DYNAMIX semi-active suspension might be the most impressive new technology from Polaris for MY25.
It’s no secret Polaris has been working with semi-active suspension control in its off-road side-x-side vehicles for quite some time now. We’ve been driving DYNAMIX-equipped RZRs since about 2018 and after this much exposure to DYNAMIX and its benefits we have to say we have the highest respect for this technology and we suspect that after one ride, you will too.
You might be wondering if DYNAMIX is the same as SMART-SHOX and here’s the important detail that sets DYNAMIX apart. While SMART-SHOX gathers, processes and adjusts both compression and rebound damping using accelerometers on the front IFS and rear arm shocks, DYNAMIX is notably different as it gathers suspension inputs using a chassis-mounted Inertial Measurement Unit or IMU.
The shocks on the front IFS, front arm and rear arm do not assimilate information to the IMU. The IMU is constantly reading the movements of the sled’s chassis. Things like roll, pitch, accelerative G-forces and braking effects on the chassis. All this information is processed by the IMU, then communicated to all four shocks making necessary compression adjustments to all four to keep the chassis level fore, aft and side to side.
A simple example is what DYNAMIX does on a WOT (wide open throttle) take-off. As the sled’s track gets bite, the IMU senses the rear of the chassis squatting under accelerative forces and immediately stiffens the rear arm to control chassis pitch. You can actually feel this intervention.
The same situation occurs when the sled is pushed into a turn at speed. The chassis will start to roll to the outside causing the IMU to increase damping on the outside front IFS shock – effectively levelling the chassis side to side.
Catch a bit of air and the IMU makes adjustments to all four shocks to compensate for harsh landings based on speed and hang time.
This kinda stuff is happening hundreds of times a second. The good news? You can feel it and you’ll be a more confident rider because of it.
Making the system even more impressive is the rider’s ability to track what each shock is doing right on the 7S screen in each mode you select. Toggle between COMFORT, RALLY and EXTREME based on your riding style and you can actually see compensation levels rise and fall for each shock represented on screen.
That’s a brief and elementary run through DYNAMIX. What it is and does is overwhelmingly impressive and we’ll be sure to share more about this technology with you in the weeks ahead.
