Author Topic: no more polaris for this guy. (Read 4495 times)

Lloyd Smale · « **on:** July 19, 2012, 11:59:05 PM »

Bought a rzr in 09 new. In 5 years ive only put 1200 miles on it. In that time ive had two back axles go bad, all the wheel bearings replaced the differentail cage break and now the latest espisode. My son in law borrowed it and took my grandson for a ride. It started making a wining noise and he stopped to check it out. Luckily he stopped. It was on fire. He threw dirt on it and put it out. I took it to the dealership and they found the transmition had no oil in it and the bearing got so hot it caused the fire. Luckily i had bought a 5 year warantee on this pos. they balked a bit because i didnt have it serviced this year. The warantee clearly states you have to have it service every year. I told the shop that i havent put 200 miles on it since the last service and didnt think it was nessisary. Thankfully they agreed to fix it under warantee as the new trany is 2500 bucks. Needless to say this thing is getting sold as soon as i get it back. You couldnt give me another polaris. My buddy has two 500 cc 4 wheelers he bought new and his list of repairs is even longer then mine. Ive had quite a few yamahas includeing a 200 three wheeler a yz 250 three wheeler, a raptor 700, a warrior 350 and the grizzly 700 i have now and i dont remember ever doing anyting but changing oil and plugs in them.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2012, 12:07:55 AM »

Lloyd,
Sorry to hear of your problems! Glad all was fixed so out of pocket cost was minimized.

What did the say the axle problems where caused by? No oil in tranny... Where did I that go!??! Are the two related? I mean when they swapped axles did someone service tranny and not refill? Something is fishy..

We own three, not a lick of a problem. My riding buddie has owned Polaris machines since there first 2stroke models. NOT ONE problem in over twenty years! If I'm not mistaken he is on his fourth or fifth machine.ast month he bought a 850 XP.

CW

CW

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2012, 10:45:20 PM »

Axle problems werent related. there a known issue with the rzrs. Hope your buddy continues to have luck with his 850xp. Ive got two buddys who bought them. Theyve had nothing but problems with them. One went and traded his on a new grizzly. Said it doesnt ride as well or doesnt go as fast but it doesnt sit at the shop all the time either. Ive road the xps and its to bad because there isnt a better riding atv out there.

Quote from: cwlongshot on July 20, 2012, 12:07:55 AM

Lloyd,
Sorry to hear of your problems! Glad all was fixed so out of pocket cost was minimized.

What did the say the axle problems where caused by? No oil in tranny... Where did I that go!??! Are the two related? I mean when they swapped axles did someone service tranny and not refill? Something is fishy..

We own three, not a lick of a problem. My riding buddie has owned Polaris machines since there first 2stroke models. NOT ONE problem in over twenty years! If I'm not mistaken he is on his fourth or fifth machine.ast month he bought a 850 XP.

CW

CW

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:23:42 PM »

Maybe the Mexicans haven't figured out how to build them yet.

flintlock · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:26:51 PM »

Hard to beat a Honda...

cwlongshot · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2012, 05:54:56 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on July 20, 2012, 11:23:42 PM

Maybe the Mexicans haven't figured out how to build them yet.

Your probably none too far off Swampy!!

That was a big blow to them in my eye and the biggest reason I will not buy a new machine form them.. BUT there is lots of used ones avalible!! LOL

CW

yooper77 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2012, 07:03:18 AM »

I am not surprised on your Polaris. I have a friends that work for a dealer and they both told me Polaris machines use cheap parts and too never purchase one. Its good to have friends.

yooper77

Old Syko · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2012, 04:09:46 PM »

I wondered how long it would take when ya got that thing. The guys who compete with them literally field strip them and install more aftermarket parts than oem. Polaris has earned their bad rep over the years due to poor assembly procedures combined with even poorer quality parts even though their designs aren't all that bad. If I had a dollar for every Polaris I've seen that turned into a flame thrower for various reasons or left suspension and final drive parts on the trail I'd have a tidy little sum. Buddy bought a Teryx as did his dad about the same time you got the RZR. Replaced the drive belt at 10,000 miles and they haven't been easy miles. He has around 16,000 on it now and has done nothing more than general maintenance and a bunch of tires. If there's a sharp rock anyplace close he'll find it.

You know my feelings from past discussions. If it ain't Kawasaki or Yamaha, why bother.

[size=78%] [/size]

Bugflipper · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2012, 09:07:48 PM »

Lloyd if you have the rzr, assuming you wanted it for a good trail rider? You may want to check out the arctic cat wildcat for that. Has a lot softer ride and better performance.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2012, 11:48:45 PM »

Ive looked at them but seeing that ive driven artic cat snowmobiles for 20 years i can attest to the fact that they are the most reliable things out there either. Bottom line is i dont need another one anyway. Ive got my jeep for playing. About the only thing i used the rzr for in the last two years was taking the dog to beach swimming and i can do that in the jeep. I think the dog will miss it more then i do. I payed 15k for that pos and paid 7k for my used jeep and its been dead reliable goes about anywhere the rzr goes and i can even use it for daily transportation. It may not be as much fun as the rzr when i mash the go peddle but i can live without that too. that wild cat is one sweat looking machine though. If i was 20 years younger id probably be alot more interested.

Quote from: Bugflipper on July 21, 2012, 09:07:48 PM

Lloyd if you have the rzr, assuming you wanted it for a good trail rider? You may want to check out the arctic cat wildcat for that. Has a lot softer ride and better performance.

markc · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2012, 12:30:43 AM »

Not surprised at all. We just returned from Colorado, and once again the RZR is the most common side by side on the Alpine Loop. However, they are like other Polaris products. They have a terrible service record and are costly to repair. To read about Polaris and someone having no problems being on their 5th Polaris in 20 years means they either trade or sell them every 4 or 5 years? Overall they do not compare to the Japaneese made atv's, never have. I did see a group of RZR's and a Ranger and they were on the road side trying to put a front wheel back on a RZR.

We'll see how my 06 Rhino handles the trails next June...being that it will be entering it's 7th year and not a problem at all, we are pretty confident of a good trip.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2012, 09:26:25 AM »

rhinos are great units. Just a bit slow and not nearly as good in the bumps as the rzr. Wish yamaha would come out with a performance machine. Id probaby buy on again if they did.

Scibaer · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2012, 09:27:55 AM »

get a
H O N D A
and dont look back

Old Syko · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2012, 09:56:11 AM »

Quote from: Scibaer on July 24, 2012, 09:27:55 AM

get a
H O N D A
and dont look back

Won't have to. Everybody will be in front of you.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2012, 10:20:30 AM »

Quote from: Old Syko on July 24, 2012, 09:56:11 AM

Quote from: Scibaer on July 24, 2012, 09:27:55 AM
get a
H O N D A
and dont look back

Won't have to. Everybody will be in front of you.

Now THATS funny!!

LOL GOOD ONE.....

oldandslow · « **Reply #15 on:** July 24, 2012, 01:11:18 PM »

Don't know anything about the rzr except they cost a lot of money. I do have a Polaris 4x4. It's a 2000 model and Polaris changed the temp sensor under warranty. It would show the engine as being hot when it wasn't. That is the only mechanical repair that has ever had to be done.

markc · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2012, 09:51:37 AM »

Lloyd, 40mph off road may be slower than a RZR, but the places I drive, especially there in Colorado, only the county roads allow someone to max out the speed. The 4WD roads are too narrow, steep, and rocky to allow much speed, not to mention too crowded at times. The Rhino does have the ground clearance advantage. Yamah did come out with a performance model, it's called the Kawasaki Teryx.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2012, 11:10:26 PM »

those terexs are good machines. Ive got a couple buddys that own them. There faster then a rhino and near as fast as a stock rzr. There built like a tank and have handsdown the best motor put in an atv. Those v twins in there 4 wheelers and side by sides are bullet proof. there a bit crude in fit and finish but if you can overlook that there a great unit. Im going to be looking for used rhino and probably wouldnt pass on a nice used terex either.

Buckskin · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2012, 01:58:04 AM »

Don't know about the RZR's, not my kind of machine. But I've have 2007 Ranger 700 that has been through hell and back and nothing but tires oil and lubes, never had a problem at all. Neighbor has had a Ranger 500 since 1998 that has been a farm machine and beat to hell, he said he thinks he replaced the belt once and changes the oil every couple years. Asked if he serviced the tranny or differential... Nope... LOL, some machines will go on forever...

markc · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2012, 02:36:33 PM »

Lloyd, when I was looking for a replacement for my 2000 Mule 550, the Teryx wasn't out yet. I test drove the Mule 610, but for the extra $ found the Rhino 450 to be far better for my needs. Tested a Ranger and liked it, but the reviews I was reading turned me off. If I was looking to replace the 2006 Rhino today, the Teryx is almost certainly what I would go for. The RZR isn't utility enough for what I need at the ranch so it hasn't even been a consideration for me.

Buckskin, it's nice when you get a good one that lasts, no matter the make or model. I have had good luck with Kawasaki and Yamaha.

muznut 54 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2012, 05:58:15 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on July 20, 2012, 11:23:42 PM

Maybe the Mexicans haven't figured out how to build them yet.

I agree with you 100 percent. With that said I have owned Polaris's for years beginning with the old 2 stroke chain drive 4by4's I had a 2002 Ranger 500 that I sold a few years ago that was a tank I put Tracks on it and went thru bogs and ten foot snow drifts the tracks made the machine work hard. Used it to haul wood and dead critters it was a good machine I bored and stroked it not for a problem but just for more power. I have owned a Honda and Arctic cat I Had to replace the head gasket on the Honda because it leaked oil real bad but it was a few years old at that point. The cat was the 300 and that was the worst cold blooded whore Ive ever owned it popped, farted and backfired for at least 20 min even in when I lived in FL. and the ball joints come unglued twice from normal trail riding

I wouldn't buy another if someone had a gun to my head. I have a Polaris 03 400 and 04 500HO now and plow deep snow with them and they are holding up well but I wont buy one from Mexico.

dorothy daily · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:35:39 AM »

i know i am hi-jacking a thread,but just cannot resist. best side by side, 85 toyota 22re, 2k invested and has a heater. hugh

Graybeard · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2012, 12:14:32 PM »

Never owned a Polaris and never will. I've heard too many reports of problems from them.

I don't ride a lot as I only have 5.6 acres here to ride on and nowhere else to take it to ride. I don't go fast and don't want to.

Here is my ride these days.

My little grandson Wyatt got the first ride. He hopped up on it and rode off the trailer with the guy who brought it out.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2012, 03:02:01 PM »

when a bunch of us use to go ride
atv's , we had to pull the polaris
guys back with a tow rope.
one with cooling fan failure that
made the cyl head seize and crack,
and the other cyl head cracked and
piston scored cyl badly.
those may have been a fluke, but we
never had problems with the honda's
other that sore butt-itis from riding
dark-to-dark.

mine got stolen a while back, and i never
replaced it . they're way too expensive now.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2012, 11:33:24 PM »

I sold my rzr about a month ago. It caught on fire do to the tranny leaking out all the oil through a seal and overheating. Luckily when i bought it i bought a 5 year warantee on it. It was the best 600 bucks i ever spent as ive gotten back 3 times that in payments from it. If i were to go out today and buy another side by side it would be a yamaha like yours. two of my buddys have 450s and there dammed good machines. Only downs side to them for me is the lack of speed. I sure wish yamaha would come out with something to compete with the rzr and wildcat. Id be at the dealership tommarow. Until then ill live with my jeep. It cost half what my rzr cost, gets just as good of fuel milage, will go almost anywhere the rzr would and has a heater, a cab and i can actually drive it to camp or take it to town if needed.

Quote from: markc on July 26, 2012, 02:36:33 PM

Lloyd, when I was looking for a replacement for my 2000 Mule 550, the Teryx wasn't out yet. I test drove the Mule 610, but for the extra $ found the Rhino 450 to be far better for my needs. Tested a Ranger and liked it, but the reviews I was reading turned me off. If I was looking to replace the 2006 Rhino today, the Teryx is almost certainly what I would go for. The RZR isn't utility enough for what I need at the ranch so it hasn't even been a consideration for me.

Buckskin, it's nice when you get a good one that lasts, no matter the make or model. I have had good luck with Kawasaki and Yamaha.

fatercat · « **Reply #25 on:** October 06, 2012, 01:02:11 AM »

i got the same gator as the old man Grey Beard. could not be happier. its goverend at 32 mph. plenty fast for a old fat man. have drug 20ft pine logs 500yds with no no problems. worth the money.

markc · « **Reply #26 on:** October 10, 2012, 11:37:36 AM »

Lloyd, with the cost of these vehicles going through the roof, the Jeep is a great idea. I use mine for some of my hunting needs, but it is too wide for some of the places I hunt, so the Rhino or Kodiak gets the nod. GB, who is going to repair that Chinese motor on that Gator if it breaks down?

fatercat · « **Reply #27 on:** October 10, 2012, 01:44:47 PM »

john deere. who else?

Graybeard · « **Reply #28 on:** October 10, 2012, 06:34:01 PM »

Mark the engine is a Kawasaki. I think that means made in Japan but heck all the Jap bike companies are making them in the US now same as the Jap car makers. But if it breaks down then when under warranty JD and if after either them or Matt. He uses it more than me as you can see that ain't me driving the boys around. I'm the one behind the camera.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 10, 2012, 06:43:00 PM »

most smaller agricultural tractors in the u.s.
have been made in japan for 40+ years
with u.s. brand paint and decals.
if i'm ever lucky enough to buy another
atv, or one of those all-terrain golf cart
doo-dads, i'll be more concerned with it
hanging together rather than top speed.
i suspect it'll be like an automobile. with
proper maintenance and conservative driving
habits it'll probably last.
it won't be polaris i'm sure.