Polaris Scrambler 250R/es

The Polaris Scrambler 250R/es was the only production All Terrain Cycle produced in North America, an honor only challenged by neighboring specialty ATC manufacturer Tiger ATV LTD. On the market in 1985 and 1986, it was reverse engineered from an existing Polaris ATV with various outsourced components. The drive, frame and body are utilized from the Polaris Trail Boss, while the triple tree, forks, fender, front wheel and hand controls were provided by Yamaha, from their 225DX ATC.

When introduced, the Scrambler was a heavier and physically larger machine than most contemporary ATC’s. Polaris compensated by using a 244cc two-stroke engine, driven through a first-on-an-ATC fully automatic transmission, to a Chain final drive. This allowed the machine adequate performance as a recreational machine, while media at the time noted it was the only two-stroke machine on the market not intended for racing. Adding to the weight was an electric starting system with recoil backup.

The CVT transmission (dubbed “PVT” or Polaris Velocity Transmission) and two stroke engine were not the only unique features of the recreation ATC, as it also featured full floor boards, a safer alternative to the narrow foot pegs normally required for clearance to manually shift.

Polaris’ entry into the ATC market was brief, offering this single model for two years and producing a modest (Appx.) 1600 units before pressure from injury lawsuits and the Consumer Product Safety Commission caused major manufacturers to voluntarily exit the ATC market. Within two years of Polaris’ exit, the CPSC and multiple manufacturers, including Polaris, reached an agreement to suspend All Terrain Cycles production for 10 years and invest $100+ million in All Terrain Vehicle safety campaigns. Like all major manufacturers, Polaris never resumed ATC production, focusing instead on four wheeled ATV’s.