THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO START ANY ARGUMENTS...

First some back ground information. I own a 2000 Scrambler 400 4X4 with HPD Roller clutch, HPD trail pipe, DG bumper, Polaris A-arm skid plates, Polaris Swing Arm Guard, RCR Air Box Mod. I also own a stock 2001 Polaris TrailBlazer 250. I have a neighbor that on my recommendation purchased a new TrailBlazer and a new Scrambler 90. Another friend that purchased a new Scrambler 90. Another friend that purchased a used 2000 Scrambler 500 (got it yesterday). All of these in the last 6 months all at my recomendation. Polaris was what I thought it was all about. I went riding today with several of the above people and some others in a small woods by my house. I admit that I like to ride aggressive and fast. I also weigh 230 lbs. I have hit 2 trees in 2 states breaking the same 325 dollars worth of parts not to mention the time to fix it. I have maintained it meticulously. Today I went off of a 2 1/2' ledge that I have gone off ten times before. Today I go over it for the second time and pull over later when someone says that someone is leaking oil. I knew that of the 7 quads there that it was mine and that I had broken the transmission case before I got off and looked. Sure enough that is what it was. There where 2 400ex, 1 Raptor, 1 250R, 1 500 scrambler (above), 1 TrailBlazer, 1 CR250, 1 250X 3-wheeler, and me. It HAD to be mine. I have had it. My warranty expired March 28th 2001. If they do not take care of what I consider to be a manafactures defect I do not know what I will do. I do know that when it is fixed I am giving it to my wife and selling her TrailBlazer. She does not like the scrambler because it steers harder but I told her she is going to have get used to it. I have too much money in it to get rid of it with all of the above mods and 400 dollars worth of new tires and rims (Razrs). I have only had her TrailBlazer since 12/26/00. I have been waiting to get the next generation of sports quad (whatever that would be (polaris, Honda, Yamaha, Other)) but I can not wait any longer. Probably a Raptor (maybe DS650) in my future very very soon. I am very disappointed in Polaris right now and I believe rightfully so. Sorry to be so long its just that I am so pi$$ed right know I do not know what to do. I have spent more time fixing and maintaining than I have riding.

Thanks for listening (reading).

Kevin Devitt
X-Polaris Fan

 

Hey Kevin~
I'm getting the same attitude towards Polaris as you. I am getting tired of replacing and fixing things! Last couple weeks, I had to replace the chain and sprockets on my Scrambler. Ended up replacing the Swingarm bushings, rear brake pads, and brushes in the starter! What should have been an afternoon job turned into a week long project waiting for parts and wrenching on the Machine. I am losing interest in Polaris as they are not up to current standards in performance or build quality. My next quad will most likely be a Raptor or DS650, deciding factor will probably be the price. Sorry Polaris, but you can't keep customers if you keep serving up the same ol' crap year after year.

 

Kevin,
with your very agressive riding style,problems will occur with ANY ATV.Polaris never designed any of their quads to keep up with a DS 650 or Raptor,you should of known that before you purchased your Polaris.

Now Polaris will more than likely take care of this problem for you,however,you really need to stay on your dealers a$$ and keep him hounding Polaris,dont take NO for an answer from your dealer either.Best of luck in the future,
Bill

 

Kevin, I sympathize with your problems but I have to say if you routinely jump over a 2 1/2 foot ledge when you ride then a 4x4 Scrambler was probably the wrong quad for you from the get go. That's like dropping your car from 2 1/2 feet over & over, it's gonna break. The 4x4 Scrambler is great as long as you keep it where it belongs, on the ground. I learned that after snapping chains everytime other time I got a foot off the ground. I finally realized as much as the Scrambler weighs it's just asking for trouble to get any air with it on a regular basis.

 

Sooner or later CHAIN DRIVE will get you down on Polaris. The three chain drive will depress you even sooner.

The IRS of the Sportsman and the "Shaft Ride" of the Magnum series are comparable to anybody's drive train reliability within the industry.

The Magnum's Shaft Ride system has a slight edge over the IRS in the reliability department however.

I hate to say it but "big air" is always involved in a cracked transmission housing on a Scrambler.

Because the concentric drive is not truly concentric, something has to give. The chain or the transmission. Regretably in your case it was the transmission housing.

 

me thinks you had the chain too tight for using the full travel of the suspension. you should always adjust you chain with the suspension completely compressed.

 

I owned a Yamaha Warrior and rode it very hard, ended up replacing, rear end bearings, the motor, bent axles and other assorted problems, run them hard it doesnt matter what the name on it is it will not hold up. Chain and sprockets suck and are the weakest and least realiable way to transfer power from the engine to the tires. Never owned a chain drive that was even remotely close to the reliablility of a shaft drive system.
My Warrior spent allot of time being fixed so didn't my Honda 300 4x4, rode that hard too. though not nearly as hard as I do my Sportsman and that has never even hiccuped.

 

Would your riding style be really considered normal? why should any quad company pay for abuse?
i would consider that abuse...maybe i am wrong! also...what a guy to give your wife your quad that your consider a piece of junk! Sorry your having such problems.

 

I have been lead to believe the casting of the tranny case is too thin in places on the housing.
It is rumored also that Polaris has straightened it out .

 

Rick:

I hope you are right. I have calmed down a little since last night when I made this post. I contacted my dealer and I am taking it to him this evening. I have pleaded my case with him and he is going to plead my case with Polaris. I am tired of thinking about it so I am going to have faith that Polaris will do the right thing. I just know that this jump should not have caused this damage (yes it was a whopping 2 1/2' but it was an extremely smooth jump). The chain was not too tight. He I go rambling again.

Polaris will do the right thing
Polaris will do the right thing
Polaris will do the right thing
Polaris will do the right thing
Polaris will do the right thing
Polaris will do the right thing

KD