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COPYRIGHT 2005 Ehlert Publishing Group
There were no handkerchief-masked men wielding guns nor wile criminals breaking the law at Polaris' 2006 press launch. There was, however, several Outlaws in our midst, ready to stalk Coal Creek OHV area near Oak Ridge, Tenn., in the Smoky Mountains.
As we arrived at Polaris' model unveiling, we began speculating what the company had in store for us. Was it a 450, a 650 or even a 700 sport quad? Polaris engineers weren't ready to let us in on their secret, but we were willing to wait--albeit anxiously. After unveiling its entire '06 model lineup (see sidebar), Polaris finally made its way to the last quad hiding underneath a blue blanket. Like a prisoner getting released from solitary confinement, the Outlaw finally emerged from its dark confines as the blanket was yanked off the all-new quad.
We soon learned our guesses were off, way off. No, Polaris isn't following the trendy move toward a 450 sport quad ready to tackle motocross tracks, although it does already offer a kit so riders can compete in motocross With Matt Smiley signed on as a factory rider and an unprecedented GNCC contingency effort, we should have guessed Polaris' focus is on the trail. For the first time ever on a sport quad, Polaris debuts the Outlaw with an Independent Rear Suspension. That's right, IRS technology has finally landed on a sport quad chassis--perfect for trail riders and GNCC racers. It has certainly been a long time coming, but the Outlaw could now be the Yosemite Sam-like rebel rouser forcing change among many ATV manufacturers.
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Breaking The Rules
Polaris kept hammering home to the ATV press during its launch that it was breaking all the previous rules and thinking for a sport quad. After riding and evaluating the...
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