The other day I was riding with my buddy checking our bear baits when he decided to ride through some very wet beachsand and he sank his Honda to the handlebars. His winch wasn't strong enough so we tried my 06 500HO just trying to pull him out. I was in low gear but since I wasn't moving I could smell my belt. I stopped right away and noticed my clutch cover was fairly hot. I let the bike cool while we planned our next attempt which prevailed.

Of course I rubbed it in that a Polaris pulled out a Honda! My bike rode fine and acted normal. I haven't taken the cover off yet, but I'm wondering if I should bother if all is well. What would be the first clues that the belt is no good?

Would a heel clicker clutch kit help the bottom end for more pulling power? I'm concerned with dragging out moose this fall. I understand a burried bike would way more than an animal on solid ground but I'm still paranoid.

Thanks,
Mike

 

First of all If you want Pulling Power you don't need a Polaris.. I have a 01 500 HO and It does the same thing it has no pullen power.. Thats the only thing I hate about Polaris.. A Clutch Kit will help a Little bit.. You will Feel the Difrence in the Power.. If the Belt is not Sliping Don't worry about it.. It will Just Take a Little Life of your Belt..

 

Really? I've read good things on the net about Polaris' pulling power. I've read mostly their biggest competition is Bombardier and the other makers aren't even on the list. I've just been told by an Arctic Cat owner that his auto can pull moose and he told me mine should be even stronger.

I wanted to hear from possible other hunters or farmers how their Polaris autos pull, just so I can figure out if I do need some mods for the clutch or just not worry about it. A bad time for me to find out is when I'm coupled to a bull and my belt starts to smoke. A friend of mine has a Traxter max and he swears that gear on gear is better but mine is definitely better in the mud or sand. I chose Polaris from what I've read on the net for strength and comfort. Riding in mud doesn't appeal to me, mostly use it for fishing, hunting and general farm work. I'm very ritual on maintenance and careful with the bike so if something does break, I believe it's a weakness of the bike and not abuse.

 

Im a hunter and alround Sportsman.. Trust me Gear On Gear Is always better..

 

PPC, I don't know where BP01 got his info, but if you research this yourself you will find the truth about how well Polaris' pulls. I've pulled all kinds of heavy stuff (vehicles,stumps,downed trees, other ATVs) with both the 500 and 700 plus pushed unreal amounts of snow also. You have to have a pretty substantial load on one to smoke a belt. (I've never smelled mine except when I tried to pull too much in high range, and switching to low took care of that. He must apparently have a problem with his machine that needs attention. I've found that sometimes there's a loose nut between the steering wheel and seat that causes problems like his. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] LOL

 

Well I don't really mean to bust your bubble.. But its just a simple fact.. Ive owned 2 Polaris 500 Ho and a 800 and I have a Honda 450.. With a gear Redution kit and it will Out pull both of them.. Just that Simple..

 

Wow, That "gear Redution kit" must really be something, if it has the ability to make a 450 Honda outpull an 800 Polaris. I wonder what would happen if we put one of them "gear Redution kits "on them Polaris' against a stock 450 Honda? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

I have a 2001 500 and a 2004 700. I have pulled my enclosed trailer witht the suspension flattened and didnt smoke my belt. Yes you can smoke one, but it takes alot to do it. I wouldnt hesitate a minute to try to pull something in low. My tires will spin before I smoke the belt. To say"Dont buy a Polaris if you want pulling power"...I totally disagree.

If you just smoke it a couple of seconds, I wouldnt worry about it. If you continue to smoke it, then change nelts, but you are fine the way you are(most usually).

 

I never said Thats all it had Smart ***..

 

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