My POLARIS is Junk
Jun 24, 2010 | 12:56 AM
#71
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Pennslyvania
I am going to have to say that I agree, although I did not own my Polaris very long now I bought it as a starter quad because I was told they were good. Well now since I bought it I have gone over it completely and greased everything changed hub fluid and all other fluids. It now sits in my garage after just two big rides about 100 miles total. It is totally torn down for multiple reasons. It could be due to the fact that it was not taken care of before I got it, but everything checked out good before i got it. Once i started riding it, everything fell apart, now I am basically rebuilding it, minus the motor knock on wood. So I too once I get it back together will be getting rid of it and not thinking twice, I am going to lose a boat load of money, but it is better then putting more money in every time i turn the key.
Jun 24, 2010 | 01:50 PM
#72
Range Rover
First Things First!
First Things First!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Glad I did not read this forum 8 years ago when I bought our 2 SP 500s or I might have passed on them. Put several 100 Colorado mountain miles on the 850 in the last week and 1/2 and friends put at least 300 on their RZR after they got there. Only problem was a railroad spike through a tire on the RZR.
Jun 24, 2010 | 02:40 PM
#73
Trailblazer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
I know to many this may be a rant. Up till now I have loved this bike but thought wow "this thing does require a deal of maintenance". That said this thing has been religiously well maintained. All fluids changed a minimum 5 times a year. For the record I drive a 2007 Sportsman 500 with ADC. So I am getting my waterpump mechanical seal the other day replaced since on the 2007 the resevoir for the coolant doesn't have a hose like the corrected 2008 version and the dirt takes out the seal and the mechanic says to me "I notice that you have some play in the front input shaft of the dif. You should tear into it and take a look since there is a cheap bushing on the early models of ADC that wear, crack, and then crack the internals of the case". Now this thing is running fine so I'm thinking well it cant be that bad but I like to tinker so I'll tear into it and take a peak. What do you know, the cheap bushing cracked, cracked the case, and took out a bearing in the process. The fix??? A BRAND NEW DIFFERENTIAL TO THE TUNE OF $1000+ So not only have a paid $11,000 for the bike now I'm paying another $1000+ on a 2000km 3 year old bike due to cheap manufacturing, to bad the price didn't reflect that. *********Warning to all those with 2007 Polaris Sportsman 500 with ADC********* It may run fine, but if there is play, take it apart ASAP or you will be in for a treat. In addition I rarely ever use the AWD feature since this thing has such awesome traction. I loved this bike to the death, but now this will be my last Polaris, I simply can't afford to keep buying these expensive and clearly cheap parts. Just my two cents, I agree they have pioneered ATV's, but their quality just plain sucks. My cousin has the exact same bike bought on exact same day and his has same problem. This is his second Polaris, his first one I can't remember what it was but it was a tank, this will be his last polaris too.
Sincerely, Ryan
Sincerely, Ryan
Jun 24, 2010 | 05:01 PM
#74
Pro Rider
My home made pliers did get the job too.
My home made pliers did get the job too.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Nashwauk, MN
You should never buy toys if you can't pay for them, and that means maintenance on them. Can't be a "weekend warrior", beat the **** out of your machine, come home and park it in the corner of your garage and not keep it clean lubed, and do the necessary maintenance on it. It should be the easy if you only ride weekends to keep your machine in quality condition, hell, I know when I lived in the cities, 3 Polaris Scrambler 400 4x4's (1999's), rode the crap out of them on weekends, but did my best to maintain them during the week. In the end, sold them in 2007 with over 10K on each of them, 1st over top ends, went through plenty of oil, chains, brakes, tires, etc. But one thing I can say, "they never broke down on the trail", and that's attributed to "maintaining" them. I work on many sleds, ATV's, lawnmowers, etc. And the you can tell when junk arrives versus someone who takes care of their toys. Food for thought her members
Jun 24, 2010 | 11:35 PM
#75
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I'll just throw in my 3 cents.....
I have a 2002 Xpedition 425 that I purchased new, It now has about 1000 miles on it, which I know some guys put on in a season easily (or more). I have done a fair bit of deep mud trail riding, mostly to access fishing spots, but I don't search out places to try to get stuck. I have had to winch out of places probably 20 times since I got it and I can honestly say it will go further than others in deep mud because of the true 4x4. But I keep the oil frsh and grease it every season, plus keep it clean using the garden hose, not high pressure wash. It has never let me down and never been to the shop for any kind of repair. The only issue is that when I start a ride I sometimes have to let it slow down to very slow speed to make the shift from 1st to 2nd gear as it seems to lock. Once it warms up though it is fine. It has done this almost since I bought it but it has not gotten worse.
I have thought about buying a new quad just to get more power but I havent simply because this one has been so reliable.
I have a 2002 Xpedition 425 that I purchased new, It now has about 1000 miles on it, which I know some guys put on in a season easily (or more). I have done a fair bit of deep mud trail riding, mostly to access fishing spots, but I don't search out places to try to get stuck. I have had to winch out of places probably 20 times since I got it and I can honestly say it will go further than others in deep mud because of the true 4x4. But I keep the oil frsh and grease it every season, plus keep it clean using the garden hose, not high pressure wash. It has never let me down and never been to the shop for any kind of repair. The only issue is that when I start a ride I sometimes have to let it slow down to very slow speed to make the shift from 1st to 2nd gear as it seems to lock. Once it warms up though it is fine. It has done this almost since I bought it but it has not gotten worse.
I have thought about buying a new quad just to get more power but I havent simply because this one has been so reliable.
Jun 27, 2010 | 11:22 PM
#76
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
polaris problems
I have a new Polaris 525s Outlaw and i can say i have yet to have any problems with it. Only thing is the backfire from time to time. But, what was the cause of your tie rod problems because I have a squeak coming from the front end.
Jun 27, 2010 | 11:28 PM
#77
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I have had my Polaris 525s for about six months and have had no problems other then the backfire from time to time. I am very happy with the bike so far and would want to change anything but, I have heard a noise form time to time from the right a arm
Jun 30, 2010 | 03:58 PM
#78
Pro Rider
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: waterville maine
this past weekend I saw a 2006 sportsman 500 rearend drop out on a 65 year old man who never does more than 25mph The point is that all quads break but sometimes something breaks thats just rediculous.. I have never even seen that happen on a atv in my life been riding 20 years. My other friends polaris 500 has bad starters bad 4x4 actuators and it rattles like nothin else and he's good to the machine. You gonna keep a machine more than 2000 miles you better get a honda or a yamaha. Yes polaris wheelers can last I've seen it but mostly bad mostly...
Jul 1, 2010 | 11:48 AM
#79
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Baxter MN
What a Joke!!! I have a XP 550 with over 1000 miles, I also own a sportsman 700 EFI with 3300+ miles on it. all I have had to replace was a battery and a CV Boot (self inflicted) and at three thousand miles, I had to put in a new injector. Battery = $90...CV Boot kit = $18 and the injector = $125... Before the 700 I had a 2004 Sportsman 400 with 6,000+ miles (that was before my kids were born) I rode this quad almost every day and I am not really easy on my equipent! (you can look back at some of my post with pics if you don't believe me) We can start brand bashing if you want, like stuff I have seen... 04 Rancher EPS = Transmission won't go in reverse!!! Only 700 miles on the machine... 05 Foreman 500 = gets stuck up to the seat in mud, two miles later the motor locks up... 05 grizzly 660 = Guy has the quad for three days takes it through a good size mud hole, makes it all the way through and then the clutch spring breaks!!! Dealer said it was because the machine was rapidly incresing and decresing in speed!!!! WHAT???
My point is, I know just as many storys of bad quads by other companys as well. So if you don't like polaris please don't come in this forum and trash talk the quads we ride!!!