This week, Polaris announced a major update to its high-performance, one-seat side-by-side lineup: the RZR RS-1. It’s not the brand’s first single-seater model, but it is the first Polaris single-seater to be given legitimate power and serious running gear, compliments of the 110-horsepower engine and a suspension setup borrowed from the much bigger, beefier RZR XP1000.
One major knock against high-performance side-by-sides is that they’re so damn expensive. Most land in the $20,000-$30,000 range — for that you could get yourself a decently spec’d Jeep, go off-roading, drive home and not worry about getting pulled over because your rig isn’t road legal. The RS-1, on the other hand, costs about as much as a Honda Africa Twin adventure bike, at $13,999. That finally puts a fun side-by-side in a justifiable price range, especially if you feel like you’re missing out on the whole adventure bike craze because you don’t have a motorcycle license.
Now you can hit the trails for the same price as a respectable two-wheeled adventure vehicle (but with a more comfortable seat) and drive recklessly, guilt-free, with no passenger to worry about getting sick or scared. It’is the best of both worlds, and it’s about time.
