By Jon Crowley
The original Polaris GENERAL arrived with an unusual promise: combine the performance of a sport UTV with the cargo capacity and everyday usefulness of a utility machine. After driving it at the press introduction in New Mexico, I wanted to find out how that formula would work in a much more demanding environment. For this Polaris GENERAL 1000 dune review, we installed paddle tires and headed to Sand Mountain, Nevada.
The GENERAL was Polaris’ first dedicated recreation-utility model, positioned between the work-focused RANGER and the sport-oriented RZR. You can read more about its development, specifications and later models in our Polaris GENERAL model guide and history. For our initial impressions on dirt and trails, see the 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS first-drive review.
2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 Specifications
The original GENERAL borrowed heavily from the RZR S 1000. Its 999cc ProStar twin-cylinder engine produced a claimed 100 horsepower, while its engine calibration and clutching were tuned to provide the low-end response expected from a machine with a cargo bed.
The suspension layout was also closely related to the RZR S. The GENERAL delivered 12.25 inches of front-wheel travel, 13.2 inches of rear-wheel travel and 12 inches of ground clearance. Our EPS Deluxe test vehicle was equipped with FOX Podium X 2.0 QS3 shocks featuring three-position compression adjustment.
Preparing the GENERAL for the Dunes
I received our GENERAL 1000 EPS Deluxe in mid-February and decided its first trip would be to the dunes. The factory 27-inch GBC Dirt Commander tires worked well on trails but were heavier and less specialized than I wanted for a sand test.
My friend Rick from Placerville Polaris had a set of 28-inch STU Sand Blaster paddle tires mounted on DWT beadlock wheels. He wanted to borrow the GMZ Sand Stripper XL tires we tested for his new RZR XP Turbo, so the exchange worked perfectly for both of us.
The lighter sand-tire combination reduced rotating mass, while the 28-inch tires filled the wheel openings more completely. Front clearance looked adequate, although I was less certain about the rear.
The wheel offset and wider rear tires increased the GENERAL’s overall width by approximately four inches at the front and eight inches at the rear. A wider stance can improve confidence when side-hilling or crossing dune ridges, but moving the wheels outward also increases their leverage on the suspension. Maintaining the factory suspension response may require additional spring rate or revised shock valving.
Testing at Sand Mountain, Nevada
With the GENERAL fitted with its new tires, I headed to Sand Mountain, Nevada. Rick and his friend Dave brought their new RZR XP Turbos, giving me a useful performance reference for the weekend.
One issue appeared before we even started riding: the GENERAL did not provide an obvious mounting point for a required dune flag. Its Lock & Ride cab frame did not accept the common round-tube cage mount I had available, so I temporarily secured the flag to the cab frame with zip ties. Owners should install a proper mount designed for the GENERAL before heading to the dunes.
Suspension Performance and Tire Clearance
During our first ride, I followed the two XP Turbos around the mountain. We spent most of our time in the smaller dunes, with a few hill climbs mixed in. The GENERAL felt surprisingly comfortable in the sand. Power was strong and the suspension was plush, although it felt soft when the terrain became rougher than ordinary dune chop.
The FOX Podium X 2.0 QS3 shocks were initially set at position two. I moved all four compression adjusters to the firmer third position, which noticeably improved suspension control.
Even with the shocks in their firmest setting, the rear suspension could bottom in larger G-outs. When that happened, one rear paddle could contact the cargo-bed release lever. This should not be interpreted as a clearance problem with a stock GENERAL. Our setup combined a larger tire with a wheel offset that widened the rear of the machine by approximately eight inches, substantially increasing leverage on the shocks.
A narrower wheel offset or smaller paddle tire would have reduced the problem. Owners duplicating a similarly wide setup may need additional spring rate, revised compression valving or a different shock package.
The extra width had a clear benefit on side hills and when crossing dune faces. The dedicated sand tires also produced better steering response and continued pulling when engine speed dropped.
GENERAL 1000 Dune Performance
The GENERAL’s performance impressed me. Conditions included a layer of dry sand over firmer, damp sand, and the machine climbed nearly everything we attempted. The front side of Sand Mountain presented no problem, and the GENERAL also climbed the steeper back side without much effort.
That performance was not entirely surprising given the GENERAL’s 100-horsepower, 999cc ProStar engine. What made it noteworthy was that this was still a comfortable recreation-utility vehicle with a tilting cargo bed. Its broad torque delivery helped keep the machine moving when the climbs became steep.
The video does not fully communicate the grade of this climb. RZR XP 1000 and RZR XP Turbo models normally made it without difficulty, but I had watched multiple RZR XP 900s fail to reach the top. The GENERAL climbed it cleanly.
Comfort and Driving Experience
I spent only about 24 hours at Sand Mountain, but accumulated nearly 50 miles in the GENERAL. For aggressive, dedicated dune riding, I would still choose a RZR XP Turbo. The GENERAL, however, was far more entertaining and capable in the sand than its cargo bed and upright seating position might suggest.
Its comfortable seating position, good visibility and useful storage made it well suited to longer recreational rides. It could spend a weekend playing in the dunes and then return home to haul tools, firewood or hay around a property.
The suspension was one of the machine’s most promising attributes. Although the shock setup was not ideal for our unusually wide paddle-tire combination, the suspension architecture shared similarities with the RZR S 900 and RZR S 1000. That gave GENERAL owners access to a growing range of aftermarket suspension components and tuning options.
Doors, Seats and Interior
The standard half doors provided good protection from sand, weather and trail debris. They also opened widely, making the cab easy to enter and exit. Drivers accustomed to a RZR needed some time to adjust to the GENERAL’s door latch location near the rear of the door.
The cockpit balanced recreational performance with everyday practicality. The seats offered more lateral support than traditional utility-UTV seats, which helped hold the occupants in place while carving through bowls. A standard driver-seat slider accommodated different driver heights.
The more upright seating position also provided excellent forward visibility and easier entry and exit than a lower sport UTV.
The MTX Premium Soundbar fitted neatly beneath the roof. Its output was adequate while stopped or cruising slowly, but it lacked enough volume and bass to overcome engine and wind noise during faster dune rides. A dedicated amplifier and subwoofer would have made the system much more effective in this environment.
2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 Dune Review Verdict
The original GENERAL proved that a recreation-utility UTV did not need to feel out of place in the dunes. Its 100-horsepower engine delivered enough power for serious climbs, its suspension handled ordinary dune terrain comfortably and its upright cockpit remained comfortable during a full day of riding.
It was not a replacement for a RZR XP Turbo when maximum dune performance was the only priority. Instead, the GENERAL offered an appealing combination of performance, comfort and cargo capacity. If I could own only one UTV and it needed a functional dump bed, the GENERAL would have been my first choice.
Polaris later expanded the concept with the wider, longer-travel GENERAL XP 1000. See our 2020 Polaris GENERAL XP 1000 Deluxe overview for a look at that next stage of the platform.
More Polaris GENERAL Dune Photos
