I like to ride in fairly deep water 2-3 feet , but I am worried about Polaris' belt drive tranny . If it gets wet I would think I'm screwed! Is this the case ? Can these things go through deep water or am I land locked?
This was one of my main concerns when buying my Sportsman. I like most everything about it , but now with spring on the horizon I see water in my future. Should I be worried?

 

no you will be fine. I have seen many sportsmans go through water up to the fenders and made it out fine.

 

Think you will be fine. We took out our 02 700, 01 500 mag, and a 05 660 grizz fall of 04 to the local water hole. We all had them up to the fuel tanks in H20 and never had a problem with the belts slipping. My friends 500 mag had a 2 inch lift and he was over the front two headlights and kept on going. The only time I have had a problem with my belt slipping is after I gave my 02 700 a wash and got some water in through the trans cooler intake located under the tank, but I just pulled the drain plug and ran it in N for awhile to dry it out.

Happy mudding, but remember they are not submarines.

 

The clutch cover case is sealed and completely waterproof. You just have to watch hitting the water at high speeds because you will splash water into the breather tube that is located near the gas tank.

 

There seems to be two tubes attached to the tranny. The one that goes under the tank and one that goes by the side of the machine (for cooling?) by the fuel shut off . Can water get in this one? My polaris dealer says this tube vents air and will likely "push" water away?

 

I think your dealer is right air is sucked in near the top of the fuel tank and expelled by the fuel shut off. On a cool day you can feel warm air coming out the lower vent. I have been submerged to the front rack for 20min till I could get the winch fed out with no proublems.

 

I've had my 500HO in water as deep as the handle bars and it didn't drown out but did sputter slightly as I was coming out of the water. But definately didn't wet the belt. I have a buddy who's belt does get wet when submurged but if that happens, pull the drain plug, put it in neutral, and let it idle for about 10 minutes and it should dry out.

 

Yea youll be fine i had my 03 600 twin in water up to its gas tank several times and never had belt problems or getting stuck problems

 

this is what our dealer told us "If your *** is getting wet...it is time to turn back"

no joke

 

ive had my 500 ho up to the seat in water w/ no problem. but like anything the longer u stay in the water for a lenght of time it might find its way in. only problem i ever had was when i had a bad gasket and went over the vent for the clutch on my 335.