RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

HONDA:Always in the woods never in the shop!;)

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

For what it's worth, I've only had one minor issue with my 2002 Sportsman 700. That was a waterpump O-ring that was allowing a slow intermittent drip. I replaced that myself, and haven't had any problems since. It's been able to go through virtually anything I've thrown at it mud wise with a couple of minor exceptions due to operator error and having 3 people on it at the time. In retrospect, not a good idea. I don't have any rocks around to test it on.

I do think a big chunk of the problems with these machines are user error. The using the correct range is essential in keeping it in proper order. As to some of the other problems, no company has perfect quality control.

Another part of the perceived "problem" with Polaris, it seems, is they are always trying new things. Of course the honda is reliable, they've had what, 20+ years of making the same design? Every time you try a new technology it's not necessarily going to be reliable for the first iteration or so until they get the bugs worked out with real world testing.

Another part of the Polaris problem is you always hear people say "My brother's buddy's wife's nephew's great uncle had a polaris once and it was crap", and people buy into that.

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

I like how people Bash Polaris on Heresay...I have Owned a 6x6 Boss,96 400 sportsman,01 500 Ho sportsman,250 trail blaze and a 03 Ranger 500 and a 50cc Preditor,Still have the01sportman,04 preditor and the 03ranger.....I had my 96 in the shop oncebecause I dumped it in the lake and the throtle froze up(cold) and thats it.....I live in the country and have used them all hard with no problems....Polaris custumer service is horrable but the dealers have been good to me....

I wont say anything bad about any ATV unless I have had one and it has had problems(thats not opperator caused)..SO lets Keep HERESAY out of it and go on FACTS...

The 08 Artic looks like a nice ATV(600/650)cant remember.....

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

The FACT is that HERESAY isn't even a word in the English language.I don't go on hearsay,but rather on actual experiences with a product.My experiences with atvs is that I have towed or helped repair more Polaris atvs than any other brand while they certainly aren't the most common atv in my area.They have more moving parts, and they are heavier than any other brand,so while they ride very smooth,they are not as reliable as brands such as Honda or Yamaha.On average,a Polaris 500 will weigh 100 lbs or more than a comparable Honda,which is a major disadvantage in muskeg.We have a fleet of Rangers on our worksite that were very popular when they arrived,but now they hardly get used as they spend far too much time in the shop.

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

HEARSAY[X(].opp's :D......What troubles are keeping the Ranger in the shop,I have had mine for almost 6 yrs and ithasnt been in the shop yet,But all I do with mine is haul my pontoon and ranger bass boatto the landing and back,haul wood,hay,cement blocks,dirt,sand,rocks,ice fish,hunt,pull my docks and lifts outand go on rides...I found out right awaythat they are not made for deep mud or snow,they high side just like a pickup would and they dont float very well.
Have not burned a belt yet ether come close tho,you could smell it but its still going strong.

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

Most of the problems with our Rangers are with the drive system,either getting them into gear,or with clutches or belts.Our Rangers were used to haul men and tools at the refinery,and ran on average 30 to 40 hours per week.They were okay for a few months,but as time went on,they became more and more unreliable.

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

I thought Belts might of been one of the Issue's....but I havent had any issue's with the shifting yet or clutch...

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

Iam sure the guys run em harder then the average guy like me...I know I would if it wasnt mine and it was a work veh/tool...

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

It does get a little upsetting when a belt breaks crossing a heavy hauler road used by 400+ ton trucks.These machines do not haul heavy loads,and aren't used for towing or dragging.The honda quads used by the pipeline guys seem to take much harsher use with no problems at all.

RE: Polaris Four Wheeler
 

I have a Honda Rancher and have used it alot without any problems at all except for a break sticking after being in water and mud.. I did have a problem with the electric shift not wanting to shift once but it came out of that. I had them put the electric shift kit on for my wife.. Still not a problem though as it does carry a manual shift it the back that can be used to shift if you needed to use it. For as far as the Polarises goes after my friends spent most of the time with theirs in the shop I would never want to own one.. But that's me after seeing how thiers was and they were the type of people who didn't want to get theirs scratch up at all.. They still look like they are from the show room even today 5 years later as they haven't been getting any use out of them at all hardly..