I have not posted here much in the last 6 months, but I still read on occasion. I have been a little disturbed by some the post concerning Polaris reliability. I would like to point out, once again, that all the manufacturers have issues, especially when abused.

Polaris
1) There is no vent line on the fan motor... to much deep water riding will ruin the fan quicker than any other manufacturer.
2) Deep water riding will ruin the mech seal on the water pump.
3) The new speeod heads fail quite oftne at a price of $220 each.
4) The before 2001, the front steering bushing was held in place by a rivet that did not hold. This results in slack.
5) The Polaris's have weak head gaskets... they blow easy when the bike gets hot.

Honda (rubicon, 450, 350)
1) Drums will not remain sealed if ridden in mud.
2) Bearings will not last if ridden in mud.
3) Auxillary pull rode housing is not water proof, and grit and mud has been eating crank seals and ruining motors.
4) The new "sideways" motors are not tolerant to water and contaminates. They are not the equal of the older 300s in reliability.

Yamaha (660)
1) The new auto clutch assembly is not tolerant to contaminates.
2) Once again, the motor runs to hot when lugged around at slow speeds... boiling gas.
3) They have an electrical short when put in deep water.

The are other factors that should be considered when choosing a brand... like what are you going to do with it... and who is going to service it???

For example, if you ride in the mountains on steep terrain, the Polaris 2 wheel engine braking is inferior to that of the Rubicon. The Rubicon climbs the extreme stuff better also. However, if I just wanted a bike for all day trail rides, the SP500HO has the superior ride.

Everyone has their preferences, and all quads have their pros and cons. I agree that Polaris has its issues, and probably more than Honda or Yamaha, but the forums give those 5 guys, that have had the worst luck with a Polaris, a place to vent their frustrations. Does that mean that all Polaris owners have problems??? No. There are many others that will come on to back up Polaris stating that have 4000 miles with no problems at all. There are just as many horror stories out there for Yamaha and Honda as their are for Polaris. I spoke with a shop manager yesterday while ordering 2 new helmets, and he says the new Honda motors are keeping him in business.(and it was not a Honda shop) Does that mean anything... not really, I know of another shop that Polaris keeps in business.

I guess my point is that you should not focus in on one person's misfortune. There are 20,000+ memebers here. This is a place that attracts the hardcore atvers, not the average atv owner that rides 10 times a year during hunting season. I bet there are 50 people on here that have owned Polaris's that will never own another one due to a bad experience. My guess is that there are just as many Honda owners that would say the same.

Do not think this is just blind loyalty. I own a Rubicon and a Sportsman. I like both for different reasons. The previous Honda I owned was a 1999 300 4X4... supposedly bulletproof. 1 month out of warranty the motor was shot... crank and all. I did not fix it myself, I sold it and bought a Grizzly... great choice... it over heated everytime I rode it, the starter would always hang up, the crankcase leaked after 3 motnhs, and I snapped a CV joint in reverse with the wheels sideways... I then sold it and bought a 98 SP500... nightmare, I could not keep rear u-joints in it with the bike tires. I once went through all four rear u-joints at one ride, and after changing those out, I snapped both front CVs. Junk? Nope, those u-joints were not made to withstand the 27X12-12 Vamps with spacers and lift. But, I sold it also, and bought a 2000SP500, and still have it after 19 months.

I could tell you my stories about any these bikes in such a way to make you cringe at the thought of owning one, but I do not think that would be fair. These 3 bikes are not really representative of the manufacters. Crap happens, and I was hard on them.

OK, I am through venting.

Greg

 

I agree completely, while I have not had as many bikes as Greg, I have owned 1 Yamaha, and 3 Polaris, I didn't choose Polaris out of brand loyalty, I got because it had the features I wanted at a price I could afford. It's a 97 Explorer 500, the only thing that has gone wrong has been from hitting a stump. Buy what fits your needs, the name on the side of the tank should be the very last thing you look at.

 

VERY WELL SAID. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I agree 100 percent.

 

During my travels though the west in the lower 48 this summer I saw more Polaris quads than any other. I also noticed the average owner was a farmer or a rancher. When I was out at the Oregon dunes I saw that the rental companies almost exclusivly rented Polaris quads, trailblazers, mostly. But at the dunes, I saw far more performance sport quads from the Japanese manufacturers than Polarises.

In my personal experince with my brother's '95 Scrambler, I would not wish that machine onto anyone. It was a total pile. Short list of what went wrong:

1) Hole in the top of the piston. Happened at mid throttle just riding down a flat trail.
2) Counter balencer went out causing vibration and noise.
3) Wiring problems, could not keep the wiring under the front nose piece from getting water on it.
4) Steering got sloppy after only a couple weeks.
5) It would hesistate and stall after landing from a jump.
6) Tranny linkage would never stay in adjustment.
7) The front struts were very bouncy and felt blown but there was no sign of leaking oil.
8) Chains needed constant maintenance.
9) Bits and pieces of the machine would fall off (one of the headlights) etc.

I have ridden since '85 and owned everything Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Bombardier products if you count their snowmachines. Not one of those brands ever came close to being as unreliable, heavy, poorly built, hard to service and maintain as the Polaris.

My conclusion? The big sales, good reviews and unyielding brand loyality for Polaris comes from all the farmers, hunters, sportsman and ranchers who buy the machines and don't use them hard enough to expose the faults. My brother and I rode the Scrambler just like all are other quads and it did not hold up to sport riding. I would not buy a Polaris, simple as that, but that doesn't mean others should not depending on their expected use for the machine.

 

gregsims,
Glade to see ya makeing a post.
Always enjoyed hearing what you had to say.....
even if I dident agree[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]


can a ventline be put on the fan,
what can be done about the waterpump?
Why is the ruby a better climber
Is there any flaws with the 650

 

You want a reality check? Here's a reality check:

List your broken Polaris parts here

 

Keep in mind a lot of people only post when they have problems with their ride. Trying to find a solution for their problem. Also, some people could tear up an anvil.

 

I had a 99 Polaris Sport. I beat the snot out of it. Other than tie rod ends, nothing else ever failed. It was a great quad. My 2000 Kodiak, on the other hand, has more than its share of problems. I still get a rush of excitement when I first jump on it and start it up, knowing I'm gonna ride, (GOD willing). You roll the dice, you get what you get.

 

KevinM,
I could just as easily post a Topic about broken Honda parts, and the people that have had problems would come out of the wood work... that proves nothing. With the number of people on the net, and the type of ATV enthusiast that get involved enough to post on forums like this, you will find people that are displeased with ever manufacturer.

500DUSE,
I have talked to reps at Polaris industries about this. They were under the impression that the sealed motor was superior. I told them that so-called sealed motor get hot, and the air inside expands and has to go somewhere. Then you drop the front of the bike into cool water, and the air contracts forming a vacume sucking water into the motor... they agreed the vent hose would be an easy cheap add on... it is under consideration from what I understand.

The only thing I know of that can be done to solve the waterpump problem is to relocate the radiator above the front rack. I spoke with someone at HL about this recently. It is under consideration. I guess there is another option... build a better mechanical seal.

I think the Ruby must have a much lower center of gravity. The front end of the SP500s seems to be very light when climbing hills. Even the Grizzly is better at straight up hill climbs.

I know the Kawasaki650 motor has had some problems, but I personally only know 3 people that have them, and all three are practically new with no problems. I think it would be an awesome bike to have, but given a choice, I would choose the comfortable ride of a SP500HO, or SP700.

Rockrider,
I would be the last to defend Polaris quality back in 95... Actually, I think that started to get their crap together in 99 and 2000 when they went to the new "Honda like" electrical system, and removed the u-joints from the rear of their SP500s. They improved further in 2001 with the impovement of the steering bushings and tie rod ends.

Greg