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#21 ·
I can't my bike is it the shop right now. But if you go to the deluxe right of the truck section and you can see the issues.
 
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#22 ·
zkully,


Can you share a little more on the problems you've heard about with the Polaris Side by Sides?


The RZR 800 models had their problems. But they could be addressed fairly easily and most of it was just doing some preventive maintenance before you went out on the trail. The RZR 800 models have been discontinued, and probably due to the drivetrain issues.


Haven't heard much on the XP 900 models and even less on the new 900 models.


I've got a 2002 Sportsman 500 HO. Has never been in the shop for anything...just keeps rolling along.


What can we try to answer for you?


Pirate
 
#23 ·
Pirate said:
zkully,


Can you share a little more on the problems you've heard about with the Polaris Side by Sides?


The RZR 800 models had their problems. But they could be addressed fairly easily and most of it was just doing some preventive maintenance before you went out on the trail. The RZR 800 models have been discontinued, and probably due to the drivetrain issues.


Haven't heard much on the XP 900 models and even less on the new 900 models.


I've got a 2002 Sportsman 500 HO. Has never been in the shop for anything...just keeps rolling along.


What can we try to answer for you?


Pirate
Click to expand...
I don't know about other folks but I don't like bashers that come on here and say they bought something else. State your piece and be gone to the Honda site. I have an 04 Sportsman and all I've done is clean the carb and put batteries in it.
 
Discussion starter · #24 · (Edited)
Yeah, the older Sportsman's wasn't as bad as they were more "simple." Since they went to EFI the more problems Polaris has had with the bike. Do your research and you will find out the truth.

This isn't bashing, this is speaking the truth to help others in the decision to spend close to $20k on a side by side. Sometimes the truth hurts I guess. Don't be a fan boy, just find out the facts and make the best decision for yourself.

I went to the dealer to take a test ride in a General. Afterwards I went to the service department to get their two cents about problems with the RZR's so I could learn about what I might expect with buying one of these. I was told flat out that they see more Polaris side by side come in for repairs than all the other brands they sell combined. The also showed me an official Polaris recall list for everything that Polaris sells and it was several pages long with even a recall for the new turbo models due to fires. I then went home and got on the internet and did some research. Go to sites like this: Report any 2014 XP-1000 problems here - Polaris RZR Forum - RZR Forums.net It is a Polaris forum where there is almost 100 pages of people discussing problems with their bikes. After reading everyone one of those pages plus reading several pages on other owner forums, I realized that Polaris is still noted for not making the most reliable bikes out there. And just read some of the problems that some owners already have on this site with their new Generals. Doesn't seem like something I would want to deal with after spending around $20k on a new bike. Never had one issues when purchasing a new Honda, Yamaha, or Suzuki. And I have owned many throughout the years.

Please show me numerous recalls and hundreds of pages of discussions on problems with another brand (good luck with that). Do your research like I did and you will see Honda, Yamaha, and others ARE more reliable. Maybe they don't make exactly what you want but at least you will be able to depend on it more. That is the conclusion I have made after doing my research. So go ahead and be a fan boy and bash me all you want. I guess being honest doesn't hold much weight on here. I would think it would be a positive for someone to point out any issues a bike might have. If you still want to purchase one that is fine. But knowing what I know about Polaris engineering problems and the simplicity of the AWD system, I have decided to purchase another brand. Maybe do your research so you know what I have stated is the truth, not an opinion.
 
#25 ·
Hey zkully! It seems like you're in the same boat I was. I almost purchased a General but after researching the brand myself, I found out what you did and decided to purchase a Pioneer Deluxe instead. It seems like a lot of Polaris owners are like Chevy or Ford guys. They don't care if their vehicles are the best or if they are any good or not. They are going to purchase them regardless. I couldn't care less what brand I buy. I just want a good reliable well engineered vehicle that is going to match my needs. The General might have worked out. But I decided I wasn't going to take a chance on one after reading up about some of the issues owners have had with their RZRs. Plus I liked the ability to haul more people and to be able to carry and tow more weight.

I'm still checking out this forum as my father wants to get a side by side and a General might be a good fit for him. Lets not bash anybody for relaying any facts that they might or might not have found. Be open to others and their opinions. It will only make you more educated!

Good luck with a Honda if your buying one. We love our Pioneer and no problems yet!
 
#28 ·
Lol, I have owned Polaris vehicles for 20 years and only two ever had to go back to the dealer, one for an ecu recall and the other for a repair and Polaris took care if for me.

I don't give a $#!^ what you Yamaha and Honda fanboys buy. Go for it. I ride with differing brands but mostly Polaris since that is what most people like, and they are pretty reliable. The Yamaha's have as many problems as the Polaris vehicles in my experience. I was actually interested in a Wolverine but they are having problems with them so I am kinda afraid to buy one of them until they get the problems worked out. Was interested in the Honda P 1000 too but since they have already had one burn up a clutch I wouldn't buy one of them right now either.

I like the General and wouldn't be afraid to buy one of them.
 
#29 ·
Skully lets go take a look at how may Yamahas have been back to the shop because of Front differential gears sharting and front drive shafts snapping in half under light off roading. I have personally seen two of them break Front drive shafts one after a nother. But I can not say anything about Honda I have not research nor have I heard of any problems I just know Hondas use to have a horrible ride.
 
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#30 ·
Being a Polaris and Yamaha owner, I can speak from experience on both the reliability and the AWD system of the Polaris.

I have previously owned a Sportsman, a pair of Predator 500s, and currently own a RZR900 trail. We also own a 700 Rhino. The Sportsman was a good ride but we did have a couple issues with it but nothing major. We sold our Predators less than a year after owning them as the YFZ450 was a far superior quad so we purchased a pair of those. The RZR900 we still own and it has been a pretty good ride so far. We have just over 2,000 miles on it and has only had to go in once for a quick fix. So overall I would say Polaris ATV/UTVs are fairly reliable although we have over 7,000 miles on our Rhino and it has never been to the dealer. So not sure what Ironsbrandon is talking about.

As far as the AWD/4wd systems compare, I would say the Rhino is a superior system for technical riding. We live on just over 10 acres and enjoy the RZR around our property but when I go hunting or up in the hills, I prefer the Rhino as when you lock the electronic locking front differential up, it goes up and over stuff better than our RZR does. So we end up using the RZR for play and the Rhino for hunting and going up in the woods.

We are currently thinking about selling our RZR and getting a General. Seems like it might be a nicer ride and like the ability to hauls and carry more stuff in the bed. But we won't be selling our Rhino as we prefer the Yamaha 4wd system to the AWD system that Polaris offers for riding in certain areas. We also own a Hummer H3 and love the ability to lock up the front diff when needed. It does make a difference and wish Polaris would update their AWD system to include this ability.

Does any know if they are going to come out with a green or camo version of the General? Don't really care for blue or orange for riding around the property or the woods. Would still out too much I think. But other than that I like what Polaris has done with the General.
 
#31 ·
Ok I have had three polaris Machines 2014 rzr 800 2015 rzr 900 S. And I just ordered the general with everything I live in New England and every issue I've had with those machines most likely were my fault . Me and my friends ride hard with all different kinds we all have issues with our machines my suggestion get a service manual with it and learn how to wrench and fix things yourself because some shops don't care about their work in the turnaround because they don't stock parts is longer than needed
 
#32 ·
offroadjimmy said:
Being a Polaris and Yamaha owner, I can speak from experience on both the reliability and the AWD system of the Polaris.

I have previously owned a Sportsman, a pair of Predator 500s, and currently own a RZR900 trail. We also own a 700 Rhino. The Sportsman was a good ride but we did have a couple issues with it but nothing major. We sold our Predators less than a year after owning them as the YFZ450 was a far superior quad so we purchased a pair of those. The RZR900 we still own and it has been a pretty good ride so far. We have just over 2,000 miles on it and has only had to go in once for a quick fix. So overall I would say Polaris ATV/UTVs are fairly reliable although we have over 7,000 miles on our Rhino and it has never been to the dealer. So not sure what Ironsbrandon is talking about.

As far as the AWD/4wd systems compare, I would say the Rhino is a superior system for technical riding. We live on just over 10 acres and enjoy the RZR around our property but when I go hunting or up in the hills, I prefer the Rhino as when you lock the electronic locking front differential up, it goes up and over stuff better than our RZR does. So we end up using the RZR for play and the Rhino for hunting and going up in the woods.

We are currently thinking about selling our RZR and getting a General. Seems like it might be a nicer ride and like the ability to hauls and carry more stuff in the bed. But we won't be selling our Rhino as we prefer the Yamaha 4wd system to the AWD system that Polaris offers for riding in certain areas. We also own a Hummer H3 and love the ability to lock up the front diff when needed. It does make a difference and wish Polaris would update their AWD system to include this ability.

Does any know if they are going to come out with a green or camo version of the General? Don't really care for blue or orange for riding around the property or the woods. Would still out too much I think. But other than that I like what Polaris has done with the General.
Click to expand...

offroadjimmy - here is the answer I got from Polaris on the colors:




Thank you for contacting Polaris Industries Inc. We understand your needs for wanting different color options for our General and your feedback has been documented for continued use in our ongoing strive for customer satisfaction. As much as we would like to have more color options for the General, this is just not a possibility due to manufacturing restraints, I apologize for this inconvenience. We will however, keep this information close for improvement in the General moving forward to help us understand the color options most important to you, the consumer. When we make model year changes/improvements it is mostly based on the feedback that we receive from or riders, so your feedback is a vital tool for us to use in the developing of future model years. I would recommend speaking with your nearest General dealer, and request that they communicate directly with Polaris to see if there is something else that can be worked out for you to get the color scheme of your choice. I hope to see you riding the General soon as we would love to earn the privilege of having you as a customer. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us and refer to case number c-3566658. Thank you for contacting Polaris Customer Service. Have a great day!
 
#33 ·
Thanks for the info! Was actually thinking about sending them a email to see what that had to say. I really don't want to wait buy hopefully there will be enough of a demand that they will add a few more colors later this year. Just going to have to drool for awhile I guess!
 
#35 ·
I would suggest that anybody and everybody contacts their customer service department and references the case number in my post. Remember that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.


It blows me away they did not offer it in ranger green at least.....
 
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