Any issues with Polaris ATV's?

sunny · **Joined:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:50 pm **Posts:** 95

Hey guys looking at buying a new ATV and have it narrowed down to a Honda or a Polaris. I am leaning towards the Polaris but wanted to know if anyone has had any bad experiences or problems? I know you can't match a Honda in terms of quality, but the Polaris is set up better for my needs. Any thoughts ?

Gone Fish'in · **Joined:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:42 am **Posts:** 1046

Polaris if you are a mechanic. Honda if you're not.

WesRams · **Posted:** Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:03 pm

Yup, I totally agree, I have had my polaris for about 5 years now and have always done the maintenance on it. Problem is it's every single year it requires something. If ya don't mind getting dirty it'll treat ya well enough, but the Honda is likely the best way to go in my opinion.

Cheers
Wes

sunny · **Joined:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:50 pm **Posts:** 95

Ok thx guys, not what I was hoping for lol. What kind of problems? Easy fixes or do you really need to have the know how?

WesRams · **Posted:** Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:51 pm

Nothing that requires great know how. Just simple maintenance and the odd carb issue.

Hose22 · **Joined:** Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:27 am **Posts:** 112

I've had both and I say Honda all the way.

DRILLIN N CHILLIN · **Posted:** Fri Jan 24, 2014 2:22 pm

Had an 04 Polaris. Kept jumping out of 4x4 then would only work in reverse. $800 later all good. Hated the cold weather too. It was a twin. Get a Honda. The motors are bullet proof.

Zingerman · **Joined:** Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:29 pm **Posts:** 38

I owned a 2000? polaris 500 sportsman that was a great machine. Only issue with that one was there were 21 grease fittings to maintain (try finding all of them

). Once the new models came out with the new plastic and racks I noticed lots of small issues that my buddies were complaining about (trouble starting, parts breaking, etc.) It scared me off so I went to a 660 Grizzly in 2006 and while alot different from the Polaris is a really good machine. NO problems with it until Tuesday when it would not start on my first trip to the bay

I guess the -35 degree temperature and the 3 hour drive down the 401 didn't help. No experience with the Hondas.

Mobb style fishing · **Posted:** Fri Jan 24, 2014 4:35 pm

Bought a 2013 sportsman 400 H.O. I love it the motor is actually a 500 just with a smaller carb. I had some trouble keeping it idling in the cold. Solution- Premium gas in the winter, haven't had a problem since. Like the other post said you'll find a new grease fitting every time you look at it but overall I'm impressed with this machine. And you don't have to hold on to an extra trigger for 4x4 drive.

teppy · **Posted:** Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:21 pm

I have a 2002 Polaris 500 HO, blew one belt, my own fault. Otherwise...no issues. I would rather have all the fittings than have them say that its greased for life. It has not left me stranded...Yet.
To each his own.

hooked up · **Posted:** Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:38 pm

I have had:

2000? Polaris (wife's)-no problems
2002 Yamaha Grizzly- beat the crap out of this thing and never had to do any repairs (just a carb kit and regular maintenance) still have it, because when one of the Polaris are in the shop I know this will not let me down.
2009 (1st year of the new XP platform)Polaris 550XP EPS (wife's) -around $1200 every year in repairs. NOT impressed with this one.
2012 Polaris 850XP EPS -so far so good. Only had to replace fowled spark plugs a couple times & upgraded the battery to a Scorpion model#YIX30L from BatteryStuff.com as the stock battery doesn't cut it. I highly recommend this battery if you can make it fit. It's a little larger than the stock one

One thing I have learned (the hard way) over the years is no matter what Brand you get NEVER buy the first year of a "new" platform.
Wait a year or two so that the manufacturer can address the problems.

You can't beat a Honda or Yamaha engine.

Good luck!

Little Hole · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:34 pm **Posts:** 104

2012 polaris 400 h.0. here. Havent done a thing to it. Literaly, fuel/oil and nothing else. I've had bikes and quads all my life and its the most dependable machine ive ever had. ROCK SOLID.

Ptboguy · **Posted:** Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:12 am

I have a 2013 sportsman 500 ho and it's has been great not one problem just add has and go
If I could get another one I oiled go with the new 550 sportsman they have now
Before this I had a 2004 sportsman 700 and that thing was bullet proof also and a twin worked well

ChugBug262 · **Joined:** Sun May 15, 2011 6:19 pm **Posts:** 464

Buy a Honda or 2 Polaris, one to ride and one for your mechanic ....

sweinersts · **Joined:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:47 am **Posts:** 10

Still running my 1999 Sportsman 500 Remington edition with a few minor problems but at 15 years that's only because for the most part I've been a Fuel/Oil/Battery type of owner. Polaris makes a solid quad

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Any issues with Polaris ATV's?

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