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2011 RZR 170 better than clone!

5K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  Petez Racing 
#1 · (Edited)
Picked up our new 2011 RZR 170 June 6th and it is way exceeding all expectations!
June 6th the Polaris dealer had our new machine ready with the raptor 700 front shocks, dragon fire belts, push bar and bikini top, a few hours later we arrived at Mescalero sand dunes and have been riding 10+ hours every day since. Tomorrow we head for the mountains!

Like many of you I came from the China buggy crowd on Buggynews.com, to my wonderful delight the RZR 170 has not stalled, back fired, failed to start of had anything but a flawless performance to date. With all 4 of my prior China buggies this never happened, I was always looking for a way to make it stronger, get them to start or looking for loose parts.

I feel now that I have experienced both worlds and after having 150+ hours on the RZR 170 I can state that the RZR 170 is superior to any China buggy I have seen.

The 2011 170 air box is well designed and does not need any modifications. Here at Mescalero dunes it has been 104+ degrees everyday, the sand is very deep and loose. Finally my dream has come true; my kids have been able to play out in the big dunes with dad. The torque is amazing. The new gas pedal design is wonderful.

Ok, once it did not start and I was thinking here comes trouble again then I checked the gas tank, it had run dry again!

What a fantastic experience I’m not a mechanic on vacation anymore, just on vacation!!! Our new family motto is “GAS AND GO”

Just my two cents, the Polaris name for quality, parts and resale value alone is worth the extra 1k!


Pete
 
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#4 ·
I bought the RZR 170 for my kids a few months ago and am also very pleased with it. I have been down the China buggy road as well. I am not sure if makes a difference or not on the quality, but the 170 is built in Taiwan. I have done the Raptor shocks and bigger tires which gave it some much needed ground clearance improvements and you are right the airbox seems to be fine, but I would snorkle the CVT intake and exhaust if I were you, it is a very poor placement and just asks for trouble. Hope all continues to go well with your mini RZR. :ride:
 
#6 ·
Just got my kids one 2 days ago and it is an amazing little ride. My wife was flying down the driveway in it and my kids love it.

So far I have done:

Big wheel kit
roof
windshield
front bumper

How much of a difference did the raptor shocks make? I also need to snorkel the cvt intake but that will probably be next weekend.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Glade to here problem free =)

Santa brought our 11 & has been problem free for 7mo now. In stock trim you must treat them like a go-kart & they will last. After you put a plus 3" kit on front, FACTORY UTV swing arm, & shocks of your choice they become pretty darn reliable. After that just keep "GOOD" "CLEAN" oil in them as they have no oil filter. By good I mean Off-Road oil that is not mandated by the API-EPA, these oil's have high levels of zinc and Phosphorus that is Critical to the life of an engine that gets the crap ran out of it. If it has an API seal on back label DO NOT use in off road anything !! Enjoy =)
 
#8 ·
Well it darn well should be better than a chinese model since it cost at least twice the price... (in most comparisons)
Like most things you get what you pay for.
Glad your having good luck so far.
I must say though... In some peoples eyes it's hard to spend that kind of money for something that will only last their kids a couple of years before they grow out of it (depending on the age they are when they start with it). In some cases it's a better option for a family to purchase a cheap alternative for the couple of years they will get out of it before they have to upgrade to the real deal.
I for one started my 5 year old out on a 110cc atv (Zstar) from China and couldn't be happier since if it blew up tomorrow I already got my $750 out of it. I'll let him run this into the ground and then by the time he kills it he might be ready for a name brand with some power.
 
#11 ·
Amen to that. My intent on the thread was to leave positive news on the 170. Is it the best machine for everyone, no. How does the saying go bad experiences get passed to 11 people while good experiences only make it to 4.

From my China buggy experiences the RZR 170 is a welcome relief, yes it cost more than my first car! Yes I agree 100% you get what you pay for in most cases and that is why my review. So far I believe the extra cost is well worth it

Maybe I’m the only dad out there that has placed unrealistic expectations on my children having fun riding buggies around? My China experience has been one of frustration, spending more time working on the machines than enjoying the important things in life, my kids.

Does anyone else find it funny that one of the longest threads on the RZR 170 forum is about a China buggy, not a Polaris or even a RZR?

Packing up and heading to the Jemez Mountains, I will have no cell phone till next week but I’m looking forward to the responses.

Life is too short

Pete
 
#13 ·
Petez Racing; I run the Castrol synthetic 5-50 said:
The reason I am so vocal about people using Good Off-Road oil in their 170's is due to the Soft ring's & Valve Guides used in these engines. They are not the best material of choice, & many people have reported smoking around 100hr or roughly 10-12 tanks of gas. By all means I don't want anybody to think I am a know it all, just trying to save you guys $$. I run a IMCA\UMP Stock Car with a 400ci v8 7600rpm 45-50 nights a year. I had ran for years Mobile Del-Vac 10-40 Diesel oil with no problems until about 2007. Started smoking after about 30 nights & losing compression forcing an early rebuild. Builder assumed I had got dirt in the eng. Same thing happened the following yr & as you can imagine I'm Hot this time thinking something has happened with either builder or parts. After some research on both our parts come to find out EPA regulated Zinc & Phosphorus levels to less than 1200 ppm. One reason was for environmental purposes & other was fouling of O2 sensors & plugging of catalytic converters. Since then they have dropped the max down to I believe 800 ppm, while adding anti friction modifiers to help reduce wear, but is BAD for wet clutches in bike's & quad's & yet another reason not to use automotive oil's...Since then I have used Brad Penn Racing oil (Racing=off road) with absolutely no problems what so ever. Use what ever brand of oil you would like, if it's in a CVT tranny use the standard Off Highway Racing oil, if in a quad or bike use the "motorcycle" oil for wet clutches. I just hope this helps people avoid premature failer, & is all that this post is really about !! =)
 
#14 ·
For those of you with the raptor shock installed on the 170's, do you put all four on and is their any years to look for as well as what model raptor should I look for to replace the shocks on my kids 170??

P.S. I am very glad to see that your 2011 170 is above & beyond for your expectations!! We have a 2011 170 as well and it has been great except for back firing. I am dropping it off at the dealership on wed. 29th of June.
 
#15 ·
Colorado, we love it up there! We will be heading up to Walden dunes in a few weeks for some fishing and riding.
My Raptor 700 shocks I bought off eBay $110.00 per pair.
They look like these, chrome with white spring, no reservoir, and are a direct replacement with no modifications for front or rear.

YAMAHA RAPTOR 700 FRONT SUSPENSION SHOCKS | eBay

I put them on the front with the tension spring on the softest setting and no chamber issue. Forum member Sep1 PM'd me that he likes the Raptor 700 for the rear as well! He did have to adjust the chain.

Time to start watching for another pair for the rear! Now, it it was only this easy picking tires and wheels.


Pete
 
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