Need Help Quick

[Alias99]

Well guyz im picking up the 525 this weekend but i cant make up my mind as far as the IRS or the single axle. I ride mainly trial that have some back yard tracks with them. I go to motocross tracks about 2-4 times a month when i can. I also ride some o the main trails like Heitfield MCcoy and Alleghaney trails. I just cant seem to make up my mind on which one would be right for me because if i ever wanted to race motorcross i feel that the irs would hold me back but the single axle would hold me back on the trails. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[smokinwrench]

Just buy both!:D

I have no clue what to tell ya. I ride a 525 IRS and love it. I ride mainly dunes and trails and race harescrambles a few times per year. With your riding its a hard choice.

[sheriff525]

Well if your not a full on competitive racer and only do it every once in a while than the IRS system will not hamper you too much. Unless your a podium finisher kind of person. Then you would probably have more than one machine anyway. The IRS will keep you way ahead of the pack on the trails. I vote for the IRS. It is what I have and I love it. It is my opinion that I could be just as fast on the IRS in most cases as the straight axel. I got the IRS and I have not even looked back to straight!

[Chris525]

I'm never going back to a straight axle

[xtreme 250x]

All I have to say is Look at Doug Eichner

[OutlawBill]

Originally posted by xtreme 250x
All I have to say is Look at Doug Eichner Yes he does like the IRS. He just has to race the SA because of rules and contract.

[xtreme 250x]

I understand rules and contract but my point was that he rides various terrains on the 525s and mxr450 and has no trouble I think the irs is the way to go if you only ride deep sand and rocky and rutted trails but for what the orignal post was he hits the track 2-4 times a week or whenever he can he spends alot o time a tracks and some time in the trails. I would go with the 525s or like myself and buy the best a LTR450. I had to throw that in their because I love my suzuki but My family owns a polaris dealership and my bro runs a mxr450.

[OutlawBill]

2-4 time a month not week

[Alias99]

Thanks for the replies guyz keep em comming i still got a day. Is the irs as reliable as the straight axle. I figure the IRS would be more maintance with all the extra moving parts but is it worth it for the ride. Thanks the thread has been really informative so far just need a little more

[eerhard09]

The IRS is just different. It handles very similar to a straight axle but not quite and stable and requires a little different body english when cornering. It does a decent job on the track but does feel heavy, at least compared to the 450's that are out there. These are not negatives unless you arecompetitive in the race scene. On the trails, the IRS does not beat you up like the straight axle does. You can ride the trails and dunes longer and harder and not be nearly as fatigued from the jarring. When jumping, the IRS does a decent job also and is VERY forgiving if you land crooked. It does not slam you back flat like a straight axle does and will not toss you off fort he same reason. I am in my mid 30s with a slightly sensitive back that the IRS is a savior for, as far as me riding all day. I do not think the straight axle would be so kind!

If you are more on the track than any other type of riding, then the straight axle is your best bet. I would even say the 450 would be better since you could compete in the 450 class and it comes with the wheel/tire package already. If you enjoy the trails more and that is where you like to ride more, then I would say go with the IRS. If you are not looking to race but love to spend a lot of time on the track, go with the 525s. Ttey all have their strong points, you just need to figure out which type of riding you want to do more and make your choice from that!

[sleddog66]

As far as maintenance, 1 good thing on the IRS is the chain is always at the same tension, it does not move with the suspension. I wonder if the chain will last longer due to that?:muscle:

[xtreme 250x]

This is just another question I don't mean to be a pain but is there any comparisons out between the 525s & 525irs like rear wheel hp and the amout of power lost through the cv axles vs straight axle rea hp just wonder if anyone might have some figures.

[eerhard09]

If there is a difference, I would think it would only be 1-2 HP, maybe not even that much. But, that being said, the IRS gets better traction so it will feel like it has as much or more power. I would think the difference would not be much....

[Evasiveone]

I also think the power loss with the CV joints is very minimal. Since the rear sprocket does not move with the rear suspension I actually think there is a good argument that it loses less than a swingarm setup. On a SRA quad the chain/sprocket is moving up and down and left and right with the suspension changing tension and angles constantly. Also the airbox on the IRS is much larger than the 525S or 450MXR.

[LT250_JOE]

Easy solution.....Buy one of each !!!!!

[ojcool]

I would say unless you are a hard core racer you should get the IRS. Once you ride this quad on trails you just cannot remember how you delt with a solid axle. I have the same carrier clearance as my buddies Outlander 800! I still find myself wincing once in awhile on the trail when I can't avoid a big rock and I go over it in the center where on a strait axle you would feel it go WHAM! on the carrier, sometimes even throwing you over the handlebars... I don't miss that AT ALL. It's the best of both worlds, PLUS I think you will see someone aftermarket offering an upgraded rear swaybar that will likely give you the ability to make the bike handle even more like a strait axle.

The IRS is a little different, it feels like it has a shorter wheelbase than a solid rear axle and can feel tippy but you quickly get used to it and actually get to enjoy the responsiveness of all.

If you're really serious about racing though, I would not even get the Polaris, get the KTM, or CanAm, both are better choices for racing IMO. Really the only reason to get the Polaris IS to get the IRS.

[Polaris 450MXR]

I have riden the 525IRS on a Motocross track for about 5 to 6 laps and that is what made me purchace the 450. I thought after riding the 525IRS that it was a great machine and was finaly ready to support the Polaris wheeler Industry. The 525IRS launches a little different due to the fact that you launch the way that your body weight was planted when leaving the ground. I am a MX rider so I chose the MXR however the 525IRS would probably be the best all around machine if you are not riding at the track all the time. Not quite sure how the IRS would hold up after smashing into the ground over and over and over. I would be afraid that the sway bar would get tweaked in the middle of a race and then be all messed up for the remainder of the race.
So if you are a trail rider buy the IRS and if youare a motocrosser buy the 450 and mod the heck out of it and it will be one of the fastest and best handling quads! The Stock 450mxr is still awesome!!! And will beat many LTR's :D

[Alias99]

Thanks for all the help guyz. I ended up going with a 08 525 IRS. I got it for 6500$ which i thought was a good deal. I just have a few questions though since im new. 1. Where do you guyz find your aftermarket parts ive been looking for a pair of nerfs but the only ones i can find r made by polaris. 2. How long do you guyz break in your machines for and any tips? 3. will 11inch wide tires fit on the back? thanks heres a few pics

[Alias99]

1

[525 Outlaw Dude]

http://www.duncanracing.com/
http://www.yoshimura-rd.com/default.aspx http://www.fmfracing.com/
http://www.ctracing.com/ http://www.proalum.com/index.asp http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx http://www.proarmor.com/store/index.php http://www.asvinventions.com/levers_order/ http://www.aaenperformance.com/index.asp http://www.fasstco.com/
http://www.foxracingshox.com/ http://www.protaper.com/index.html
http://www.hiper-technology.com/
https://hmfengineering.com/
http://www.itptires.com/ http://www.lsracing.com/
http://prm-atv.com/
http://www.rockymountainatv.com
http://www.team-rpm.com/index.htm http://www.sidewindersprockets.com/polaris.html http://www.tireballs.com/index.html http://www.wiseco.com/
P.S any KTM engine parts for the KTM525 will work since there almost identical ;)

[525 Outlaw Dude]

1-There's pretty much every aftermarket brand, and remember that ktm525 engine parts will work!!!

2-For your Break-in period, just take it easy for the first couple days and dont go all out. I suggest just keeping it at half throttle for day 1-2 and for day 3 maby 3/4th trottle. Also I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS, is find a really long level strip of road/trail and go throw 1st-5th gear about 3/4th throttle on day 4 and while
decelerating just go slow while doing so, it will make the engine seat its self better and i think run alittle bit better!!!

3-For 11" wheels i'm not sure, but the other guess will know

I Hope this help you out with your 525irs and for a suggestion, first off is buy the K&N filter with the outer-wear, Have your jets changed to normal so its not so lean and take the end-cap off your exhaust "It sounds really good and i think it free's up some HP, plus its not to loud"
:p

[outlawjeff]

rath racing makes nerf bars . i have the nerfs monster propeg and heal guards from rath and love them.

[sleddog66]

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

check out this article. It is pretty much the way I break 'em in. Short version is break it in like you will ride it!

[eerhard09]

In case you guys are interested, HMF now carries Gallagher's parts on their web site!

HMF Outlaw Parts (https://hmfengineering.com/shop.php?category_id=3797)