polaris quads

[dvani]

hey guys just wanted to know people feedback on polaris sportsman quad. I'm looking at the 2013 polaris sportsman browning edition. if anyone has one let me know what you think of the quad and everybody else just your general opinion.

Thanks

[Whiteysonly]

Well I might have a bias opinion being a Honda man but Polaris are junk!! I know a guy that is a diehard Polaris guy he has owned 3 and all have needed big $$ repairs before 1000 km and that's in the past 6 years. Cannot go wrong with Honda but Yamaha and can am are good products as well. Stay away from that polaris!!
Just to ad I have a 2008 Honda Rubicon canadian trail edition with 6000 hard kms and it has never needed anything but a new battery

[Rovin]

Originally Posted by Whiteysonly

Well I might have a bias opinion being a Honda man but Polaris are junk!! I know a guy that is a diehard Polaris guy he has owned 3 and all have needed big $$ repairs before 1000 km and that's in the past 6 years. Cannot go wrong with Honda but Yamaha and can am are good products as well. Stay away from that polaris!!
Just to ad I have a 2008 Honda Rubicon canadian trail edition with 6000 hard kms and it has never needed anything but a new battery

X2

[megadodge]

Let the flame wars begin. I put around 500 not at all gentle kms on my 2012 last year without so much as a hiccup. I was riding with guys on Polaris units (850xps), one is a 2010, not sure on the age of the other but it was around the same. They've replaced tires, batteries and tie-rods on one (more operator error than anything). They are heavy though. No denying that.

I considered a Honda at the time of purchase but they sure feel like they're getting cheap & flimsy (IMHO). And really? Power steering and GPS on a bloody 500 mid size??

And no - I'm not just some import hater. My bike: Honda My Mower: Honda

[Unregistered user]

We had 2 Polaris 800 Touring, solid units and tons of power. Never did understand all the negativity toward the brand. We naver had a bad issue with them. Sold them and bought a boat.

[7mmremmag]

Love the polaris, have had 3 now. 2 sportmans and a ranger. Last summer I made the mistake of buying a prowler HDX because the price was right. What a pile of %^&*. First and last arctic cat. I also owned a 2004 foreman, pretty poor design, when you break an axle the front wheel comes off the quad!? WTF???
I have had nothing but good luck with polaris, and will continue to buy them. Also for those interested I will have a 2012 Arctic Cat Prowler HDX, camo, w/ windsheild, roof, bush guard, winch etc with 400km on it for sale if spring ever comes.

[bighornram]

Originally Posted by Whiteysonly

Well I might have a bias opinion being a Honda man but Polaris are junk!! I know a guy that is a diehard Polaris guy he has owned 3 and all have needed big $$ repairs before 1000 km and that's in the past 6 years. Cannot go wrong with Honda but Yamaha and can am are good products as well. Stay away from that polaris!!
Just to ad I have a 2008 Honda Rubicon canadian trail edition with 6000 hard kms and it has never needed anything but a new battery

everything polaris is junk,overheating,burning pistons.Experience from my friends who owned them.

[40creek]

I'm very surprised at all the negative comments about Polaris. I have 2 07 500's and have done everything but drive them off a cliff oh wait' that creek near Dragon Vly. that was kind of a cliff. They have been awesome. they should be dead but run like new. The only thing I hate is there penchant for eating a belt out two when rough housing in wet conditions but they're easy to change.

[Dwils]

I have owned both and both had to be towed 1 time each. The sportsman 700 was a result of a blown belt. The honda 400 the CDI crapped out and it would not start. I was towed out by a suzuki when the polaris failed and a polaris pulled me out when the honda failed.

Both have there good points but I find it impossible to put up with honda's 3x4 wheel drive system. There is simply no reason they could not offer a diff lock option from the factory, it is a joke. The power is also not great good enough to get the job done perhaps but certainly nothing to put a smile on your face.

Polaris has perhaps the best 4x4 system out and the ride is top notch. The power is also decent but I don't think anyone can argue that Can-am makes the most power.

I would not hesitate to buy another polaris quad they have treated me good.

[75ft Arborist]

I own a 2012 850xp camo. Never had a problem with it. Very comfortable to ride. I would get this over browning edition. Polaris makes a nice camo pattern. Only thing i regretted is I chose not to get the electronic power steering.

[elkhunter11]

They are extremely heavy, which gives them a smooth ride, but it certainly isn't a good thing in the muskeg. They are improving, but they still don't compete with Honda or Yamaha as far as reliability goes.

[FishHunterPro]

Garbage

[Bassett]

Polaris are terrible. Like stated above ive rode with a bunch of die hard polaris guys and they are the worst pieces of junk on the market. All have broke down and needed to sink a bunch of $$ into them.

Honda IMO are the best. All my neighbours and my family own them they are bullet proof. We are very tough on the machines being young and everything and ride them every weekend through stuff most would go around. With over 10000kms on them the worst thing weve had to do was tie rods and ball joints. Which is very acceptable with how many kms. 150$ every 10,000km is a good bargain.

[honda450]

Dang I got a 2004.5 Polaris 600, all I ever done to it was replace a few boots and the battery and tires. I also have a Honda, a Suzuki and a Kawasaki.

[Bundo1980]

[QUOTE=honda450;1907866]Dang I got a 2004.5 Polaris 600, all I ever done to it was replace a few boots and the battery and tires.

x2 on this. My 600 has out last my buddies Bomby's, kawy's and Grizzlies. I just replaced the battery this winter. Not bad for 8+ years of service i figure

[martinbns]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

They are extremely heavy, which gives them a smooth ride, but it certainly isn't a good thing in the muskeg. They are improving, but they still don't compete with Honda or Yamaha as far as reliability goes.

What he said, I had a 600 twin for a while, very smooth on a winter road, useless in tight quarters, got stuck alot.

[dumoulin]

I've had. Polaris, Yamaha and Honda. Can't beat the Honda for reliability but the ride and engineering sucks. Yamaha and Paris are much nicer to ride but can be less reliable if neglected.

If Honda engineers got their heads out of their ***** and offered real features and better power, I'd but on again...

[top predator]

Yammi man here. Few friends that Polaris' and love them.

[Jims71duster]

I have two 500's, an 06 and an 08 both are polaris. Both have 2 inch lift kits with 27 inch mud lite etr's and rad re-locates. Both of these have not givin me any trouble at all. The 06 needed a belt because i drove out to wypris to go ice fishing when it was -34 and burnt a belt. The 09 and older ones have the rad located a bit too low so that needs to be kept clean to stop overheating issues. I would stay away from the new 00 series as they are carberated and the 50 series are injected but thats just me, there is a considerable cost savings there tho. Polaris is a bit heavier but the ride is amazing and the paint options are much better that the typical flat colours that most manufactures offer. My two are both limited editions with metalic paint and nice decals with alum. rims. They have true all 4 wheel drive as well, other manufactures only have three and some have an optional diff lock switch. As for other brands, i dont know anyone who owns a susiki, Kawasaki or an artic cat and I ride with lots of diferent people so take that for what its worth. Canams have a crap load of power and some model years have frame issues but I hate yellow lol. Tough to go wrong with a Yamaha too, good all round machine. Honda usually low on power not that long ago they were all a standard shift with rough, poor suspension, but they are dependable.

[mooseslayer1]

i agree quads are getting too complex with the elrctric shift and power steering and all that crap. makes for nice ride but what happens when that crap breaks down way back in the bush
I have a 2007 honda 500 manual shift had a problem with battery but thats about it.
As for polaris i had buddy with an older sportsman 300 i think it was and he hated it always broke down on him but in my opinion that can happen with any of the major brands. Diffrent strokes for diffrent folks

[TOG]

I owned a Polaris for an entire week once. Took it back to the dealership and got a real quad.

[sheepguide]

I put approx 2-3000kms/yr on my Polaris sportsman 500 (second 500 ive owned) I put a clutch kit, pipe, 2.5" wheel spacers and bigger tires. It's a 2004 model and has only needed ball joints, a couple bearings and brakes. I've replaced a few boots but that's with any bike running CV axles.

I pull a tandem axle tub trailer in the mountains and foothills working the crap out of it. If anythings going to blow up a bike pulling heavy loads will do it.

As for being no good on muskeg I'd put my pink card against any Honda or Yamaha in the same size class!

[Jims71duster]

Originally Posted by TOG

I owned a Polaris for an entire week once. Took it back to the dealership and got a real quad.

ya,,,im sure you did

[quad_hopper]

I love my Polaris, I have video of me going through muskeggy mud that a Kawi Brute Force got stuck in. He then re-tried to go through because I made it through and he was stuck again. This is my third Polaris. First one I spent lots of time fixing, it was a 94 with a chain drive. No issues with the second one, 2004.5 500 HO and no issues with my third one, 2012 500 HO. I use it mostly for hauling big logs and such for firewood out of the bush. IMO, best machine ever. True 4WD and lots of power, never an issue with belts or anything, best in class for its price. Under $6k brand new with upgraded tires, hard to beat that!!!

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by TOG

I owned a Polaris for an entire week once. Took it back to the dealership and got a real quad.

It must have been a week of misery! Honda all the way, got two of the old fourtrax which they dont make anymore because the dealerships never see them back for b.s. maintenence...bullet proof!

[Klondike]

Originally Posted by TOG

I owned a Polaris for an entire week once. Took it back to the dealership and got a real quad.

When you grow up and become a man you're going to want that polaris back

[Klondike]

We have own 5 Polaris atv's so far and they have been great. Looking to get a RZR next. They all have their issues and they all break down. Find what you like and get out and ride.

[Jetfire]

Got two 2009 sportsmans. I've taken them everywhere. Hunting and trail riding and had no issues and no repairs. Don't listen to anyone that says one brand is junk. All quads are reliable now. Pick what fits you and your price range.

[woyer4]

My 2012 ranger 6x6 kicks *****, i have been a yamy and honda guy all my life and thought polaris was junk and i still think is was back in the day, but the new ones are built great and to last.

[brazeau]

Originally Posted by woyer4

My 2012 ranger 6x6 kicks *****, i have been a yamy and honda guy all my life and thought polaris was junk and i still think is was back in the day, but the new ones are built great and to last.

Just curious as to why you bought a Polaris if you thought they were junk and were a Yamy and Honda guy all your life? Again, just curious.