Polaris Announces 2011 Rush 800 PRO-R

Monday, February 8th, 2010 @ 12:00:00

After creating what was surely the biggest model news for 2010 with the somewhat unusual looking Pro-Ride 600 Rush last season, Polaris has answered the question everyone was asking almost immediately after peering under the removable cowl; where’s the 800? The new 800 Rush was revealed to salivating members of the Polaris fold in its entirety on February 5th, after being teased with subtle views of the vehicle days prior on the Polaris website.
    As the name implies, the 800 Rush combines the semi-direct injected Liberty 800 twin with the technologically advanced Pro-Ride chassis and same said named Pro-Ride rear suspension. The list of technical wizardry associated with the Pro-Ride is a long one; featuring a cast bulkhead, lightweight rotor and jackshaft, premium Walker Evans Needle shocks and styling that vaguely hints towards the square jawed Indy of yesteryear.
    Yet the focal point of the Pro-Ride vehicle continues to be it’s exposed tubular rear suspension, with a massive rear shock mounted outside the parameters of the 15”x120”x1.25” RipSaw track. Damping forces from a triangulated rear arm and an under-seat mount, Polaris claims the Pro-Ride skid is the only true progressive rate suspension in existence today, allowing the Rush to deliver a level of bump absorption and ride quality unlike any other.
    Of course with a new model year, comes other changes as well all in an effort to refine the Rush even further. Those of note for 2011 include a revised rail profile for improved speed and quieter operation; a revised front torque arm for improved stud clearance; a new rear mid-flap mounted cooler said to bolster the current cooling system during low snow conditions; changes to the rear torque arm to not only allow for the rear cooler but to simplify the system; and a new lightweight silencer said to shed 7-pounds from the previous 800 twin suitcase silencer found on IQ models previously.
    While the 800 Liberty is down on power compared to other 800 contenders in its class, efficient Polaris clutching and the sizzle of the Pro-Ride chassis will make the 800 Rush one of the most coveted models on snow next winter. The new models don’t stop there for Polaris, as their entire model line will be released on March 9th.