Indians are inherently adept at off-roading, thanks to the awful condition of the roads that we have all grown accustomed to. However, our commutes on public roads are done on road-legal two-wheelers or four-wheelers. But what if you wanted a dedicated off-road vehicle on an actual off-road track? This is where Polaris Experience Zone (PEZ) enters the picture. The niche off-road vehicle manufacturer has been opening PEZs since 2013 and has now inaugurated its 83rd one in Susgaon, Pune. Located inside Sunny’s World, an adventure park, Polaris has laid out an artificial track which has a variety of obstacles including gradients, wooden logs and some axle breakers. Their idea is to recreate multitudes of terrains such as rocky, slushy, desert and muddy. The trail is short and flat which doesn’t pose much difficulty for newbies while leaving scope for the experts to have a bit of airtime and some sideways fun. For the same, there are a total of five Polaris ATVs including Phoenix 200 and the Trail Boss 330. Soon after the ribbon cutting ceremony presided over by Pankaj Dubey, MD and Country Head, Polaris India, we headed out on the track for a taste of the smaller Phoenix. As the name suggests, it is powered by a 199cc, single-cylinder engine and has just enough grunt to get you past the hurdles. Preferably, the first choice for someone mounting an ATV for the first time in his life. However, if you are in a slightly naughty mood, it’s the TrailBoss 330 that you should be picking. It is comparatively bulkier, with a slightly higher-set handlebar and as a result, you don’t have to bend forward while standing on the footboard. Its bigger 329cc single-pot motor is grunty enough for you to slide through bends and power through gradients for that sweet little airtime. If you want your little ones to splash some mud around too, there are smaller 50cc ATVs catering to kids who are 10 years or older. This off-road initiative is not only a recreational weekend activity but also offers an opportunity to learn some basic techniques should you wish to veer off the paved road. And the availability of trainers and spotters on the track makes it safe too. Getting to this Polaris Experience Zone is quite easy from anywhere around Pune - it is just 5-6km away from the Mumbai-Bangalore Bypass highway. Since Sunny’s World is an adventure resort, there are adventure sports as well as relaxing spots which should keep other family members engaged while you run wild with those ATVs.

Source: zigwheels.com