MID-SIZE NORTHSTAR RANGER DELIVERS FULL-SIZE SATISFACTION

polaris.com ere in the Midwest most would argue the winters are cold, the summers are humid, and our shoulder seasons drag on forever. In fact, the number of days where perfect “Goldilocks” conditions can be enjoyed are often the exception and not the rule. This is just one of the reasons why it should come as no surprise that the fully cabbed and climate-controlled Polaris Ranger XP1000 NorthStar edition has become a mega hit. Offering all the work capabilities and smooth ride attributes we’ve come to know and love, the NorthStar Ranger adds the convenience and comfort of a full hard-glass cab, heat, and air conditioning.

For the past several years the full-size NorthStar Ranger has been a top seller for Polaris, and you’ll find them virtually everywhere, especially during the cold weather months. From ice fishing, hunting, plowing snow, working on a ranch, or simply trail an openair cab. We were given a visual reminder of just how popular the NorthStar is in this part of the country while attending a national snocross race this past winter. It seems nearly every side-byside perched along the track was a NorthStar Ranger, each with its engine idling and occupants inside happily watching the race staying warm and toasty.

With those accolades out of the way, when Polaris announced the arrival of the Ranger SP 570 NorthStar edition, we wondered aloud – could it be just as good? We arranged for a long-term test to find out for ourselves.

Big Shoes to Fill

As the little brother to the XP1000, we knew the Ranger SP 570 wasn’t going to equal up to the crown jewel in the Ranger line up. But we also knew it didn’t have to. While the big dog Ranger offers gobs of power and capability, many owners only exercise a portion of those capabilities. With less seating, a smaller motor, reduced payload, less towing capacity, and a price tag that comes in nearly $9,000 less than the Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar, the 570 NorthStar simply needed to be good enough to win us over. Turns out its good enough and more.

RAVES Performance: One of our biggest concerns when we got behind the wheel of the SP 570 was the engine. More specifically would it have enough mojo to satisfy our heavy foot. The full-size XP version of the NorthStar tops out at 64mph on the road… plenty fast for a big utility rig. Often when trail riding or even back road running, our speeds are more in the 40 to 45 mph range. Turns out the 570, when fully matted will attain and hold a top speed of 51mph. More importantly, it felt perfectly comfortable to run at the same trail speeds as its bigger brother. In addition, the 570 felt smoother and was quieter. Chalk up two more wins for the little guy.

RAVES Capability: We knew comparing the SP 570 to the XP Norstar was inevitable. We also knew it would not stack up on the spec sheet. But, with 44-horespower on tap and suspension travel at or near 10” the mid-size NorthStar can pull up to 1,500lbs and haul up to 700lbs (only 300lbs less than its big brother). Once again, that’s more than enough for most folks, and certainly plenty for the target customer of the SP 570 NorthStar.

RAVES Nimble: While it might sound strange to call a work utility side-by-side nimble, the compact footprint and tight turning radius of the 570 NorthStar immediately gave the mid-size Ranger a light and nimble feel. Whether you’re trail riding, working around the yard, or plowing snow, the compact turning radius is a pleasant surprise, especially in comparison to the much larger feeling of a full-size Ranger.

JEERS Fit and Finish: When a new side-by-side is in your local dealership’s showroom, the fit and finish always looks great. Afterall, who doesn’t love that new vehicle look and smell. The true test of a vehicle, especially an off-road vehicle is the fit and finish after you’ve logged a few miles, hit a few mud holes, and hauled a few loads. This is an area where Polaris has come up short in the past, and while the fit and finish of many of their off-road vehicles is much improved, there’s still room for improvement. We love how the doors on the 570 NorthStar seal tightly, and the door actuation is smooth and silky versus the full size NorthStar. However, the fit and finish of the door panels both, body panels, and the dash panels are still just okay.

JEERS Cab Space: The closed quarter feel of a Ranger cab is amplified when it comes to the mid-size Ranger. This is not to say we dislike the NorthStar enclosure, it seals well, offers great visibility, and allows you to roll down (or power down) windows completely. Despite all that goodness, the Can-Am Defender by comparison has more spacious cab feel and is an area that Polaris will need to address in order to retain the crown that the NorthStar edition has earned.

JEERS Seating: The bench style seat found on many work-focused side-by-sides is by design, the same is true for the 570 NorthStar. However, the near 90-degree base to seatback design and lack of bolsters to better hold your position will leave you stiff and sore after a long day. While we don’t want a bucket seat, which would make it more difficult to jump in and out, a seat with more support, more padding, and improved ergonomics would transform the current NorthStar seating arrangement for the better.

For more information on the Polaris Ranger SP 570 NorthStar edition see your local Polaris dealer or at their website polaris.com.

Minnesota Atv Riders 5th Annual Ride The Shore

MNATVRIDERS.COM

Minnesota ATV Riders has a special mission to connect riders, promote clubs, share adventures through images and give back as much as they can to veterans and clubs. One way they do that is through their Ride the Shore event based out of Silver Bay, Minnesota on June 24, 2023.

Ride the Shore is one of the biggest self-guided rides of the season touring the hundreds of miles of trail systems surrounding Silver Bay, Beaver Bay, Finland, and parts of Isabella. Attendees receive a printed map with highlighted “Selfie Stations” as part of a scenic scavenger hunt. Visit stops near abandoned hideouts, incredible rock cliffs and beautiful bridges spanning dozens of river crossings. For more information, visit their website today!

RIDE THE BLACK HILLS – ANNUAL STURGIS OFF-ROAD RALLY SEPT 6-9

OFFICIALSTURGISEVENTS.COM

Join a weekend of fun and adventure on the many trails in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota September 6-9, 2023. ATV and UTV owners are offered a variety of activities and opportunities to win some great prizes!

Basic registration includes the Thursday Evening Social, Friday Group Ride, and Poker Run route #1.

Passengers must register separately. Poker hands and event t-shirts are add-ons. NOTE: Registrations received after August 21 are not guaranteed t-shirt sizes.

You will need to have your rig licensed (temporary licensing available on Thursday and Friday at the Meade County building) and have a trail permit (available online or can be purchased locally at the Big D Travel Center- located at Exit 32).

PRAIRIE RIDERS 28TH ANNUAL GRASS DRAGS & SWAP MEET OCTOBER 1, 2023

PRAIRIERIDERS.COM

The Prairie Riders snowmobile club is comprised of a group of families from Boone County and based in Belvidere, Illinois who enjoy the sport of snowmobiling and promoting safe family fun. First organized in 1971 and chartered in 1975, the Prairie Riders members include families with children, couples, singles, seniors and you’ll want to attend their 28th Annual Grass Drags and Swap Meet. Located at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere, Illinois, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this action filled day with racing, vendors and plenty of swap meet activity.

MERCER, WISCONSIN ANNUAL PUMPKIN RUN OCTOBER 5-8

TRAVELWISCONSIN.COM

The Annual Pumpkin Run ATV/UTV Rally is held in Mercer, Wisconsin and takes place on all Iron County ATV/UTV trails and routes. Rally participants can take part in a poker run, making stops at different locations across all of the ATV/UTV Trails.

Your weekend begins with registration Thursday-Friday with the Annual Tractor Pull on Friday. Saturday enjoy the Pumpkin Parade weaving through downtown Mercer to the Pumpkin Party. End your day listening to live music starting at 6pm and showing your final poker hand!