i have a thread at the utility atv forum, http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/505318.cfm

some people say that polaris has higher maintenance than most atv's. what makes polaris more maintenance prone? i called a yamaha/can-am dealer and he told me that they wont take a polaris atv on trade. i really liked the polaris 500 efi that i had a chance to ride. ive ridden the kq 700 and that was way too much atv. im 5'11" and weigh 240lbs. ill use the atv 10% for utility( plowing snow, deer hunting, and maybe food plots for people) and 90% for fun( trail riding, muddung, and riding in water) i live in iowa, so the terrian is pretty flatbut who knows i might take the machine on vacation to one of thos ecool atv parks. im looking at the yamaha kodiak 450 or the new kq 450 efi. can any polaris owner give me an honest answer on their atv?? are the japanese machines better built? i was also told that polaris is getting their rims from china now and they bend more easily? is polaris gettin a bad rap? i was even told that the ebs system in dangerous when going down steep hills and the only way to engage the ebs is by goosing the throttle. is this true?? im not trying to buy the "perfect" atv, im just trying to make the right choice the first time and not have to worry about buying another atv.

 

I responded over on the other thread! I respect your way of "learning" what you need to know about ATV's. I love Polaris, I've had 3 others. I had a bad one last year. I just got rid of it last month. It was a '05 sportsman 800. All ATV's have bad points. Some are afraid to admit them. I love Mudbogging, that is why I've chosen Polaris. It is the best "serious" boggin machine. Much larger radiator and superior 4X4 system. Polaris is a true 4X4 and can be turned very easily while in 4WD. I will be honest and tell you some of the ones that "other" riders see.

1. Polaris is heavy- my response, I want a utiltity, so beefiyness is what I want. Ask yourself what sense does it make to have a lighter frame like the others. Look at the axles for instance, Polaris is thicker,hence heavier.

2.Price - my response. Polaris charges what they need for the quad and what they need for repair parts. Others charge less than they need for the quad, and make it up in repair parts. So, they are counting on it to break for their profits to start! Ever heard of the old saying"Pay me now or pay me later?"

3.Steers hard- my response. They do steer harder then other ATV's, but that does not affect a man of my strength. I ride with a 55 year old fart, he never complains either!

As for the rims bending, I've never heard of this. So, if they are weaker than what the US makes, what does that say about the ones that have always been put on the Jap quads?

The EBS is very good, now that you've mentioned it, I remember that I have had to goose it a LITTLE for it to kick in hard. It was never to the point of feeling that I was putting myself in danger to apply the EBS. It is only needed to be done once, at the top of the hill. Before I was on too much of a decline.

As for the trade in, I have no knowledge of what the dealers want. There is no mad scientist method in figuring them out. If you think that any quad has good resale, you are kidding yourself and everyone else is in on the joke too!

If it is 4X4 you want, nobody has it figured out as good as Polaris. I will tell you that no Polaris will go as far on a tank of fuel as a Jap quad. Polaris tanks are smaller. They are usually around 4.75 Gals., depending on model.

I do hope that you get it figured out what you want. There are many different ones to choose from.

If, I can help you out in any other way, let me know. Good luck!

 

Same thing if you go to a G.M dealer and tell them your are intrested in buying a Ford!!!!!What do you thing they will tell you......I know lots of people that have older Polaris Sportsmans and they had good luck with very little MAINT. issues..... It is how you drive them and proper service and repairs. (MY VIEW). I went with two 450 2006 and even though it was the first year for the 450's I still had faith in Polaris and did my homework on the quads ........I wanted.... ride, AWD,(not three wheel drive)storage,Independent suspension,ground clearance liquid cooled,receiver hitch,and auto transmission. Only you can make your choice....Do some searching and make you quad the one that is right for you NOT the guy trying to sell you HIS brand or cheaper one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

mant. is on any machine that you run. if you run your machine hard like some of us then yes you do more mant. then you would if you just trail ride and easy riding. we could all tell you why we love ours or why you should buy polaris but the bottom line is that you need to drive them your self and make your own choice. some people have had bad experinces (like instigater)but others have had good luck. you never know when you get a bad one there in everything you buy. but i like his choice in keeping his chin up up about the brand in realilzing that one bad bike isnt the whole company.

 

thanks for all of the info. right now im looking at three atv's. the kq 450 efi, the yamaha kodiak 450 4x4, or the polaris 500 ho efi or 450. how does the kodiak or the kq compare to the polaris? i rode the kq 700 and that was way too much machine. i still need to ride the kq 450 and the kodiak. i rode the ac 400 and was not impressed at all. it rode like a tank and was wobbly at high speed. again, thanks for the honest insight. i just want to make the right choice the first time so i dont have to buy another one. how does the polaris do in extreme trail riding?? ie- arizona, mountain riding in colorado, etc.....? forgot to ask, how does honda do with atv's? im not to hip on the esp shifting thing. should i look at honda also? i was going to look at can-am but theyre way tooo expensive. Tim

 

just go with the 500 efi and you will be happy. they have the best all wheel drive on the market,best irs, and just made really good. if you look on the market polaris is the only atv that you don't need aftermarket skidplats

 

Believe me...any brand will have its problems. I don't care what anyone says. If they tell you otherwise then they're just in denial...or they ride like a sissy.

 

this coming a non polaris owner. but like its been stated any brand breaks after awhile. i know first hand my buds kodiak will be right w/ our sp 450 on the trails until we start really hamming the rough stuff and then he backs off a litle because he doesnt have enough suspenion to handle them at higher speeds but its a nice bike but there again it doesnt have a reverse override so when your really stuck you cant back out because it cuts out.

 

Burnt3d..

I have a 2006 500HO. 600 miles on it and no problems. I just finished my 50 hour service. Wasnt all that bad. I looked for about 6 months for a quad and it came down to the Polaris 500HO, Articat, or a Bomb. I rode the 500HO and fell in love. It rides so nice and just fits me right.

Yeah the Polaris is heavier but to me it feels more solid. I rode my friends Bomb 800, it is a nice machine, has gobs of power, but I liked the ride of my 500 over the bomb, it felt a little more solid. Thats just my opinion thou.Every rider is different. I also rode a Honda Rubicon, straight axle. Did not like it at all, way too rough.. Also had a 86 Kawi with a straight axle. Got rid of it. IMO the IRS (independant rear suspension) is the only way to go for trail riding. Straight axle has its advantages..

My sugestion, keep doing what your doing. Research and go ride them. Go with your gut..

The EBS works good for me. You just have to get used to it. IT holds the quad back going down hills but when its going down it bangs and clangs bad, but that is normal.

As far as getting a 500EFI vs a 450. They are about the same price, go for the 500HO.. I wouldnt go anything under a 500cc engine. MY top end is about 60 to 61 mph.

Havent tried a plow on mine yet.

Rims: mine havent bent. Been thru some pretty bad stuff.

All in all I like my Polaris.. If I have to buy another one I would probally go with another polaris. So far I am happy with it.

One of my other friends has a 04 700 twin with over 4300 miles on it and it still runs sweet..

Also any brand is going to have problems, some big some small. One thing I dont like about my Polaris is the override switch. Should have come from the factory with a bypass installed. But there are kits to bypass that.

Good luck man..

 

Man I love the Polaris forum. You could go to any other forum and post this thread and the guys are gonna say, yes buy Yamaha or buy Suzuki, everything else is junk. This is the only place where you can really get honest answers and opinions.

Now to the thread......We have an 05 Scrambler and we love it. Havn't done anything but normal routine maintenance to it and it runs like a champ. In fact, my Yamaha that is suppose to be so darn reliable is currently broke down with carb issues. I'm not sure if the engine in the sportsman is configured the same as the Scrammy or not. It could be geared a little different. The power out of the 500 HO is awsome. I can't say that I would choose a Sportsman over a Kodiak or the King Quad, they are all really great machines. It would be a difficult decision. I will say that the Polaris is by far the most comfortable. I say you have to just ride them all and see which one fits you better. Good luck with your decision.