Polaris Sportsman

[ovrszd]

I have a love/hate relationship w Polaris. They are comfortable, powerful, and generally fun to ride. Unfortunately their quality and general lack of attention to detail drives me crazy. Wiring and connectors in particular seem to be sub par as compared Japanese brands.

So, I have compromised. I own Honda and Polaris machines. Hunting and exploring, the Honda’s go. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere isn’t fun. Recreation, checking on critters, getting a couple of bales of hay for the horses, I grab the Polaris. I will say they have a better rack system than Honda.

I'm an old school Honda supporter. They slept thru the ATV/UTV evolution. They are trying to catch up but it's going to be difficult. No excuse for that. In the 70s-80s they dominated the market.

 

[Ortimber]

Totally agree, but they are still reliable even though they have no power and ride like my empty 1 ton Ram.

 

[Paystar]

Yes it's funny. I used to race motorcycles and Honda dominated the world on dirt and asphalt. But for some reason they said ATV were a huge liability and preached safety first with those, LOL. Polaris did everything the Japanese were against and they dominated the market.

But you just can't beat Japanese quality and reliabilty.

Another thing about Polaris Sportsmen. They must have used John Deere designers in coming up with those driveshaft grease fittings that are almost impossible to get a grease gun hose on. LOL. I actually got fed up and cut a hole in the skid plate so I can grease it from the bottom.

 

[timswi]

All and all, I'm very happy with my Sportsman. Got the "soft" recall on the exhaust heat, but honestly that never bothered me on 90+ degrees days so I didn't bother. Guess some QA and company support would be welcome, but my machine has been great--So far. Thankfully I have a pretty good dealer. I let them do the maintenance.

I will say that when I bought storage boxes that are supposed to fit next to the rear seat, they rub on the grab handles. Asked the dealer about this and they said engineering gave an oh-well. That didn't sit well. Then the reflectors started peeling off the rear fenders. Wouldn't stand behind that either. Put double faced tape on them and good so far. The quick connect things are working pretty good though on the boxes. Stupid expensive for boat drain plugs.

 

[WilliamBos]

If Polaris would put the same QA in to the value line as they do with the premium machines, they'd have a winner on their hands.

I love my 2012 400HO - no plans on trading it.

 

[timswi]

If Polaris would put the same QA in to the value line as they do with the premium machines, they'd have a winner on their hands.

I love my 2012 400HO - no plans on trading it.

Mine isn't going anywhere in the near future either.

 

[WilliamBos]

Mine isn't going anywhere in the near future either.

I dont blame you, your 570 gets better mpg than the single jug Fuji's, and has more power to boot.

 

[timswi]

I dont blame you, your 570 gets better mpg than the single jug Fuji's, and has more power to boot.

Yeah it moves pretty good for a Touring version..Happy with the performance. Can't complain too much, the price was right for a 2-up...CanAm was out of their minds what they wanted for one..Like 5k more--Nice machine but wasn't digging in the wallet that deep.

 

[Paystar]

You got the combo I want Timswi......maybe keep the 500 or the 570 and get rid of the other two and buy an RTV1100 cab for myself and let the kid keep the atv.

And Will is right. I thought my 500 and the new 570 felt pretty close to the same powerwise, riding them back to back. But then one day my son on the 570 and me on my trusty 500 did a drag race and he slaughtered me, LOL.

Bad build quality and dealer prep aside.....now we'll just have to see if this 570 goes 13 years before needing it's first repair like my 500. Then I'll be happy.

 

[timswi]

You got the combo I want Timswi......maybe keep the 500 or the 570 and get rid of the other two and buy an RTV1100 cab for myself and let the kid keep the atv.

And Will is right. I thought my 500 and the new 570 felt pretty close to the same powerwise, riding them back to back. But then one day my son on the 570 and me on my trusty 500 did a drag race and he slaughtered me, LOL.

Bad build quality and dealer prep aside.....now we'll just have to see if this 570 goes 13 years before needing it's first repair like my 500. Then I'll be happy.

:drink: