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Being a die-hard ATV (4 wheeler) fan can really feel like a lonely place today. I’m unsure precisely when it occurred, however any ATV fanatic should admit that we’re now residing in a world dominated by UTVs or “side-by-sides.” I suppose I first regarded on the streams of mud- and tundra-churning buggies crawling over hills and hogging out trails with the identical disgruntlement that many hikers or horsemen have all the time expressed in direction of ATVs. I didn’t like them.
However I’ll admit there are good causes for the recognition of UTVs. They’re extremely helpful instruments. They’ll haul numerous gear, experience extra comfortably, and are extra household pleasant than a 4 wheeler. Whereas my willingness to just accept them could also be progressing, I rejoice in the truth that there are nonetheless some purposes for which a 4 wheeler is a greater possibility—and all the time will likely be.
A kind of purposes is my annual moose hunt right here in Alaska. For that hunt, an ATV is a necessary device, and this 12 months I used to be ready to make use of a Polaris Sportsman 570 Utility HD. This hunt has a little bit of every part for a 4 wheeler: mud, muskeg, heavy towing, thick brush, and countless soggy, bumpy tussocks. I’ve been utilizing 4 wheelers in nation like this for greater than 20 years, and trendy, high-performance machines like this one make me smile; I do know the 4 wheeler won’t ever die.
Polaris Sportsman 570 Utility HD Specs
- Engine: 4-Stroke Single Cylinder DOHC, 567 CC
- Horsepower: 44 HP
- Torque: 35.4 LB-FT
- Drive System: One Contact on-demand AWD/2WD
- Dry Weight: 792 kilos
- Floor Clearance: 11.5 inches
- Automobile dimensions: 83 in. (L) x 48 in. (H) x 47 in. (W)
- Payload capability: 485 kilos
- Hitch towing score: 1,350 kilos
- MSRP: $10,100
Polaris Sportsman 570 Utility HD Options
- Digital Energy Steering
- Journey Management
- Managed descent engine braking system
- Beneath-seat storage
- Dry storage beneath entrance rack
- Tow-equipped entrance brush bumper
- Back and front metallic utility racks
- USB Charging
- 1.25-inch hitch receivers on rear and entrance brush bumper
Newest in a Lineage of Polaris ATVs
The Sportsman 570 HD Utility version options the acquainted Polaris physique fashion, wide-spaced wheels, gear shifter, unbiased suspension, and primary operation as Sportsman fashions courting again to the early 2000s. However, in some methods, it’s a world aside. Although the 44hp single-cylinder motor is medium-sized in comparison with bigger machines just like the 78 HP Sportsman 850, it has extra energy and higher gas economic system than lots of the earlier fuel-injection and carburetor-fueled motors. The digital energy steering system is great, and with a brush bumper and metallic gear racks, it’s one in every of my favourite Sportsman fashions but.
![Freel hauls moose meat out with Polaris four wheeler](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0224.gif?w=2000)
It’s a machine that’s able to be loaded behind a truck or, in our case, into the entrance of a ship. The 48-inch-wide footprint gives a whole lot of stability in comparison with another ATVs, however nonetheless falls inside the 50-inch-wide dimension restrict for off-road autos on some public lands right here in Alaska. The place it would lose floor to a side-by-side in consolation, it wins with comfort and maneuverability. Moose camp is only one of many locations I wouldn’t dare take a side-by-side.
Electronics and Controls
This new Polaris Sportsman has working and experience controls which can be above and past what I’ve ever wanted in a utility 4 wheeler, however a few of these options are fairly sensible and good. The digital energy steering is great, and more practical than what I’ve used on another manufacturers. This wheeler additionally has a change that lets you function in three totally different driving modes: economic system, normal, and sport. The economic system mode is nice for saving gas and regular putting-around operations the place you don’t want entry to a whole lot of torque or energy. Sport mode, then again, provides the person very sensitive throttle response, which is nice if you want fast entry to energy. This got here in useful when towing heavy masses via swampy terrain. An excessive amount of throttle on the fallacious time will get you caught, however a responsive throttle can preserve you shifting extra successfully when used accurately.
One massive plus for Polaris is that they equip these machines with wiring for normal plug-and-play equipment like hand hotter grips and winches. A winch is a non-negotiable merchandise for any 4 wheeler I’m utilizing, and so they don’t come normal with this machine. I bought a Polaris model winch, which is straightforward to put in and requires no extra wiring. Different machines just like the Suzuki King Quad I examined a number of years again required that I set up all of the wiring and a solenoid.
![Polaris Sportsman 570 HD Utility](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_4208.gif?w=2000)
Tires and Suspension
For so long as I’ve used them, the Polaris Sportsman 4 wheelers have had among the most comfortable-riding suspensions available on the market. Just like many earlier fashions, the Sportsman 570 HD Utility has unbiased A-arm suspension, and every particular person shock will be adjusted for preload—a stiffer setting accommodates heavier riders and rougher use, however softer settings permit a gentler experience. The preload is really easy to regulate that any person can fine-tune their machine in a matter of minutes, and it’s a superb experience over tough terrain.
This machine comes with inventory 25-inch tires, that are uninspiring to say the least. Granted, they’re standard-level inventory ATV tires, however they don’t do the 4 wheeler any favors in efficiency. For farm or ranch, and even some backcountry using, the tires are positive, however for what we put them via right here in Alaska, they’ll simply piss you off. As soon as I bought the machine, I instantly switched them out for ITP Mud Lite II 26-inch tires.
It’s vital to seek the advice of your supplier for compatibility, as a result of tires which can be too massive can require clutch upgrades. Additionally, the Polaris Sportsman requires that I add 1-inch wheel spacers when utilizing these tires, in any other case the entrance tires rub on the tie rod ends. Geared up with higher rubber, you actually have a greater have a look at the potential of the machine. With good tires, I used to be by no means under-powered with this single-cylinder motor. We hauled, towed, and dragged an unlimited quantity of substances out to moose camp, after which towed tons of of kilos of meat again out.
![Polaris Sportsman 570 Utility with boot guards](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0592.gif?w=2000)
Racks, Bumpers, and Towing {Hardware}
Certainly one of my few constant gripes with Polaris Sportsman 4 wheelers over time has been the plastic gear racks on the back and front of their machines. They’re appropriate, however not as sturdy or user-friendly as metal tube-frame racks. Plus plastic racks usually climate and tie-down factors break over time.
Racks are vital as a result of I’m consistently utilizing them to strap down backpacks, meat, gasoline cans, chainsaws, and absolutely anything else you may consider. Nicely, Polaris should have heard me complaining, as a result of probably the most pleasing options on the brand new Sportsman 570 HD Utility are its metallic racks. The rear rack is tube-framed, with a flat sheet metallic floor, and has loads of tie down spots along with being suitable with Polaris’s cargo equipment. Atop the plastic dry storage cowl, up entrance is an elevated metallic tubing rack that’s excellent for strapping down a chainsaw or different gear. The racks work effectively with bungees or ratchet straps, and are constructed to carry as much as laborious work and use.
The Polaris Sportsman 570 HD Utility comes with a hefty entrance brush bumper that does a great job of defending the headlights, and encompasses a 1.25-inch tow hitch receiver. That is nice for exact trailer shifting, but in addition means simple setup for a snow blower. The rear portion of the body has a built-in 1.25-inch hitch receiver and, like on all of the earlier Polaris Sportsman fashions, I really feel that this can be a weak level. It’s widespread, right here in Alaska, whereas towing heavy trailers via tough terrain, for the hitch pin gap to wallow out and ultimately fail. Many Polaris customers round right here find yourself drilling one other hitch pin gap from high to backside earlier than chopping out and changing the hitch receiver solely. It might actually profit from a heavy-duty 2-inch hitch receiver.
![Polaris sportsman utility cargo racks](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_9204.gif?w=2000)
Beneath the Cowling
Like most different 4 wheelers, this can be a liquid-cooled machine. It has a small radiator on the entrance, just below the entrance storage rack. On this place, the radiator catches the wind greatest, and is aided with an electrical fan that pulls air via it to maintain engine temperature at or under 200 levels. The radiator is well-protected from low sticks, and there’s a detachable panel in entrance of it that facilitates simple cleansing—the radiator can get clogged with mud, grass seeds/cotton, and many others.
The dry cupboard space beneath the entrance rack is a good addition and might match some clothes, gear, or instruments. We had some gloves, bug spray, wire, wrenches, and a cordless drill on this one. The fuses and battery for this Sportsman are well-protected and accessed by opening the dry storage space. I’ve burned up the fuse panel in my older Sportsman 400 HO by getting it moist in deep water.
The airbox and engine air filter are beneath the seat, as is a rear non-dry storage bag. In some methods, I want the older rear-opening dry storage bins, however this under-seat entry is simpler to maintain clear, and nonetheless an amazing place to retailer a tire restore package and instruments.
Polaris Sportsman Misses
There have been solely two issues that I actually didn’t like in regards to the machine—and neither would seemingly be a deal breaker for me. Each are comparatively easy, but when unaddressed, might trigger some main complications in sensible conditions the place this ATV is perhaps used.
First, I used to be shocked to see that this Sportsman mannequin had no protecting guards or shields for the entrance suspension arms and axles. My outdated 400 has plastic fenders mounted to the suspension arms that stop sticks and brush from getting caught across the axle or damaging the CV boot. For a utility mannequin, crashing via the comb with out some safety for the CV boots would really feel like leaping right into a pool of sharks with a chain-mail shirt however no pants. I did get some Polaris boot guards to put in, however I want the outdated fashion.
![Polaris sportsman clutch vent duct](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0623.gif?w=2000)
The second factor that caught my eye was the clutch cowl vent duct, which sits open within the left rear wheel effectively. On some older fashions, that vent was routed up close to the air consumption by the highest of the gas tank, defending it from deep water. Until I’m lacking one thing, it looks as if water might freely run into the clutch cowl when you’re crossing a deep stream or pool, and as soon as your belt will get moist, you lose energy. The clutch covers will be drained simply, however this design does make me marvel how simply it might be to swamp the automobile. There are aftermarket filter caps you can set up on the tip of the vent to assist preserve particles out.
What the Polaris Sportsman 570 HD Utility Did Finest
This machine supplied loads of energy and management, nice dealing with in tight areas, good gas economic system, and is a sturdy platform for laborious work. The ability steering is top-noch, and I actually appreciated the drive mode options. The metallic cargo racks are an enormous plus too.
The place the Polaris Sportsman 570 HD Utility May Enhance
I believe this machine would profit from a bigger normal hitch receiver that’s extra strong. Moreover, I wish to see some normal safety for the entrance axles and CV boots, and a clutch cowl vent opening that’s positioned greater on the machine.
Learn Subsequent: Polaris Ranger 570 Northstar Long-Term Review
![Freel towin out moose with Sportsman 570 HD Utility](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_4212.gif?w=2000)
Ultimate Ideas
I believe there’ll all the time be a spot for a hard-working 4 wheeler. So long as there are tough-to-travel locations and can-do attitudes, there will likely be of us hauling them round of their boats, vans, and even stuffing them in small airplanes. I believe that Polaris made some massive enhancements to an already stable line of ATVs with this utility mannequin. Geared up with a great winch, some brush guards, and good tires, It’s most likely one of the best Sportsman mannequin they’ve made.