Blender said...
I'm a big fan of the Outlaw considering its KTM mill, hydro-clutch, and Fox suspension but would want a straight axle model. No IRS for me, thanks. But good report gents.

Kenny said...
After riding this thing around Oregon with a few straight axle quads, YFZ450, TXR450 and so on...I am compelled to share the gospel truth about IRS with you folks. First of all, the way the IRS soaks up the terrain is simply amazing. When switching back-and-forth on the other quads the IRS really shined. It absorbs bumps, rocks and ruts so much better than the fixed axle that it made everything easier. Hill climbs, hauling ass through rough stuff it is great. It reminds me of the difference between a dual shock MXer and a mono-shock equipped bike. The technology is not what we're used to and for some folks, that makes it difficult to embrace/accept. The problem is that although its better in some aspects - it feels so different than what we are used to. Thats where the test riders in the report Hog Wild is referring to must have come to the belief that it makes it more difficult to turn. That's not entirely true though. In regards rto sliding, flat-tracking through a turn like we are all used to doing on a fixed axle ATV - well, it not as mindlessly easy to do on the IRS. You can still slide the rear but you have to hang off the inside more and take care to unweight the outside wheels in an effort to counter the outside suspension compressing. On the flip-side, in the technical stuff it feels much more precise and manueverable than a fixed axle. The suspension working seems to act as a sort of articulation (Think Monster truck steering) which helps it steer quicker. This is the heart of the 'problem' with the IRS - it takes a bit of getting used to but after that it opens up another level to ATV riding as I see it. Overall the reduced impact on the rider and the added control in the really difficult terrain make an IRS quad like the Outlaw simply easier to ride - but I will not deny - it is different. Many of us have been abused off-road anre have nagging injuries bugging us more and more as we get older. The IRS reduces the amount of impact transferred to the rider and that will make this layout popular among the more seasoned off-road riders in the future you mark my words baby. The fixed axle Outlaw looks liek a bad-ass though. Our local Polaris dealer has a few and they look cool but at this point I am a believer in IRS.