I' ve been watching and reading this debate from the begining, some say the Polaris is not dependable mainly because of belts and starters located on bottom side of machine. You got my curiosity up so I went out and took a good look at my 2002 Sportsman 500 H/O, there are no belts underneath, exposed or incased. My starter is located on top of engine, just under the seat well out of harms way. (rocks or water) Now maybe the old ones were different but that' s in the past. If you' re interested in a new unit you can' t let old issues that have been corrected sway ones decision. That goes for all 4 wheelers. elknut1