Hi all...new to the forum and would like to ask a question about the Polaris Sportsman series ATV. The question is in regards to reliability. So...how reliable are the '08 and '09 Sportsman 800 and 850 series ATV's?

I have heard of the following issues:
1.Auto tranny belt slipping or falling off all together.
2.The brakes not responding well from the hand lever.
3.Really bad fuel mileage.
4.Poor customer service from Polaris directly.

Any truth...or are they in a very limited fashion?

My plans are to purchase a 800 or 850 cc ATV within the next few weeks. The Sportsman is certainly on my very short list.

So any info is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
biz

 

Well the 850 is a brand new machine, so there is no way to tell about reliability of it. as for the 800, my 08 so far has been good. they are hard on gas but its an 800cc (well 760cc) machine.
i think one of the atv mags did a shootout between the can am 800 and the popo and the can ams tranny was rated a 1 out of 4 while the polaris' was rated a 4 out of 4 (maybe 3 cant remember). they noted that the canams would barley get wet and start to slip where as the Popo's would get submerged pretty good and keep going.
the AWD is one of the best on the market as far as i can tell. i hate the brute forces 4x4 system. the 800's are heavy but the ride is very very comfortable. plus i think it is an all around good looking machine especailly(spelling?) with the stealth black color and the alloy wheels. i dont like the 14" wheels on the new 850.

 

1) The belt generally only slips when it has gotten wet, apparently the plastic cover is prone to warping a little and can let water in. Never had a problem with mine but I don't go deep. Never heard of one falling off?
2) The brakes on my machine will nearly launch you over the bars if you aren't careful. It will easily lock up all four. I have set the brake while winching a heavy log and have literally stood it up on the front wheels without the brakes slipping, I decided it was too heavy to winch,lol
3) It does eat some fuel, but like said above it is a 760cc machine and it isn't light(which I don't mind because I like how rigid it is and it helps traction when pulling/towing).
4) The key to good customer service for a Polaris owner is finding a good dealer, the dealer can make or break your impression of Polaris' customer service. My dealer is awesome so I am lucky.

There is a thread on here with a link to a story about the Gas Line workers preferring Polaris', and they put 18000 miles on them in 6 months!! That says reliability to me. IMO you just need to do your maintenance. I know Hondas can pretty much go without maintenance, but they don't have a Sportsman's features or ablilities IMO, so if a guy is lazy and just wants to ride it and put it away that guy needs a Honda. Not saying that is you, just speaking generally.

 

When the twin came out in 2002 it was a landmark for Polaris and the industry. The 600, 700, and 800 are all basiclly the same engine. 2002 and 2003 models had some small issues that could make for big problems. (not with the engine really but it could be affected) 2004 and up are pretty much great. The 2005 model brought a new plastic design and the exhaust would get a little toasty and melt the plastic for some people depending on how you ride. That was pretty much resolved with new heat shields and some common sense by us owners. The sportsman line over all is a great and dependable line of quads.

 

1.Auto tranny belt slipping or falling off all together.
2.The brakes not responding well from the hand lever.
3.Really bad fuel mileage.
4.Poor customer service from Polaris directly.
Can't comment on the 850, but with regards to your question concerning the 2008 800

1. I have pretty much sunk my atv on several occasions, never had the belt slip, never had any amount of water in the cvt housing.

2. I recently got to ride friends yamaha's and suziki's ( great bikes ) but the breaks don't respond nearly as nice as my 800 touring wich as every polaris owner nows far outweighs the competition. The 4 wheel discs hook up well. And i really like that the front and rear brakes are operated by one lever. Never feel the front or rear hooks up too much. Smooth, strong breaking!!!

3. Fuel mileage. WHO CARES!!! You don't buy a big bore machine to worry about that. And seriously if it costs you an extra 3 dollars a day of riding compared to another machine, once again WHO CARES!

4. I fully agree with HIGH OCTANE, its all about the dealer. YOu should never have to deal with polaris directly.

I have had a few issues with my atv but the dealer has resolved them. As of late no issues. I absolutely love the ride and the power of the 800 touring. You definitely won't be disapointed with 800.

 

850 being brand new, no way of telling how good they are and ive had 2 800's w/ good luck. its all in the dealer you get how good of experince you get. personally i would get the 850 if you could just because its suppose to be vast improvements. imo.

 

as already stated the new XP is just that... new... alot of people on here are members of the "800 Club" and from what they say they love the machine... i would love an 800 or 850 but for my riding area and style i don't see the need anything over a 500... another thing that i would stay away from is a 1st year production machine, car, boat, airplane, submarine.. can you say Guinea Pig...
i hear that polaris has put more time into testing the XP than any other machine but i do not work for polaris so i can't tell you from any experience other than reading it online..

Good Luck

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: G.A.S.

3. Fuel mileage. WHO CARES!!! You don't buy a big bore machine to worry about that. And seriously if it costs you an extra 3 dollars a day of riding compared to another machine, once again WHO CARES!

I have had a few issues with my atv but the dealer has resolved them. As of late no issues. I absolutely love the ride and the power of the 800 touring. You definitely won't be disapointed with 800.</end quote></div>

My only concern with fuel mileage is in regards to the distance I can travel while out and about. I can always carry extra fuel...so not a big deal, but just something I need to keep in mind.

Do you mind posting the "few issues" that you have had with your X2?

I really appreciate all the responses! More info is always a good thing! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Thanks,
biz
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

At one time, I was a die hard Honda man (please forgive me). I gave a Polaris a shot with an 02' 500 HO. I havent looked back since. Its all about "PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE". Most people I see that have problems with polaris' have come from very low maintenance bikes. They buy them and unload all the power, and eventually running the bike into the ground. Then stepping away, calling it a POS, and going to the next brand. And so on...............

 

Only poo problem I have had on my 05 800 is the waterpump leak. The steel fence post through the rad & fan was my fault.