Lets hear it, what has been your least favorite ATV?

I bought a new Scrambler 500 4x4 in 2000 and let me say that this bike was Junk with a capital J. Polaris service was lousy and so was there customer support (rude on the phone). I had less than 5 hours on the bike and followed the proper break in and the shims starting to go bad in the belt housing (so they say). The dealer told me that he couldn't service my bike for aleast 3 weeks and I would have to take it to a mecahinc that wasn't even a Polaris dealer to work on the ATV (The bike was only 2 months old). Can you believe this, I was shocked to say the least, but I tried. I've never even heard of a sub-contracting ATV mechanic before this time. The mechanic (very nice guy) spent over 8 hours working on the bike (while I watched) trying to get it fixed and never once got it right. The bike would make a rattle in the belt housing that would literally wear a hole in the plastic belt housing cover. They always said it was the shims, but they never worked after replacing them. BTW, the dealer that sold this atv was also the worlds largest Polaris dealer in the US at the time. I drove over 750 miles trying to get this bike fixed and it still never was fixed. I sold it almost 4 months later at a HUGE loss.

Polaris, empasizes that there bikes are made in the USA (the motors are a foreign job [atleast it was on the scrambler I think it was called a Fuji or something along those lines] as well as a lot of the componets) I looked on my 400 ex and it was also assembled in the US. I think Polaris should say assembled in the US unless they don't buy any of the parts overseas.

I've owned almost 10 new ATV's over the years and this was the worst ATV ever and it was only 4 moths old before it was sold. You couldn't give me a Polaris after this experience)


Lets hear your sad stories!

 

OK, Sounds Like a bunch of SH**.
But anyways, Why would the Largest Polaris Dealer ship not have tyme for you, till 3-weeks?
So they told you to take it to a mech, that didn't even service them... Hmmm....
Another thing Why would you sit & watch the Mechanic for 8hrs?!?!?
This whole things sounds like Fluff...
But if it did happen Sorry to hear that...


I LOVE My SCRAMBLER!! Best Of Both Worlds!!!
& The Service Dept, Are the Most Helpfull...
I think I'm goin to one of the Smallest Polaris Dearlership, & the have Excellent Customer Service!
I tell them there's something wrong, They Say Bring it on in... They Actually Move other bikes, So they can Service Mine!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Isn't it a 20 hour break-in? Yes, the motor is made by Fuji Heavy Industries, they build great motors. Never had a problem with my 500HO motor. Are your talking about shims/washers for the driven clutch? The shims you are refering to, are used to align the clutch, they are made of metal and they don't wear out. You could of had a bad motor mount or something that kept your clutch out of alignment. If it took the mechanic 8 hours to align the clutch then he didn't have the proper tools i.e clutch alignment tool and he most likely didn't know what he was doing.

 

I always hated changing the air filter on the LT80!

 

I've never owend a Polaris, but i have had 2honda 1995 300 fourtrax, 2honda 2003 ranchers, a a 2003 kodiak and a 1999 bigbear, never had trouble out of any of them, I had to put a front bearing in the bigbear thats it. I don't favor polaris, no offense to anyone i just like yamaha, honda, suzuki/kawasaki myself. We are all entitled to our own opinons.

 

NYC, I don't care if you think its fluff or not, because I know its true. I can name the names and numbers of the dealers and mechanics. Anyways, I'm glad you have had good luck out of your Polaris, but give it some time (2004 model) and you will (if history repeats itself)!

 

1997 POLARIS SP400 --- JUNK!! IMO worst i have ever rode, seen, or owned. I would never buy another one..

 

I'd say the worst ATV I've ever owned was a 93 Kawi Bayou 220. Got it new and 1 month later I was riding along in the middle of no where and the bike siezed up. I was not happy about having to walk out of the woods that day. I took it back to the dealer he said something had come loose in the tranny and basicaly shreaded it. It was all covered in the warranty but he kept it for nearly 3 month's to do the repairs. Sold it shortly after and went back to Hondas. I'm sure that this could have happened with any brand, but it has soured me to buying another Kawi.

 

Ok, Ok, It's all good..
I was comparing your story/experience to mine.
Well I also heard earlier models sucked....
So, sorry about that.... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

So far we have had a honda 3 wheeler a suzuki dirtbike...and now we have a polairs magnum 500 a tb 250 and the traxter. the one that has given me the most problems has been the traxter.. currently it has a bad boot and the speedo and odometer doesnt work. it has also had a bent rear axle and there was something else that I cant remeber exactly what it was. but On the flip side it is THE BEST machine for work. can pull anything. the magnum is alright for a ute and the TB is getting boring for me but it has no mods and none are going to be put on it