I want to know if anyone out there has experienced this and if not I just want you to have this knowledge.

I was at my local Polaris dealer last week picking my bike up after a service and was talking to a guy who works with me. He was there with 2 of his buddies to show the dealership that either of their keys will fit the ignition of all their 3 bikes. The bikes by the way were an 04, 05 and an 06. These guys also wandered around the showroom and found several other bikes on the floor that their keys worked in. Same with the bikes that were parked outside the service department - their keys worked in several of those as well. After speaking with the dealership who supposedly contacted Polaris the solution was to replace the ignition at the bike owners expense. Apparently Polaris was taking no responsibility in this issue. By the way all 3 keys looked different and had different numbers.

Anyone else ever experience anything like this before? Let me know what you think...

Thanks.

 

Sure have...

A friend and i both had 01 Trailbosses. We thought nothing of the key until he needed to replace his ignition because he lost his last key last year. He bought the new ignition put it in and away he went, a day or so later he accidentally put his key in my quad and started it up.. I was like WTF? Then i tried my key in his new/replaced ignition and it wouldn't turn it, but his new key turned both his new ignition and my old one.

That's complete CRAP and BS that Polaris does that. I know a quad is easy enough to steal, but you would think they could at least make different keys for them.

 

I'm sure there is a good reason behind it....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

My buddy got in the wrong truck when leaving the bar and drove off( with his keys in the ignition) he then fell asleep at the wheel and rolled it....sucked for whoever the truck belonged to....he woke-up and walked home....the cops didn't cite him cause his keys worked the ignition......He owned a 99' 4x4 dodge ram sport...the truck he totaled was a dakota 2wd..[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

my harley key works in several different harleys, and the key will work in an elevator. crazy.

 

So what about insurance liabilities if your bike is stolen by someone with a key that just happens to fit? If I am a thief and buy a Polaris bike and realize that it can start up other bikes and I steal it what liability does Polaris have towards the owner of the bike I stole. Not only did Polaris provide me with the key but I paid for the key. Perhaps a slick lawyer could shift the liability for replacement of the stolen bike to Polaris. They do not disclose the fact that this will happen when a person purchases a bike from them. As a consumer I assume that my key fits only my bike and vice-versa for everyone else as well. Polaris doesn't advise me that I need extra protection in order to ensure the safety of my bike from thieves ( not now that a key will ever prevent a real thief from stealing it - but thats not the point here anyway). The funny thing about the three guys in my initial post is that the community they live in is small enough to spitt across - and they ended up with 3 bikes of different years that can be started by either of their keys. Polaris - not good enough!

 

A John Deere key works in all john deere's from around 1970 to the present.......kinda handy for the farmer.....but I suppose someone could steal the tractor(or get inside and steal stuff..computer,etc).....ah well.

 

There are only so many key code combinations that can be put onto punch cut keys. That why can makers are putting the security chips in the keys now as well as changing to lazer cut keys. I used to be able to re-cut honda and Accura 5 step keys just by looking at them so if I saw your key I could cut it in one or 2 attempts from memory and get it to work.. It got a bit tougher when they went to 8 step keys but it can be done. That's why you have to chain your bike to something that's a bit harder to steal or roll away. I lock my bikes up when there in my shead becasue folks have tried to steal them from inside a locked shed.

 

No question...people have to be ever vigilent about using extra security in order to keep their bikes safe but this is the first I have ever heard about the Poo keys working in different bikes. And while the keys look different the ignitions are not. Its time that the ATV makers moved towards something like Bombardier has with the DESS system used in their sleds. Heck when we were kids if you wanted to take someones sled for a burn you just lifted the cowl, jacked the ignition plug-in, pulled her over & went. But I want more protection from my ATV manufacturer than what is there now. I don't chain my truck on every night and I don't really want to do so with my bike. Polaris has an obligation to give me that peace of mind when I drop upwards of 15 grand on a toy.

As for JD keys...this basically works for all heavy equipment...but then again its not everyone who wants to rip off a 450 excavator to sell for some quick cash. Generally what happens with equipment is that someone takes them and either beats them up or does some actual work with them. Its pretty hard to transport them too unless its something on wheels. I remember a couple of years ago someone stole a 644 loader from the City of St. John's. The loader was located about a year later and was actually in better shape than when it had been stolen...new paint, new tires and no oil leaks. They should have their stuff stolen by this guy more often or hire him as their fleet manager/maintenance super.

 

New Keys?

Great, now theres a mod I need!

 

Guess polaris is going after the john deer folks......makes since to me