one good thing about an 02 is that they have grease zerks so you know your busings won't go out

 

One helluva machine, but NOT indestructable as I can attest. Within the one year that I have owned my '02 700 I have replaced the entire frame TWICE, along with the front brushguard twice, the radiator and fan met up with a stick and lost, and many other odds and ends. (handlebars, footwells, racks, etc.) I'm sure most of this has to do with my size (6-4, 240lbs) and a somewhat twisted riding style. (I also own a rockcrawling Jeep) But, to Polaris' credit, the engine still goes like a raped ape and I have had no trouble with the transmission at all. There is a recall out for the water pump cover so get that replaced, also watch for the starter bendix to not engage as this happens to me from time to time. Some advice, replace the A-arm bolts with longer grade 8 hardware to strengthen up the pivot rod, (I've gone through several of these) get the after market front and rear bumpers and have a fab shop cut out an aluminum skid plate for the bottom of the frame. Not only will this make getting up and over obsticals easier, it will strengthen up what I feel is an inherintly weak frame for the caliber of machine it supports. Hopefully, you are a bit nicer to your new rig than I was and you won't even have to worry about these things. Happy Trails!!