My FIRST TIME Driving a Side By Side - Polaris General Review

Over the years I have driven in and rode on many types of off-road vehicles, motorcycles, ATV's, Jeeps, and trucks, but I've never had the experience of driving a side by side... until now! In this video I take you on a tour of the new Polaris General XP 1000 Trailhead Limited Edition and then hope in and hit the trails in the desert for my first off-road experience in it.
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[@karhig]

Later on Matt's Off Road Recovery: "So we got a call..."

[@GG-si7fw]

I rented a Jeep this past summer in Colorado and for every vehicle like Jeep or a Toyota, there were 10 of the side by sides. This is the future of off-roading.

[@gearlist]

Ah, here it is! Been waiting for this one, Brad!

[@jimsdimideas5383]

I hope they paid you well for your walk around video. Had to fast forward through to the driving portion. Your reaction at the end was the best part.

[@ONThree]

We've wanted a side by side for the homestead for a while. Especially, after my uncle got one for the trails. You just took it to the next level with that model of Polaris. I am convinced. Great video.

[@stanleyfurash7929]

They are a blast my wife and I have driven them in Aruba, gonna drive them again in a couple of weeks when we go back

[@johnbarrios1598]

Looks like Fun!! Glad you had a good time...

[@stevetabor4447]

Well that looks fun👍👍 a lot of features I wasn’t aware of, think fuel range is pretty good on these, be fun doing Mojave trail good stuff brad as always be safe 👍👍👍👍

[@jaredgreen502]

Awesome to see you work with Polaris

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks! I think it will be fun to do some project with them in the future.

[@mariohernandez8304]

Love watching all your videos man!

[@TrailRecon]

I appreciate that!

[@ElCOMPAEDDIE]

Love it brad i always wish u did side by side videos and my dream come true

[@fourlowadventures3921]

Very cool they are a blast for sure.

[@mountainskyaerialphotograp3921]

Nice. My wife and I just picked up a 2021 Honda Pioneer 1000-5. So far we love it. It's not designed for the higher speeds, more utility and trail which is what I like, but it will allow us to get out more and enjoy the trails with our two Black labs in the back! And if we need, seating for 5....!

[@craighatch3221]

I bought the same thing this spring and I agree with everything you said and I’ll just add they are rated number 1 in reliability and our Honda’s cost $18,000 the side by side this guys driving retails at $31,000.

[@mountainskyaerialphotograp3921]

@@craighatch3221 Today, all these machines are just remarkable at what they can do. I just cannot justify $30+k to go get dusty! 100% agreeded.

[@Donnut123]

*Brad's Jeeps grow an angry eyes grill watching him do this...

[@alexmills1329]

His eco diesel will have a melt down seeing this 😂 sorry for rubbing salt in the wounds

[@jawall1068]

They are a blast. A Kawasaki Teryx got me into off road. Sold that for a Jeep JK, now I’m waiting on my Bronco to arrive (any day now). The SxS was definitely my “gateway drug” 🤣🤣🤣

[@sandralutz-rodriguez2864]

those are fun!

[@wardperozuk2288]

Had one for about ten years now! They are a complete blast! Welcome to the sxs world where here too, you can spend all of your $$! Lol.

[@grice610]

Awesome, welcome to a whole other level of addiction ;P Love my Jeep LJ but my Ranger HighLifter has taken us places beyond where I would have been comfortable taking my Jeep. I'm sure its a matter of time before we move up to a General or RZR.

[@PaintGuy]

I’d love to try one of those out, but I know if I bought one it would just sit i’m my garage. Especially because I’m almost finished with my LJ rock crawler build haha

[@wildcatoutdoors]

Do a side by side overland build! Canam 6x6 has a 6ft bed so you could mount a roof top tent!

[@teamambrose74]

The General looks amazing! We got a Ranger, which is great. But I wish we would have got a General

[@TrailRecon]

I think they did a great job with the styling and I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a Ranger and feel the difference.

[@Chris.starfleet]

9:05 That's something to be proud of ... me and my 3 boys, all of us over 6 feet ...

[@generaldreamsoutdoors43]

I recently did a trip to the Arapeen Trail in Utah with my General XP and was planning on mentioning it to you to check out. There is beautiful scenery there and trails for all vehicles also great camping spots. But now that you have a General also you can hit some of the smaller trails which are pretty fun and nice scenery. I did some filming there for my channel and I'm sure you could get some great shots of the area.

[@jacob-kf2gf]

Little tip. Learn how to change the belt and make sure you always got a spare. Dealership told me to either spend money on a belt or a good pair of walking shoes cuz if you blow a belt your stranded.

[@TrailRecon]

Yep, I'll be adding a belt to my kit soon.

[@Bruno-eh4hs]

Thats really cool, I recommend you look for a Tomcar its pretty sick...

[@muddiver91]

You might check on a aftermarket cage , some sXs cages are not intended for anything more than a slow rollover . Peace and thank you for your service!

[@reedembley5197]

Welcome to the side-by-side world! I've been on either a 4-wheeler or a Rzr for 18 years now. I currently own a Rzr 900 Trail and I'm seriously considering trading for a General XP. Your video turned me on even more. I'm older (72) but it is still a way I can see the beautiful country Utah has to offer. I really love my side-by-side and I hope to see you doing a lot more with this fun machine.

[@BrianBCoyle]

Bought a Yamaha Rmax2 and I have to say I'm starting to like that more than my Jeep. Have taken my 2009 JK everywhere from Moab to Colorado but it might be getting time to sell it. I have more fun in the side by side and would like to see it out on those narrow Colorado cliff edged trails.

[@sherri082772]

U should go to Hatfield and McCoy in west Virginia, take your jeep with a s×s on a trailer, it's a blast & its beautiful there!!!

[@DerangedOffRoad]

If you had fun in that machine just wait until you get in a sxs that actually has a good suspension setup. The General is a good all around machine but at this point you haven't experienced bombing the desert. Be careful, sxs's can be addicting. As always I enjoyed your video!

[@TrailRecon]

Looking forward to having some fun and excited to driving some other sxs's!

[@DerangedOffRoad]

@@TrailRecon next time you're in Sand Hollow/Southern Utah area, we should get together and go bomb the dunes!

[@TrailRecon]

Oh ya, I think exploring Sand Hollow in this would be a blast!

[@515ventures3]

im still undecided on a side by side or ATV. I don't care which one costs more, it comes down to experience. This is my only concern...Everyone likes do the driving and rip thru trails. On a side by side, there is always a possible 3 people not doing the driving. Where on a ATV, there are more chances of getting that thrill, than to be a passenger in a side by side. If i was apart of a family or friend group, i would want more people to get the experience at carving out the trails, then to be just sitting there as a passenger. I think a side by side resembles more of a truck and SUV off-roading experience, because everyone is sitting down in a vehicle. Where an ATV resembles more of a dual sport bike, jet ski, & snowmobile. Because you are sitting down on it like a horse, instead of a vehicle seat And with that said, because of how huge the side by side market has become, i think it has kinda takin away with that small engine toy experience. Like you are getting on a horse and riding-off on an engine. Where a side by side leans much more towards a real off road vehicle. Riding a ATV down the same trail, it is going to be much more exciting than to be driving 3 other people around? What are your thoughts on my comparison?

[@smrownz741]

You come across as such a kind and gentle soul. However I bet being a vet, you can light somebody up real quick if the situation calls for it. Thank you for your service.

[@TrailRecon]

Thankfully I don't have troublesome Junior Sailors to deal with these days! Thank you!

[@Djshifflet]

Hey Brad, I don’t know if this was stated previously, but polaris has the ride command app for your phone/tablet. It is not as great as other navigation apps like gaia, OnX, etc. But I think it could be used as a suplemental app and have them open simultaneously and switch back and forth if you do get split up out on the trail in the jeep.

[@chrisjmiller6]

Looks like a blast! I'm amazed at how this industry has exploded. Polaris picked the right guy to showcase their products.

[@TrailRecon]

So much fun! It been interesting watching the industry grow and seeing more and more families out having adventures with these.

[@wildhorses4x4]

yeah yeah

[@paigeavinger2509]

Got to drive one of these on Hells Revenge out in Moab! These are soooo fun!

[@TrailRecon]

I bet! I can't wait to take this guy out to Moab!

[@TJbaseliner]

Ride Command for the ham radio operator is called APRS. Only drawback is all of your jeep friends need to be licensed too.

[@TheUnorthodoxx]

Looks like you need a Patriots Camper Toy Hauler behind your Power Wagon!

[@duncanmackinlay7672]

Will the rig walk arounds ever make an appearance again? For local, national and or even International rigs? Loved watching all those sometimes still going back and watching. All the best! Keep up the content

[@TrailRecon]

Will be doing one of Marcos new 392 soon and more on the horizon. Thanks!

[@duncanmackinlay7672]

@@TrailRecon awesome! Cannot wait to see that, also really looking forward to see some new posts on that new chanel of yours 🙌🏼

[@bwofficial1776]

Point of clarification on the 1/2/4x4 switch from someone who's owned Polaris side by sides for a decade: The bottom position of the switch unlocks the back diff and is rear wheel drive. It doesn't specifically power only the back right wheel. Middle is rear wheel drive, back differential locked. It'll tear up grass, not that you really have grass out there. Top is back axle locked, front axle engages if more traction is needed. It's not permanent 4x4, more like a crossover's all wheel drive. Yours may be different though. I can say that we and our neighbors have owned Polaris off-road vehicles for decades and have had very few problems with them.

[@LV2XPLR]

I have my General XP 4 1000 in AZ and it's street legal, so the rear diff really saves wear & tear on the tires while on pavement.

[@motoken]

Brad, you convinced me to convert to the Jeep from my land rover..now you might convince me to try side by sides a shot....damn

[@bobbyt1shot224]

BRAD THAT WILL BE YOUR NEW OVER LANDER...

[@TrailRecon]

It's not going to replace the Jeep or truck, but I think it would be fun to take it on some overnight trips for sure!

[@LoneStarSwirl]

That's a bad mama jama!

[@Markley92]

More!

[@adeelriazchohan3084]

Nice bro

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks

[@shelmstedt]

The Polaris is a blast on the terrain you are driving on. We use them on rougher terrain with 3-4 people +gear and I think they are just to flimsy. Everyone but the driver has to get out of the Polaris when driving over rocks. Otherwise it will tank. That is not helpful. We are using the Polaris to get Search and Rescue volunteers quicker out into the field. I can hike faster than the Polaris crawls fully loaded over a rock. Also the window for the winter doors are fragile. One broke because a shrub slid from the outside against ist. Another time we lost a window pin and the little side window dangled open. So bottom line, nice toy under the right conditions, but don’t drive it on the Rubicon trail or similar dirt roads.

[@LV2XPLR]

@TrailRecon, Have you had a chance to pull the trailer & General with your Gladiator? I have a 3.6L Durango and it works hard pulling the 2100lb General on a 1000lb aluminum tandem axle trailer in the AZ mountains. I'd love to find a tow vehicle that handles that load in the mountains but is also a capable trail vehicle like a Wrangler/Gladiator. I brought my General XP 4 1000 to AZ in December and I'm having a blast with it. I live in Payson and have 1,500 miles on it in the last 2 months doing trails south to Phoenix & north to Sedona. Lots of scrapes on the rock sliders and Arizona pinstripes on the sides already.

[@ElementoftheGods3094]

I have a ‘19 RZR RS1, solo seat, it’s a lot of fun

[@TrailRecon]

I just drove my buddy Josh's RZR Turbo S and man that thing fly's... lots of fun!

[@ElementoftheGods3094]

@@TrailRecon RS1 uses same parts as the RZR 1000 XP, been looking at the new Pro R 4 cylinder but $44000 I can get a Jeep Rubicon

[@ourv9603]

I always wanted to ditch my Wrangler for a street legal Side X Side. One that would fit into an Rv toyhauler garage. I found there is a company back east which sells kits to street legal your Side X Side but unfortunate, as it is for a lot of things NOT LEGAL in CALIFORNIA. So, we're still wheelin our JK, lusting after a Gladiator. !

[@LucasAlmad4]

❤👍

[@TYZR4ME]

OMG Brad, Beverly and I have been building SXS for over 14 years, definitely different from the Jeep..... What did you think? did you like driving it??

[@somdable]

How long until it gets a roof top tent?

[@chillis28]

👍👍

[@traviseggl3794]

They make that GPS option available on snowmobiles as well.

[@TrailRecon]

Funny thing is, I've never driven a snowmobile either... I hope to get on one this winter for the first time as well.

[@gdsxsoffroad3109]

@@TrailRecon Or you could put tracks on your SXS and ride it in the snow.

[@chrisredlich9086]

What is 648 person have any problem in this?

[@aureliusfrazier6539]

I want one like this I'm 13 looking for one

[@rael6_4wd]

Pretty nice. I’ll bet it costs more than my Wrangler. $$$$

[@garyleibitzke4166]

Looks like you're at "Main Street".

[@TrailRecon]

Good eye! We ventured off pretty far for this spot, good home base.

[@johnsanfilippo2516]

Curious what's one of these side by sides costs?

[@LV2XPLR]

$25,000 - $30,000

[@futurebalance6134]

Not going to lie, those are the most obnoxious things in the wilderness these days ripping past camp sites.

[@BradRLeBeau]

Absolutely. I cannot stand it, and the owners aren't much better.

[@aeneasm3758]

You just need some kc lights

[@TrailRecon]

Oh ya! Some KC's and other accessories on the horizon.

[@1111Overland]

Because of its extra speed, drivers in these types of vehicles often believe they have the “right of way” when passing slower vehicles like jeeps, and are often guilty of widening trails by “leaving the trail and going around” Do you believe these drivers should “wait their turn” or does the nature of this vehicle lend it to being “allowed to leave the trail” and go around slower vehicles, even if it’s not a convenient time?

[@LV2XPLR]

To protect the ecology, offroaders should never leave the trail, instead wait for an established wide spot to pass. The desert flora can take decades to recover from one pass of a vehicle. My girlfriend almost refused to meet me when she found out I had a side by side. She is an archeological preservationist and has seen the damage disrespectful driving can do. I had to explain my deep respect for the areas I ride through and how many bags of trail trash I pick up. We both love exploring the southwest with my General. I didn't think I'd want to be a passenger in my own machine but watching her smile while she is driving has us both smiling.

[@asianrice02]

It's too bad it isn't street legal. Probably gets good mileage and easy to maintain.

[@TrailRecon]

There are a few states where you can drive these on the road and I think a mpg test might be in the future!

[@Nartsv]

With minimal modifications they are street legal in AZ.

[@fwschnaar3179]

Sorry… Maybe once they go Electric… But having to listen to them, is like listening to a Dentists Drill 😳😢🤷‍♂️

[@TrailRecon]

I'd be all over driving an electric one!

[@carson1043]

It's all fun and games until you look at that price tag

[@dmb3692]

starting at $28,000