ATV TEST: POLARIS OUTLAW 70 EFI

On Dec 6, 2022

Youth are loving the 70s!By the staff of Dirt Wheels

**While suited to 6-plus-year-old riders, the Polaris Outlaw 70 EFI easily has enough room for older riders. It is roomy and comfortable. The small windshield is an option.**

Polaris is known for building some of the largest, most powerful production quads in the world. While those monsters do generate interest, the company does have a desirable line of youth offerings as well. For 2022, the smallest of the available Polaris youth quads is the Outlaw 70 EFI. EFI remains rare in the youth ATV market, and if you talk with typical youth ATV owners, poor cold starting is a peeve, and EFI fixes that issue.

**Both the Outlaw 70 and the Polaris Sportsman 570 are quiet enough that mom or dad can ride along and provide on-the-go safety and riding instructions.**

There are several factors that go into listing the age restrictions of a youth quad. Most age-6-plus machines are 50cc, but a few 70cc machines like the Outlaw qualify as 6-plus . The Outlaw 70’s platform is a bit larger than most 6-plus quads, but it is stable. The turning radius did draw some criticism, but it is also why the quad tests as safe enough for youth riders.

**The Outlaw 70 has 18-inch Obor tires and a nicely padded seat. We like how the engine is fully enclosed by the attractive body panels. Throttle and handbrake efforts are high for small riders.**

DIAL IT BACK

It also arrives with severely limited throttle throw. It is about perfect for riders learning how to ride. Top speed is modest but isn’t reduced by the limited throttle. Even a mild hill is a slow go. Because there is so little thumb-throttle travel, small riders said their thumbs got tired. There is an easily used rear foot brake, but the handlebar brake lever is a bit large.

The upside of the larger platform is that a youth rider will be able to stick with the Outlaw 70 for a while. It is rated to carry 140 pounds, and our two test riders at 9 and 11 were well under that weight. It is possible for a 6-foot rider to sit on the Outlaw (if you can find one under 140 pounds!), so there is room to grow into it.

Young riders who grasp the concept of riding will quickly tire of the stock 70cc power output, but the throttle limiter is adjustable. It is hidden under the left front fender, and it requires a 12mm and 16mm wrench to add slack to the cable and allow full throttle opening. It isn’t all or nothing; parents can add performance a little at a time.

**Before our youth riders had been at it too long, we put some markers out and designated strategic weeds to act as turn markers. Neither rider chose to play. They practiced.**

WHAT WE LIKE

The four-stroke engine, exhaust system and CVT “forward-only” transmission are completely enclosed by the body panels. Not much chance of getting burned! It has working LED headlights and a taillight. Each Outlaw comes with a safety kit that includes a nice, comfortable helmet; safety tether, flag; and a training DVD. It also has a steel front bumper that one of our beginners put to the test. There’s 4 inches of front and rear suspension, and it has 18-inch tires.

There are smart accessories—front and rear bumpers and a windshield. Enjoy the convenience of a storage bag, and customize your ride with a decal kit.

After we adjusted the throttle limiter the machine handled hills much better. It would slide corners with experienced riders aboard.

**Everything you need is here, including a check-engine light, tethered kill switch, horn button and a clever fuel gauge in the gas cap. With a 1.5-gallon fuel tank, the 70 should go forever.**

WHAT WE LIKE LESS

Brake lever and thumb throttle are large for small hands. Turning at low speeds takes some muscle. There is no reverse, and we are mixed on the turning radius. We know it adds safety, but it does require some room to turn around.

**Single front-A-arm suspension is basic but normal for youth quads. There is 4 inches of travel, and the machine has three disc brakes. Those are nice features.**

CONCLUSION

This is a nice package at a good price. We are impressed with the thought put into safety. The kids loved riding it, but it was roomy enough for older youth and reasonably sized adults to run around home or camp.

2021 POLARIS OUTLAW 70 EFI

Engine Air-cooled 4-stroke, single cylinder

Displacement 70cc

Starter Electric

Fuel system EFI

Fuel capacity 1.5 gal

Transmission Automatic CVT, forward only

Final drive Chain

Suspension/wheel travel:

Front Single A-arm/4”

Rear Monoshock swingarm/4”

Brakes:

Front Dual disc

Rear Single disc

Tires:

Front 18×7-8, Obor

Rear 18×8-8, Obor

Length/width/height 56”/35.5”/35.25”

Ground clearance 4”

Wheelbase 37.75”

Curb weight 278 lb.

Colors Bright White/Indy Red, white/pink

Price $2,399