Ping Pong
08/12/2004, 19h59
Maximum Sled Review: 2005 Polaris Super Sport
Fun, dependable and economical.
12/7/04
TOP STORY
Wade West
Polaris has the corner on legacy names. When someone says Indy 500, you immediately know the general configuration of the sled they’re talking about. Today, we’re talking about the Super Sport. If you’ve had experience with a Super Sport, this article is already over. You already know about its general fun factor, its dependability and its value. If not, read on.
Fun Factor
Powering the Super Sport is a sporty 550cc fan-cooled twin. It cranks out roughly 60 horsepower on a cool day—a little more on a cold day, a little less on a sunny day. This is the primary drawback of a fanner. Regardless, those 60 ponies give this sled just enough go power to still get a ticket in most states.
Aside from the safe but fun little powerplant, the best attribute of the Super Sport is that it’s built into the same Edge chassis as the full-powered, liquid-cooled XC SP models. This gives the sled all of the great cornering and handling characteristics of the aggressive trail machines, with just enough snort to teach younger riders the ropes of making machine do what you want it to do.
While things like el-cheapo steel skis and not-as-high-performance twin tube Nitrex shocks help keep the costs down, they are also part of the fun factor and learning exercise. The skis will turn a corner, but not as sharply as their composite counterparts. This means there’s some play in the corner, but because the power’s not too high, the understeer isn’t overwhelming. Likewise, the shock package isn’t going to put up with a full day of 700 XC SP-style abuse, but again the power factor lets you play like you’re on a liquid sled without totally sacking out the suspension because you’re not putting all of the forces through the system.
Not only is the Super Sport built up like the bigger pony models, it’s also painted up like them. A casual observer (or photo picker, in our case) can easily confuse the XC SPs and Switchbacks with the SS if they’re not careful.
Dependability
With many years of experience under its belt, the Super Sport has proven itself one of the more dependable models on the show floor. The engine is just about bulletproof in normal operations. The Edge chassis has exactly all of its functionality kinks worked out and is enjoying its golden years before being put out to pasture.
Value
Polaris cuts corners on the Super Sport where it can. That’s just the way it is on a sled with a modest $5100 list price. The aforementioned steelies and Nitrex shocks are tow places where Polaris is able to bring a workable and inexpensive solution to the sled. It also leaves the crate without a tach and accompanying wiring.
But there are also elements of the trail shredders that are standard to the Super Sport that enhance the ride experience but are not necessary. For instance, the high performance Phantom hydraulic brake system is standard on the SS. It’s not necessary for this model, but it sure makes it nicer to drive. The Fox Position Sensitive shock on the rear torque arm also makes the ride nicer. The SS also received the new quiet chain tensioner in the driveline—another little plus on the trail. But wait, there’s more. Super Sport owners will find the Team Rapid Reaction roller secondary in the sled, along with the weightless PERC electronic reverse system.
If dependability is your main priority with value as a strong second suit, the ’05 Super Sport deserves a good long look. However, with so many non-current units still plaquing up the pipeline, you could well drive a better bargain this winter.
http://www.maximumsled.com/maximumsled/articlefiles/563-Supersporttop.jpg
Fun, dependable and economical.
12/7/04
TOP STORY
Wade West
Polaris has the corner on legacy names. When someone says Indy 500, you immediately know the general configuration of the sled they’re talking about. Today, we’re talking about the Super Sport. If you’ve had experience with a Super Sport, this article is already over. You already know about its general fun factor, its dependability and its value. If not, read on.
Fun Factor
Powering the Super Sport is a sporty 550cc fan-cooled twin. It cranks out roughly 60 horsepower on a cool day—a little more on a cold day, a little less on a sunny day. This is the primary drawback of a fanner. Regardless, those 60 ponies give this sled just enough go power to still get a ticket in most states.
Aside from the safe but fun little powerplant, the best attribute of the Super Sport is that it’s built into the same Edge chassis as the full-powered, liquid-cooled XC SP models. This gives the sled all of the great cornering and handling characteristics of the aggressive trail machines, with just enough snort to teach younger riders the ropes of making machine do what you want it to do.
While things like el-cheapo steel skis and not-as-high-performance twin tube Nitrex shocks help keep the costs down, they are also part of the fun factor and learning exercise. The skis will turn a corner, but not as sharply as their composite counterparts. This means there’s some play in the corner, but because the power’s not too high, the understeer isn’t overwhelming. Likewise, the shock package isn’t going to put up with a full day of 700 XC SP-style abuse, but again the power factor lets you play like you’re on a liquid sled without totally sacking out the suspension because you’re not putting all of the forces through the system.
Not only is the Super Sport built up like the bigger pony models, it’s also painted up like them. A casual observer (or photo picker, in our case) can easily confuse the XC SPs and Switchbacks with the SS if they’re not careful.
Dependability
With many years of experience under its belt, the Super Sport has proven itself one of the more dependable models on the show floor. The engine is just about bulletproof in normal operations. The Edge chassis has exactly all of its functionality kinks worked out and is enjoying its golden years before being put out to pasture.
Value
Polaris cuts corners on the Super Sport where it can. That’s just the way it is on a sled with a modest $5100 list price. The aforementioned steelies and Nitrex shocks are tow places where Polaris is able to bring a workable and inexpensive solution to the sled. It also leaves the crate without a tach and accompanying wiring.
But there are also elements of the trail shredders that are standard to the Super Sport that enhance the ride experience but are not necessary. For instance, the high performance Phantom hydraulic brake system is standard on the SS. It’s not necessary for this model, but it sure makes it nicer to drive. The Fox Position Sensitive shock on the rear torque arm also makes the ride nicer. The SS also received the new quiet chain tensioner in the driveline—another little plus on the trail. But wait, there’s more. Super Sport owners will find the Team Rapid Reaction roller secondary in the sled, along with the weightless PERC electronic reverse system.
If dependability is your main priority with value as a strong second suit, the ’05 Super Sport deserves a good long look. However, with so many non-current units still plaquing up the pipeline, you could well drive a better bargain this winter.
http://www.maximumsled.com/maximumsled/articlefiles/563-Supersporttop.jpg