The Billy Slade XPerience Is Better than Ever
Taking a 2024 Polaris RZR XP 1000 and Doing… (Almost) Nothing to It
Words: Matthew McNulty
Photos: Justin W. Coffey
Climbing into a beautifully modified RZR XP being driven by Billy Slade was not an experience I set out to achieve at this year’s Trail Hero. However, after a few (obligatory) jokes about getting the “full” experience Billy gave Justin last year in his Turbo R 4, several watchful eyes and reminders to “keep your arms inside, at all times”, I tightened my grip on the signature “oh sh*t handle” in front of me, excited to see where this wild rollercoaster ride would end.
My introduction to Billy Slade came like many of yours, by reading through the various build breakdowns the team here at UTV Sports has put together on the kind of crazy vehicles that his modifications have blessed. With an impromptu assignment for it during last year’s Trail Hero, and plenty of reassurances such as “You’re going to love this” in tow, I took the short jaunt over to vendor row to be acquainted with both Billy Slade and whatever vehicle had been cooked up for this year’s show.
To understand my excitement, you first must understand a bit of background on Billy Slade, and the impeccable quality of builds he has become known for in the UTV industry. For someone like me at my first Trail Hero, this was a golden ticket to UTV build Nirvana.
At first glance, this RZR XP doesn’t seem like a drastic departure from the OEM world. Built on the brand new 2024 XP platform, and the whole host of improvements brought to the model, this RZR has undergone what one might consider the “works” as far as upgrades go.
With a set of 32” BF Goodrich KR2s wrapped around 15” MetalFX bead lock wheels, traction meets style. Coming from OEM 14” wheels, these bead locks add a bit more presence to the vehicle while providing the ample functionality and reliability you get with a bead lock.
Such a nice setup certainly commands the right kind of place to control it. A Sparco Alcantara wrapped steering wheel provides a bit more grip for your hands while you undoubtedly test the limits of those BF Goodrich tires. Moving to Alcantara adds a comfy feeling inside the driver’s seat compared to what you typically expect from a more plasticky rubber OEM wheel. The rest of the cabin remains untouched, bar for a Rugged Radios setup for communications that’s on Billy’s must-have list for a UTV.
All the work Polaris put into making the interior in this new XP better than the old model shines here. The sight lines improved with a lower front “hood” and automotive paint on interior accents, tie together nicely. The dash and its angle with the speakers also go a long way to ensure that the audio is “pushed” towards the occupants perfectly. The OEM layout for the switches is also convenient, with limited space left on the table for any kind of overarching “upgrade”.
Getting some other creature comforts in the cabin such as the quickly adjustable grab bar in the passenger seat also was instantly useful. Being able to quickly “stow” the bar when you don’t feel the need for the handle means there’s plenty of real estate in the passenger seat, as well.
For the front end, a Warne Axia 5000lb winch mounts up to a factory UTV front bumper- for when things go awry, as they sometimes do. Nestled in the front of this XP is a set of Rigid lights, for that all-important nighttime visibility. This front bumper also offers easy installation for a full accompaniment of Factory UTV skid plates, a wise choice for anyone looking to do some serious riding. Slade himself describes a good skid plate as just essential for taking any vehicle to the “extremes” and for someone like him, that’s certainly a likelihood.
On the more performance-oriented side, HCR radius rods add some more durability and higher clearance. Offering some increased durability can be critical, especially when you are in something as capable from the factory as the new XP. This bracing in a critical area helps to ensure that this XP has the legs to go the distance, especially with the kind of quality one can expect from HCR.
Back to Sand Hollow, I was certainly thankful to be strapped in securely with the automotive-style 4-point harnesses that Polaris has as OEM equipment on the new XP. With an impromptu figure eight course set up in the dunes, it seemed like a perfect place to see if 114 horsepower was enough to impress.
With the BF Goodrich tires making traction a trivial request, and someone as skilled as Billy Slade driving, there was more than enough white knuckle in the passenger seat. Making full use of the lovely grab handle as well as plenty of hanging in the harness as the XP made quick work of the banked corners and gave a spectacle more akin to a dusty NASCAR race than what I would typically call a UTV ride. The agility and rigidity on offer from the new and improved chassis were evident here, with hard off-camber transitions back into banked turns feeling taught and precise, with minimal desire for less movement from the cab.
Feeling a few moments where my stomach was firmly planted in my upper chest, then rapidly settling back down where it belonged provided plenty of involuntary giggles. With enough sand being clawed away from the earth by those KR2s to make my white helmet look orange by the end of the ride, there was no shortage of drama.
The assault on my senses was this cornering grip paired with a throttle that sounded damn near mashed the whole loop was more than ample for me in a sandy figure eight, but for a guy like Billy, I could sense that more power would always have a place. From the driver’s seat, this was made to look like a walk in the park, with a pleading assurance to the observing Brandon Twitchell, “I really don’t think it’ll do faster than that.”
That isn’t a knock on the XP by any means either, the new model has come a long way in updating the appearance and performance of the line. For the 99% of us, it is more than enough machine power to exceed our skill. Even Billy Slade himself says that this 114 horsepower does feel like it has more in the field, owing largely to the chassis capability and stiffness. The significantly automotive-inspired build quality featuring the new doors and body panels goes a long way toward creating snugness compared to the XP of the past.
Billy Slade’s experience and skill in building really shines with this XP in particular- not for the sheer amount of modification, but rather for the appreciation of what the XP offers in its stock form. Additions have been made to accentuate, rather than alter; improve, instead of replacing. The already capable machine doesn’t need more to make it into a trail-conquering beast.
While a hill climbing dune track might not be its ultimate terrain compared to what something with forced induction could achieve, it’s hard to imagine any other N/A UTV on the market beating this RZR in this category either. Pairing that kind of performance with the stunning looks of this new XP and putting it in the hands of someone like Slade is a recipe for one good time in a drop-dead gorgeous SXS.
