I have a 97 425 mag 4x4 and was told that it is good idea to keep an extra tranny belt handy. Is this neccesary and if so how hard is this belt to replace.
most of my riding is done at my hunt club so if something happened i usally have someone around for help or a ride if needed but there are times i am there by myself but the walk wouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

For 30 or 40 bucks, I wouldn't be left stranded! I've never done it, but they look simple enough to replace. Either way, keep one handy!

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Want a Magnum or Sportsman 500!!!

 

I have had Polaris Machines since 1994 one (a 300 4x4) has 5300 miles on the original belt. In my shop I have never replaced one for anyone that was broken on a Polaris although I,m sure they do break ussually they just start slipping. I did replace a broke one on a Prarie 400 but it belonged to a guy who is rough on his eqipment. We are in flat country here so the stress may not be as bad as Mountain riding. The one machine that seems to be hardest on belts is the 400 2strokes and the 500s if you don,t use low range at the correct time. I had a 4254x4 and never had any belt problems with it. riding conditions may play a lot into whether to pack one or not. true they are very easy to replace and not at all expensive so if you have a chance of getting stranded 100miles out you might take one just for the heck of it.

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Kevin Gowdy aka Kagey 1999 Polaris Magnum 500

 

Don't worry too much about the belt. I've never taken a spare with me anywhere. I do have several "used" belts in the trailer that could be used as a spare in case someone has a "freak" occurrence, but you are a lot more apt to have a flat tire than anything going wrong with the belt. I don't see too many spare tires being carried.

<A HREF="http://www.godigital-design.com/96Polaris.html">Schultz Motorsports</A>

 

I trail ride alot.I also never worry about carring a spare belt either.The chances of getting a flat are WAY more times likly to happen than breaking a belt.Yes,they're easy to change BILL

 

Keep in mind, you can ride on a flat tire (kinda) but without a belt, you're going nowhere. But, I guess they don't go bad that often. But I guess I'd rather be safe than sorry.

P.S. They do make run-flat tires!

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Want a Magnum or Sportsman 500!!!

 

thanks for the input

 

I lost a belt on my 99 SP 500 /over 500 miles on the machine../
I smoked the belt couple of times before it happened. The Sportsman started to be noisy
and it stopped running shortly afterwards.
No warnings.Very easy to change it,but you need a basic tools.
Since I smoked the new belt again, I carry a spare. Just my own experience.

 

A friend smoked the belt on my 99 Xplorer 400. He burnt it while trying to go slow over some rough terrain.

It is the rider.

I have a 95 Scrambler 400 with the original belt. I have pulled boats, docks, and other ATV's with it. Not once have I burnt a belt.

It has to do with the rider. It is similar to a clutch in a manual transmission. If you let it slip (burn), then it will go.

Use low if you need it.

The best advice I give someone on my machines is "Either move the bike or don't. Rev the engine until the wheels move. If you rev and the wheels don't move, you are burning the belt."

You really only need it to happen once.

And if you get a flat spot on your belt, it is still driveable back to camp. Just slowly. It will make a hell of a racket. It may sound like the CV joint is coming out of the front left wheel.

RM

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99 400EX 95 Scrambler 400 85 LT250R