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The truth is, with all honesty, there is not a bad machine on the market right now.My Polaris Sportsman 500 HO has been rock solid. It always starts and runs, no matter what. I had a little carburetor problem when I first got it, but most of the problem was the idiot dealership that would not just tear the carb down and fix it. It had a manufacturing defect in the carb that caused a valve to stick and flood the engine. It was an intermittent problem and the dealership would not fix it unless I brought it too them flooded. I finally brought it to them totally flooded, and they let it sit on their lot for 6 weeks before the brought it in to "fix" me for arguing with their mechanical expertise. I finally threatened to haul it to Roseau to get it fixed, and they got scared of the wrath of corporate Polaris and said they fixed it. Of course the engine was no longer flooded after 6 weeks of sitting, so it started right up and I drove it on my trailer. It did it again two weeks later, and it was then off of warranty. They told me to get bent. I brought it to a shade tree mechanic who fixed it for $50 and I have never had a problem with it since. And yes, what I told the dealership to fix was exactly what was wrong with it. I would recommend you go dealer shopping, and buy from the one who will give you the best deal and makes you feel comfortable. Don't buy from arrogant jerks just because they will give you a deal, you will pay for it in the end.Everyone I know with a newer Arctic Cat or Polaris ATV is very happy with it.
That's what I'm looking for...I don't want a machine that will spend half its time in the shop... or has inherent problems. A dealer will always tell you their machines are the best... I want to know from the riders if they have problems or I should avoid a certain make.
had my cat 4 years now,no real trouble with it,fell out of truck on a mule deer hunt, but those repairs wasn't the bikes fault. its been a great ice buggy
Not sure if you are still shopping or not.I have a Polaris 800. Not the 2-up, but its the same machine just with slightly shorter frame and no second seat. I have owned 2 Polaris 500's, 2 700's, and this is my second 800. I'll never buy anything else but Polaris. Not that the others aren't any good, just that I've had such great luck with Polaris I have no need to shop others.I don't own, but have ridden both the Polaris 800 X2 (with the "trunk" with the flip up seat for a rider), the 800 2-up (with the full-time back seat), and the new 850 XP 2-up. If money isn't a consideration, go with the 550 or 850 XP 2-up. FREAKING AWESOME MACHINES! But for a little less $ and features, the 500 or 800 2-up are great machines as well.What he said...I love my 800. Runs perfect, starts easy, great power, and a great ride. Only problem with mine was caused by the dealer. Skipper I too know a dealer like yours. Took it to a different shop for repair (at no charge) and no problems for 3 years now.If you plan to haul a rider frequently, stay away from the X2 with the flip-up seats. They are VERY uncomfortable for the rider unless its a kid.