Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Thinking of buying an atv 500 to 700 utility. Have ridden 350 Honda2w. 450 Honda rancher4w, test drove Kodiak 450 in dealer lotand 500 Polaris 2w/4w. I was very impressed with the Polaris. Very comfortable suspension and fast. The auto trans was great too. Love option of 2w or 4w. How do the Polaris compare with others ? Is EFI more reliable than carbs. I will be towing trailer. Thanks for the pro's and cons.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Try a search - this was discussed awhile back. Do you like working on your ATV or riding it? If you like working on it, Polaris is a good choice.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

The polaris quads do ride smooth,but they also are very complicated compared to most other quads.As a result they weigh about 100lbs more than other quads and require much more maintenance.The 600 and 700 do not have a manual starter to back up the electric start, so if the battery gets drained,you are out of luck.If you want a real automatic transmission,consider the honda rubicon as they use a hydrostatic transmission that does not have a belt to slip or break.They can also be shifted manually if you choose.They also have the option of two or four wheel drive.If you check into what quads are used by the forestry people,surveyors and seismic people you will rarely find a polaris product.In fact most are honda with a few yamahas.The reason for this is that these people depend on their quad to do their work and downtime costs them money.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I own 2 Polaris ATV's and have not had one bit of trouble with either. One is a 94 2 stroke and the other is a 2000 Sportsman 500. Both have been very reliable. They are both used for farm work and hunting purposes. They have been from the Texas plains to New Mexico mountains without any issues. I do take care of my equipment, whether it's my pickup, tools, guns or atv's. I cannot address other brands, as I have not owned them and have not had any experience with them. As far as Polaris is concerned, I have been very happy with mine. Larry

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

i owned a 425 magnum, and like others have mentioned, it did require more maintenance than the honda's i had previously owned, BTW mine was chain driven front and rear, my three biggest complaints were,

1.the 4X4 did not work in reverse w/o holding the overide button
2.my battery shorted out and it took out every lamp on the whole 4 wheeler, called polaris, because were talking about 150$ worth of bulbs, guy tells me that it was because my model did not have a voltage regulator[:@], then tells me that the newer models did[:@]
3. the intermediate shaft and chains were always needing attention

the motor and performance were great, the ride was great,and in all fairness i have heard the shaft drive units are better, but knowing what i know now i would not buy another just like my 425 with the chans and mid-shaft, also i have heard the deal about the belts but have never had any trouble with them or known anybody that has personally

and the most important thing, welcome to the forums bighorn

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I know I'm gonna step on some hands, but when has that ever stopped me? :D

I am fairly sure that Polaris is Greek for "BIG POS". Sure they have some great "gizmos" and ride great, but that's about the extent of their desirability. I have a good friend that is a longtime (2nd generation) Honda dealer and they picked up Polaris at their dealership about 10 years ago. I asked him lastyear what the difference between the service life of Honda vs Polaris. He looked up at me and smiled sheepishly, "Like daylight and dark!!!" [:-]

The only Polaris I have seen that hasn't given any problems are a couple or Rangers my brother has. But they aren't used a terrible amount and aren't worked. He bought a 700 quad when they came out 2 years ago, needless to say he now has a King Quad this season. A buddy of ours bought that very 700 Polaris from the dealership I work at where it was traded in. Our buddy didn't keep it 2 months, burned up a tranny belt and caused other problems in that short time. It was replaced by a BadBoy Buggie! ;)

The Kawasaki/Suzuki bikes seem to be MUCH better than they used to be. We also have a 650 Kawie in our club and it seems to be an excellent quad, EXTREMELY quiet. I can hear the tranny whine over the engine at 400yds. But if I didn't have my trusty ol Honda (mines the "baby" in the club now, a 98 300 4x4 Fourtrax that I refuse to get rid of!) I would certainly have a Yammie. Probably a Kodiak, I just don't see the need for the weight, size and expense of the Grizzly. But I have gotten away from using a quad anyway if I can help it. I have an Outback ESV from Ricks ESV. Electric carts are MUCH more hunter friendly IMHO.

Good luck on whatever you choose,
RA

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

get a honda!!!! lol

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Polaris has gotten somewhat better lately. Yes it's true. BUT! Still NOWHERE close to the reliability of Yamaha or Honda. And they're overpriced, in my opinion.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I have a 2003 polaris, and haven't had any problems with it. But it is early yet:D. After reading this forum i am getting a little bit worried about it. If i were to buy a new one it would be the new Bombardie (Howevery you spell it:D) 800. It is one sweet 4 wheeler, my friend has one and i will put money on it that it will out perform every ATV on the market. It is just awesome.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Thanks for the welcome m.t. hands. I went by cheeta a couple years ago but fried my computer. Could not get my old call sign back but it's nice to be back. I did check reviews on Honda's automatic rubicon (per stubblejumper), I really like the auto. It seems thru the reviews though, Honda is still working on an existing problem with the trans. My friend's 450 full time 4w honda is a real bear to handle in tight spots. I found myself constantly backing up and manuvering. The ride was very stiff andfatiging. The Polaris I rode was a scrambler type, not utility. Seems like I could ride all day andstill want to hit it again. Guess first impressions die hard. Resale value seems lower on Polaris than Honda, which is good if I buy a used one. Thenegative feed back on Polaris does raise some concerns although I still lean towards my first positive experience. I thank everyone for their imput. This forum is the best and so are the participants. Hope to see more imput on this issue.PS. I really liked the 450 Kodiak, but the parking lot test run was teribble. The engine was missing badly and shaky. Another first impression, but negative. I hear Yamaha has ignition problems as"THEIR" nemesis.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

My rubicon is a 2002 that has seen some hard usuage hauling moose and elk out of rough locations and has been trouble free as have several other rubicons that have been used in the same way.The problems that do crop up are usually do to not changing the oil regularly which is an issue because the engine and transmission use the same oil.

Did you actually expect a working quad like the 450 to handle with a sport quad like the scrambler?Try comparing the polaris to a rincon which has fully independent suspension and is made for the same uses as a scrambler.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Saw an intresting commercial on TV for Arctic Cat. It was being swung by a crane, demolishing a building like a wrecking ball.

Best part was the end when thay said.....3 year full warranty (including optional accessories - that has got to be the best warranty in the business, right?)

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Artic cat is nothing more than a suzuki in artic cat clothing!

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Im a mechanicat a yamaha dealership have worked on atv's sence suzuki came out withthe first 4wheeler in 91 suzuki dealerand the dealer took on polaris mainly watercraft= pos! no longer make watercraft because after 10+ years people quit buying them. The first polaris atv's had engines made by fuji now polaris makes there own engines and a little better but! it seems like its always something wrong now it may take no money or a few dollars to fix but it's always something! After a few years I quit that dealer because of polaris(coustermors always pissed)and went to a yamaha dealership. I still work on all makes but as far as the Yamaha's I never have to do much warranty work I mean VERY SELDOM! Point being when buying atv's buy Japanese! and stay far far away from the korean stuff!

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I HAVE A '99 POLARIS 500 MAGNUM. THE ONLY MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON REPAIRS HAVE BEEN OIL CHANGES, AIR FILTERS, BATTERY, HEAD LAMP, DRIVE BELT AND INNER AND OUTER CLUTCH COVER. THATS IT!
I WILL NOT PUT DOWN OTHER BRANDS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT PUT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DRIVERS SEAT OF THE OTHER BRANDS- BUT I PROMISE YOU WHEN IT COMES TIME TO GET ANOTHER, I WILL GO TO POLARIS FIRST, W/O HESITATION.
OH, I ALSO HAVE A 2002 325, NOT A MOMENTS PROBLEM WITH IT EITHER. BUT IT BELONGS TOMY BRIDE- DOESN'T HAVE NEAR THE HOURS ON IT.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Another vote for Polaris. My 2004 1/2 Sportsman 500 H.O. has never given me any problems since I owned it.Just make sure your in the right gear range, and stay the heck out of deep water!! That will fak up any ATV!! Like my last post, I've ridden the Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki, and I'll take the Polaris overthose three any day. The ride, and AWD feature is #1!!;)

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

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stay the heck out of deep water!! That will fak up any ATV!!

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That depends on your definition of deep water.As longas the water level is below theair intake, wateris not a problem for most ATVs.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I take my king quad through everything including water when you have to kneel on the seat,and never a problem.
Bill

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Red, don't they have to actually be running, to ride great?:D

If you like to spend time on your bike, I hope that you like the scenery of the inside of a repair shop, because thats where you'll be sitting most of the time with a polecat, err I meanPolaris! No, no, I was right the first time! POLECAT!
If you want your money's worth, buy a Honda!

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Hey let folks spend their money how they want. I am tired of trying to tell people whats good and whats not.
I have a coworker who has never owned an atv and wants one. he is stuck polaris ........I have heard it so much i just say buy one!!!!!!

I tell him he will never use his as much as i use mine and mine has some 4600 miles and is still going. Has cost me VERY little in parts for I do ALL my own maintenance. It's a HONDA!
I just say go ahead and get your polaris and soon i will just hear him Bit** about it breaking!!!!!!! Can't WIN!!!!!!!!!!!



And maytom is right deep water will "fak" up an atv more often a polaris!
My honda and kawasaki have both been in water and never had a belt.............well they don't have BELTS..........slip!!!!!!!!!!

It's sad that so many are going to BELTS!!!!!!!!!!!

But most other belted atv's are much better than a polaris![:'(]

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I'm glad to see that youpractice what you Preach!! LOL!!!


First off, Polaris doesn'tuse a drive belt to run the entire machine,it's just a short belt from the engine to the tranny.From the tranny back it isn't belted!! Sooo..... guess what, if your in the wrong gear range, (which most People seem to be when they break belts,) what do you want to break first? Your tranny ora belt?I think Polaris did the smart thing, why fuk up the tranny when you can just replace a belt. Much cheaper cost wise. And by the way, if you want to take to water, get your self a watercraft!!ATV's are made for land last I heard!! It's guys like you who beat your machines then complain when you have to take them in. I guess my Polaris must be the exception, huh? Never had a single problem!!The last Honda I rode felt likeI was riding on a slab of concrete, the suspension wasterrible.Yeah, go Honda......right!!

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

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First off, Polaris doesn'tuse a drive belt to run the entire machine

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Well actually the belt does drive the entire machine.If the belt breaks the entire machine stopsdoes it not?:D

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if your in the wrong gear range, (which most People seem to be when they break belts,)

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So you are saying that people that ride quads with belt drives are stupid?:D

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ATV's are made for land last I heard!!

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And to think that I always assumed that the air intake and breathers on my quad were routed up as high as possible to allow the quad torun at certain water levels.I guess thatthey were mounted so high by coincidence.:D

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I love talking to idiots!! LOL!!:eek:

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I must agree with SJ! Yeah, that little belt DOES drive the entire machine! That is WHEN the POS happens to start up! No belt, no go!
Haven't stripped a gear or twisted a drive shaft in 25 years of Honda's! BTW, thats 25 years of TWO Honda's! The first was 20 years old and still running when I got rid of it!
Are you sure that the POS was really moving, to ride so smooth? It may have just felt smooth because it wasn't even running! It was just sitting on a concrete slab in the shop!:D

Hey, as Soarkrebel says, "it's your money!" Go ahead, and throw it away if you want to! But if your gonna toss it in the toilet, why not just send me the money!:D;)

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Me too.It has been a pleasure talking to you.:D:D

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

i got the huge kaw 750 brute force it will do anything you want it to do...

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I see that your another Honda lover, sad.Like you stated above, it's your money.Love this thread, youPolaris bashers are comming out of the woodwork!! LOL!! Some day you'll see the light.[8D]

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

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Some day you'll see the light.[8D]

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I see the light every time I look back and see the headlight on the polaris machine behind me.That is when the light actually works.:D:D

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I just bought a 2005 Bombardier Outlander 400 and it's been great so far. My only complaints are the plastic racks (2006 are metal) and it can be a little noisy. I will say that it rides great and has plenty of power. Being only the first year to own it I can't comment on the maintenance, but the research that I did didn't throw up any red flags on maintenance.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I have owned two Polaris machines. A 2000 325 magnum, and my new ride, the Sportsman 600 twin. The only problem I have had is with my 600 twin. It was a carb jet issue, but Polaris stepped up and fixed the problem. YOU CAN'T BEAT THE RIDE!!

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I went to school for this stuff and have been around the industry for a while. The shop i worked at was independent of any manufacturers so in that manner i am not biased. What i have noticed, is that the wrenches always groaned when they saw a polaris rollin' up the drive. They, just like victory's, are a pain to work on, cause you need your metric and standard wrenches. Who was the geinus that thought that one up? Next in my opinion, a work oreinted quad should not have independent suspension, as its load capacitys are less, and the machines lean to much in off cambers and rough terrain being taller to accomadat the extra components for independence. Diff locks are a must, so then the conture of the suspension is not as crucial. When the ride gets, rough, you should probably stand up and slow down. If you want to ride trails hard core, get a sport quad. If you want a plush ride, your either a puss or your casual trail riding, in which the polaris fits just fine. Auto trannys and pushbutton shifting are junk as well. To many extras for mud and brush to mess up. Plus with pushbutton shifting, you can't use your left hand to hold onto odd shaped cargo, you need it to shift. If you can't manage to manuver a "manual transmission" shifter with your foot, then you don't belong on any quad. Liquid cooling is for the birds, just more to go wrong(not to be confused with oil cooling). Large displacement quads also confuse me. Anything that can't be done on 450 cc quad, don't belong being done by a quad. I guess you could say that i'm a minimalist.
I think thats all i got right now.
but i do feel better.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

All kidding aside. What we all ride is great!! They are all making super machines at the moment.

About the previous post concerning "larger displacement engines and Radiators". A few people I know use their machines for making food plots for deer. The pieces of equipment that they have to drag behind their machines for prepping the soil, weigh quite a lot. Soan ATV with a larger motor works better in this senerio. Also, by dragging a discer, etc. behind your ATV, your moving at a very slow pace, hence "heating" yourengine up, and since your moving slowly, it doesn't get enough "air" flow to cool the engine. That's why radiators come in handy. I really believe that on "utility machines", the Auto trany is here to stay. Sure on some of those racing quads, a manual shifter would get the most out those engines, but for most of us, the Auto's are perfect. Using low range, it's quite amazing what your ATV can drag behind you. I have a "utility" machine, and use my machine mostly for getting firewood and hunting. I don't particualry abuseit, mainly becausethey cost to darn much toreplace.

Again, it's a personal choice as to what brand of machine you drive. Like I already mentioned, I have ridden many other makes,but I just prefer the ride of the Polaris.Are they the best? Don't know. But I do prefer their AWD feature and their suspension overother makes. But that's just me.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I personally prefer a solid rear axle on a work quad for the added stability when carrying loads over uneven terrain,although they certainly don't ride as smooth.Then again I prefer the hydrostatic transmission used on some of the hondas over any manual transmission.Hydrostatic transmissions have proven their durability on farm tractors for many years.However I do differentiate between a real automatic transmission and a belt drive which I will not own.I do not intentionally abuse my quad but it does get worked hard when I need to retrieve a moose or elk from a distant swamp or from the timber.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

Now I am glad i didnt respond to the idiot comment now.
I am not a fan of polaris (i think i have let that be known:D) but i have decided to let people decide for themselves. My buddy sitting over there wants to spend his money on one so be it. i'll bring a tow rope!!!!!!!

I bring one for my other buddy that has one:D. (I have had to use it)

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

In all fairness, the newer Polaris' MAYBE a decent bike! I don't know, and NEVER will know! The older POS' was trash! Polaris DIDN"T care about their reputation, so they WILL NEVER get my money, because of their history! Honda, and a couple of others, on the other hand,have good reputations, and CONTINUINGLY great products! So why gamble?
My Honda Rancher will pull a fairly heavy trailer, with a box deer stand on it anywhere that you want to pull it! (I know that its probably not good fora bike, to overload it, but the point is, HONDA CAN TAKE IT, AND KEEP GOING!)
As for size, unless you are using the bike as farm equipment, a 350-450 is likely ALL you will ever need for hunting!
My only knock against my Rancher, is the electric shift, (my choice!) It's more of a hassle, (no free hand,)than a convenience!! (itHAS NOT broken, but will be more expensive to fix,IF it ever does!
Other than the electric shift, which was my choice, the only thing I'd like to see on my Honda is back-lit controls for easier riding at night!
As you've said, its each one's own money! For me, I'll stick with my Honda!With their reliability, I MIGHT buy ONE more bike in my lifetime!
I think I'll buy me a few more guns, and other toyswith the money I'll save!:D

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I do know in WV that Polaris sales are down 65% this year. I also know that one of the dealers around here that sells them wont even trade for them...none of the other Beckley dealers will put anything in thme on trade either. Some people like them, not me personally. I would have to say i fall under cabage's statements. Give me gears and solid rear axle.I do like fulltime 4wd though. I like my bikes as simple as I can get them so theres less to worry about. Im thinking that if I were to buy a new 4 wheeler now it would be a Foreman S or an Eiger. If I considered anything with a belt it would prob be a Kodiak but I probably would never buy a belt.

Im thinking my ol Kaw is gonna live longer than me anyways.

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I did a search on ATV.TV website where they did a review of all the ATV's. The most convincing statement they made against Polaris was that "every manufacturer makes a better Sportsman than Polaris".

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

As my name says, I am HONDA all the way. I made the mystake of buying a 1999 sportsman 5oo and could not have had any more problems out of it. Everything broke and was replaced within 10 months including: engine(3 rebuilds), transmission(1 rebuild & 1 replace), radiator, water pump, & starter. After I sold it, I bought a 1999 Honda 4man and it was a tank. I put 4800 miles on it with no problems. I sold it a year ago and bought a Rincon and it is awesome. I have had no problems and is a joy to ride every time I get on it. I have to say go with HONDA>>>>>>>>>>>& gt;>>>>

RE: Polaris atv's Good or ?
 

I just got a 2005 Rancher 4X4. So far, so good. It's only a 350 but has plenty for what I need it for.