I'm constantly getting in discussions or arguments over the frequency of belt trouble on Polaris Atv's. I haven't had any problems or replaced any belts on my 95 Sport 400L (1500 miles) or my Dad's 94 400L 4X4 (about 3500 miles). I say this and people jump all over me and practically call me a liar. I tell them I only speak for myself and that still doesn't stop the barrage. In my case, my Polaris has given me no more trouble than my Honda did, and is much more useful for my needs. This seems to enrage some folks and they treat me like I just got it for Christmas.
Judging from the nature of the responses I receive, I was wondering do most Polaris owners have trouble or replace belts frequently? Any guess at the percentage of those that have trouble? Majority or minority?

 

Ironic, I was just posting a message about busting my first belt today, at the same time you were posting this message.
Unfortunately it happened to me today, hopefully the first and last time. Before I was in your position, I always heard of a guy who new a guy that new a guy, that had a polaris and had a hell of a time with the belt. But I never got the chance to talk to any one who actually did break a belt. I dont think I would have this problem but the first time I took my machine out I burried it about four inches above the front left tire in a sand creek. I apparently stretched my belt trying to get the tires moving.
Hope you have better luck than me,
Michael Mohrfeld
---------------------------
98' scrambler 500HO

 

I am almost at the 2500 mile mark never had the cover off.I think I will check it this spring.beter safe than sorry.

 

My buddy and I have 2 98 SP500s. Neither has ever had a belt problem. One machine has 1600 miles on it and the other has 800 miles on it. Previous Polaris machines never had the belts replaced in all the time we owned them. So far so good.

DJ

 

My 99 Sportsman had burned its first belt off rather quickly.I'll blame that on rider inexperience.I 've since quickly learned that most ANYTHING other than casual trail riding,use LOW gear.You wont be burning up your belts anymore like I first did.I thought,500cc engine?I dont need to use low gear,wrong.Its not about the engine being undersized,its the gearing.And low gear really makes a world of differance on your belt.I understand that not every Polaris 4x4 has low gear,but if it does and your in doubt about using low or high,select low,you wont be sorry.======BILL

------------------

 

As the owner of 3 diffrent Polaris Quads. I have never had to replace a belt on one of my own due to a failure. My 94 model 300 4x4 now has over 5300 miles on it and has never even had the cover off. When my 425 Magnum was stolen it had around 1400 miles on it and had never had the cover off and anyone will tell you,that has been with me(Chickenman) ,I ride pretty hard. My Magnum 500 has been just as good Although just for the heck of it .I replaced the belt on it when I serviced it last month. I kept the old belt for a spare for me or in case anyone riding with me had any trouble. I can tell you this from expeirience. The bigger the machine the harder it is on the belt. I rarely had to use Low rtange on the 300,occasionaly I used it on the 425. On the 500 I have had to really get used to using low for pulling. I think the diffrence is that the bigger engined machines will slip the belt easier due to the amount of power they have, I always try to put my machine in low if I ever get the feeling that the machine is about to "Stall"the transmission. If you drive a pickup or car with an auto trans you know what I am speaking of, Its when you mash the gas but the vehicle won't move. You can ruin a belt quickly like that. I have changed quiet a few for other people and the ones that ussually get belts are the Big 400 2-strokes and the 500s. Rarely do the smaller machines tear one up.

------------------
Kevin Gowdy aka Kagey 1999 Polaris Magnum 500



[This message has been edited by Kagey (edited 01-23-2000).]

 

I agree with Bill, you should have little if any trouble with the belt as long as you use low range when it is required. I was talking to a Polaris mechanic and he informed me that with belt drives you shouldn't ease the throttle on, instead give it a bit of a bunch this engages the clutch quickly and reduces belt spin. I have over 1000 miles on my SP and still on the original belt. My buddy has a 300 4x4 I think it is 4 years old and on the original belt.
Dave Formstone
98 SP500 EBS

 

I replaced my belt last summer on my 96 sportsman 400 just for maintainence. The original looks fine, so I kept it as a spare.

 

Well unfortunately I am one of those people that have busted multiple belts in the just under 2 years that I have had my machine and
I do not have a low so I guess it depends on how hard you ride your machine since mine is always getting worked and alignment doesnt seem to be an issue. It seems to me that they are not really made to run wide open which is when I usually have problems or getting into deep snow.

Pete
98 Scrambler 400

[This message has been edited by 98scram400 (edited 01-23-2000).]