Are Polaris quad's reliable???
SBM Cleaning
I ride with a large group of guys almost every single weekend. 4 Honda's
(including myself) 2 Kawi's, 3 Polaris & an Arctic Cat. It never fails that
if any quad breaks down or doesn't run properly it's almost always one of
the Polaris's. They are newer machines!! Is this a fluke?? , or are Polaris
quad's just that unreliable?? I thought that all quad's were pretty much
bullet proof. The Polaris owners are constantly doing maintenance on there
machines. (I'm lucky if I change my oil). I don't mean to "bash" Polaris , I
know they make awesome ( and reliable) snowmobiles, what about their
quad's??
Don't get me wrong , I don't care what anyone else rides , this is my
experience. It's just nice to have trouble free weekends.
Thanks for listening,
Glen
Halius Maximus
never had a breakdown that I couldn't repair myself (Flat tires, shredded
belt, skipped chain etc...). It is pretty much the same with all of the
machines my friends ride, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda. If you keep them well
maintained, they will perform properly.
I'm sure that there are some exceptions, but as a rule, the ATV's made today
are very reliable, no matter which brand you drive.
Now if you were talking about sleds! There is always someone that breaks
down when I'm riding. Usually 30 miles from nowhere at 3am. Ever blow a
studded track at 100+mph. That'll scare the s*** out of you, and put a
grinding halt to your ride, if you live!
mark from muskoka
"SBM Cleaning" <sbmcl...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:kVGJ8.76243$Ka.58...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
Ninebal310
I don't own a quad nor do I ride one. I do ride with a lot of friends that
have quads, mostly Polaris's. I have noticed its not the type or model of the
bike, its usually the same guy/gal that don't do maintenance or bad
maintenance. There's one in every crowd and I've been riding dirt for over 30
years.
Hustlin' Hank
250R_rider
maintaining a quad....I would guess your friends who are constantly
maintaining their quads, are doing so because they didn't properly maintain
it.... if you stay on top of your maintenance, then you should never have a
problem, besides the ones you have no control over, but even at that, you
can prevent most problems with proper maintenance...
"SBM Cleaning" <sbmcl...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:kVGJ8.76243$Ka.58...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
Martin Pisz
sells 5% of the quads on the market. Yet they make up the majority of this
newsgroups, how to fix questions. Tehy say it's from abuse, but everyone
abuses these machines the same. Honda sells more quads then all the other
combined, how many how to fix questions do you see posted? There might be
good Polaris out there, but hte odds are against you when you buy one.
"SBM Cleaning" <sbmcl...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:kVGJ8.76243$Ka.58...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
Halius Maximus
http://www.forbes.com/newswire/2002/04/09/rtr563442.html
Honda and Polaris make up ~2/3 of ATV sales, with Honda a few % points
ahead.
IMO, Honda makes an excellent machine. Good coverage for all styles of
riding, and almost fabled reliability. But they are getting dated. The need
some new blood. The technology is in place, but they seem hesitant to use
it.
Polaris on the other hand also has a fine machine. They don't offer the same
market coverage as Honda, (pure sport), but do have a good line up. They
seem to be the leader in implementing new technology. This has it's own
Pro's and Con's.
Honda is looking for a 10% increase in sales for 2002, while Polaris sees a
13% rise.
It seems hard to believe that with years of double digit % sales increases,
that Polaris is manufacturing a substandard product.
Again, IMO,If Polaris put out a Banshee, Raptor, 400ex type offering. You
would probably see a very close race for market share leader.
mark from muskoka
"Martin Pisz" <pi...@primus.ca> wrote in message
news:dFYJ8.3391$lk1.93...@news.tor.primus.ca...
Dmwil1
>sells 5% of the quads on the market.
Give us a break. Care to cite your source on this one? I'm no Polaris junky,
but you are OBVIOUSLY misinformed or biased or both.
I know a couple of farmers with Polaris machines and they work them hard and
swear by them. I also know that many rental outfits rent Polaris machines and
seem to be happy with them. Even some that rent them alongside Hondas.
Polaris has a huge share of the market. You don't get that kind of share by
screwing more people.
Dan Wilson
Ninebal310
When my daughter came to me and wanted to buy an ATV, I tried to talk her
out of it and get a dirt bike. That didn't work! Women!
She told me she wanted a Polaris because that is what all her friends had.
Again, I tried to talk her out of a Polaris and get a Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki
or Suzuki. I wasn't impressed with the V-belt drive on the Polaris but I
didn't really know much about it. I did know that it has been used on
snowmobiles for many years.
Anyway, we went and test rode the Japs 250cc ATV's. Then I test rode the
Polaris Trail Boss 325. Did the extra 75cc's make a difference? Not in my
opinion. What sold me on the Polaris was the suspension and handling. The
suspension was ten times better than the Japs and so was teh handling.
She has had it for a couple years and has only to put tires and a chain and
sprockets on it. She rides alot and maintains it ok. I hope I am not jinxing
her, but the V-belt has been flawless in the mud of southern Ohio and the rocks
of W. Va.
If I ever buy an ATV. I will probably get a Jap bike only because I am 54,
slow, cautious and wouldn't need the suspension superiority that Polaris has.
Hustlin' Hank
Defiant
much of future for A.C. unless they can get something going soon.
I own both a Honda and Polaris, both are good bike's and I really don't
have any complaints with either machine.
I will say this Honda does need to work on their suspension if they could
make a Hondas handle like Polaris they might dominate the market.
Also one more thing Everybody bashes Polaris but the Polaris dealer here
can't keep enough bikes in stock.
when it comes down to it I'll ride my Polaris before I'll ride my Honda just
because I like my Polaris and I can't seem to keep my wife off it either.
Defiant
"Halius Maximus" <markn...@nospamlake-wylie.net> wrote in message
news:3cf8b...@corp-news.newsgroups.com...
Dogged
Arctic Cat sales in the quarter rose 24 percent to $99.3 million from $80.2
million a year earlier, driven by a 55 percent increase in ATV sales. Sales
of ATVs totaled $71.6 million, up from $46.3 million a year ago. The company
said the rise was primarily due to the timing of shipments. ATV sales for
the full year rose 12 percent, to $205.2 million.
"Industry-wide ATV retail sales in the United States grew at double-digit
rates for the ninth consecutive year, and Arctic Cat again outpaced the
industry growth, as we have done every year since entering the ATV market in
1996," President and Chief Executive Christopher Twomey said in a statement.
Snowmobile sales in the fourth quarter fell to $4.7 million from $6.4
million a year ago because of poor snow conditions across much of the East
and Midwest, the company said. For the full year, however, snowmobile sales
increased 14 percent to $262.9 million
"Defiant" <(remove this to send) billm...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8Y6K8.116$D87....@newsfeed.slurp.net...
paul waldschmidt
I've had no problems with them. My whole family rides them.
Paul
Dmwil1
>much of future for A.C. unless they can get something going soon.
AC's 2002 sales rose 100% in May.........to me! I just bought one and LOVE
IT!!
Dan Wilson
Defiant
Got a guy I work with, who got a 500I his has been in the shop and out of
the shop in the last 3 months for just small things. it has only 86 miles on
it
We went on a trail ride to Wolf Pen Gap and it got hot on him and we had to
add water all day long.
He took it back the next day and they had to replace the radiator in it
because it was bad for some reason.
He's not real happy with A.C. right now but I hope it gets better for him
soon.
--
Defiant
"Dmwil1" <dmw...@cs.comnocrap> wrote in message
news:20020601223131...@mb-fv.news.cs.com...
Dmwil1
>ok well see, you can hardly GIVE an A.C away around here.
>Got a guy I work with, who got a 500I his has been in the shop and out of
>the shop in the last 3 months for just small things. it has only 86 miles on
>it
>We went on a trail ride to Wolf Pen Gap and it got hot on him and we had to
>add water all day long.
>He took it back the next day and they had to replace the radiator in it
>because it was bad for some reason.
>He's not real happy with A.C. right now but I hope it gets better for him
>soon.
Sorry to hear about that. I have a 375 auto and now have a little over 50
miles on it, mostly pretty hard off-roading and it does nothing but purr like a
kitten. I used the winch today to rip out some shrubs. I'm pretty happy with
mine. I hope your friend gets the problem ironed out. That 500i is a heck of
a machine if all's well.
Dan Wilson
Rob Pilgrim
snowmobiler who is familiar with many of the brands mentioned here on
this newsgroup, it has been my experience so far that the Polaris
lineup has typically the BEST ride and handling - hands down - but is
the least reliable.
I've recently been assigned to a project where we have to assess, test
and examine most every utility ATV model in circulation right now and
although it appears that Polaris has had the jumpstart in technology
(i.e. CVT, MacPherson strut front end) they appear to have a less than
perfect reliability/durability record when compared to Yamaha and
Honda. Let's all keep in mind, however, that Yamaha and Honda have
LEGENDARY reliability records in nearly every market they have a stake
in.
The Kawasaki, Arctic Cat and Suzuki models seem to be somewhat below Y
and H as well, but not quite as far behind as Polaris. Bombardier's
new quads seem to be half-decent as well, but they are too new to
judge in my opinion. The Quest 650 I test rode last summer was a good
quad; the CVT system worked very well, despite the quads porkiness and
size. I absolutely hate the Traxter models, that tranny shifts about
as smooth as 80 grit sandpaper. We had one that completely screwed
it's visco-lok front end in no time.
This is all, of course, just my personal experience.
-Rob
"SBM Cleaning" <sbmcl...@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:<kVGJ8.76243$Ka.58...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca>...
Dmwil1
>As a neutral bystander (currently do not own an ATV) and long-time
>snowmobiler who is familiar with many of the brands mentioned here on
>this newsgroup, it has been my experience so far that the Polaris
>lineup has typically the BEST ride and handling - hands down - but is
>the least reliable.
>
>I've recently been assigned to a project where we have to assess, test
>and examine most every utility ATV model in circulation right now and
>although it appears that Polaris has had the jumpstart in technology
>(i.e. CVT, MacPherson strut front end) they appear to have a less than
>perfect reliability/durability record when compared to Yamaha and
>Honda. Let's all keep in mind, however, that Yamaha and Honda have
>LEGENDARY reliability records in nearly every market they have a stake
>in.
>
>The Kawasaki, Arctic Cat and Suzuki models seem to be somewhat below Y
>and H as well, but not quite as far behind as Polaris. Bombardier's
>new quads seem to be half-decent as well, but they are too new to
>judge in my opinion. The Quest 650 I test rode last summer was a good
>quad; the CVT system worked very well, despite the quads porkiness and
>size. I absolutely hate the Traxter models, that tranny shifts about
>as smooth as 80 grit sandpaper. We had one that completely screwed
>it's visco-lok front end in no time.
>
>This is all, of course, just my personal experience.
>
>-Rob
>
Any data, or is this seat of the pants analysis?
Dan Wilson
Steve B.
new, and said it "ran great, and there was nothing wrong with it."
Within the first hour of ownership, I had changed oil, filter, (he said it
didn't have a filter), adjusted the brakes, checked brake fluid, adjusted
the cables, checked the shaft gear oil, adjusted the idle so it would,
adjusted the jet, adjusted the headlights, and cleaned the air filter.
Some people just ride them, and don't know there are things to do regularly.
The owner's manual was in the original ziplock bag in the trunk, and it was
white as snow. Some people don't know a THING about nuts and bolts.
And now, I just take it out and ride it, and check things when I get home.
But there was the time I was riding waaaaaaaaay out there and learned about
the "off -on" air valve on top of the fuel cap. But it wasn't anything to
do with maintenance.
Steve
"250R_rider" <Stev...@Dumbass.com> wrote in message
news:BxLJ8.576$bJ4...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
mer43
"Ride it, like I stole it. Maintain it, like I own it."
Had to install new front lower A-arm bushings due to wear, and follow PM
procedures.
NEVER been in the shop. Still running the original tranny belt.
http://www.hydrotoys.com/quad/quad.html
mark c.
www.hydrotoys.com
"SBM Cleaning" <sbmcl...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:kVGJ8.76243$Ka.58...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
Len Smith
There are too many variables here to say one way or the other. Could one of
the Polaris' be a lemon? Sure. Could the bikes themselves be poorly
maintained? More likely. I own two Polaris' a 250 Trail Blazer and a
Scrambler 90 for my son. Both of these are well maintained and we have had
no trouble with them at all. My son and I perform a pre-ride inspection
religiously to ward off trouble and stay safe. We ride these hard, but
don't beat on them.
If you troll other ATV sites, you'll see that no matter what bike you own,
you'll find someone that has a lemon. It's simply the physics of
manufacturing. I owned a BMW at one point that was the biggest piece of
junk I have ever owned - it was always in the shop. This was followed by an
Escort GT that ranks among the best cars I have ever owned - go figure.
No matter what bike you ride, take care of it and it will likely be pretty
reliable.
Len
On 5/31/02 4:56 AM, in article kVGJ8.76243$Ka.58...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca,
Rob Pilgrim
and manufacturers of ATV's.
I am Engineer with an aftermarket vehicle suspension design firm and
we test a lot of ATV's, snowmobiles and motocross bikes throughout the
year. I feel that our team has a generally good feeling for what is
"good" and what is "bad" on the market.
From the experiences we've had and the feedback we've had from many
ATV'ers, this is the general standing.
-Rob
dmw...@cs.comnocrap (Dmwil1) wrote in message news:<20020602223913...@mb-fw.news.cs.com>...
mark...@webtv.net
entry-level quads for weeks before I " saw the light".....literally.
I was leaning Honda when I ran into a guy with a Polaris Xplorer in tow
at the convenience store. He said he liked the quad etc etc....I
couldn't help but notice the single headlight located just above the
utility rack! I thought to myself " what idiot designed this quad....the
headlight is useless with gear on the rack!"
That confirmed my decision, I bought a Honda....a little Recon 250 and I
love it!
Rock & Roll
Jusdandy70
because the Honda throws me around. But anyway, every weekend we're working on
the Polaris. So far in the last 2 weeks, we put $250.00 in it & it's still not
running right. We've had a friend tell us "own a Polaris, don't forget the
toolbox." So far it's been true.
Greg Murphy
looking tons of power but it keeps me talking to the service manager. The
first ride out the lights went on me, at 11pm, something quirky with the
wiring. Two weeks later the belt got wet, I don't know how but this baby
got wet when we were doing a ton of water running. Now, this is what
happens when the belts get wet, the bike loses power. I was told to keep
the rpm's up when riding a belt bike in water. What the hell is that? Keep
the rpms's up. Anyway, six trips to the shop in four months, this is
embarrassing since by friends told me to drive a Honda. I guess they were
right, my 700 is probably a 500 when wet, and the Ruby's are 500's all the
time. Next time - it's a Honda.
Greg
"Len Smith" <len_...@mac.com> wrote in message
news:B9216F58.2C55%len_...@mac.com...
Bradley V. Stone
Actually, he just wants you to glaze it so you have to replace that
whole darned thing. Makes him dough..hehe.. Just imagine.. belt is
wet and slipping, so, you keep the revs up... Mmmm... glaze....
Greg Beck
and neglected the hell out of it and it's been running great until
recently it needed a rebuild. I take it most of you don't know about
Polaris' sport quad that they are releasing next month. It has a 550cc
motor with an overhead cam and a manual tranny. Also I take it that most
of you don't know how detuned the 400 2 stroke motors are.. With some
porting, pipe, clutching, etc they can put out 75HP on gas and then
probably 85-90HP on alky (then you have nitrous) all for a relatively
cheap price (about 1,500 for everything). Also they weigh a ton when
they are bone stock, but you can lighten them up a bunch with a little
time and energy and a little bit of cash... When you're racing you don't
have to worry about staying on the pipe, losing RPMs while shifting,
mis-shifting, etc because you are always in drive and always in the meat
of the powerband. Finally I'm pretty sure that Polaris is tied with
Honda for the #1 in sales followed by Yamaha so don't try to tell us
that they sell less than 5% of the quads in the market
Hardcore Icon
Could be wrong..... but it doesn't sound right.
Where did you hear about this new 550cc Polaris?
The Icon would like some more information.
Icon
"Greg Beck" <gu...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:22429-3D0...@storefull-2111.public.lawson.webtv.net...
Greg Beck
the one with Steve Abbott [have you guys heard what happend to him? He
wiped out in the desert at 90mph on a night ride and has broken bones,
ruptured spleen, punctured lung and they had to amputate his left arm to
the elbow!] from Quad Central II on a raptor) and now I'm hearing the
info from fellow polaris guys on a different forum.
Think about it, Yami only has 3 (popular) sport quads (Blaster, Banshee,
Raptor) and then only a couple utility machines like the Grizzly and
Kodiak, but Polaris has the Scrambler 400 and 500, Sport, Xpress,
Xplorer, Trail Blazer, Trail Boss, Magnum, Sportsman 500 and 700,
Ranger, etc so they must sell a buttload of bikes.
Hardcore Icon
see the numbers.....
Do you have a URL for some of these forums? The Icon checked the Polaris
website (www.polarisindustries.com) last night and didn't see anything about
a new sport model.
Dirt Wheels had mentioned that there was a possibility of it a few months
ago, but that's all the Icon remembers about it.
Icon
"Greg Beck" <gu...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:24981-3D...@storefull-2116.public.lawson.webtv.net...
Halius Maximus
Polaris made up approx 2/3 of the ATV market, with Honda being on top by a
few % points.
mark from muskoka
"Hardcore Icon" <hc_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:n5%M8.6655$Pv2....@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
Greg Beck
is "extreme" DW actually tested one they didn't just write about the
possibility of one
azdezracer
happened 2 weeks a go. He didn't have his arm amputated and plans to be
riding again in 6 weeks. He even snuck out of the hospital so he could
attend the Sand show in Vegas. Also heard he was on a 400EX doing about
60-70mph. Supposedly the 400EX belonged to a customer.
"Greg Beck" <gu...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:24981-3D...@storefull-2116.public.lawson.webtv.net...
DEBBIE LEAVITT
fucking junk..i had one ,rebuit it 3 times in 6 months,
buy a banshee if you want a real bike,,
Desert YJ
you're doing. Your ignorance shows in your post........
"DEBBIE LEAVITT" <y...@nb.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:3D1FE13B...@nb.sympatico.ca...
jonathank...@gmail.com
sak...@aol.com
My experience has been the Polaris's are breaking down more frequently. These guys will inevitably be working on them or headed to the repair shop & I don't mean for routine maintenance.
2 of the Polaris are 2005 500 HO sportsmans. Both have ongoing carb problems....ie... the overflow tube falls off inside the bowl.
Seems everyone else(Yamaha's hondas Kawi & Suzuki) are doing regular maintenance. Oil, tires, etc.
Just my personal experience.