I just registered with the forum, this place is a great repository of information and I have been lurking around for a few days trying to catch up with what you guys have been talking about. The reason that I surfed over here in the first place, is that I am planning on buying a quad (or two) in a week or two and I want to make an informed decision. I test rode a few Polaris models a while back and I have to say that I was VERY impressed! I rode a Scrambler 500, 400, and a piped 400. I am leaning toward the 500 because I like the longevity, and low end torque of thumpers for riding the trails around here (Ogden, UT)but I have to say that the piped 400 really had by blood pumping. It just about took off without me! I also tried the Honda 400ex (nice looking machine and seemed pretty quick) but I am not sure about the lack of reverse and two wheel drive. I used to have an '87 Warrior and loved it (never had a single problem with it) but I would like to find something a little quicker and it would be cool to have something that will go better in the snow and slick stuff. At first I was a bit discouraged by all of the posts concerning the horrible reliability problems of the Polaris models, but the more I look, it seems that every time anything happens to one everybody screams and points. It seems to be similar to what happens when a commercial jet crashes, its a big deal but overall doesn't happen very often. I'm sure that Polaris's probably do break more often but for the most part that could be because they are much more complicated machines. My Jeep Grand Cherokee is very reliable, but if you compare it to an old military Flat Fender it's probably much more likely to have something go wrong with it (more moving parts and more features like full time 4 wheel drive). I am not biased in any way regarding brands of quads, just an outsider looking in. If you think I am way off-base tell me. I am looking for input from you guys that actually own these quads because at the moment I am all talk and no ride :-(
Thanks Guys!

[This message has been edited by Mayhem (edited 12-30-1999).]

 

Well from what i see in the real world of ATVing Polaris hold up well, i dont know anyone who has had any trouble with them, mine has never quit, not even for a second. Runs as good as the Honda and Yamaha i owned before. Polaris makes a great machine and I doubt you would be at all dissapointed if you bought one.

 

I liked it so much I bought the company.Just kidding.I did like them enough to buy a second one nine months after the first.I don't think you will regret it I haven't seen any problems with reliability.

 

Me and my friends beat the snot out of our Polaris'. My friend with a 94 just replaced his belt. That's it. I rode 'em all before I decided on my 99 Polaris Sport. I knew I had to have something with reverse, and I fell in love with the auto tranny immediately. So much that I sold my 99 Big Bear (utility) and bought a 00 Kodiak, (I love Yamaha utilities). All those Polaris stories about breakdowns are myths if you ask me. I would recomend one to anybody. I prefer the quickness of the two-strokes, not to mention the availability of aftermarket mods. Mine is pretty tricked out, and it is a true beast when it comes to speed and power.

SportKod
99 Polaris Sport
00 Yamaha Kodiak

 

Dont let ANYONE talk you out of the scrambler 500. I think its the best, fastest, best 4wd, sportiest piece of artwork I have ever seen.
Is there a machine from another manufacturer to compete? Maybe, but it looks like a tank with poor suspension. Did I say reliable too?

 

You will buy whatever you like. This Forum may help you to make a decision...? Do not take reliability issue that seriously. If you don't like the product you can always sell it and to get something different.
Reliability in general from a different perspective :
1. There's a built in obsolescence in most products on the market nowadays.
2.Manufacturers make a huge profit making parts.
3. There's money in retail, distribution,etc.
4. Jobs and other positive/?/ aspects go with it.

Is the ATV industry different??Is the reliability issue an issue at all? For some people, yes. For me , no.
This is just my personnal opinion,based on lifetime experience in HVAC/Appliance field.
/Another myth : besides proved Honda reliability there's a proved Maytag reliability,nobody doubts. You buy a Maytag product nowadays you pay for Maytag reliability ..? your woman is happy...not knowing that in fact, you just bought a Frididaire brand machine with Maytag name on it.You just bought a crap, you would have paid much less if you have bought it under Frigidaire brand name../.

Happy and safe new year to everyone.
J.C.

 

Both my dad and my cousin each own an old polaris atv. My dads has been beaten to death
by my newphes. It still runs. I have also noticed in this atv forum, all brands. Some of our fellow atv riders, really are rough with their atv's. We got stories in here of peoples atv's falling off cliffs. Ending up in 5 feet of water by accident, etc. etc. My guess is that it really depends on how you take care of your atv. I dont let the deepest
of mud stop me, I drive over logs and trees when I have to. I dont go out and drive mine where I am almost guaranteed to bust my machine. This might be the key. I also think, that the first few years the polaris atv's had a lot of problems but all manufactures get the kinks out after a few years. They make them pretty good now.

rangerchet - polaris year 2000 xpedition 425 cc - 5 speed.

 

Mayhem-Have you read up on the Honda Rubicon. It won't be out till April but,If it's as good as advertised "look out".

Honda may have just set another <u>bench mark!</u> on bullet proof fun.

 

Mahem are you looking for a utility or just flat out ***** to the wall bike? The impression that I got was a sport quad. You said you didn't like the no reverse feature on the Honda so that leaves the Banshee out too. I liked the Polaris 400L the time I rode it. It was plenty fast and felt like it had a better suspension than the Scramblers(both of em). The reliability is an issue though. Don't let anybody tell you its not. Don't get me wrong any bike could turn out to be a lemon. That is what I was afraid of when I bought my AC, but you need to look at reliability. Honda is the "Reliability King". Polaris has had more horror stories than any company. Just ask Bill. He got one of those lemons I was talking about. You don't want to get a bike that as soon as you get it home it's going to break on you. Do you? I'm not even saying Polaris is a bad company. They just have so much to break on them like someone else pointed out. My uncle ownes one and has never had any probs except for the ones that he caused. Back to the subject though. You really need to do a lot of shopping around. Listening in on the forums will help but only to an extent. We like to fight and argue.

 

My son, my son-in-law and I have bought and sold several ATVs, including Hondas, Kawasakis, Yamahas and Polaris. Reliability has not been a problem with any of these machines. Some were well used before we bought them and required more up-front attention, but our experience has been that with reasonable maintenance and care, all the quads would take a beating and still give good service.

I had a 96 Warrior that I tumbled down a hill too steep for a 52-year old man to climb and in the process bent the steering stem and my ankle. Since I couldn’t shift gears with my left foot for several months and I didn’t want to miss the summer riding season, I looked for something that would let me do the same style riding I had done on the Warrior without having to shift gears. Only one choice: Scrambler 500. But now that my ankle has healed and I can again shift gears, I don’t want to. So I will stick with the Scrambler.

After riding other quads that require the rider to be in the right gear to climb a hill, the Scrambler’s ability to STOP on a hill and then resume the climb in 4wd still dazzles me. It’s always in the right gear. My wife tried my Scrambler on one of our rides over some 12,000 foot passes and now she has one also.

My biggest complaint about the Scrambler is its weight. It is tough to moose it around like I did my Warrior. But then again, with the 4wd, I don’t have to do it nearly as much.

I recommend that before you buy anything, you test ride a few quads. You should also talk to prospective dealers about their service and if possible, get the opinion of others who have dealt with them. And be prepared to do some maintenance work yourself. Unfortunately you can’t get a 19.95 lube oil and filter at Jiffy Lube for your quad, so you can save significant change by doing it yourself.

Have fun shopping. Don’t forget to include a helmet, goggles and gloves in your purchase.