Hi guys. Appreciate your 'dropping in'. Let me get this out of the way, so you know I'm serious about Polaris: It's either an '05 Polaris EFI, or nothing (I want both EFI and a twin engine, so everybody else is out), plus I like it the best. This would be my first quad, but I've owned several motorcycles in the last 12 years (currently an '03 BMW K1200RS). My experience tells me BMW is like Polaris: they're the best, but heavy, not cheap, and not perfect. A few problems don't scare me, even though my closest dealer (he carries both BMW and Polaris) is over 100 miles away. My ATV could pose a problem though, since I can't ride it there, and don't have a trailer either.
Here are my questions and concerns:

1. 700 or 800? I'm set on the 800, but want your input if it could be subject to 'new model' vehicle problems that require warranty work by dealer? My guess is it's 99% of the 700 (except 60ccs of extra displacement), and the 700 is pretty much tried and true, correct? Any other differences to justify the $600? My dealer sells me the 700EFI for $7,200 and the 800 for $7,800.

2. Briefly (as on a dirt parking lot) test drove the only 800 available, and right off the bat, couldn't shift the darn thing. Service manager couldn't shift the quad either (he was yanking the lever pretty hard IMHO), until he punched the throttle while shifting with his other hand, and it finally shifted... with a BANG. I had to use the same technique to shift it myself. Is this something I can adjust myself easily? Hate to force dealer to fix it when they say it's 'normal' (BS, I know). Comments? Quad was idling at around 1,150 rpm, by the way, and had 20 min and 2 miles on the clock.

3. This thing revs to the moon even in mild riding (4K rpm @ 20 mph in 'H'), so how do you break the engine in? What's the top speed on this thing? 700EFI was rated at 60 on last DirtWheels (brute force at 66, and KQ at 70).

4. Tech said transmission belt has 'lifetime warranty', but by reading some posts here, that seems to be a lie. What's its true life? Any tips on how to ride these things to maximize belt life? Thanks.

5. What's the valve adjustment interval on these things? Are they threaded adjusters (hopefully), or something else? Are they easy to get at? I service all my cars and bikes, by the way, so I know what I'm doing (with a service manual, of course). Other than valve adjustments, any other hard to perform routine service needed? Any special tools, like a lift, or something else? Thanks for your input.

Please feel free to answer any or all questions, and add whatever you want. I'd greatly appreciate it. Best wishes for the holidays.

JC

 

1. 700 or 800?
There is no replacement for displacement. More power is always better. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

2. Idle speed is supposed to be between 1050 and 1250. Something was wrong with that one as mine shifts like every other polaris I have riden.

3. Havent gotten that fast on mine yet.

4. No clue on belt warranty. As far as making it last, the same advice for ANY type of dual range tranny. Use Low when needed. If you dont you will be fixing things.

5. They have hydraulic lifters so no adjusting valves!!

 

Thanks a lot for your help buddy. So hydraulic lifters? Man, can this thing get any better?

May I ask you when do you 'know' you need low range? Remember I'm new to this. I'll mostly use the quad to run around irrigation canals with my dog (for now), and maybe get in the sandy Rio Grande, which carries no water now. There are 10' inclines to get into the Rio Grande area, and to get out of it. Do I need to shift to low range even on such short inclines?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

1. I'd go with the 800 if you like raw power, the 800 is a stroked 700 motor, so been around for a year on that platform...I have the '05 700 EFI and love it...

2. They take awhile to break-in, not long, just need to get out and ride it some and do some shifting and it will get easier...

3. Don't let it get too hot, break-in period is 10 hours, don't keep constant rpm's...keep it wide open for long periods....longer than 5 seconds....

4. Belt warranty is lifetime....but the only way the dealer will replace it is if you smoke one....carry a spare just in case...

5. Hydraulic lifters...

 

Elkbow, you pretty much answered the rest of my questions, but I still have one, since you didn't elaborate on that answer: HOW SHOULD I SHIFT WHILE IT GETS LOOSER? Really appreciate your help man. So other than displacement, are both quads (700 and 800) identical otherwise? Even the 40mm throttle body is the same for both. The only thing on my wishlist for this quad was double A-arm front suspension, but nothing is perfect, so I can live with that.

Just have to find the right color, and the right wheels. Saw one with beautiful aluminum, 8-spoke wheels, and other with the not-so-pretty chromed-steel ones. Polaris doesn't mention such option at all; what's the deal?

Hey, just one more request, if you don't mind: Any other forums like this, but with a 'mechanical' section, where I can read about service procedures and issues?

Thanks guys.

JC

 

any amount of riding at 10 mph or less, use low gear, or of course iff towing a load. i would go with the aluminum wheels(probably added by the dealer cuz not an option) because the factory chrome ones will start showing rust very soon. i too would go with the 800 just because. my decisision at the time was between the 600 and 700 (no 800 at the time). i went with the 700 for a little more power. after spending 6-8 grand, what's another 600 lol!!! good luck, happy riding!

 

the aluminum rims that come on teh 800s are standard for the 800. you can buy them seperately if you want from their website. anyway. the difference between the quads is actually more around 80cc's of displacement since the 700, is only like 680cc's. its a night and day difference in the power between the 2 quads. on the 700 youd most likely have to sit at the back of the quad and pull at the handle bars some to pop a wheelie. on the 800 its power wheelie city, just stab the throttle and shes up. I would deffenetly recomend getting a winch as these heavy machines arnt going to pull themself out if they get stuck, ive already used the winch on my 800.

the differencees between the 700 and the 800 are as followed

boared out another 80ish cc's
headers
dual exaust
larger belt
aluminum rims

i think thats it. if i missed something someone add on.

the extra 600 dollers for the quad is well worth the money. and the only reason to use low is if your kreeping around below 7MPH or if your pulling a load. high can be used for everything else.

i would also take another belt along with you as the 800's have so much torque they have been notoriace (spelling?) in breaking belts. the EFI system on the quads is also BOCSH so it uses the same system that your beemers do.

Have fun with your new quad! you'll love it!

 

Man, what a great crowd. REALLY appreciate all your input. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind the 800 is the right one to get, after all the responses. And yes, what's $600 more after that wad of cash? Seems to be well worth it as well. And I want the red/black one; time to make some phone calls tomorrow. Unfortunately the only one at that dealer had some 2 hours on it (techs having fun), with probably some WOT thrown in, but might let it go, otherwise I'd have to wait for a brand new one.

You mentioned the winch, which I agree it's almost a necessity on an 800-lb beast. Question is if I have to buy the kit from the dealer, or can it be bought somewhere else cheaper? It used to be a $100 option, or something like that, but my dealer told me they complained to Polaris since they were charging something like $300, and were losing money. I've seen some on Ebay, but don't know if there're other specific parts needed for installation not included there. I also remember reading all '05 sportsmans are pre-wired for the winch; is that true? I plan to get the 2500 lb one, which should be plenty. Read that some cutting is required as well. Hopefully I can find a web page or forum with instructions, to avoid any mistake.

Will check out the website given for mechanical information, and tools needed for belt changes, etc. Need to have the right tools, or an extra belt will be no help.

Good day guys.

JC

 

a 3000 pound warn winch from polaris is nearly 600 dollers. but if you pay cash for your quad polaris will give you a 2,500 pound for 69 dollers. thats how i got mine.

and yes, the quad is prewired for the winch. and it does install in minutes, but like elkbow said in another post, about 120 minutes. instructions come with the winch if you want to put it on yourself. dont listen to the warn instalation instructions, read the polaris one. warn's is for if its not prewired and blah blah blah. polaris' instructions are actually pretty easy to follow. you'll need some sockets, a wrench, and preferably screwdriver styled wrenches which you can get at walmart. they help alot in the smaller areas.

in my personal opinion, i would wait for the new one, nothing like a brand new quad, and you dont know what the mechanics did to the poor thing. best break it in like its suposed to be broke in. i know the waiting is hard, as i orderd my quad in July and it didnt get here till November 30th.


edit:

i would also recomend if you have the money to, to get a K&N airfilter as this thing sucks air like no other. when your sitting on the quad and start it up, you can hear it sucking in air. and when you really take it for a spin, you can hear it wanting more and more air. so the K&N filter gave mine about 6 more MPH, and a noticeable power difference. especially in torque. if you want to buy one, the 700 F/I filter as they call it is what to get. if you think that takeing off the airbox cover is going to add power also, your mistaken, the EFI compensates for everything, and having the lid off shows no noticeable power difference on my quad. :\

 

Just a correction to the above statement:

"boared out another 80ish cc's"

The 800 shares the exact same bore as the 700. Its stroked which makes the extra 80ccs.

To further elaborate on when to use low:
-any time you are in mud
-any time you are climbing a hill
-any time you are pulling something
-any time you feel the quad will be in any sort of strain

Its better to use low more than to use it less and burn a belt.