The Polaris RZR 1000 is among the most lightning fast sport side-by-sides in the industry.
There are five main Polaris RZR 1000 models, each with varying engine types and performance levels.
For vehicles in stock condition, the achievable Polaris RZR 1000 top speed mostly boils down to its engine power and tire size.
But this top speed also is also dependent upon whether there is an electronic speed limiter in place.
This guide will detail the following:
- Top speed of each RZR 1000 model
- Which models have electronic speed limiters
- How to bypass these electronic speed limiters
- How to increase the top speed of each model
RZR XP 1000 Top Speed
The RZR XP 1000 is powered by a 999cc twin-cylinder engine with a power output of 110 horsepower.
This model reaches a top speed of 78 mph, and is limited by an electronic speed limiter.
| Polaris RZR XP 1000 Engine Specs | |
| Engine Type | Four-Stroke DOHC |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Twin Cylinder |
| Displacement | 999 cc |
| Horsepower | 110 HP |
| Engine Cooling | Liquid-Cooled |
RZR Trail 1000 Top Speed
Powered by a 999cc twin-cylinder engine with an output of 100 horsepower, the RZR Trail 1000 tops out at a speed of 70 mph.
It offers the least power output and speed of any of the RZR 1000 models, and is restricted by an electronic speed limiter.
| Polaris RZR Trail 1000 Engine Specs | |
| Engine Type | Four-Stroke DOHC |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Twin Cylinder |
| Displacement | 999 cc |
| Horsepower | 100 HP |
| Engine Cooling | Liquid-Cooled |
RZR Pro XP Top Speed
The Polaris RZR Pro XP is one of two turbo-charged RZR 1000 models.
These engines are installed with a turbo-charger that essentially forces more air to pass through the cylinders, increasing the overall power and performance of the engine.
The turbo-charged 925cc twin-cylinder engine boasts an output of 181 horsepower, with the RZR Pro XP top speed being 90 mph.
This model is also restricted by an electronic speed limiter.
| Polaris RZR Pro XP Engine Specs | |
| Engine Type | Four-Stroke DOHC, Turbo-Charged |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Twin Cylinder |
| Displacement | 925 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 HP |
| Engine Cooling | Liquid-Cooled |
Polaris RZR 1000 Turbo Top Speed
The second of the turbo-charged models, the RZR 1000 Turbo is powered by a turbo-charged 925cc twin-cylinder engine with an output of 181 horsepower.
The RZR 1000 Turbo top speed is 85 mph and it is restricted by an electronic speed limiter.
| Polaris RZR Turbo R Engine Specs | |
| Engine Type | Four-Stroke DOHC, Turbo-Charged |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Twin Cylinder |
| Displacement | 925 cc |
| Horsepower | 181 HP |
| Engine Cooling | Liquid-Cooled |
RZR Pro R Top Speed
The Polaris RZR and its powerful four-cylinder engine is technically in a class of its own, but I’ve included it for the sake of comparison.
This RZR Pro R is the most powerful factory side-by-side ever produced, and is the first in the industry to boast a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
Despite an engine output of a whopping 225 horsepower, the RZR Pro R top speed is 90 mph due to an electronic speed limiter.
| Polaris RZR Pro R Engine Specs | |
| Engine Type | Four-Stroke DOHC |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Four Cylinder |
| Displacement | 1,997cc / 2.0 L |
| Horsepower | 225 HP |
| Engine Cooling | Liquid-Cooled |
Polaris RZR 1000 Speed Limiter
Each of RZR 1000 models is restricted by an electronic speed limiter which limits their top reachable speeds.
While each model besides the RZR Trail tops out within 12 mph of the others, the more powerful models feature better acceleration and will reach their respective top speeds quicker than the less powerful models.
Bypassing The Speed Limiter
There is only one way to bypass the electronic speed limiter in RZR 1000 models, and that’s by having the Electronic Control Unit tuned.
Having the ECU tuned will delete the electronic speed limiter, but also has a number of added benefits.
A tune should also monitor the air to fuel ratio of your vehicle and calculate the correct fuel adjustment necessary for the optimal proportions.
This will ensure you are getting the proper air to fuel ratio at every throttle position and RPM level, resulting in increased horsepower and torque along with better throttle response.
Many times, a tune will also reprogram the radiator fan to trigger at a lower engine temperature to prevent overheating.
Having your ECU tuned is especially important if you’ve upgraded the intake and/or exhaust systems.
Upgrading The Intake
The airbox and air filter make up your RZR’s intake system. These components are responsible for funneling clean air into the engine.
By upgrading the airbox and/or air intake tube, you’ll increase the airflow to the engine. This should provide a slight boost in power for your vehicle at higher RPM ranges, which should translate to more top-end speed.
While it is highly recommended to stick with the stock air filter for the RZR 1000 models, adding a particle separator to assist with keeping the airbox and engine free of dust, dirt, mud, and water particles will be extremely beneficial.
The S&B Particle Separator is highly recommended, as is the UMP Super Filter Kit.
Upgrading The Exhaust
To provide a more efficient escape for any added airflow from an intake upgrade, the exhaust system should be upgraded as well.
An upgraded exhaust system should provide a slight increase in torque and horsepower for your vehicle, while also giving it a more aggressive growl than that of the stock exhaust.
There are numerous aftermarket exhaust suppliers, with the following being some of the highest recommended for RZR 1000 models:
- Empire Exhaust
- Evo Exhaust
- HMF Exhaust
- Yoshimura Exhaust
- Trinity Racing Exhaust
There’s not much difference performance-wise, but the sound and appearance of each option will differ a bit.
To see how they stack up with one another, check out this Empire Exhaust Guide for a competitive breakdown.
MORE: Polaris RZR 200 Top Speed
Additional Ways To Increase RZR 1000 Top Speed
Upgrade The Tires
The RZR 1000 models come equipped with various sized stock tires, ranging from 27 to 32 inches in diameter.
Replacing these with a larger-diameter tire can help add 3-5 mph of top-end speed, depending on the model.
If increasing the tire size, it’s important to consider upgrading the clutch as well to account for this and ensure top performance.
| RZR Model | Stock Tire Size |
| RZR Trail 1000 | 27 inches |
| RZR XP 1000 | 29 inches |
| RZR Pro XP | 30 inches |
| RZR 1000 Turbo R | 32 inches |
| RZR Pro R | 32 inches |
Check The Drive Belt
If your drive belt fits loose or has excessive wear, it will likely have a negative effect on the speed and acceleration of your RZR.
It is highly recommended to regularly inspect the drive belt and ensure it fits snuggly and is in good condition. If not, you’ll want to replace it to ensure optimal performance.
High Octane Fuel
It goes without saying that using a 91 or 93 octane fuel will result in better engine performance and speed in your RZR 1000.
If for some reason you are not using high octane fuel, making a switch will help prolong the life of many engine components, and you should experience a big difference for the better in the way your vehicle runs.
MORE: Polaris Scrambler XP 1000s Top Speed
How The Polaris RZR 1000 Break-In Period Affects Top Speed
If you want to ensure your new RZR 1000 is able to hit peak engine performance and reach its top speed, it is essential that you break it in properly.
The owner’s manual deems this break-in period to be the first 25 hours of operation or the time it takes to go through the first two full tanks of gas.
During these first 25 hours, the engine and drive components wear and polish themselves to their correct operating clearances. So it is important to avoid excessive engine heat.
The owner’s manual recommends the following during this period:
- Not operating at full throttle or high speeds during first three hours of use
- Avoiding prolonged cruising speeds
- Avoiding sustained accelerations
If you don’t properly break in your RZR 1000, there’s a chance your engine may never obtain peak performance and you may end up with a lower reachable top speed than you should.
Conclusion
The Polaris RZR 1000 top speed varies among the five different models, ranging from 70 mph to 90 mph.
The one aspect each of these models have in common in terms of top speed is that they are all restricted by a speed limiter at a certain point.
But these speed limiters can be bypassed, and along with a number of other modifications that can be made, can have vehicles reaching upwards of 100 mph.
Before you take off, check out the following Polaris guides:
