Don't see where this 4-wheel engine breaking became such an issue. Theres a little lever on the left handlebar that will "break" 4 wheels if you need it.

 

That's real funny. If you ever spent any time riding in the mountains you would see why 4 wheel engine braking is important. It's kind of nice to ride down a hill with out your hand squeezing brake lever all the time. Not to mention your brakes can fail if they get heated up too much.

 

I ride the moutains all the time and don't have a problem without 4 wheel engine braking, we ride VERy steep hills. In fact the engine braking in low can be too much at times and I have to give it some gas. About brakes, you have the mains brakes then the back up foot brake. ALong with the brakes you have low which will have you creeping along. I don't miss the 4 wheel engine braking. Would it be nice sure, but it does add to the steering effort, I like the ease of steering while bumping and hoping over boulders, throw in a little power slide to make the real tight turn and your set.

 

Why Polaris?? Simply innovation and features for the money. They forced the other manufacturer's into change and that's good for the whole industry. As far as reliability, the amount of abuse and maintenance is the key to longevity. They are not submarines nor mountain goats, they have limitations like anything else. If you stay within their limitations problems should be few otherwise as the saying goes "you play, you pay" I have had good luck with the two I have and would not hesitate to buy another.

 

creepster,
A buddy I ride with has a sportsman 500, I've followed behind him down steep hills and his back tires start sliding, because he doesn't have 4wheel engine braking.The places we go you don't want to give it gas to get it to stop doing that. I ride right behind him in the same places and mine doesn't have any problem at all.As far as steering effort I'm talking about creeping down hills not power sliding and bumping up over rocks and stuff, as soon as you give it gas, no engine brake, so doesn't affect steering.

 

There is a Polaris / Honda dealership in Southern Indiana. I was going to purchase a Polaris but I decided to ask the service person behind the desk his opinion of the Polaris.

He informed me that he did not own an ATV but that he would not own a Polaris due to the fact that Polaris has terrible customer support from the manufacturer no less! When they need a part to repair a broken Polaris it takes weeks to get a part and they have to fight with everyone and their twin brother to get the parts they need at the dealership!

I asked him if he would buy a Honda, he replied that he would own a Honda before a Polaris.

I will be buying a Kawasaki though.

Just thought you would like to know what service guys are saying about Polaris.

I must be fair to Polaris though, in a recent ATV issue, it did state that Polaris has gone to less zurk(grease) fittingsand more sealed bearings for less maintenance and dropped a few models from their line up to focus on quality rather than quantity.

I have a friend who has had one since '98 (Sportsman 500) and he tells me that he has not had a days problem out of his Polaris.

But I also had a friend who had a Yugo and it had 250,000 miles on it before it croaked and he never had a days trouble from it!

They do build good ones and bad ones but at least they (Polaris) are admitting that they do need to focus more on quality, its a step in the right direction, who knows, maybe after my Kawasaki 650 wears out, will there be a Polaris to take its place?

Only if the quality issue is NOT an issue.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I have come to find out that there is a lot of people on the other major makers bandwagon. If some of the major riders and magazines would hype up Polaris a lot of those same bandwagon riders would get off and hop on the polaris train. People tend to be sheep!!

 

(BAAAAHHH) thats not true. (BAAAAAHHHH)[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] just kidding

 

<< creepster,
The places we go you don't want to give it gas to get it to stop doing that.

As far as steering effort I'm talking about creeping down hills not power sliding and bumping up over rocks and stuff, as soon as you give it gas, no engine brake, so doesn't affect steering. >>




Okay if you say so..LOL [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

I bought my Polaris for drag racing.