Just curious...why doesn't Polaris put backup recoil starters on their bigger machines (other than the MV)?

 

Extra weight and cost along with the fact you wouldnt be able to pull it (w/o decompression).
The military must have reqiured it on the MV700.

Jim

 

The MVs are carbed and built to military specs. It’s my understanding that with a dead battery you wouldn’t be able to pull-start an EFI machine anyway so a recoil start would only help you if you had a starter problem. The reality is starter problems are far less likely now that the flywheel area is sealed. The recoil starter housings have been notorious for collecting moisture which eventually rusts and damages parts, or even worse freezes and locks up your motor. You’re better off just carrying a starter pack or a spare batt with Yuasa motorcycle / ATV jumper cables.

 

Thanks for the answers....there didn't seem to be a pattern. Both the EFI and carb 500 have a recoil, but the 700 and 800 don't (carb or EFI). The 05 MV had a recoil, even though it was a 700, but the 06 MV does not have a recoil...the military must have changed their specs. I've got a 500 and I'm glad it's got a recoil. I had a bad battery and could still pull start the machine and ride until I got around to getting a new battery. A friend of mine has an 05 700 EFI who's battery went dead on an overnight trail ride. He would have been SOL without my machine and jumper cables.

 

Take care of your machine and it will take care of you. My SP600 doesn't have a pull start, nor does my pickup truck or the wife's van. I make sure the battery terminals are clean and have good contact and am careful not to leave anything on that would drain the battery.

Peace