Thanks for the very well done write up and comments. I'd like to add a thought too. I don't rely on the government or other people telling me what is safe or acceptable. I make my own decisions. My opinion is the stock cage and restraint system is totally inadequate for me. First thing I did to both RZRs was replace the cage and add 5 point harnesses.

 

Does anyone make a brace kit for XP 1000 Cage, I have too many OEM Polaris accessories to put an after market cage but I would like to brace mine a little.

 

Agreed. The cage is something I always worry about. Accidents happen regardless of driver skill or precautions taken, things can go wrong that cannot be prevented. These cages are NOT adequate for most wrecks at speed. It is stupid that we would need to dump in about $2k for new harnesses and a cage just to feel safe in a $20k machine.

I havent bothered whining about it too much b/c I knew that going in, but it is really ridiculous if you think about it.

 

Show me the design of a cage and the tubing specs and it is easy to tell if it will be better than stock. I don't care if if meets a lawn mower standards for roll over protection! I shopped around and found the cage that had the design, quality, and price point I wanted and I'm happy. I do feel safer.

 

sounds just like the roll cage Wranglers come with, or any other production vehicle, designed to help or act jut like a sheet metal roof

The way I see it is ATV's had nothing, now we have something. The factory cage is good for 90% of riders who may lay a rzr on its side once in its life. For the rest of us aftermarket comes to the rescue. The problem is now you have a super beefy cage supporting the top making the frame the weak spot IMO, everything should be built stronger together at the same time. Adding a super stout cage on top of the triangle helps, but the bottom of the triangle is now the weaker spot...so when will it all be safe enough to handle a 70mph wreck? when it looks like a Jeep with airbags, side impact beams, crumple zones, etc this we DO NOT WANT to happen to our OHV's!!

Not sure why the OSHA designation, Polaris likely wanted to do just as you describe, give people the feeling of safety by having a ROPS...truth is its safer then the ATV's that came before it!!

good post, couldn't agree more, we see things like this all the time, cost cutting, things on vehicles that fit 99% of the drivers, the other 1% will always see flaws and room for improvement. All I do is improve my machines until they fit my use, would be really tough to build something that does it all to make everyone happy and still mass produce them for a price SOME of us choose to afford.

I think its silly that they want to regulate these suckers so much now, I mean whats next roll cages for Harleys? Airbags on a scooter?

 

Its thin. It bolts together. It has no real gussets. It has a open roof with no cross bracing. If you add all the after market stuff, roof, v bars , headache bars, front bumper and rear bumper you are about 400$ less than getting a complete system from a cage builder.i threw my cage away. First thing i did cage,5 pts and seats. Cage ties into rear bumper also included roof, front bumper and powder coat to your color.most cage makers are in the 2000 to 2500 $ area. Money well spent.we can bitch about polaris but we bought these toys knowing they had crap for cages and belts. Maybe someday they will fix it but its gonna cost. Just like the fox shocks.I would rather customise mine to fit me and my driving style and area.

 

Well put! People are constantly gripping about the quality of this or that on the RZR. In case you have not heard this before I will tell you "You get what you pay for and nothing is free, not even a free puppy." If Polaris put a substantially built cage that would protect some idiot from a 70 MPH roll, it would cost more than most would want to pay. The stock cage is designed for the casual driver and not for the Baja. Same with all the other things people are constantly complaining about, too much mud and not big enough flares or the suspension squeeks and you cannot reach the zerks, this is all stuff that could be fixed by the manufacturer, but cost money that would be passed onto the consumer which would then bitch about the price. Another example is take notice of how many chevy trucks have headlights or front running lights burned out. That is because they saved a couple of cents per bulb and a couple of cents saved per vehicle equates to millions in profit and the bulb installed and sold met the intent. Same as the cage, grease zerk locations, flares and all the other stuff folks don't like about the RZR.
JMHO

 

I knew going in the cage is a p.o.s. an yes I bought it anyways. But thats doesn't make Polaris a great company in my eyes for still making a product capable of the things these 1000s are, and selling them with a cage not capable of withstanding even close to that. It was my decision to buy it knowing that, but I would have gladly paid a little more for a much safer product

 

Any views as to how to address the potential change in handling characteristics.

add weight down low and keep COG in mind with all mods (lower seat bases, frame gusseting, lower ride height, wider suspension, cargo storage location, etc) Keep added weight as low as possible if you plan to be off camber alot

Trust me I have built and wheel a 1988 Ford Bronco II for 20 years now. It will roll over if you look at it wrong. Mine is on 35" tires with a v8, custom wide suspension (+6, +7 from wheel offset), and a body DROP. KEEP COG LOW and know what your vehicle can handle without a real roll cage = SEAT TIME. False sense of awesomeness gets people killed on these things, ATV or motorcycles, snowmachines are no different.