Polaris has always had problems with the first years production on a new design. They do the research and testing corretly but somehow they always manage to screw something up on the line at the factory.

Like in 95 they came out with their new swingarm bushing design. Older ones would wear out swingarm bushings in a month.

The 95 bushings were capable of lasting for years if you greased them.

The problem was that almost every single one left the factory with the swing arm pivot bolts loose.

Some of the stuff on the late 80's and early 90's Polaris ATV's were such poor quality it was funny. Those old brass A-arm bushings would wear out in one weekend and that is no BS.

 

Honda had a dog in the Rubicon. Finally they had a switch to shut off 4WD. It was underpowered. They used the same transmission in the 650 Rincon and it was much better. Of course, what do they do? Stick the same tranny in a 400. WTF????

Finally in 06 did they come out with a Rincon that was FI. I had been waiting for it till I gave up. I will not buy a machine the first year it comes out unless I have a really good reason. I bought the Rubicon the first year it came out and it felt sluggish and not good. Bought the Rincon and it was much better. However, today I traded it in for an 05 800 EFI. I saw the machine work for my wife (500 Sportsman HO) and I wanted the 800 as soon as it had been tested.

 

my 2 cents.......ive had a 04' scrambler and had no problems what so ever! went though everything, even sank it one time.....pulled it out, flipped it stright up so the water can drain then it started right up! i sold this for a 05 pred, and have had no problems yet. its about 4 months old, runs awsome. one hit of the start button and it starts right up. the guys i ride with who owns polaris's doesnt have any abnormal problems either.


alot of people like to blame ball joints etc problems on polaris. most likely these are the people who dont take care of things like they should. you should be greesing everything all the time! in the 1.5 years i had the scrambler, i never had a joint etc go bad. but even if you do take care of everything, these are off road bikes and a small amount of dirt can wreck havac!!

i try to get out every other week, ride in mud,sand, coal mines,rocks everything possible. polaris rocks!!!!!!!

 

Have to agree with user3657, a little preventitive maintenance goes a long, long... way. How many out there either apply WD-40 to drive out moisture or apply Silicone spray/grease to rubber items such as drive boots in order to stop them drying out/duly cracking post blasting grit and junk into all the 'sensitive' areas/parts of their Quad w/a pressure washer which is an ATV's worst enemy in my books!

My pre/post ride maintenance time has paid dividends on my Polaris the last couple of years, no nasty repair costs or downtime to be had, bottom line is no matter whos makes it is inadequate maintenance soon starts to cost on more than one front.

Think about it, sand is one of the best abrasives known to man, I rest my case.

A happy Polaris driver.