I have just one question. Can anyone tell me what really is wrong with the hawkeye. I keep hearing things about it bogging and squealing. Is there any real reason not to buy one?

 

I bought one for my wife 3 months ago, it now has 350 miles on it with 0 problems. I have had it up yo 47 mph. no bog ever no problems ,nice 4 wheeler.

 

I think the ones built before 3/7/06 had jetting issues (way too rich) as did my wife's built in Feb 06. I rejetted it and it is a very nice bike to ride. I like the belt drive clutch engagement far better than I like the engagement on my sportsman as the Hawkeye has no lag at all and it will crawl over anything, even with no "low" gear.

 

There were some jetting issues with the early (pre 3/7/06) Hawkeyes but the larger issue is the front arm mounts on the rear subframe that have failed on some. I had a crack in the welds on mine so my dealer got me the 07 subframe which has been reinforced. If your dealer will install the 07 subframe go for it otherwise I would get an 07 instead. I have about 1100 miles on mine with no complaints, I'm going to buy an 07 limited edition and let my sister/brother-in-law have my 06. I installed 25" radial tires right away as the stock tires are rather poor IMO and the ride quality and traction is much better.....

 

Thanks guy. I debating whether to get the Trail Boss or a Hawkeye. I just kept hearing the same thing about the Hawkeye, and I'm become a little wary about buying one. I have kind of talked myself in to the Trail Boss, but I now know some things to ask my dealer now. So with the information you guys gave me I'll talk with my dealer and if it doesn't pan out I'll go with the Trail Boss.

 

I bought two Hawkeyes in June, one a 4x4 and the other a 2x4.

The things wrong with the Hawkeye:

1. Major jetting issues above 5000 feet. These can be fixed but the carb is very difficult to get to to rejet. If you go above 8500 feet, jetting alone is not enough as the airbox is too restrictive and does not allow enough air to flow to create enough vacuum to lift the slide inside the carb. Two to four holes in the air box top is enough to allow you to climb to 9000 feet or more. I have not taken it higher to test yet.

2. Very stiff rear suspension. Just push on the back of a Sportsman and then push on the back of a Hawkeye and you will know what I am talking about. It is stiff enough that my wife will not ride it any more! And Polaris has not released softer springs and according to my dealer (who called the factory), Polaris is not going to make them.

3. The rear sub-frame (where the front of the a-arm mounts) is very weak and many people have broken them. Polaris has improved this area on the 2007s but have not stepped up to fix the 2006s yet.

4. Squeaky bearings in the transmission.

All that being said, I like the Hawkeye CONCEPT. I just feel they implemented it poorly. If they fix these things for 2007, then it could be a good bike. But I have already confirmed that they are not changing the rear suspension on the 2007s. So I am stuck with a bike that my wife will not ride. I even took out the sway bar, which improved it, but it is still very stiff.

After I bought the Hawkeyes, I wanted to get one for me and I was not about to get another Polaris. I got a Yamaha and I have to say that I wish I would have gotten three Yamahas from the beginning.

Good luck with your desision.

 

Don't forget the big problem if you water ride, sputters to the point you barely get out of the water about 2 out of 5 times when you're in water a foot or more deep.

 

I loved my Hawkeye when it was working. The rear sub-frame needs to be replaced with the '07 version. It is much stronger. Do call the product safety commission. They have a department that deals with ATVs. Until it is a recall, after six months, the expensive repair is on you. The shop can get the correct part. I have not been able to try it yet though. My Hawkeye has been out of commission since August. The shop finally fixed the sub-frame. I brought it home only to notice that a front CV boot was split down the seam. Interesting. The part was not covered under warranty even though there were no signs of external damage. CV boots should last for years and are covered by other manufactures. Oh, I only put 33 hours on it from May to August. Other than that, it is a great quad. I?ve heard the ?07 is better. My dumb mistake for buying first year.

All I want for Christmas is my Hawkeye fixed since it has been in the shop since August and I have only put 33 hours on it....