hello. i have been reading the forrums for some time now and decided to join today. i would like to know everything about water riding with a polaris.
thanks,
atver400

 

I hope you don't mean water skipping! Polaris' will cross water no problem, the clutch vent tube can suck in splashed water, the belt will slip, but will dry out shortly after. As long as your not deep water plunging (seat height) you should be okay.

 

thanks for the help SWAC1. by the way i did not mean water skipping. but i am the kind of rider that likes to go through deep water (seat high or more)so if you know any tricks please let me know.
thanks again
-atver400

 

I have seen this with my own eyes and was amazed. A 165 pound man with a 400 explorer and 12"x 27" vampires all the way around swim it in chest deep water.

He eased in till he was deep enough to submerge his front tires then with a little throttle he pulled a wheelie and rode that wheelie slowly across the water.

Swimming bikes is a regular thing at a place near Houston,TX (Crosby). I think that this person may use this forum.

 

just suppose i submerged a sp500, not totally, just the front half.no water in the engine but some in the tranny.seems to be dried out and running o.k.. anything else i sould worry about?

 

there should not be anything to worry about if the 4-wheeler runs and goes fine. just drain your tansmission oil if the oil is a milkey color.
your local polaris dealer will hove tranny oil to put back in it. or use 40 weight oil that works just as good if not better.
good luck
-atver400

 

atver400,There are a couple things to check before you go for the deep water excursion.First make sure the zip strips on all your belt case breathers are tight, polaris isn't very good at getting them tight! Second when in water over the breather tube exit never let your bike idle down!If you do there isn't enough pressure to keep the water out!

 

thank you mudder500 this will be a great thing to know when water riding.
thanks again.
-atver400

 

The "wheely across the water" method is great for the deep stuff. It's even possible on a Scrambler 500. I have stock front tires and Bearclaw rear stock size, all running max reccamended pressure, and I was able to do this. I haven't seen any other Scramblers do it yet though. :-(

On a Polaris, the best think you can do in the water is to ease into it, and never let off. I usually keep a steady throttle or gradualy increase the amount of throttle. This keeps the belt dry even in the deep stuff. I have a PVT snorkel now, but even before it, I was able to take on fender deep water.

Make sure you don't let off the throttle. For one, it lets water possibly go into the PVT leaving you stranded. Second, if you don't have enough exhaust flowing, it will be too much back pressure and you will stall.

If you get a little deep... Make sure you are running an aftermarket filter, not that stock paper crap. It will ruin and possibly let water into the motor. I run a K&N, and I don't go easy on the oil, and haven't had any water get past even when the airbox is full. It will cut the motor off due to lack of airflow before it will pass water.

I have seen 2 bikes go under, and be towed out, and NO WATER get pass the K&N. Plus, they flow good air and can be reused over and over again. I would also look into some type of water resistant pre-filter.

It's possible to float these things, carefully. I have my Scrambler bob from side to side in deep water, but it never actualy floated to the top, I am running small tires. A stock Sportsman will do the same. Run high pressure in big tires, and I have seen everything from Honda 300's to Yamaha 600's out there floating. Just remember, keep the top side out of the water!

 

that is amazing. i would love to see something like that for myself.
thanks for the input.
-atver400