I'm looking forward to purchasing my first ATV and am seriously considering the Sportsman Models. I will either buy new or a year old. How would you rate Polaris Sportsman for reliability? What wears out, goes wrong, breaks down on the 400-700 models? A friend is trying to steer me toward a Yamaha as he believes they are higher quality. Without any intention of insulting you, how would you respond to this?

Thanks.

 

IMO Polaris and Honda are on the same plane ... the others are really not the far behind in reliability.

It really depends at how good your local dealer is going to service you.

 

I believe that Polaris makes a very good quality machine. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

 

Any brand is decent if properly maintained. Polaris has made great strides to make their products better. They may have had issues 10-15 years ago, but are in the same playing field now. Like Chris said make sure you have a good dealer that will take care of you.

 

If you get a polaris get one thats in the 00 and up i have a 01 Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O runs great get a Polaris

 

I own five of them now and never had any problems with them. Knock on wood!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Polaris is good but not great. I have had a honda for the past 7 years and were also good atv's. I have a 2004 ps 700 and like it. I have had a few things that were diffrent on them but other then that i like it. I will be buying another one but my next one will definalty be a efi. I know they are more money but if you try to hold on to it for many years it is worth it. As for my 700 like i said it is good but i wouldnt say great. I have not had experiance with anything other then polaris and honda but as for those two i would say good atvs. Just maintain and dont be too hard on them and will last for many years.

 

Grimm, u gotto know what ur looking for. The poalris product has the best ride in the marketfor the 400 - 600 market, infact i think itis the only independent atv that offers the smaller engines. the 700 and 800 are monsters all around. If ur a colder weather rider the efi models are great runners and cold starters. No matter the maker they all have their issues. It mostly boils down to the dealer and how far he will go to get u on the bike and keep u riding. Polaris has great buy programs on the atvs right now. I work for a dealer, ive had 16 demo units in the past, some had troubles, 98% of them were great, i drive them verry hard to help show and sell the product, hence(DEMO UNITS) , and they are hold up to the abuse second to none.

 

Polaris is a great ride, but for a work horse I would chose an Atv with a straight axle rear.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. Hey, some fellow Canucks here and even another Manitoban. Any idea when the 500 EFI model would be available and how it will be priced? Are the carburetted models decent runners at -20c?