with over 11,000 miles I don't have any backlash in my drivetrain and have replaced 1 belt. (I should replace another one soon) I would be upset to, What did the dealer say about it didn't you have any warranty when the problum started??? wish I could tell you whats wrong but I can't. Might just be worth taking it to a good dealer getting it fixed and trading it off

 

I currently own Polaris and have nothing but good things to say about their products. I've never been left by my Polaris atv's or sleds. That being said, I'm getting a little tired of their weight and size problem. I just bought the wife a 2006 Yamaha 450 Kodiak. It's actually a nice machine. It has a lot of torque and the ultramatic tranny with 4 wheel engine braking is nice for the mountains here. It goes through the trees and around obstacles alot better than my Polaris does for sure. I have been looking at the 500 EFI and the 800 EFI. I have decided to wait because I heard a rumor that Yamaha is going to put the 700 EFI in the Grizzly. The current Grizzly and Rhino 660 have the Raptor 660 motor in them. A Grizzly 700 EFI would be a perfect machine.

EFI is the only way to go. The cold and hot starts are no longer issues. Altitude and weather changes no longer effect the way the machine runs. Nicer all around when you change air filters, exhaust, etc. Plus you can get plug in modules like our trucks. No more taking carbs off to replace jets and needles.

 

I dont have a Polaris but I do have a 750 Brute Force and 500 Honda Rancher and I can share this with you. Memorial Weekend my son and I were out riding at one of our favorite spots. There was a fella out there with one of the new 800 Polaris'. He was very proud of it and felt he could beat anything out there and for the most part he was corrected except for....well heck I asked him if he felt lucky and we lined up on a limestone road. We ran 3 times. I beat him every time off the line with the 750 BF and he never caught me. My 750 BF is bone stock except for the TSB that changed the front carb needle value and jet. So what does that tell you? NOTHING. I personally feel that it has more to do with the rider when you have something that big and that closely matched in size. Also, overall weight has a lot to do with it too. My son could get him everytime off the line on the 500 but lost ground quickly after that with the Polaris leaving him in the dust each run. I love our 750 BF. We use it all over our farm, pull a bush hog and plow with it and pull other tractors and vehicles out when they get stuck. But, the Polaris was a sharp looker too.

 

You are obviously a much better rider than most. I dont know of to many people that jump these machines 15 feet high. So you must be able to handle the bumps and whoops in the trails better than most also. I would bet that if you were on the other quads you would still out distance the others by the same margins or more. I have ridden most quads and I tell you the Polaris suspensions are awesome.

 

Thanks ya'll for the help. I'm still going with the Polaris 800 EFI. Could care less about "off the line" performance. I ride in the woods with my wife. If I want fast, I would look at a Raptor or something. I could pick any brand of anything and some people will say they are the best, some will say they are the worst. "I" have had good luck with Polaris and will try them again

~Rob

 

Hotdram,
Was not trying to put down the Polaris. Please dont get me wrong. You asked for experience with them and that's the only experience I have had with them (one Suday afternoon a week ago). We ride with a bunch of guys that have Artic Cats, Kawaies, Yamah Dogs, Hondas you name it someone in the group rides it. Whatever fits you and fits your need is what you get. I got the 750 BF becuase at the time the deal was right. I went into buy a Yamah Dog 650 Grizzly. I have riden ATV's since they first came out as 3 wheeler's, raced moto cross and off road vehicles. The one thing I have learned is to each there own. What is right for me is not necessarily right for anyone else. There are lots of great machines out there. From what I understand the Polaris 800's suspension has everyone beat hands down. Do you ride two up or do you have seperate rides for you and your wife? When my wife and I go riding I always wind up on the 500 and she takes the 750.

 

One ride on my 600 and you just had to go out and outdo me, didn't ya!

 

JH,
Sorry, wasn't picking on anyone in particular when I made my post above.
Totally agree with you on the "get what is right for you". (If there is one thing I've learned from this board, it is "to each their own" or "Once size does not fit all ).
Right now we do one of two things: I ride my XR-250 M/C and she rides the Sportsman 400 we have or we both ride the 400. I have more fun when we are both on the 4 wheeler. I am selling my XR, as I don't ride it much anymore. I think we would have more fun if we were both on 4 wheelers.
I hope she doesn't end up on the 800 and me on the 400, as she already looks pretty small on the 400


~Rob

 

This thread seemed to follow the same line that most Polaris discussions in utility ATV forums take:

Some people will chime in to say they are experienced ATV riders and bought a Polaris and had constant trouble right from the start, and others will chime in to say they have several Polaris ATV's with thousands of trouble free miles.

There is always someone who has something positive, and something negative to say about most brands. With Artic Cat, they generally have more ground clearance than other machines in their class, and seem to be popular with mudders, but folks say they trade off side-hill stability. People like the BF 750's power, but some complain about handling and touchy throttle. King Quads are often said to handle and run well, but you've got shim and bucket valves (a pain), there was an issue about broken reverse in early ones, and reports of dusted engines.

A buddy of mine has a Rincon 650. The three speed automotive type transmission takes getting used to, and it is cold blooded. It handles and rides well, but I wish it had a bit stiffer anti-sway, some low speed compression braking, and more power.

People also seem to get a bit too tied up in drag racing utility atv's. According to the last magazine review I read, the Outlander 800 will flat out smoke both the Polaris and the Brute Force in both acceleration and top speed, but who really cares?

Anyhow, look at them all, pick the one that you like best, and go out and enjoy it!

 

On the ATV forums, just like here, if there is a problem, someone is griping about it and perhaps few offer comments that they dont have that problem. Some offer advice on repairs but on a more diverse brand forum, you get too much brand loyalty and too little actual knowledge of the product or problem.

 

Like I said I had a 95 425 and had next to no problems. Keep in mind that was the first year for that model as well. I have nothing but good to say about that one. I really feel I got a lemon with this one. I will go on to say I feel I have been very lucky in the past with everything I have ever owned. Very, very few problems with everything over the years. Batteries seems to be the biggest issues over all. So I guess it was my time to own something with consistant problems. As for the dealer, I have nothing good to say about them. Yes it was under warranty the first time, around 100 miles first belt was just screaded. They told me they had never saw one do that when it was brand new, told me of someone who had 10000, yes said 10000 miles on the original belt. Must have been all highway miles with no stopping. The dealer explaination was "I don't know how to ride it". OK thats fine they can think what they want. But how can I ride 3xxx miles with one a few years earlier on one belt???? Not to mention logging a few hundred miles on friends polaris'? Well maybe I am just not smart enough to ride it these day, age must have took its toll on my mind since the last time I owned one? I still think it had more to do with the ones that built the transmission. I have put the new chain and got the case back together, all thats left is to put the rest of it back together. Then it will be gone, I promise.

 

Thanks again everyone for your comments.
Picking up my new Polaris 800 EFI this Saturday in Shreveport LA.

~Rob

 

Gonna ride it back?

 

Congrats on the new ride, Rob!! If you wanna go trail ride sometime let me know. Tentatively im going to the Mena, Arkansas area the weekend before the 4th of July for some camping and ATVing. You can ride the ATVs on the county roads legally there, plus there are some national trails around the area. You are welcome to join if you want. Meeting some friends from Louisiana.

 

Hadn't thought of that
I'll keep that idea in mind

~Rob