In 2022, the Polaris RZR 200 splashed onto the youth UTV scene to take the place of the RZR 170 after its 11-year production run.
Though updated with a number of new features and slightly more powerful engine, the RZR 200 is still designed for the same age ranges of 10 years and up.
While powerful enough to carry teens and small adults, the achievable speeds cater more to the younger generation. Put bluntly, the RZR 200 is not that fast.
That said, let’s review the Polaris RZR 200 top speed, along with the following:
- Existence of a speed limiter safety feature
- Adjusting the speed limiter to increase the speed
- More ways to increase the RZR 200 top speed
- How the break-in period affects top speed
- Additional RZR 200 safety features
RZR 200 Top Speed
Boasting a 180cc single-cylinder engine, the RZR 200 top speed is 29 mph for a vehicle in stock condition.
The good news for those with children who might be bored with this top speed is there are some modifications you can make to increase the top speed of this model to almost 40 mph. We’ll cover those shortly.
But let’s start with the top speed of 29 mph, as reaching it will take some adjusting of the speed limiter safety feature that restricts a brand new RZR 200’s top speed to 15 mph initially.
RZR 200 Speed Limiter
As a youth model, the RZR 200 features an adjustable electronic speed limiter so that parents can control the vehicle’s speeds based on the driver’s ability.
This speed limiter is set to a top speed of 15 mph out of the box, which can be pretty disappointing for some children and can actually affect its ability to climb hills and drive in certain terrains.
Fortunately, this speed limiter can be adjusted by parents in two different ways to either increase or decrease the top reachable speed.
Adjusting The Speed Limiter
Adjustments can be made using the digital display on the dash or via the Polaris Ride Command app from your phone.
Digital Display Speed Adjustment
The max speed of the vehicle can be adjusted via the digital display on the dash by following these steps:
- Select Youth Menu by pressing MODE button
- Enter your PIN
- Select Max Speed from Youth Menu by pressing MODE button
- Use the UP button to increase speed
- Use the DOWN button to decrease speed
- Once at your desired top speed, press MODE to set it
The highest selectable top speed will be 29 mph.
Polaris Ride Command App Adjustment
Parents can also add the Polaris Ride Command App on their phone and easily control all of the safety features of the RZR 200.
Assuming you have downloaded the app and added your vehicle by its VIN Number, open the app and select your RZR 200.
Follow the steps below to adjust the top speed limit.
- Select Vehicle Settings tab
- Click the toggle switch for Maximum Speed Limit
- This will prompt the Max Speed slide bar to appear
- Adjust the Max Speed by sliding the bubble to your desired speed
- Click the Push button at the top right to select this as your speed setting
- The new speed is set once the bar behind the Push button turns blue
The top selectable speed is 29 mph here as well.
More Ways To Increase The RZR 200 Top Speed
If 29 mph is still not fast enough for your kiddos, there are a couple more ways to make the RZR 200 even faster.
ECU Power Flash
The best way to add speed to your RZR 200 is to have the Electronic Control Unit power flashed or tuned.
A power flash essentially bypasses the electronic speed limiter in the RZR 200, but also offers improved power and overall performance with a higher speed limit and rev limit.
It also optimizes your vehicle’s air to fuel ratios resulting in improved throttle response across all RPM levels.
EVO Powersports offers an ECU Power Flash for the RZR 200 which claims to increase the speed to between 36 and 40 mph.
Increase the Gearing
The RZR 200 is propelled by a combination of the engine and a drive chain with front and rear sprockets.
The stock front sprocket is a 13-tooth sprocket. By increasing to a 14-tooth or 15-tooth sprocket in front, you should be able to increase the top-end speed of the vehicle by a few mph.
But realize that there is a tradeoff if doing this, as increasing the sprocket size up front will result in slightly lower torque and acceleration.
MORE: Polaris RZR 170 Top Speed
Break-In Period Affects Top Speed
Owners of a new Polaris RZR 200 are highly encouraged to adhere to the recommended break-in period outlined in the owner’s manual, as not doing so may negatively affect the long-term engine performance and reachable top speed of the vehicle.
The owner’s manual refers to this break-in period as the first 10 hours of operation. During these first 10 hours, the engine components and parts wear and polish themselves to their correct operating clearances.
So it is essential to avoid excessive engine heat during this time period. As such, owners should not operate continuously above ½ throttle for the first 3 hours of use or above ¾ throttle during the remaining 4-10 hours of the break-in period.
Final Thoughts
While the Polaris RZR 200 top speed is 29 mph, it will take some adjusting of the electronic speed limiter in order to reach it.
And there are some modifications that can have the RZR 200 topping out around 40 mph and able to keep up with the likes of the Polaris Phoenix 200.
For a look at some similar youth models, check out the following before you go:
