Originally published December 7, 2016. Ride report by Danny Adair
Our first winter ride in the Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS Deluxe began near Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, with the Hawley Mountain Rippers. A creek bed, tight trees and snow-covered roads in the Boise National Forest gave the machine a proper cold-weather outing. The day also turned into an unplanned lesson in getting home after a front axle came loose.
From the Creek Bed to the Snow Line
It was a partly cloudy 39 degrees when we met William of Toy-Up Industries in Horseshoe Bend. He builds racks for hauling UTVs and snowmobiles and also knows his way around the local trails. After a short drive on a graded dirt road, he led us into a narrow creek bed. Low branches crowded the GENERAL from both sides, and the 1.5-inch RT Pro lift did us no favors under the trees.
Once we climbed out of the creek bed, the route opened onto a lightly snow-covered forest road. The snow deepened as we gained elevation, with mountain views around nearly every bend.
Before long, we were pushing through more than a foot of snow. The lift and 30-inch Sedona Rock-a-Billy tires gave our GENERAL clearance to keep moving through the powder. With the audio system playing and everyone enjoying the conditions, a few snow donuts seemed like a good idea.
An Axle Failure Changed the Ride
A couple of sliding turns later, we heard a pop: the front passenger-side axle had come out at the outer hub. We suspected the combination of the lift, full suspension droop, steering angle and throttle during the donuts had put the axle in a bind. That was our assessment on the trail, not a confirmed diagnosis. We removed the axle and had to finish the snowy route with limited drive to the front wheels.
We aired down the Sedona tires for more flotation and grip, then eased onward. The GENERAL kept us working: at times we wanted to go straight and it wanted to pull right. On one snowy hillside we got stuck, but my co-driver pulled out the winch line and helped us get back onto the trail.
How the GENERAL Handled the Snow
Despite the axle trouble, the GENERAL got us across the mountain. The 30-inch tires and lower air pressure helped in the deeper sections, while the winch proved useful when traction ran out. This was one day’s ride in a modified machine, but it gave us a memorable look at how the GENERAL handled early winter conditions. Thanks to William and the Hawley Mountain Rippers for showing us the route.
Polaris GENERAL Snow-Run Photo Gallery
More photos from the Boise National Forest ride are in the original gallery below.
