We still remember the very first time I saw an 08 rzr 800 ripping through a tight wooden trail, mostly due to the fact it was carrying out things that side-by-sides just weren't supposed to do in those days. Before this device hit the dust, if you wished to sit next to your friend while off-roading, you had been usually stuck within a bulky utility vehicle that felt more like a lawn tractor than a performance machine. Polaris transformed the game with the 2008 model, plus honestly, despite having most the high-tech creatures on the market today, this old-school ripper still includes a dedicated following for a few very good reasons.
The Delivery of the Sport Side-by-Side
It's difficult to explain in order to folks who just obtained into the pastime how much of the shock the 08 rzr 800 was to the system. Back in the mid-2000s, the particular Yamaha Rhino was the king of the particular hill, but this was still a bit "work-oriented. " When Polaris fallen the RZR, it was the first time we saw the factory machine that was built purely for having fun. It was low, it was narrow, plus it was fast—at least for the time.
The most iconic point about it was the width. At precisely 50 inches broad, it could proceed anywhere an ATV could go. This was an enormous marketing point because several public trail techniques had (and still have) gate widths set to 50 inches to keep Jeeps and vehicles out. Suddenly, a person didn't need to choose between the comfort and ease of a steering wheel as well as the access of a quad. You could possess both.
What Makes it Mark?
Under the particular plastic, you've got a 760cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine. By today's standards, where we now have 200-horsepower turbo charge beasts, the 08 rzr 800 might seem a little tame in writing. This put out close to 52 horsepower, which doesn't sound like much until you realize how gentle the thing will be. It's a featherweight compared to a contemporary RZR Pro Third or a Can-Am Maverick.
That power is delivered through a CVT transmission that's very straightforward. You've obtained High, Low, Natural, and Reverse. It's got an on-demand true all-wheel-drive system, that was always Polaris's bread and butter. When the rear tires begin to slip, the particular fronts kick in almost instantly to you through the mud or upward a rocky ledge. It's simple, it's effective, and it's a big part of why these devices are still crawling around on the trails fifteen years later.
Handling the Tight Things
One issue you'll notice immediately if you leap from a contemporary wide-body machine into an 08 rzr 800 will be the center associated with gravity. Polaris tucked the engine behind the seats plus kept it reduced in the framework. This made it feel incredibly planted within the corners. A person don't get that "tippy" feeling that will some of the taller utility-style machines have.
However, because it's only 50 inches wide, you still have to respect it. If you're flying into the corner and catch a rut, that will narrow stance may be a little bit unforgiving. But for most trail bikers, the trade-off is definitely worth it. Getting able to weave between trees exactly where a modern 64-inch or 72-inch wide machine can have stuck is a superpower. You're taking ranges that nobody else can, and there's a certain fulfillment because.
Living with the Quirks
Let's be real to get a second: the 08 rzr 800 isn't perfect. Being the particular first year of the radical new style, it had some "growing pains. " If you're taking a look at buying one nowadays, or if you've got one sitting in the garage, right now there are a few things you've probably needed to deal with.
The biggest a single is the surroundings intake. On the 2008 models, the air box style was… well, let's call it "optimistic. " It had been notorious for seeping dust beyond the filter, which is the death sentence regarding an engine. Most owners who wished their RZR to last more than a season ended up setting up an aftermarket intake or a "dust " canister in order to keep the internals clean. If you discover one for sale today that's still working strong, chances are usually the owner fixed that will issue years back.
One more thing is the particular heat. Since the engine is right behind your hip, the cab can obtain pretty toasty. On a crisp fall ride, it's actually kind of nice. In the middle of July within Georgia? It feels like you're sitting down on the toaster. Generally there are plenty of heat shield kits around to assist, but it's simply part of the classic RZR knowledge.
Common Upkeep Items
- Bushings and Bearings: These types of machines eat them for breakfast if a person ride within the mud.
- The Saggy Springs: The share springs within the '08 were recognized to sag after a few hundred miles, losing you valuable clearance.
- The particular Starter: Sometimes they obtain a bit cranky, especially if they've been immersed a few times.
Modding the particular Legend
1 of the greatest things about buying an 08 rzr 800 could be the sheer volume associated with parts available. Since Polaris sold a new gazillion of these types of things, the aftermarket replacement is massive. You can basically develop a brand-new machine out of a catalog.
A lot associated with guys want to add a small raise kit and a few better tires in order to get a little more clearance. Since it just came with 25-inch tires from the factory, bumping up to 26s or even 27s makes the world of difference in the rocks. Just remember that the more weight you include in tires, the harder it will be on those older axles and the particular CVT belt. It's all about discovering that balance.
An additional popular mod adds to your home doors. The unique '08 didn't also have side netting at first; it just had all those weird little floorboards and a fantasy. Later, they added nets, but many people swap all those out for difficult doors to maintain the mud plus sticks out of the particular cab. It makes the machine feel much more modern and protected.
Is this Still a Good Buy?
You could be wondering if it's worth picking upward an 08 rzr 800 nowadays when there are usually so many more recent options. The solution really depends upon exactly what you want in order to do. If you're looking to move 80 mph throughout the desert or even jump sand sand hills, then no, this particular isn't the machine with regard to you. It'll sense slow and the suspension will bottom out before a person even leave the particular ground.
Yet, if you're searching for a budget-friendly way to get into the sport, or in case you have limited trails that won't accommodate a full-sized rig, the '08 is still an ideal choice. You can frequently see them at a fraction of the price of a new machine, and they're simple enough that you can do most of the wrenching yourself in the driveway.
There's something incredibly fun about the machine that you aren't afraid in order to get a small scratched up. Whenever you're driving the $30, 000 turbo rig, every department that scrapes the particular plastic feels like a stab towards the coronary heart. When you're within an 08 rzr 800 which you picked up intended for a few grand, you just giggle and keep the pedal down.
Wrap up
From the end of the day, the particular 08 rzr 800 is a classic for the reason. It had been the pioneer that proved people wanted a small, sporty, and capable side-by-side. It's got its imperfections, sure, but this also has a soul. It's mechanical, it's noisy, and it needs you to really push this rather than simply letting a computer handle everything.
Whether you're the seasoned rider searching for a "narrow" trail rig or a newcomer trying to get your feet wet without busting the bank, don't overlook the original RZR. It might be the "old man" of the particular group now, but it can still display the young bucks a thing or two when the particular trails get restricted and the mud gets deep. Make absolutely certain to check that will air filter, keep a good eye on your bushings, and enjoy the ride. It's a piece associated with off-road history that's still very very much alive and kicking.