My friend has just bought a new 800 and he has burnt up one belt just trying to get used to the machine. What is the best way of taking care of yor belts,as far as High/Low Speeds and just trail riding? He doesn't mud bog or abuse the 800. He has always had a Honda before and he saved up a long time to get this monster. Please help on this subject. Thanks Alan

 

Starting out is hard on belts, you want the clutch to engage firmly like a quarter throttle. Keep the clutch engaged when going up hills, stay on the throttle, not on and off. Use low gear , I think the owners manual says when you are under 8 mph.How many miles are on it? It may have alignment problems.

 

Not sure on miles. He has had it about 2 months. Maybe around 150-200 miles. One of the main problems is the land where he rides is rough,so he has to go slow at least aound the perimeter. Alan

 

Well an atv is only as strong as its belt. Tell him to sell that poo and buy a Honda.

 

I am just trying to find some info out for him,I could do without your remarks.

 

Smething mut be wrong. My buddy has an sp700, and he has about 700 very hard miles,(mud, rocks, water, hill climbs) as i do on my Cat, because we ride together. Neither of us has belt issues. I think it is loose, or as posted, out of alignment.

 

I guess that means that all of the major manufacturers quads (except Honda of course) and snowmobiles are all flawed because they run CVTs and are junk right.....hmmm....that's an ENORMOUS number of machines. Of course Honda is the ONLY MACHINE that is not junk...right...isn't that what you're saying??? Or is it that you just came here with your very first post simply to bash Polaris because you're a pompous Honda snob???

Honda has been the most old technology, least innovative of all the major manufacturers in the ATV market. They only incorporate up to date technology well after all the competition has. The Hondamatic is unique to Honda.....it is a highly complex unit that can not be serviced and if it breaks the customer will be forced to replace it entirely at a very heavy price$$$$$$$$$. CVTs are PROVEN reliable over many years, are completely tuneable and belts are cheap. I have 1460 miles on my original belt right now.

Honda still uses only solid rear axles on everything except the top-of-the-line Rincon and did not start using disc brakes until very recently. They stuck with those crappy drum brakes that fill up with water and freeze with ice in the winter. The majority of their ATV utility line is down on power and features compared to the competition and changes/upgrades come at a glacial pace.

Honda enjoys a reputation for reliabilty.....it's well earned and true. As such they enjoy high sales based on that reliability reputation.

The problem is........Honda has become fat and happy........they don't need to produce innovative products or even update the line because they continuosly get sales.

There is a name for this........It's called "Resting on ones laurels"........eventually it'll catch up with them.

BTW.......Polaris sales have climbed to very high levels and continue to grow. The reason is somewhat different.......they innovate, push advancement and develope new models but most of all......they are not resting on their laurels.

 

i have the 800 and have got 80 miles on it w/ no problem. the bigest thing w/ these power machines is to use l.range when doing under15 mph more for keeping the belt cool then anything esle. also w/ all that power and hitting the throttle on and off is hard on the belt if not in low. as far as the hondas go i ride w/ a bunch of formans and always seem to have to pull them out or fix them. hmmm