard to believe, this is an absolute monster of a muscle quad in terms of power, but it has a very refined, balanced feel. If you’re obsessed with power but you want a quad that works much like a normal ATV—at least at small throttle openings—you have to consider this machine.

SPECS
POLARIS SPORTSMAN XP 1000

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
Engine type .. Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder
inline twin 4-stroke
Displacement ………………………………………… 952cc
Bore x stroke ……………………. 90.5mm x 74mm (x2)
Compression ratio ……………………………………..11:1
Lubrication system ……………………………..Wet sump
Additional cooling …………………………………..Auto fan
Carburetion ………………………………… 42mm EFI (x2)
Starting/back-up ……………………………………. Electric
Starting procedure …………………………… In any range
Idle adjustment ………………………………………….. N/A
Air filter:
Type …………………………………………………… Paper
Access ……… Remove seat, engine covers, airbox lid
Transmission ……………….. Dual-range CVT w/ reverse
Reverse procedure………… Move range selector to “R”
Drive system …….. Selectable 2WD/4WD w/automatic
front diff-lock
Final drives …………………………………………….Shafts

DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES/WEIGHTS
Fuel capacity ……………………………………… 5.25 gal.
Wheelbase …………………………………………………53”
Overall length/width/height ……… 83.25”/47.6”/50.75”
Seat height ………………………………………………..37”
Ground clearance ………………………………………11.5”
Dry weight …………………………………………… 773 lb.
Rack capacity: f/r …………………………….. 120/240 lb.
Towing capacity …………………………………… 1500 lb.

ROLLING CHASSIS
Frame …………………………………. Steel double-cradle
Suspension/wheel travel:
Front ………….Dual A-arms, shocks w/ adj. prel./9.0”
Rear ……… Dual A-arms, shocks w/ adj. prel./10.25”
Brakes/actuation:
Front …………………….Hydraulic discs/left-hand lever
Rear .. Hydraulic discs/left-hand lever, right-foot pedal
Parking … Lever lock on left-hand lever, shift lever park
position
Tires:
Front ……………………………….. 26x8R14 PXT radial
Rear ………………………………. 26x11R14 PXT radial

DETAILS
Instruments . Digital VDO fuel gauge, speed/odometer,
trip meter, clock, hour meter & gear, temp,
low battery lights
Lighting:
Front ………………………………..Triple 50W headlights
Rear …………………………………..Single tail/brake light
Colors ………………………………… Black Pearl Metallic
Minimum recommended operator age ………………..16
Suggested retail price ……………………………$11,999
Contact …………………………..Polaris, (800) POLARIS