We have 2-250 Xplorer's(2001), they were both purchased new about 10 months ago. One gets ridden pretty hard, the other is ridden far less. We have to tighten the chains on both at least once every 3 weeks, and now both chains are worn out. Took them to the Polaris dealer to see if there was some type of problem. They said "No, you will probably go through a chain a year" Chain is $80, has anyone else had problems like this? Is there a better quality chain for these machines?

 

What way are the chains worn out? O-rings shot? Or something else?

A chain a year is NOT normal. The chain on my 250 Blazer (same as yours) is still the original chain since the bike was new in 1999. And it is in excellent condition. My mothers 1995 Trail Boss still has it's original as well, although that machine is not rode as much.
The chains do stretch alot for the first year. Heck, mine still needs tighning about every month or so, depending how much it is rode. Every three weeks sounds about normal for a machine riden hard as you say.

 

Im on my 3rd set of chain/sprockets and I ride a 400cc 2000 Xplorer.Do NOT make the same mistake I did and buy the most exspensive chain and sprocket combo out there.I paid 250 bucks for SideWinders very best chain and sprocket combo this past June,and allready,my front sprocket is worn badly.They WILL receive a phone call from me tommorrow in regards to this.

I clean/adjust and lube the chain quit often.I probably have to adjust my chain about every 100 miles or so?It gets cleaned and lubed more often.

This will be my last chain driven ATV!

Bill

 

You do know that there is a 1 year warranty on the chain?
My Original chain lasted 6 months on my 2001 Xplorer 400 and replaced it under warranty. The chains always seem to go bad at the links where the master goes through. I've seen this on 6 Xplorers, both 250's and 400's. The best chain for these I've seen so far has been the EK super sport. It's only a few dollars more than the crappy Regina's that come stock. My dealer doesn't even stock the Regina's anymore for replacements.

 

If the chain is still under warranty which it should be, I'd let Polaris put another one on. Once it is out of warranty, I'd use the EK that was already mentioned.

When I first got my quad(used) I had to replace the chain and sprockets about every three months. After going threw 3 sets of Polaris chains and sprockets, I switched my chain to an EK chain. I still use the Polaris stock sprockets. My EK chain has been on for about two years now but it is getting a little worn. I'll end up putting one on in the spring but I'll be changing the sprocket ratio too anyhow.

For good chain and sprocket life, you have to make sure the swing arm bushings are good and tight, the axle bearings are good and tight and make sure the chain is properly adjusted. Your 250 Xplorer is concentric drive, right? I think it is.

 

elroy,
excellant advice on the swing arm and axle bearings.Can you supply a phone # for this EK chain you guys refer to?About how much $$.

Thank You,
Bill

 

Yep, just had chains replaced under warranty. Kind of sounds like what the dealer told me is not to far off. I would like a web site or something where I could try out one of those EK chains. We lube the machines regularly, at least once a week, probably twice. Seems like every time you ride them, the drive chain needs greased. All the problems we have had ensures that the machine I will buy this year will be an Arctic Cat, I'm done with Polaris. But, I am going to keep the 2 we have. So, I still need any help I can get with this problem.

 

Antrim,
Im also done with Polaris and chain drives.Too MANY problems,

Bill

 

Amen Muddy,
The one machine has been ridden hard like I said, the other gets pampered big time, hardly any rough use at all. The machines run great, but they aren't worth all the headache. I've never, ever had to grease and lube anything like these to machines. The chains wear out first around the Master link by the way.

 

Bill,

Did you mean phone# or part#? I'd bet you mean part# but you wrote phone#.

I don't remember the chain part number. They make a couple of different EK chains. I don't believe I used the supersport that was mentioned by Rammer. I don't remember which EK chain I used but I do remember that it only cost me about $60 and it had a one year warranty. I really figured on having to use the warranty but it lasted to long. I can get the chain number at work on Wednesday.


Antrim4Wheelin,

The only reason I went threw so many chain and sprockets was because I had loose swing arm bushings and I had to learn where to set my chain tension. I had to set it a little looser than the book said or I would just keep stretching it. Another reason these chains on Polaris machines stretch so much is because of the tranny and jumping. If you are going 30mph over a jump and you don't let of the throttle in the air, your wheel speed will hit an instant 60mph while in the air. Then when you land, the wheels have to instantly slow back down to the 25-30mph mark. All this stress is absorbed by the chain. This is what stretches it. In order to keep this from happening, either let of the gas or touch your brakes in the air. This will keep the tranny from shifting right into high gear.

I don't know if this is what is happening in your case but you mentioned that you were pretty hard on it and I thought you should be aware of these possible causes.