RZR4 in Moab

coreshot · 2010-05-18 17:15:37

When I first saw the new 4s, I was torn between the family aspect and the offroad ability of the machine. My first thought was that the 4 would be cool for cruising mountain trails and would be a neat way for the family to see the dunes. That being said, I'm a Moab baby, I measure the ability of all machines by what they are going to capable on the rock.

I gotta say that I wasn't too hopeful for the 4 in that environment. I had been to Moab a few times in my bro's Rhino, and have the sore back to prove it. The smacking of the underbelly on the Rhino on the rocks had left a distinct opinion in my mind that the 4 was just too long to have any fun on the rock. Fast forward to the Monday before ROTR 2010.

We met our friends Steve and Kirsten at the OK RV Park next to the Spanish Trail Arena and put together an impromptu trail ride out on Flat Iron Mesa. Kirsten opted to drive the RZR S, so Steve had a free seat in the RZR 4, I couldn't resist. 8) The ride and power of the machine were awesome, and I couldn't believe that it didn't seem to rub the underside any more than the S did. We ran the hardest line on every obstacle that day, and the 4 shined. Long verts were a piece of cake. Gabe kept talking about a waterfall that was ahead of us on the trail, and that he had never seen anybody in a UTV make it to the top. When we got to the obstacle, Steve said let's give it a shot. We pulled up on the steepest portion of the hill and stopped. We rocked it as hard as we could to see if we could get the front end to lighten up and lift...no way. I told him to hit the throttle, and we shot over the top like a bullet. The next day, we ran Steel Bender with the same results. I was falling in love with the machine. Gotta have one.

At this point, the vendor at the arena had had time to get set up. Triple S Polaris had a 4 on display that had the shocks cranked up and running 30 inch Mud Lites. Steve was in love with the stance of this machine, and promptly ordered them to make his machine just like theirs. I think it sat about 4 inches taller after the mods, much tougher looking than the stock 4. It was ready for the first day of official runs the next morning.

The first day of the rally, we guided Poison Spider to Golden Spike, this time with me riding passenger in the Rhino, and Kirsten riding with Steve in the 4. We made it all the way into the Golden Crack, and Steve ran through it with zero effort. Steve came to me and said that he wanted to jump the crack coming back to the east side. I thought he was nuts, but I was game to ride shotgun with him. Hell, it's his money. We chose a spot close to the south end of the crack, close to where most people cross it. The west side is about 5 feet higher than the east side at this point, leaving a drop onto flat rock for us to pull off the jump. With several cameras rolling, and the guys from Triple S Polaris waiting with their cell phones on speed dial to order replacement parts for whatever was going to break, Steve hit the throttle. It would've been better if we had had more speed to air it out across the gap, as what actually occurred was more of an endo than anything. We hit hard, hard enough for the A-arm on the front driver side to come up and contact that lowest point on the shock bracket and take a little paint off. The Triple S boys were crawling all over the machine afterwards, looking for damage, but to no avail. No damage. Impressive!

Next day, we guided Behind the Rocks, and once again, the 4 outshined all others on the run. We came to White Knuckle Hill, and Steve asked me if I would join him for a jaunt into the abyss. I gladly accepted, and strapped in. We dropped off the ledge of WNH without ropes, and never felt like we were going to go end over end.down the hill. We gave it a helluva shot at topping the obstacle, but eventually succumbed to the wich to get back up. No biggy, every machine has it's limits. On the way back out, Steve topped High Dive with no ropes, and alot of throttle. Awesome!

The last day of runs found us guiding Pritchett Canyon, and the 4 once again outshined all comers. I original fears for the RZR4 were finally realized on Rocker Knocker. The close ledges of this obstacle proved to be the 4's undoing, but I am confident that on another rday when we didn't have to get 14 vehicles off the trail before dinner, Stecve would've found a way to beat RK.

Sorry for rambling on for so long, but I felt a full review was necessary for the many who shared the same concerns as I for this machine. I would have no problem laying down the money for a 4 if it was going to be my only machine. The only thing I saw last week that would prove difficult for the 4 was the rodeo events back at the arena. Too long for barrel racing and ploe bending. Oh well.

K & T put me behind the wheel of their turboed 4 for a few laps at the arena....WOW!! To be continued....

Fasttrax · 2010-05-18 21:21:34

I enjoyed my Rzr4 for the same reason. The stuff I used to be intimidated to do with the Rhino didn't bother me in the 4. I would highly recommend Factoryutv UHMW complete skid plate since I did feel the underside hit on the ledges that could have been helped by cranking up the shocks. My next thing is 30" tires but there is only two options in a atv tire but have thought about a BFG Mud terrain 30" tire.

You would have a tough time giving me a Rhino again.

#1 2010-05-18 17:15:37

Re: RZR4 in Moab

#2 2010-05-18 21:21:34

Re: RZR4 in Moab

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