Let me start this post first by stating that I own both a '97 Bayou and an '93 Honda TRX300. It is because I own the Honda that I will often review the posts in the Honda forum. I have come to the conclusion, after reading about many of the problems that Honda owners seen, that Honda may in fact be the most over rated ATV on the market. No doubt the sell a lot of ATV's which means they are more chances for reliability issues. However, if you read between the lines with many of these problems, I feel most would agree it is not worth paying more to own one.

 

I WOULD DISAGREE WITH YOU. I SAY THE MOST OVER RATED ATV IS POLARIS.. YEA THERE RIDE IS GOOD AND THE SPORTSMAN 500 H.O IS AWESOME BUT PERSONALLY THEY DONT HAVE ENOUGHT TORQUE AND POWER FOR ME. PLUS MY FRIEND HAS A 325 TRAILBOSS ITS A 2000 SO FAR ITS HAD, NEW ENGINE,NEW TRANS,FRONT SPROCKET,REAR SPROCKET,FRONT GEAR BEARING.. ITS GONE THIS FRIDAY AND HE IS GOING TO GET A 400 SPORTSMAN.

 

You make good points. In my opinion, Polaris earned a lot of market appeal when they seemed to jump ahead of the rest in making quicker and more sporty ATV's. They even used more flashy color designs than the standard utility models that had dominated the market. However they soon appeared to have serious problems with reliability. I remember about a year ago reading an article in one of the outdoor magazines (Guns and Gear) where the writer had purchased a new Polaris despite the objections of a few friends. In his next article he admitted the water pump leaked during it's first outing.

 

Honda 400ex

 

Honda 400ex

 

POLARIS = JUNK

I've owned Hondas and thought they were a nice machine. I wouldn't pay more for one however. I agree that Polaris is the most overrated. I once had a Scrambler 400 and it was by far the biggest pile I had ever seen. Ironically Polaris owners are the most brand loyal of any group which explains why they will never agree that their machines are less than comparable in reliability than any of the others.

Polaris is very smart to have the PRO (Polaris Owners Group) this allows them to market all kinds of items, clothing, etc. (much like Harly Davidson) to keep and attract more chumps to their brand. This helps buy brand loyality and keep the sheep herding into Polaris dealerships across the nation.

 

I had a piece of junk Scrambler, too. They must have been rejects or something. The happiest day of my 4-wheelin' life was when I got rid of that thing!
* broken seat latch.
* never would idle.
* running it at top speed, it would just quit.
* jumped out of gear.
* taillight was always falling off the bike.
* the starter went out twice.
* the pull-rope went out when the starter did.
* crappy battery placement: broke a cable.
* headlight bulbs would pop out and roll around.
* cold weather? forget about it. I had to take the air cleaner cover off and hold my hand over the opening to choke it. And this bike coming from a snowmobile manufacturer.
* Finally it quit oiling. I discovered this when the motor exploded. Still to this day, the only motor I have ever detonated. All this from a six month old bike.

 

Oh yeah, I had a buddy who told me that he was looking at a Polaris 500 Scrambler. I told him about my problems and warned him not to get it. He went ahead anyway, bought the thing and guess what? It promptly started to tear up. Once while a group of us were running down a gravel road at about 40-50 m.p.h., we turned off the road and into this creek when his entire left front wheel and tire assembly fell off! How dangerous is that, I ask? Anyway, you can't go on a ride without seeing one in tow. I won't have another Polaris and don't recommend them to anyone. Sure you might have one and not have a problem, but it won't be long. Hopefully Polaris has addressed some of their quality problems. The Scrambler that I had was a first year model '95. I've since come to believe you would do well to avoid any manufacturers first year model. Let them get the bugs worked out before you buy.

 

I think that just about everyone who has so far responded to this topic have missed the mark as to what springdrl meant.

I believe springdrl was refering to how Honda people swear that Hondas are the most reliable and bullet proof ATV's ever built. All you have to do if go to the Honda forum and check out the problems that people are having with there BULLET PROOF machines. Just about anyone born in that 20 minutes that knows what an ATV is have heard about Polaris' problems.

Why if you talk to a honda owner about a Polaris, or any other brand for that matter It's hard to see how they stay in business. All other machines other than Honda constantly break down, or just fall apart. If it isn't a honda you're just wasting money. B.S.

 

Oh yeah, you're exactly correct. I've had Honda buddies who have all picked at me for being a Kawasaki man. If I should have a flat tire or something, they'll all gang up on me. However, should one of those "bullet-proof" Hondas act up, they'll close ranks and not mention it. "Never had a problem" is all I hear when in fact I know it to be just the opposite. On the Polaris point, however, I just found it funny that someone had the same bike I had and the same troubles.