polaris not looking so good.
unhappy customers

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/sporting_goods/polaris_atv.html


and some recalls
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/atv-recalls

Dang. I read all that. I'm glad I have my old 2000 Yamaha Big Bear 400. Had it 14 years and have replaced NOTHING except the rubber grips on the handlebars. Well...I did replace oil, filters, fluids, etc.

Any new ATV I ever buy will be a Honda or a Yamaha. I would have considered Suzuki, but they've had financial trouble.

Thanks for posting that, it is very interesting.

I am in the middle of restoring a 1992 trail boss 250. Most everything on it (except the brake seals) were still workable but I still replaced, or am replacing everything that typically wears out. Basically just to make it as new again as possible. Working through it I am constantly amazed at how simple and mechanic friendly this thing is. Every project from calipers to sprockets have been a piece of cake. Not sure if it is the fact this model was made in the USA or if it is just old school engineering.

Now a days Polaris is forced to push the limits with IMHO ridiculous car like features to try and stay ahead of the competition. They have grown so fast and put out so many new models they can't keep up with q and a I guess. That is a real shame. I thought that old trail boss was built really well but after reading that I would definitely have to second guess buying a new Polaris.

After 3 Ranger 6x6's I gave up on Polaris - steady decline in quality. Folks in the know said they started outsourcing their parts and quality declined. On top of all that, if you ever have an issue they will completely ignore you. They even ignore their dealers when they try to intervene and help - It is a shame because their units have some good features - I just don't like dealing with a company that could care less about customer service.

I went to a Kubota 1100 with the full cab - incredible machine - air tight so no dust, AC/Heat etc.

I'm interested to hear of what years if any were ones to avoid or ones that were stellar. For Ranger and Mule.

i can tell you its hard to beat a mule 610 in dependability. a single air cooled thumper will run forever. every year as no changes have been made to it. not the fastest machine or best off road machine but gets it done, i dont own one but use several at the ranch

My first one was around 2000 and I loved it with no issues.

Next was around 2006 and had transmission issues (as did many Rangers then)

Last one was 2010 - huge problems with heat issues in the cab/seat area and floorboard - seats got so hot they would melt the plastic connectors on the underside that held the seat on. This too was a common problem that Polaris refused to address. Also dust issues in the cab area (the current two row seat Polaris's have big dust issues inside the cab). I also had issues with the rubber CV joint covers tearing and then having to replace the entire CV unit - cost around $1600 to replace all the CV joints. The newer units are made out of more plastic than the older ones and cheaper overall parts

How about this? It will do anything the others will do

What is it?

I bought 2 Yamaha 400's in 2000. They lasted until last year until thieves got them. Absolutely no problem.

I bought a Honda 400 last year and it seems to be a good bike but with low ground clearance and squirrely gear shift. It's just something to get used to. I wanted another Yamaha but they were $2K more.

I also bought a 1999 Yamaha 600 Big Bear that has been nothing but problems. That's my fault for buying an old machine that I didn't know the history of.

Brother Dave the picture above your post is the new Yamaha Viking 700

Neat looking machine. I'll bet that 700 is nice.

Thanks. This thing will fly. Cab't believe the power it pocesses. Also has a very comfortable ride