The concept of airless tires is not new – they have been used on small vehicles such as lawn mowers and golf carts for some time. Airless tires (also known as pneumatic tires) have also been used on vehicles designed to work in construction areas where tires are likely to burst. The value of airless tires is that they do not disintegrate – they are generally filled with compressed polymers (plastic) instead of air. But now we see that airless tires are used in more conventional vehicles, and among the leading models is the Polaris Sportsman WV850.
Military inspiration
The inspiration for the Polaris Sportsman WV850 are military off-road vehicles. Equipped with airless TerrainArmor tires, the Polaris Sportsman is practically a top-of-the-line all-wheel drive. TerrainArmor tires are different from tires intended for use on construction sites – TerrainArmor tires can survive a military attack. Direct hit with a .50 caliber bullet? No problem – the vehicle could still drive another 350 miles. Stabbed with a spike? No problem – the vehicle could still drive another 1,000 miles.
Smart design
The secret of durability and resistance of these airless tires is their clever design. The inner structure of the tires is designed as a mesh construction — it supports the weight of the vehicle, but maximizes the flexibility to absorb bumps and bumps. Tread design is still used and different tread designs can meet different requirements. Other vehicle features include a steel exoskeleton body and a towing capacity of £ 1,500. (more…)
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The Polaris Sportsman WV850 costs about $ 15,000.