The American company Polaris claims to have developed what is one of the hardest working quad bikes that provides a smooth ride in the form of the Sportsman Touring 850 H.O. However, would it make a good farm quad or utility ATV? What about a race quad?
The revised model for 2012 features increased performance and comes with an airbox and throttle body that have been totally revised. In regards to acceleration there is a 20% increase. This makes it very responsive, which is necessary given the fact that the ATV is almost 800 pounds with a wide girth. The Sportsman has what is termed Active Descent Control, which when travelling downhill at low speeds helps the rider to keep control as the front wheels lock to the rear ones.
Riders are able to select on demand true all-wheel drive and when this is chosen the front wheels come into play if any slippage is noticed on the rear wheels. Being on demand, this means that you are able to benefit from light steering effort as the front drive train only comes into play when needed if the rear wheels slip. The on demand true all-wheel drive is seen at its best when driving the quad through a mud hole. The system allows both of the front wheels to engage and as soon as traction is felt again the front wheels are disengaged automatically.
Polaris is a well-known name in farm quads, so the Sportsman Touring may be the answer to those steep, rugged and slippery hillsides around the farm.