HELP!! My son bumped into the garage at a slight angle with his predator 90. (30 minutes old.) It bent the bumper frame right below the weld and almost snapped it completely. I brought it back to 2 dealers who said it shouldn't have done this. One even sent pictures to Polaris. Polaris said there is no defect and will not replace, repair, or warranty it. A welder who is employed by Polaris said it shouldn't have done this. The front bumper frame is broke on impact but the plastic didn't!! Is this right?? What should I do? Someone said just to weld it up, but will that void the warranty completely? Why did the frame break and not the plastic? Why did the frame break at such a low impact? Any response is greatly appreciated!

 

Is it the bumper that's cracked or the frame? You're right that neither should have cracked, but I don't think AEON (who makes these things for Polaris) always used the best materials or techniques. Our Sportsman 90 no longer has a bumper because the mounts for the upper bolts broke off. Eventually I'll replace it with another bumper, but will probably have to have one custom made. Consider yourself lucky, on the Sportsman 90 the front plastic over the bumper and the front rack cost $100 to replace. I've since given up on the idea of replacing them and have removed them as well as that fake light pod on the handlebars. I think it looks better that way.

If it's the bumper that's cracked, buy a new bumper from Polaris. If you get it welded, have it done by the dealer and it shouldn't void any warranties.

 

It is the front bumper. But in order to put on a new one you have to take the whole thing apart. One dealer quoted me $1300.00 and the other $1500.00 to put on a new bumper. If you look on the front bumper of the predator 90 right under the ignition switch were the bumper frame attaches you will see were they have a 3/4 weld on it. Why it isn't welded all the way around I don't know. Maybe its designed that way so the main frame doesn't break. It broke right underneath this weld on the front bumper. If you look at the front bumper of the predator 90 you will see all the work it entails if it is damaged and you have to put on a new front bumper. The A frame and main frame is attached. You cant just unscrew the bumper and throw a new one on. Part of the bumper is welded to the main frame. The dealer also said the front bumper isn't part of the support so it can be welded. Which will $50. Why did Polaris make the 4 wheeler this way? My kid took a little bump into the garage and broke the front bumper and its going to be $1300.-$1500 to fix it correctly? I think most kids do take a front bump, are there parents going to want to pay that? I sure hope this doesn't happen to anyone else. My opinion is you shouldn't make the bumper permanent to the frame or realistically, If you have bumper damage it shouldn't cost so much to repair. Why cant you just bolt it on?

 

Ok, sounds like you are actually talking about the front part of the main frame then. The "bumper" is the little metal piece at the very front held on by 4 bolts. (I had to go to Partsland.com to look at the schematics).

Even buying a new main frame has to cost much less than the $1500 you're being quoted. Something sounds fishy here, but the labor on the teardown wouldn't be cheap either. I suspect you can just take the plastic off and have it welded by whomever you chose for MUCH cheaper.

Polaris doesn't actually manufacture this machine, Aeon does. Polaris does some hop ups on the motor and adds their plastic. Still, you'd think they'd go for a more quality base. My kids love their SP90 (same basic machine) but I've been less than impressed with the quality. Still, even our sp90 has taken far worse hits than you describe and survived.


Hey, I just noticed you were in Cottage Grove! Who's your dealer?

 

61 marine and The hitching post. Guys at the hitching post are awesome!!!!

 

I got my Predator 500 and the Wife's 300ex at the Hitching Post in Hopkins. Those guys are awesome. I'm guessing you got the 90 at 61 Marine (who I've not heard of).

I hope you can find someone to do the welding for you. I've disassembled the SP90 once and it's a little time consuming, but not too hard. Taking the front plastic off the Predator 90 shouldn't be too difficult and that should be all you need to do to get it welded.