If you've spent any time on the trails lately, you've probably wondered if an rzr 900s long travel kit is actually worth the investment or if it's just a flashy mod for people with too much lunch money. It's a fair question because, let's be honest, the 900S is already a pretty capable machine right out of the box. It's got that 60-inch width that fits most trails, and it's punchy enough to get you into (and out of) trouble. But once you start pushing the limits on some serious whoops or try to keep up with the 72-inch wide Turbo S guys in the dunes, you start to feel the limitations of that stock setup.
The Reality of the Stock Setup
The RZR 900S was designed to be the "Goldilocks" of the Polaris lineup. It's not as narrow as the 50-inch trail models, so you don't feel like you're going to tip over every time you look at a corner, but it's not so wide that you're stuck outside the gates of restricted trail systems. However, "just right" usually means some compromises were made. The stock suspension is decent, but it can feel a bit "choppy" when things get fast and rough.
When you're hitting square-edged bumps or trying to skim over a set of washboards, the shorter A-arms and limited shock travel start to protest. You feel it in your lower back, and you feel it in the steering wheel. That's usually the moment when riders start looking into a rzr 900s long travel kit. It's not just about making the machine wider for the sake of looking cool—it's about changing the entire geometry of how the car handles the terrain.
What Actually Happens When You Go Long Travel?
So, what are you actually getting when you bolt one of these kits onto your machine? For starters, you're usually moving from a 60-inch width to something closer to 64 or even 72 inches, depending on the kit. That extra width is a game-changer for stability. If you've ever had that "pucker moment" where the inside wheels lift off the ground in a high-speed turn, you'll appreciate the wider footprint.
But the real magic is in the suspension cycle. A long travel kit uses longer A-arms, which means the wheels can move up and down in a much larger arc. This gives you more usable wheel travel without making the CV angles too extreme. Most kits will bump your travel up significantly, allowing the shocks to do their job over a longer distance. This means the suspension can be tuned to be plush on the small chatter while still having enough ramp-up to handle a big jump or a deep G-out.
It's a Package Deal
You can't just swap out the A-arms and call it a day. A proper rzr 900s long travel kit is a comprehensive system. You're looking at: * Extended A-Arms: These are the backbone of the kit, usually made from high-strength chromoly or boxed steel. * Longer Axles: Since your wheels are now further out, your stock axles will be way too short. Most kits include heavy-duty extended axle shafts. * Tie Rod Extensions: You've got to be able to steer, right? * Extended Brake Lines: Your stock lines won't reach the calipers once those arms are pushed out. * Shock Upgrades: This is where things get pricey but important. You often need longer shocks or, at the very least, a serious re-valve and re-spring of your current ones to handle the new leverage ratios.
How It Feels on the Trail
If you haven't driven a long-travel RZR, it's hard to describe the difference. Imagine the difference between riding a mountain bike with no suspension versus one with six inches of travel. It's like the ground just flattens out.
With an rzr 900s long travel kit, you can carry way more speed into sections that used to make you let off the gas. Those rhythmic whoops that used to toss the back end of the car side-to-side suddenly become manageable. The car tracks straighter, and the steering feels more predictable because the geometry is optimized for the wider stance.
Another thing people don't talk about enough is how it affects your confidence. When the car feels planted, you stop worrying about the machine and start focusing on your line. You're not fighting the steering wheel as much, which means you can ride longer without getting exhausted. It turns a "tough" day of riding into a "fun" day of riding.
The "Wide" Problem: Is There a Downside?
I'd be lying if I said there were no drawbacks. The most obvious one is, well, the width. If you live in an area where the trails are strictly 60 inches or have those annoying steel posts at the trailheads, a long travel kit might turn your RZR into a very expensive lawn ornament. You really have to know where you're going to be riding.
There's also the cost. A high-quality rzr 900s long travel kit isn't cheap. Between the kit itself, the shocks, and the labor (if you aren't doing it yourself), you could easily spend a few thousand dollars. Some guys argue that it's cheaper to just sell the 900S and buy a used XP 1000, which is already 64 inches wide.
But there's a counter-argument to that. The 900S has a shorter wheelbase than the XP 1000. When you put a long travel kit on a 900S, you're creating a "short-wheelbase, wide-track" monster. It turns on a dime and is incredibly flickable, which is something a longer XP 1000 can't quite replicate. It's a specific kind of performance that a lot of woods racers and technical trail riders absolutely love.
Installation: Can You Do It Yourself?
If you're decent with a wrench and have a good floor jack and some jack stands, you can probably tackle this in a weekend. It's mostly a "bolt-on" affair, but don't expect it to be a breeze. You'll be dealing with stubborn ball joints, bleeding brake lines, and making sure your toe-in is set correctly so you don't eat through tires.
The hardest part is usually the axles. Getting the old ones out can be a pain if they've been sitting in the differential for a few seasons, and you'll want to be extra careful not to damage the seals when you slide the new, longer ones in. If you aren't comfortable with suspension geometry, it's worth taking it to a shop for a professional alignment once you're done. If your alignment is off, the car will feel twitchy and weird, which defeats the whole purpose of the upgrade.
Is It Right for You?
At the end of the day, whether you need an rzr 900s long travel kit comes down to how and where you ride. If you spend your time crawling through tight, technical woods where every inch of width matters, you might want to stick to the stock setup and maybe just upgrade your shocks.
But if you're out in the desert, hitting wide-open fire roads, or just want the smoothest ride possible on rough terrain, it's a total game-changer. It transforms the RZR 900S from a fun "entry-level" sport UTV into a serious piece of off-road machinery that can hold its own against much more expensive cars. It's about more than just the "cool factor"—it's about the massive grin you get when you realize you don't have to slow down for that next section of washboard. And honestly, isn't that why we're out there in the first place?