Ok, so you have to be “stunned” (as we say in Newfoundland), to drive away with your handbrake still engaged.

But it can happen! With low range selected (especially if stopped on a steep incline), a Sportsman can pull away with ease even with the handbrake jammed solid. And the driver will only become aware of the situation when he or she starts to smell something burning. Try it!

Polaris has a brake indicator built into the speedometer of their snowmobiles, why not use the same ideal for an ATV?

An easy and inexpensive solution is to buy a “12 volt red pilot light” (about $2 at Wal Mart), and mount it in the light pod next to the indicating lamp assembly. Run a couple of wires, of appropriate size and insulation type, down to the brake light switch located underneath the front cover, then connect them directly across the switch.

Unless you are really “stunned” this should save some drivers from a premature brakepad replacement.

 

well, the first thing I did when I learned of this problem is to get into the habit of pulling in my brake lever everytime before I take off on the quad............that way you never forget. It has worked so far....................

 

Both times that I took people for rides and let them ride my Magnum 325 they took off with the parking brake engaged. Sounds like a good solution to me.

 

I wish the factory would do this. I, too have seen people drive a 'loaner' ATV with the parking brake engaged.
I solved the problem by setting the brake as TIGHT as I can pull it. They still may try driving off with it engaged, but they sure do notice it.

 

These thing have Parkin' Bakes??? LOL

PS: I've done it too....

 

Vegas, that's exactly what I do. Everytime I hop on my Xplorer, start it up, park it somewhere, whatever... I ALWAYS just grab the brake before I take off.

 

You see great minds think alike..............!! I dont like relying on devices when I can use my brain instead, I am not implying that no one else does here either........I always welcome everyone's input. IT's just the damn light bulb will burn out and then here you go with your brake engaged.......!! It's like safety's on guns.........dont rely on them the best safety there is your BRAIN.......and good safe gun handling techniques.............same qoes for the quads...........

 

If you use a red LED instead of a light bulb (cost is about the same) it won't blow out in your lifetime. Just be sure to get one rated for at least 14V.

 

vegasdude,

I too must have a "great mind". Like you said I had done this a few times when I was new to Polaris ATV's. I just got in the habit of pulling on my brake lever to make sure before I hit the gas. I notice I do it on every quad I get on to move at work, wether its a Polaris or not. So does my one mechanic.

 

Vegasdude,
this ebel guy is trying to help here.Your brain is a great device, but you only use about 5% of its capacity.......
Joe