Jason,
I wish Honda and Yamaha would start putting grease fittings on their machines.. I end up at Bearing Services atleast once a week getting axle and wheel bearings for a Yamaha this or Honda that.. I guess I shouldn't complain, I'm geting paid for it, but being able to grease one would be nice instead of "Sorry Mr.???, your axle bearings have been run dry and have crashed, so I will have to replace them all before I can install those new rear brake shoes! Your repair bill has just went up to $$$$" At this point, you brace the phone for the screaming... Then they settle down and realize its STILL going to be cheaper and faster than the dealerships.
On a Polaris note, I have had to replace one set of axle bearings on a 99 Magnum 500 (involved in an accident) a output shaft support bearing on a Scrambler 500 (I forgot to grease it for like a year!! oops!!) And one on a 96 400 Explorer because the guy hadn't EVER greased it (it was the bushing type)
You know the mud around here and how tough it is on bearings, brakes, and un-prepared engines..
I see it both ways really, you can do more maintenance during the life of the bearing and extend its life, of you can do no maintenance (thereby NO maintenance costs) but significantly shorten the bearings service life... Either way, the mud will eventually claim them both...

 

I don't know about you Ray but I would consider when everyone I know has a speedometer with moisture in it is a defect, and for as much as I paid for my bike, I think I am entitled to any part that has given bikes trouble in the past. If it hadn't had trouble they wouldn't change it. And though it does seem Polaris puts more money back in there bikes with technology and getting the bike with the most bells and whistles and super add ons like the sportsman. Not like some of the other competitors who don't even provide a 2 to 4 wheel drive switch...that sounds like the company making the big bucks but thats just my opinion. Anyway it wouldn't hurt Polaris one bit to put some money back into defective stuff, I assure you Ray when your warranty is gone and you are shelling out money for that speedometer you won't be singing this tune.

 

Ray Card, are you crazy? I've got a 98 sp 500 and the thing eats tie-rods like you wouldn't believe. My spedo doesn't get moisture in it but if it did like Atving's ride does I would complain also. I think Polaris quality control has something to be desired, one of the reasons that I now drive another brand. To think that they recommend you drying your spedo out with a hairdryer, give me a break . . . how about they provide a little better moisture protection?

 

Well fellows here is the latest responce from Polaris concerning the moisture in the speedometer, seems Polaris is interested in whats going on, on our forum, well here is the letter:

Thank you for your response.
I can assure you that we have our engineers working on the moisture in the
speedo issue. All I can recommend at this time is that you keep in contact
with your dealers and know that we will stand behind our dealers in issues
of warranty.
I apologize if this response does not answer all of your questions and
concerns.
P.S. Thank you for letting me know the address of the web post. It has been
very interesting and educational.

Well what do you think fellows???

 

Seems Jason got his reply on what a grease fitting is, he will wish he knew what one was when he starts shelling out the green for that so called sealed stuff...

 

When the bearings do go on "sealed" stuff.
On about 80% of those bearings it is very easy to add a grease fitting at the time the bearings are being replaced.
They cost about $0.10 retail and are very easy to install.