Now that winter is upon us and ice fishing has begun, which one of these quads starts better out on the lake when the temperatures are below -0 F.

I see that there are questions about both models in the forums regarding starting.

 

I can't speak about the differences between the two. I started my Rubicon a few days ago when it was 11 below. It took a little extra cranking, but it started and ran fine. I didn't even use the primer but probably should have. As for the Hondamatic tranny. There was absolutely no hesitation at all. I'm very impressed.

 

I know that my rancher as an electric heater on the carb, I'm assuming that the rubicon has one also but I'm not sure about my sportsman. Should one turn the key to the on position for a little while before cranking to warm up the gas in the bowl? Or is this only operational when the machine is running.

I will say both the rancher and sp500 start similar in the cold weather, in our latest cold snap the rancher may need a second or two extra.

 

The Rubicon, Foreman 450, and Rancher all have the carb heater and yes it does help if you turn the key on, wait 30 sec to a minute, then start. My 450 has started in -40 without using the primer.

 

hey, i am a true honda lover, but Polaris has got its reputation for making snow mobiles. The Sportsman 500 starts out right when you crank it in the cold westher. So the Polaris will crank in really cold weather

 

My rancher will in -30c no problem,and then run fine,i am sure the ruby is the same.

 

i have a sportsman it starts great, but my sister just bought a ruby she has trouble it seems to flood on her do you have any pointers that i could pass along. they are both really good machines.

 

Is she perhaps pushing the primer button too many times? I used to push the button on the Foreman 450 twice and then use the choke all the way out with no thumb on the throttle. This worked for me and I didn't experience the flooding.