Polaris UTV Product Reviews

RZR DYNAMIX REVIEW

RZR XP Turbo EPS DYNAMIX Edition

By Jon Crowley

I was fortunate enough to get an invite from Polaris to join them at Primm, Nevada for a ride in the new RZR XP Turbo EPS DYNAMIX Edition. Although many enthusiasts were looking for a completely redesigned top-of-the-line RZR that would compete more head-to-head against the Can-Am Maverick X3 X rs, I figured that Polaris would be a little more cautious when it comes to new vehicle releases. The current Polaris RZR XP platform is still a serious contender, but for the pure dunes and desert type rider, the Maverick is top of the heap with a more comfortable cab, more suspension and a wheelbase better suited for high speed in rough terrain.

That being said, the RZR XP platform is no slouch and I think it was wise for Polaris to introduce the new RZR DYNAMIX suspension system before a complete chassis redesign so the technology can mature with a stable RZR XP platform. 

RZR DYNAMIX is the world’s first intelligent suspension system designed specifically for off-road. The system includes sophisticated sensors continuously monitoring seven vehicle inputs to make adjustments – 200 times a second– to optimize the ride. Whether the vehicle is cornering, braking, accelerating, at speed or airborne, the system adjusts the suspension for the best response to the current driver inputs and terrain. These continuous changes give riders a more comfortable and more confident riding experience.

RZR DYNAMIX is available exclusively on the premium, two-seat RZR XP Turbo EPS DYNAMIX Edition. The vehicle also features the RIDE COMMAND 7” display with rear camer

RZR DYNAMIX

RZR DYNAMIX – Cornering

CORNERING

Attack a corner and the outside shocks instantly firm up to reduce body roll, keeping you flat for the most grip possible. DYNAMIX is even smart enough to retune when you counter steer.

RZR DYNAMIX

RZR DYNAMIX – Acceleration

SPEED

DYNAMIX stiffens all shocks as speed increases. You can also floor it from a dead stop or throttle out of a corner and the rear shocks firm up to maximize HP as you rocket forward. 

RZR DYNAMIX

RZR DYNAMIX – Jumping

AIRBORNE

Take to the air with confidence as DYNAMIX adjusts all 4 shocks to maximum resistance so you don’t bottom out when you finally come back down to Earth.

RZR DYNAMIX

RZR DYNAMIX – Braking

BRAKING

Tap the brakes and DYNAMIX immediately strengthens the front shocks to minimize diving and maximize travel to avoid bottoming out. Especially effective during sudden foot stomps.

In addition to the real-time adjustments by the system, riders can adjust the suspension ride modes via a switch on the dashboard, choosing from three suspension settings:

  • COMFORT; sets the suspension in the softest setting for the plushest ride
  • SPORT; for the ultimate performance and high-speed handling
  • FIRM; locks the suspension into maximum compression dampening for the most extreme riding conditions.

My experience with the RZR DYNAMIX spanned about 2.5 – 3 hours of driving on a guided ride. This was a little frustrating because we weren’t allowed to go as fast as I wanted in certain areas to test the DYNAMIX system to full potential.

But I was able to feel the difference in Comfort, Sport and Firm modes. I was absolutely able to feel the difference in each mode, and spent most of my time in Comfort so it would be easier to see how the DYNAMIX system adjusted to different inputs. While there weren’t any jumps available, I did find several spots along a pole line road with a rise and drop-off where the system adjusted to 10 on all shocks.  This was very comforting for those g-out type situations I often find myself in.  The RZR never came close to bottoming out.

Braking worked as advertised as well.  Hit the brakes and the front shocks stiffen up considerably. And if you want to firm up the front brakes quickly to handle an obstacle, all you have to do is tap the brakes and they will go to firm. Perfect for all those gotchas out in the desert.

I didn’t get as much time as I’d like to test out the cornering, but I did see it work on the Ride Command screen a few times.  This feature should help with body roll and I would expect that you may be able to run a lighter sway bar, but I think the sway bars on the RZR XP Turbo EPS DYNAMIX Edition are the same.

One interesting comment that was made to us is Firm mode is great for rock crawling.  The RZR will actually rise up a few inches in the slow technical terrain.  While I would rather not rock crawl with a stiff suspension, 2-inches of extra ground clearance in the rocks is a huge advantage.

We were told that these shocks have a wider range from Comfort to Firm that any other shock found on a RZR XP Turbo. As I mentioned earlier, I spent most of my time in Comfort mode and I don’t think the ride was as plush as it should.

The good news is these FOX shocks are 2.5 inch all around which saves some weight in the rear.  And other that the solenoid that replaces the standard clickers, these shocks are 95% the same as you would find in a RC2 style shock from FOX. Upgrades to springs (dual rate is a common upgrade) and valving should be that same as before, only the RZR DYNAMIX system works in conjunction with any changes made from stock. Remember that Polaris valves their shocks for a wide set of terrain and your location and driving style will probably differ. My biggest complaint on this shock package is the ride in the small chop.  Other than that, I was very happy with out-of-the-box handling for g-outs and whoops.

And I believe that what we are seeing today is just the start of smart shock evolution.  Expect more data points to be collected and available that will make this technology work even smarter. For example, if shock shaft speed can be collected and utilized, the ability to adjust to conditions will go up dramatically.

I have dropped my RZR XP Turbo EPS DYNAMIX Edition off with the crew at Shock Therapy. They will quickly use it for R&D so expect different shock upgrade packages to be available as soon as the unit is available at dealers.

Stay tuned because we plan to do quite a bit more testing on this unit after the shock upgrade.

 

RZR DYNAMIX’s real-time adjustments come to life through the revolutionary RIDE COMMAND® system. The glove-touch, weather-resistant, 7” display continuously indicates the suspension control system status – including compression dampening, selected mode, g-force, pedal position, steering angle, brake status and diagnostics – allowing riders to visualize the real-time control.

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