Twenty years ago, Polaris launched its now-famous Sportsman line of ATVs. Looking back, there's a lot to appreciate about the Sportsman.
Polaris' signature ATV line has produced a slew of firsts, including but not limited to:
- First ATV made in the United States
- First ATV with automatic transmission
- First with long-travel suspension
- First on-demand True four-wheel drive
- First independent rear suspension
- First concentric drive system
- First diesel-powered ATV
- First domestically built ATV engine (700 Twin)
- First 800 class ATV
- First transforming second seat
We thought it'd be a good idea to take a look back at what the Sportsman has given us in the industry. Here's a timeline of some of the Sportsman's highlights:
- 1993: Sportsman launched
- 1996: Introduction of Sportsman 500 IRS, the first IRS on an ATV
- 2000: Big Boss 500 6x6 renamed Sportsman 6x6
- 2001: Introduction of Sportsman 500 H.O.
- 2002: Introduction of Sportsman 700 Twin Carb
- 2003: Introduction of Sportsman 600 Twin
- 2005: Introduction of Sportsman 800
- 2006: Introduction of Hawkeye and Sportsman X2 500
- 2008: Introduction of Touring models, Sportsman 400 H.O. in midsize chassis
- 2009: Introduction of Sportsman XP 850, 500 and Sportsman 800 6x6 Big Boss
- 2010: Introduction of Sportsman 850 and 550 Touring
- 2011: Redesign of Value Line (400, 500, 800)
- 2012: High output engine in Sportsman XP 850
- 2013: Introduction of Sportsman 570 and Sportsman Touring 570
