Originally Posted by Specta

When your ATVs hit 13,000 miles lets compare repair costs. I am one of those strange people that prefer dependability over "AWD" and a cushy ride.

I'll tell you that several of my friends ride Polaris ATVs due to their plush and cushy ride. Everyone that I know personally that has purchased a new Polaris within the last 2 years has has issues with them. I'm sure there are Polaris ATVs out there that have a great service and dependability record.

One has a 09 850 EPS XP with close to 5000 miles on it. One complete engine overhaul, the EPS unit has been replaced, one clutch assembly, 3 seized brake calipers and rotors and one broken spring. I'm sure his ATV is capable of going where I go but he wont take it in to those kind of places because it's more than he can do so his ATV has not been beat or abused. Being a die hard Polaris fan he will tell you to never buy a new Polaris without pruchasing the extended warrantee.

One friend bought a new 2010 RZR back in early July, with less than 200 miles on it the front diff came apart.

quote "Went for a ride up to Warm Lake last weekend and about 1/2 way back, the Rzr started feeling squirrely on corners, smelling hot and making a grinding noise. stopped and the front diff was smoking and leaking fluid. waited for it to cool some and then rode on home with no more trouble. Took it to the dealer on Thursday and they found a shaft bearing gone and the clutch plates in the diff all chewed up with metal shavings."

when he got it back this is what they said;
quote " Yep, it's fixed and running great. Found out that they used a plastic cage in the front diff, till 5/10/10 and had major problems with it."

A PLASTIC cage??? WTH??

Our brand new RZR 4 had the rear diff come apart with only 170 miles on it. We also have three 2009 RZRs and they all have about 5000 miles on them. We jsut got one out of the shop; top end rebuild, new clutch assembly, both driveshafts, both front axles, front diff OH, and ball joints. We have spent enough money on two of the RZRs that we could have bought a 4th one.

We also have 4 Rancher 400 ATs all with over 6000 miles on them, the crumby 3-wd drum brake ATVs. Total repairs on all 4 wouldn't cover 1/2 of the purchase price of a new one.

My good friend has a 2010 RZR 4 and he was bragging that he had 300 trouble free miles on it with no problems. While out riding the other day he used low range and now the entire machine has such a sevier vibration it's headed back to the dealer. Last week while we were out checking out a local forest fire he took his 2010 550 xp touring and with only 270 miles on it the right front axle started clacking and spitting grease out of the boot so it too is headed back to the dealer.

Where I live people put 1000s of miles on theri ATVs every year and without question Honda's are their number one choice.

Polaris has come a long way over the years but they are still on the bottom of the list as far as dependability goes, ask any ATV dealer owner to tell you the truth.

Is Honda the greatest ATV out there?? I doubt it and if I bought a new ATV today there's a good chance it wouldn't be a Honda. To me this isn't Honda vs Polaris it's just answering the OP question.

Originally Posted by Specta

I knew there had to be atleast one good one out there somewhere.

Originally Posted by Specta

It didn't break down at 200 miles, 300 miles, 400 miles, 500 miles, 600 miles, 700 miles ......

Originally Posted by MooseHenden

PS I saw an article in Dirt Wheels about getting more speed out of a Honda... .

Originally Posted by Specta

I knew there had to be atleast one good one out there somewhere.

Originally Posted by unit6666

You know I had a 1988 ford escort lasted me 267000 miles...I will be the first to tell you only .0000000001 % of them lasted that long... yet I don't think it is a realiable car Hmmm... I am far to logical..