guys I never thought i'd be saying this but I'm really beginning to question Polaris toughness and reliability. I've never owned anything else and besides a few problems I've been fine. I have two buddies they both own the same bikes as I do 2005 500 HO, they have one problem after the other. On the weekend we were out for a ride and one of them had his throttle break off. We were in the middle of no where, so we took it apart and he was able to use his finger to press on the inner shaft on his handle bar and limp home. Now I have found out he can't buy just the plastic thumb lever he has to buy the whole assembly, that is ridicules. These guys are broke down more then they run. I feel bad because they both bought Polaris because of my bike. One guy never drives his hard or abuses it. The other guy drives his harder but it still isn't abused in my mind.

 

I have'nt had the problems, but after reading some of these threads I question them too. Many times it's the way Polaris and the dealers back up, or don't back up the product that makes the diff..

With respect to the broken throttle - to be fair, you would probably find the same type of expence, whole part problem with the Jap. bikes too. They'll will get you on parts.

What are some of the other problems they're having?

 

We checked two Honda's and a Grizzly that was riding witth us there levers are metal not plastic, other problems are broken axles, bad awd switch. faulty magneto. Ball joints, axle boots. throttle cable. Recoil started rope broke. Polaris tires can't keep air in them.front brake noise clicking sound. the EFI has had a lot of idling up and down problems on it's own. There are more

 

I know how you are feeling. I bought one of the first 2002 sp 700s when they first came out in 2002. I had nothing but problems. Seemed like one after the other. When it came time to buy my wife an ATV we opted for the 2004.5 sp 500H.O. because of the beter reliability. The first year on 3 of the 3 rides my dad and I took we towed the 500 home twice and the 700 home once. The first time the plug wire on the 500 had been routed between the frame and the fuel tank. Friction cut it off and it wad dead until we got a new plug wire. The second time the 500s ECU burned up and again nothing could be done but tow it home. The third ride in my 700 the breather valve in the valve cover feel onto the rockers making a terrible noise. We pulled it home. We also had to warranty a tire on the 500 because the tire would not seat on the black rim. I dont know what I was thinking but I bought another sp last year.

 

I'll tell you why you bought another it is because when they are running there is no better ride seriuosly. I tried the 800 bomb out , a friend of mine has one and it didn't even come close to the ride and handling of my 500 HO, it had impressive power but that was it

 

hey trailbound do you have any more pics of your nerf bars I want to fabricate a set

 

Thanks vor the reassuring vote of confidence. I do love them when they run but I think to compete in todays market with the new 700 grizz and the other big boys,k the polaris name is going to have to stand for something again.

Once I got all the bugs out of the 500 (under warrranty) its been great.

The 800 has had no problems.

I think I got my 700 running good finally.

 

I agree, I mean they advertise as "THE WORLDS TOUGHEST ATV" They better start living up to it. I know neither one of my buddies will ever buy another one

 

I do have some pics of the nerf bars but i'll have to get to them tonight. I think those homade nerf bars are my best purchase/build. They have saved me $ in fenders and I am making a set for a firend right now. I usede 1" pipe and 1"x1/4 flat iron and bolted them under to the floor board supports. The angle up front and back to allow to slide over rocks and logs.

 

They look good , factory look to them. I weld and fabricate other stuff so I'm guessing it won't be to hard. I want to get them on before I break those plastic foot wells