This is why I quit posting here at the atv connection (Artic-Cat people have always been civil). I ride with Thor all the time. In fact I ride 3,500 miles a year attend many rallys and see all the atv's in action.

I am a Polaris owner and have owned may different brands all except for Yamaha. The grizz 660 is simply a POS period. Until Yamaha figures out how to water proof a quad they will always suck. Yes, they are allergic to water. So until I ride with Gordon Banks or Corn Cob I won't worry about rock hopping and mountain riding with out a locked front end. BFD!

You newbies will learn sooner or later on your own who speaks the truth.

In the real world Polaris quads are the best and the owners are not afraid to go into the steep and deep like timid yamaha owners. Anyone reading this who went to the ATVAM fall convention in Minnesota knows the HO Train put on a mudding clinic for all to see. The yamaha boys wanted nothing to do with us. The 660 owners talked a lot of smack but couldn't back anything up. Weak...

It ain't cocky if you can back it up...

"To be the man, you got to beat the man..."

Yamaha just ain't got it right yet... maybe in 2003. Until another year goes by Polaris is still top dog period.

Odin "The HO Train"

 

This just keeps getting better. Talk about talking "smack". Don't let it stop, you keep doing Polaris proud!

SilverBear

 

Thanks for taking the bait newbie. Does my heart ( Polaris ) proud to know that I got under your thin skin.

As they say, just bring it...

I just love turning out fresh quad meat. BTW newbie I have been a member here since 1996 just exactly where have you been? In the shop with your yamaha? Stuck in hole with a rev limiter shut down. Polaris and Yamaha both have drive by wire 4wd systems.

P.S. I like your style but you will never be a Gordon L. Banks, TreeFarmer, or FloodRunner.


Next...

 

I can't speak about the 660 Griz, as I still own the outdated, and old 600 Griz. But as far as waterproofing goes, I've had mine over the racks on many occasions. In fact I paddle wheeled the SOB across a river once that was up to my nuts(about 3.5' deep). I would have to agree with Odin. I'll be darned if the stupid thing didn't get water in the brake cable to the rear brake! Jeez, if that ain't about the worst job of waterproofing I could imagine. By the way, the exact same same trail that got me into that water that was too deep proved one more thing. The Polaris's brake cable feeds into the tranny somehow, go figure!

Rick

PS. The reson I knew how deep the river was is because after a made it through with my Griz, I walked acrossed just to see if it was as deep as it seemed. It was summer and me and the Griz were both hot, so I figured what the heck. You know how it is with Grizzlys, always over heating and flooding out, NOT!!

 

Odin~

Don't pat yourself on the back too hard, you didn't get under my skin. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. You can claim what you see on other manufactures quads, and I'll continue to claim what I know from the experience of owning the machine. Fair 'nuff?

As I'm apparently a "newbie" (286 Posts sense Nov 2001; 3.24 average post per day) compared to you (267 post sense Aug 1999; average .30 post per day) perhaps you can share some of your experiences with me, as I have a couple of questions. I'm curious, how many belts have you gone through on your Polaris, and would you, personally, reccommend an extended warrenty for Polaris owners?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I am entering some competition mod bogs and tractor pulls, and I'll honestly state how the 660 performs for all to see.

Have a great weekend,

SilverBear

 

Silverbear,

The HO Train is coming to a state near you this summer. Colorado to be exact. We are going to join Corn Cob for a week in the mountains. Care to join us?

Now on to your questions. The extended warranty is BS. The warranty is only as good as your dealer. I will not be purchasing an extended warranty with my next Polaris quad. The dealer backed me all the way but the warranty company did not.

Belts last a long time. I have replaced one due to normal wear (3,000 miles). If you do a search you will see that the dealer replaced 3 belts on my last quad due to clutch creep. There was never a clutch problem or belt problem at the time. I later found out after talking to a factory tech in Roseau that the engine was shifting in the frame thus changing clutch alignment. I realigned the engine myself and no more clutch creep.

Memorial Day weekend is going to be the real test for the 660 Grizz. A friend that owns a Yamaha dealership is coming to the Hurly Rally. He has 28" Outlaws and a lift kit. Everybody in his group all ride Yamahas. So it will be Polaris vs. Yamaha battle all week long [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]. Can't wait it is going to be fun.


Checked out your web page. Nice

 

Odin~

Thanks, I need to get some fresh pictures up there, and I'll be posting information on the upcoming Wallace ATV Jamboree as well. We forgot our camera the last few trips.

I seen Cob's open invitation. I've tossed the idea around, so far we have 4 major trips planned this year. I guess my main reservation about Colorado is having to rejet. I'm really not that familier with jetting yet, but know I don't know enough that I'm paying the dealer mech to install my jet kit so long as I can watch. I don't want to ruin the powerplant due to running too lean. Seems like if you travel to Colorado, most people are going to have to rejet to handle the altitude. If I have jetting down to where I'm comfortable doing it myself by the time Cob's get together arrives, I may just come and join the party.

Let me know how the memorial day weekend shootout goes. Wish I could be there. If it's pure mud, their Grizz w/the 28" Outlaws should do pretty good. I didn't go w/outlaws because I also do alot of trail/rock climbing. You say they have their 660's lifted? Is it only the front? I've been looking, and so far haven't seen a rear lift kit for a 660. It'd be nice to see someone come out with one. Does your friend have the ability to bypass his front diff limiter if he needs to? Lastly, what kind of tires are you running on your HO and do you have any pics of muddin w/it?

SilverBear

 

How should I say this? Over the years I have owned quads from every major manufacturer, besides Kawasaki. I have had 2 belt drive quads. I had wet belts with both, neither better or worse than the other. I did replace 4 belts in the 6 months that I was a Polaris owner. Does this make it a bad quad? Yes, my Polaris in my book was a terrible quad. Does it mean all Polaris quads are bad? No, absolutely not. Will I own another? Probably not. Will I own another belt drive quad? Hell no! Some people have good luck with them but I do not. I have a friend that has a Kodiak & a Grizzly 660. Both of these quads impress me. He has beat the heck out of his Kodiak with no problems. The Grizzly is an awesome quad. He has none of the supposed problems with his. I have friends with 500 HOs and one with a 700. Good quads but not nearly as impressive as the Grizzly. This is only my opinion.
But I wouldn't own any of the above. Why? Because they are belt drive. But hey if you like them great. Everyone thinks their brand of quad is better than the others. I just think my brand is the best for me. Not you or anyone else. If we ride any at all we begin to see the weaknesses of all the brands including our own. Silver bear, gives us all alot of good, I think unbiased information. As well as some of the other posters from the other brand forums. I welcome them all as long as they don't come here and just try to "get under your skin". That is childish and will ruin a good board.

 

SliverBear,

I sold my HO last week to a friend. So I am quadless right now. I am debating weather to buy another Polaris 500 HO, Artic-Cat 500i manual or Honda 450s. The Honda is the cheapest price wise but it will need the most after market parts. Then again the Honda rides like a lunber wagon too.

The 2001 HO I had was set up with the followinig:

K&N filter
157.5 main jet
white primary spring
48gr weights
45/40 helix
26x9x12 front 26x12x12 rear Mud Runners
Douglas aluminum .190 rims
Fat boy springs front and rear
Highlifter lift kit front only
snorkled water bottle vent
dielectric greased spark plug boot
warn 2500 winch
hot grips
hand guards
rear view mirror
Polaris black storage box
tow hooks front and rear
reverse limiter disabled
3 head light switch overide
GPS mount
3.2 gallon fuel pack for those 120 mile days
tachometer for clutch tuning

They are selling the Silver 500 HO with the chrome wheels and Rawhide tires here for 5,800 right now. I am very tempted to buy one right now because the winch is a free.

Jet changes are very simple to do. I could my HO in 10 minutes. The cluch weights only take 30 minutes to change. I don't know if Yamaha has high altitude weights. Do the jet change your self it is a good idea to learn as much as possible about your quad. You never know when your going to have to twist a wrench on the trail. Should take you less than a six-pack of beer to do.

Getting back to the original subject matter. Both Honda and Artic-Cat had better wake up and start putting locking front ends on their quads.

BTW Jims last Grizzly was a punched out 600 that went to 685cc and he had a Nitros Oxide bottle on it. He is going to be tuff competition this year at the Hurly Rally.

 

Mudcat~

Thanks,

I always try to give as unbiased view as possible. Ulimately, I suppose I'm not completely unbiased because I did jump off the fence waiting for the 500I and bought a Grizzly. The 660 certainly isn't perfect, but none of the quads are, all have pro's and cons. As Sandman from Hardcore said, could you imagine an AC650I V-Twin with a front locker? I'd be calling a loan officer tomorrow. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

SilverBear