Cowboy, I live roughly 255 miles give or take Southeast of Thief River Falls, so it would be quite a long trip, but it would be interesting for sure. A person could take the interstate half of the way which would cut down some of the time on the road. Oh, by the way I just thought I would tell you this little joke- Everyone out their don't take this seriously, but I saw it on a guy's T-shirt at the Snowmobile Grass Drags a few years ago at Lino Lakes!: Pull Off Lake And Repair In Summer -- Just a Joke! I myself think that every manufacturer has their good models and bad. My older brothers have had Yamaha, Arctic Cat, Polaris, Kawasaki, and Ski-Doo Snowmobiles and they were all fine.

 

xepathfinder: Funny you rip on Honda in AC forum. Little jelousy there? I don't think Polaris's problem is there true4x4 system. I think it is people not taking care of a good machine, that goes for Honda's also. There are limits to every product, atv's have them to. Now to answer what i believe to be the biggest reason there are more Hondas and Polaris's breaking things due to larger tires it this. They respectively are 90% of the atv market. Lets see here, Honda had about 51% of sales and Polaris 45%. Maybe a bit more or less. However regarless of the %'s being right on, the most AC could have of the market is a 10% share. Gee I wonder whom is going to be in the shop's more. This doesn't mean AC is a bad product. We ride with many AC's and they are tanks, but saying mine is better than yours is a JOKE. I bought Honda because it is what i like. It may not or may be the best, but AC makes a heck of a machine to, and i believe it cause I've seen it.

 

Hammer:
Yeah, that is a good 4 hour drive! Would be neat to see though. I've never ridden a snowmobile before, but my boss is a serious rider. He swears by Polaris and Arctic Cat sleds, won't touch anything else. Buys the newest, most powerful one of both brands every year, then spends all summer trying to get rid of it in order to get ready for the next ones to come out.

Funny thing is, he decided to get into atv's, and bought two based on his experience with jet ski's. He's only run water toys for the last couple years, fairly new to it. Ended up with two Kodiaks! He really wanted an Auto and I was personally hoping to see him get either the SP500 or the AC 500. OH well, we'll see what he trades in on next year.

 

Alaskaweasel:
My apologies. I think I was the one you referred to as putting down Honda, not Xpathfinder. I am not saying they are a bad machine by any means, I'm just saying that here, in my area you see a lot more of them in the shop than anything else. And, yes you are right, it comes from actual care or abuse of the machine. But, like I also said, most of them are from the farmers here, who beat the hell out of their machines. As a result, you are right it isn't fair to judge by that. I think your percentages are probably pretty close, though you left out Kawi, Suz, Yama, etc., which then would lower the AC's actual market share even more, thus resulting in even fewer in the shops. Plain fact is, there just aren't as many 'Cat owners as there are Polaris and Honda's. And, those who continually abuse their machines downgrade the product as for reliability, when it is actually their fault, not the machines.

Which raises another question: Thinking about that issue, and Polaris's AWD system, or "true four wheel drive", could that then lead to more actual abuse from the rider, thus causing mechanical failure, and not the actual machine? Something to think about. It could be that the people who owned Polaris with true four wheel drive thought or knew they could go more places and three wheel drive, which then put them in more harsh conditions, and consequently putting more strain on the machine which in turn could lead to failure. Kind of like those SUV drivers you see every winter off in the ditch. Not to put down SUV drivers, but a lot of the guys in the cities especially who you see drive SUV's tend to think they are invincible with a 4x4, and thus drive beyond the capabilities of the vehicle, often recklessly on snow or icy roads, leading them into the ditch. Then, the government gets involved, saying SUV's are dangerous, cause too many accidents and when involved with smaller cars, lead to more serious injuries to the people in the cars. As a result, they try to pass laws like that of the bumper restrictions, or heigth allowed.

Guess I got off on another tangent here, so I'll shut up for a while. Damnit, it's tough though! Don't have enough classes to keep me busy all day, can't lift weights 24 hours a day and my 'Cat is at home in the garage! Guess maybe I'll have to do something stupid, like go and find a woman or something.

Thanks to all for their patience with my rambling and nonsense!, you guys are great.

Mike

 

 

Cowboy: I wasnt really talking about your post, I was ticked because xpathfinder was saying we make all these excuses why Hondas break and so fourth. My point is who don't, Polaris owners are no more guilty of excuse making than anyone else that owns a different machine.

About the true 4wheel drive thing causing more strain. Here is my thoughts on that issue. It could cause more strain daily like turning, etc. However in mud all those wheels bogging might cause more strain also. Yes with a limited slip it breaks a wheel loose and the power is outlet somewhere else instead of breaking a axle. However if one is to design a system to pull harder, then they ought to makes cv joints that can hanle the tourqe. Just so you know though, Out of all the brands AC has some of the best ideas and quads i think, the only thing i really didn't like when i looked at them was the looks to be honest. I know that is a petty reason, but hey, 5plus grand, one ought to be picky. Happy riding all.

Scott

 

Alaskaweasel:
OK, sorry for the confusion, I see where you're coming from now. You are right about the excuse things. My grandpa has always told me that "excuses are like _ssholes-everybody's got one and they all stink". He's got a point. As for the breakdowns and mechanical failure, like I said earlier, I think it all comes down to the actual care a person gives his quad. Excessive abuse will definately lead to failure or breakdowns. I know what you mean about that torque issue with cv joints. Well, I should say U-joints. After I built my pickup, I was always blowing the U-joints, both front and rear. The normal half ton joints were not anywhere near strong enough to handle a 350 pumping 325 hp and nearly 400 ft/lbs. of torque. Went through several of them till I was able to swap in a set from a one ton, then everything was OK as long as they were greaseable. Still broke them, but not near as often.

BTW-great pics! You've definately got some beautiful country up there in Alaska, and some very difficult terrain from the looks of things. That would be awesome to ride!

Mike

 

Maybe this will shed a little light on the subject of reliability:

"However, if there's any downside to the Sportsman 500, or any other Polaris for that matter, it's the long-term reliability.
Although the company has taken big strides in the last couple of years to address the durability of all their machines, the 500 did have a mechanical hiccup during our testing. For reasons as yet unknown, the machine kept slipping into and out of four-wheel drive regardless of where the 2WD/4WD switch was set."

The above was quoted from the October issue of Dirt Wheels Magazine.

I would think Polaris would be certain that a machine they give up for testing would be 100%.
If Polaris doesn't care what they know the magazine will print, do you really think they're going to care about anything else?

I really like everything about Polaris ATV's, so don't call me brand loyal. However, until some things change, I'm not going to be purchasing one any time soon, if ever.

I am very happy with my AC, the only thing I've had to replace was the speedometer cable, less than twenty bucks and no shop time. If I have to do it again in two years, it won't upset me a bit.

 

BadCat:
Don't get me wrong, I love my 'Cat. Only had it for a few months now, but sure as hell won't be looking to get rid of it any time soon! If I ever do, it will probably be for a newer model 'Cat. I too like the SP500, though I won't be buying one any time soon, my 'Cat is too good to me to even think about that. As for my repairs, I somehow managed to get high centered on a fairly large stump, and broke a hole in my airbox. Cost of new box was right around $17, and about 20 minutes of my time to fix. Piece of cake, and my fault, so can't complain about that. Next problem was my Dad compressing the springs. New springs will be here tomorrow morning for a total of $29, and however long it takes me to swap them out and back in again. Again, piece of cake, something that could have been prevented by any normal tie down job. Like I said, my fault, so nothing to get upset about. Well, still pissed at my dad, but that's beside the point. Kind of feel bad though, ya know, she's been so good to me, maybe some 'Cat nip is in order??? Heh heh heh.

Mike

 

I have a 96 454 with 3000 miles. It has a homemade 2inch lift and 27x12x12 Vamps. It has been jumped, and abused. The only damage was balljoints. I've pulled trucks and cars with it. I've pulled trailers, used it for logging, hunting fishing, travel(bad weather), and I tow a small boat with it. It has made 3 trips to Canada for riding and fishing. It still has original drive parts.But I have replaced the wheel bearings.
DreyMac which Suzuki engine are you referring to? I didn't know it had been out that long.

Randy