Polaris Sportsman All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) are known as the hardest working, smoothest riding ATVs on the market. New to the Premium Line for 2015, and leading the Big Bore category in power and performance, are the Sportsman XP 1000 and Sportsman Touring XP 1000.

Based on the revolutionary XP chassis, the Sportsman XP 1000 and Sportsman Touring XP 1000 offer the smoothest, most-refined ride in the industry coupled with the highest performance in their classes.

The vehicles’ 88 horsepower ProStar single overhead cam 1000 twin engine is based upon the proven 850 twin. A new high-performance close-ratio, On-Demand, true AWD system provides improved traction while the EPS makes it easier to muscle over anything that stands in the way.

For more controlled descents, the units also feature Polaris’ Engine Braking System (EBS) with Active Descent Control (ADC) to control downhill braking for optimal control and smooth, even deceleration to all four wheels.

For a smoother ride on the Sportsman Touring XP 1000, the unit features an improved driver and passenger seat with more contour and bolstering for increased passenger comfort and security.

To work harder, the units feature the highest pulling and towing power at 1,500 lbs./680.4 kg and biggest rack capacity at 120 lbs./54.4 kg front and 240 lbs./108.9 kg. rear with a total of 100 built-in, tie-down points to ensure plenty of room to carry extra cargo.

The units also feature a Polaris HD 2500 lb/1133 kg winch and plow accessory integration to get the job done quicker and easier, and a new headlight pod with improved visibility to instrumentation for easier operation.

The Sportsman XP 1000 will join Polaris’ Premium ATV line, and will be available in Black Pearl Metallic Paint and Polaris Pursuit Camo. The Sportsman Touring XP 1000 will be available in Bronze Mist Paint and joins Polaris’ Premium 2-Up ATV offering.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered Parts, Accessories and Apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Kolpin and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PII, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com.

The appeal of pure sport side-x-sides is evident in just about every post we make on our Facebook page. Doesn’t matter anymore what vehicle we’re talking about, whatever the horsepower or engine configuration, you’ve made it clear you want more.

We’ve also noticed that in the eyes of many commenters every side-x-side absolutely MUST be a dune thrashing speed demon or we shouldn’t be talking about it.

Lots of guys dream of having sports cars, but a pickup truck might be the more practical choice. It’s probably why we don’t see a lot of pure sport side-x-sides out mending fences or in the bush hauling out big game.

Here’s the deal, not every SxS is a pure sport and although this segment gets a lot of the spotlight, the reality is, it isn’t the meat of the market.

Truthfully, as appealing as the pure sport market is, the utility segment seems the more practical choice for the average dude. Before the RZR was introduced, guys bought Rangers, Rhinos and Prowlers and rode ‘em on the trails while also using them to haul firewood or camping gear.

We were kind of surprised by the comments about the Viking recently. Seems the point of this vehicle went right over the heads of many readers who think Yamaha should’ve gone 100-percent pure sport instead of appealing to hunters, farmers and a huge portion of the off-road community. We don’t fully disagree and would like to see a pure sport SxS from the big Y, but the Viking is a smart addition to its lineup… and it has mass consumer appeal.

Get up close to utility SxSs like the Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT or Polaris Ranger 900 XP and see the engineering and thought that’s put into them and it’s clear this segment deserves attention. John Deere’s Gator 825i landed on our doorstep earlier this season and we’re reluctant to ever give it back. It’s Chery-built DOHC triple chugs along like a tugboat and it has the right comfort amenities to satisfy many consumers in a variety of applications from farming to hitting the trails for a whole day of fun.

The pure sport market sure is appealing and we hope it continues to grow and become even more competitive as more manufacturers jump into the arena. However, let’s not forget to show the workhorses the respect they’re due.

No, we’re not talking about a new Honda transmission – that would be “Hondamatic”.

What we’re talking about is how strong the presence of Honda is in the marketplace every time the company makes a change to one or all of its ATVs.

Honestly, it’s like magic how the industry gets stirred up when Honda introduces a new model or a change to an existing one. We can monitor that magic on this website by the number of Facebook ‘likes’ we get on Honda articles. It’s pretty impressive and begs a couple of questions.

One, what’s the source of the magic? We don’t think it’s rooted in awesome new technology. Frankly, Honda has lived by the “simpler is better” adage for a long time and only recently has re-activated the drive for new and innovative tech the company was famous for ten or fifteen years ago.

We do think it has more to do with rider confidence and rider experience. There are so many thousands of satisfied owners and former owners of Honda products out there, the company has established an image of unsurpassed quality and durability over the last five decades. We used to joke you could buy any Honda product and start beating it with a club from the day it left the showroom and keep beating it for the next ten years and it would still perform faithfully and be worth ridiculous money used.

Maybe an exaggeration, but there are a number of enthusiasts out there who firmly believe Honda’s quality is better than anyone else’s and have the years of service to prove it.

No, we don’t think this is enough to stir the souls of hardcore off-roaders – but wow, are there ever a lot of curious onlookers to our posts.

It begs another question: What if Honda started to capitalize on this magic strength it owns and began offering more models with top-of-class performance? The company could put some pretty solid competitors in the rear-view mirror, pronto!

There’s been some significant battling taking place in the industry as OEMs try to outrank one another with the most horsepower.

It’s nothing new, really. This one-upmanship has been going on for years in almost every segment of powersports.

In the ATV and SxS biz however, it begs examination. Does it really matter if an engine of one company’s brand has four or five more horsepower than a competitor? The obvious answer is yes, but there are a couple of caveats.

First, if the engine requires unreasonably high RPM to develop its peak horsepower numbers, it can become virtually unrideable in heavy load situations like hauling cargo, towing, slogging through thick mud in 4WD or extreme climbing. Hey, doesn’t this sound like familiar territory for off-road riders?

Yes, the same high-revving engine will go faster than a comparable ATV or SxS when it’s wound out – maybe on a flat, wide-open surface – but will it perform as capably in about 95-percent of real riding conditions?

Secondly, it’s hard difficult to get real torque numbers from the manufacturers. Everyone loves to crow about HP but just try to find out what the peak torque output is on most popular off-road vehicles.

Unless we individually dyno-test every vehicle, it leaves us in a position of trying to compare apples to oranges.

Frankly, we suspect the dynamometer torque readings for some big-inch singles meets or surpasses the output of many bigger displacement and higher horsepower twins and V-twins.

Yes, in a drag race the twins are faster but when it comes to real world use, the big single will out-pull, out-haul and out-climb them. It’s one reason 500 to 700cc singles are so popular and so nicely fill the bill of requirements of masses of owners.

Our only suggestion as a remedy for this lack of good info is for you to “try before you buy”. After a good test ride you may be very surprised at how much better the “other ” vehicle with less advertised horsepower performs.

Honda’a automobile division has converted to CVT trannys in the newest Accord and, typical of Honda engineering, its design and function is unique and exclusive to the brand.

Honda’s car CVT uses a torque converter combined with a continuously variable primary-secondary pulley system just like most CVTs and a steel drivebelt running in an oil bath to control belt heat and friction.

The idea of using a torque converter means the belt is engaged all the time with both pulleys turning, much like a CVT using a Sprague clutch, but engagement is butter smooth and gear ratios can be tuned very precisely as the vanes in the torque converter make the drive even more variable.

Honda is very pleased with the durability and reliability of the CVT and the fact it has way fewer parts than a slush box makes it cheaper to manufacture and way lighter.

We think Honda is testing this tranny in upcoming new models of the Rincon (due for an update) and in its Pioneer SxS, both of which use an automotive style torque converter transmission now.

Using a proven CVT opens the door for a long list of new models – possibly with higher performance engines – and we think, an open opportunity to leap into the high performance SxS field to compete with the Wildcat and RZR.

We’re also pretty sure Honda would like to be viewed as THE innovator in off-road and this unique design, entirely adaptable to ATV and SxS use, would set the company apart in a very significant way.

There’s no question reliability standards would be very high and the fact the system doesn’t use a rubber drivebelt would be seen as a plus by many consumers.

As usual, we’re only guessing, but we think the success of this CVT and its many benefits to Honda will see it on off-road vehicles within the next 24 months.

So far we’ve seen wide, wide and wider side-x-sides, then narrow ones, then three, four and even six-seaters! Don’t even think about all the engine configurations available and the big question of whether or not you want a high performance SxS or a sport-ute.

It’s actually pretty cool how the market has made its demands known and even cooler how the OEMs have responded by virtually custom tailoring their model line-ups so you can buy one vehicle and get it all!

Right now there appears to be a move toward even more rider-specific side-x-sides with the recent intro of Can-Am’s Maverick Xmr. The Xmr is designed to grab the attention of serious mud riders and features mud-specific tires and wheels, a hefty winch, a high-mounted engine air intake and a high mounted ventilator for the CVT.

The 30-inch Silverback tires look like they came right off a backhoe and they actually jack up the ground clearance to 13-inches – it looks like way more, really.

One huge feature is adjustable Fox air suspension. You may be thinking “why do I need this?” The point of air suspension is to enable the driver to keep the Xmr pointed straight when engaging the hidden underwater world of rocks, stumps and dead things you can’t see during violent sludge riding.

There’s nothing worse than getting tossed sideways or jarred off-course when you hit that unseen object with the pedal to the metal and all four meats spinning wildly. Although the air shocks won’t cure the issue 100-percent, they will soak up the worst of the impact and depending on what you’re riding through, your speed and riding experience, you can dial in the shocks to suit conditions. Nice touch!

With its 101-hp V-twin and ViscoLok 4WD system, the Xmr is a pretty serious piece of equipment and is designed to meet the needs of a very specific group of riders. We like the trend and think Can-Am may have opened the door to a whole herd of competitors who will be getting on board.

KYMCO USA is rolling into 2015 with 32 models of off-road vehicle, including four versions of the all-new mid sized UXV 450i side-by-side vehicle and a UXV 500i outfitted with a 5kW generator sure to help operators with a variety of utility applications and chores. Also on the list of new vehicles is four EPS models in the popular MXU Series ATV line and two newly designed Youth Quads in the Mongoose 90S and 70S that are sure please younger ATV riders.

UXV 450i

Offering a completely revised design to KYMCO’s line-up of UXV side-by-side vehicle, the UXV 450i ($7,999), UXV 450i TURF ($8,499), UXV 450i CAMO ($8,499) and UXV 450i LE 50th ($8,699) all are motivated by a fuel-injected 443cc SOHC 4-stroke 4-valve liquid-cooled engine.

Power is transferred via shaft drive with push-button on-demand 2WD/4WD, transmission duties are handled by a tough automatic CVT (H-L-N-R-P) with differential lock, the front and rear suspension receive an independent dual A-arm set-up with 7.5 inches of travel, a 25×8-12 front and 25×10-12 rear tire/wheel package aids in achieving a log-crossing 10 inches of ground clearance, the 8.5-gallon fuel tank will keep you on trail with hydraulic disc brakes that safely reels the entire package down from speed.

The standard UXV 450i model comes in either Red or Blue; the CAMO model features the True Timber New Conceal CAMO pattern; the TURF model, featuring KYMCO’s Tight Turn Turf Control with front differential lock and open, selectable rear differential with differential lock, Turf tires, CVT transmission and hydraulic brakes and a shaft-mounted parking brake make it ideal for multi surfaces from trail riding, hard asphalt to Golf Course Greens; and the Limited Edition (LE) 50th Anniversary model outfitted with aluminum alloy wheels, 3,000-lb. winch, and Metallic Gold paint and exclusive 50th Anniversary KYMCO Emblem.

UXV 500i G

Introduced alongside the UXV 500i LE 50th ($10,199) and UXV 500i CAMO ($9,999) is another new addition to KYMCO’s side-by-side family of vehicles, the totally innovative, mobile electric power generating solution UXV 500i G ($12,999) combines all the features and benefits of our go-anywhere, recreational UXV Series Side X Sides with a fully integrated Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC) 5kW Generator with a (5) point integrated safety system, a KYMCO exclusive includes a GFCI safety circuit breaker generating all the power you’ll ever need, where and when you need it.

With full digital monitoring and industry leading automatic electrical load compensation the UXV 500i G produces consistent, spike-free power under any condition on the job or on the trail. Available in Red, the UXV 500i G also features Tight Turn Turf Control with front differential lock and open, selectable rear differential with differential lock, CVT transmission, hydraulic brakes with shaft-mounted parking brake, a soft top and full windshield.

Rounding out KYMCO USA’s side-by-side line are two versions of the 45hp UXV 700i introduced last year – the UXV 700i LE 50th ($10,699) and the UXV 700i CAMO ($10,499) models. The UXV 700i LE 50th comes with black aluminum alloy wheels, 26×9-14 and 26×11-14 tires, 3,000-lb. winch, and Metallic Gold paint with 50th Anniversary Emblem; the UXV 700i CAMO offers True Timber New Conceal CAMO pattern.

In addition to those model-specific offerings, all of KYMCO’s UXV models come standard with an on-demand 2WD/4WD drive system with engine braking to traverse the steepest of declines, a 440-lb.-capacity tilting cargo bed, 1,200-lb. towing capacity, 2-inch receiver hitch, winch mounting plate, handbrake, dual headlights and taillights, a locking glove box, underseat and under hood storage, multi-function digital instrument display, 12V accessory outlet and dual beverage holder.

ATVs

KYMCO’s ATV line features 18 models, with the adult models highlighted by three 50th Anniversary versions, two come standard with (EPS), electronic power steering providing smooth responsive steering at all speeds, lets you ride for recreation or work all day with less arm fatigue; and three True Timber New Conceal CAMO pattern models, two featuring EPS.

The MXU 700i EPS LE 50th ($9,799), MXU 700i EPS CAMO ($9,399) and MXU 700i CAMO ($8,799) all are powered by a fuel-injected 695cc SOHC 4-stroke 4-valve liquid-cooled engine producing 45hp.

The MXU 500i EPS LE 50th ($8,699), MXU 500i EPS CAMO ($8,299) and MXU 500i CAMO ($7,699) are powered by a fuel-injected 499cc DOHC 4-stroke 4-valve liquid-cooled engine developing 36hp.

All MXU 700i and 500i ATVs feature an automatic CVT (H-L-N-R-P) transmission with differential lock, on-demand 2WD/4WD selection, independent dual A-arm front and rear suspension with sway bar offering 6.2 inches and 6.8 inches of travel, respectively; hydraulic dual disc front brake and shaft-mounted hydraulic rear brake; 100-lb. front rack capacity, 187-lb. rear rack capacity, standard 2-inch receiver with a 1,050-lb. towing capacity, and right (locking) and left fender storage compartments.

The MXU 450i LE 50th ($6,699) and MXU 450i CAMO ($6,399) get their motivation from a fuel-injected 443cc SOHC 4-stroke 4-valve liquid-cooled engine.

The two 450i ATVs feature an automatic CVT (H-L-N-R-P) transmission, on-demand 2WD/4WD, independent dual A-arm front and rear suspension offering 7 inches of travel, hydraulic dual disc front and single disc rear brakes, 24×8-12 front and 24×10-12 rear tires, 75-lb. front rack capacity, 150-lb. rear rack capacity and a standard 2-inch receiver with a 1,050-lb. towing capacity.

The 50th Anniversary version of the MXU 450i, 500i and 700i ATVs are outfitted with aluminum alloy wheels (chrome for the MXU 450i, black for the MXU 500i and 700i) 3,000-lb. winch and 50th Anniversary Emblems; the CAMO version of the 450i, 500i and 700i ATVs feature True Timber New Conceal CAMO pattern.

Finally, for young riders, KYMCO for 2015 offers the new four-stroke Mongoose 70S ($2,199) and Mongoose 90S ($2,499) sporting a new aggressive body design and all new graphics package. The *Mongoose 90S, (Y-10) for riders 10 years of age and older, features an easy to use CVT Automatic transmission with Forward, Neutral and Reverse. Both the *Mongoose 70S, (Y-6) for riders 6 years of age and older and Mongoose 90S come standard with front and rear lights and an auto-stop safety lanyard and are available in red and blue.

All KYMCO off-road vehicles contain U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestors, are California Green Sticker compliant, and feature a one-year factory warranty. See the entire line-up at your nearest authorized KYMCO dealer.

KYMCO’s roots in the power sports industry go back to it’s founding in 1963 as the Kwang Yang Motor Co. Ltd. With headquarters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, KYMCO has long been a leader in quality, fuel economy and versatility. Today KYMCO is the largest scooter manufacturer in Taiwan, exports to 89 countries worldwide, and manufactures scooters, motorcycles, ATVs and UXV side-by-side vehicles at five ISO-9001 quality accredited plants in Asia. Serving consumers and a selection of valued OEM clients, KYMCO is committed to maximum customer satisfaction, constant innovation, and making use of the most advanced CAD/CAE tools to bring superior engineering and design to their products. KYMCO USA, wholly owned by Kwang Yang Motor Co. Ltd., is the exclusive importer/distributor of KYMCO brand products in the United States. With its headquarters, marketing and distribution based in Spartanburg, S.C., KYMCO USA serves more than 600 dealers in the U.S. and Caribbean and is dedicated to building the brand’s reputation and market share through superior value, frequent new product introductions, excellence in dealer network support, participation in enthusiast events, race support and sponsorship, and strategic industry partnerships with organizations such as AMA Pro Road Racing & Pro Flat Track, NHRA, Tread Lightly!, (SVIA) Specialty Vehicle Institute of America and (MIC) Motorcycle Industry Council.

Learn more at KYMCOUSA.com.