Polaris Atv, Are Polaris Atv bad for ice fishing?

[DOM8TR]

I know I'm jumping the gun already for the ice fishing season, but read some of the Forum pages posted and people are knocking down Polaris Atv for ice fishing stating there big trouble,and a big headache on the ice and winter weather, is there anyone on the Forum that have a Polaris, and had no issue with them and recommended them, I purchased a 2009 Polaris Sportsman 500 last year, been on the ice twice last year with no issues, but now think twice to sell it and look at Honda or Yamaha with the bad negative comments?

[bluenote]

I read a few posts on the subject - something about not starting when cold out - sleds and ATVS. Starting solenoid or something?

Suggest you search site - search button is sometimes hard to see - right side of page - just under the button 'support us'.

[Lazinator]

I have an arctic cat atv (2010, 700).
It has issues in very cold weather, the problem isnt with the solenoid, it's with the relays.
I think that it's the same issue with the polaris bikes as well, maybe some others.
It has to be fairly cold, probably -15 and below.
On my bike it's fairly easy to tell that this is the problem, when you turn the key you dont hear the fuel pump turn on.

I had an idea to toss in a couple of these hand warmer packets under the foam covering the fuses and relays in the morning, will give it a shot next season.

[remi]

I have a Polaris 500 ho , After reading all the posts last winter ,I was a little nervous as well. My solution was to start it and let it run for a couple of minutes . Then do it again every half hour. It didn't leave me stranded. I guess I have a good one so far. I also never put the front into the wind.

[steph491]

I had a Polaris sportsman 500EFI 2006. And I was in Winnipeg, -30,-40c in the winter and I never had any problem for the 5 years I own it before buying and Argo. Missing my sportsman now. It's all about maintenance. If you take care of it, defrost it after you get back from fishing, your electrical will be good and without issue. But still you can get a lemon, doesn't matter the kind of atv you buy. I'll buy a Polaris again without thinking about it

[IFH]

I had a Sportsman 500 HO, can’t recall the year think it was a 2001-2, bought it new. It was use for a number of winter activity’s including ice fishing, plowing snow and helping with the Bancroft sled dog races. I don’t ever recall having a problem starting it in the cold might have needed boost when the battery got old. I did have to play with the choke and hold the throttle to keep the engine revs up until the engine warmed, maybe 3 to 5 minutes. I did try increasing the idle but that caused the clutch to start engaging and resulted in an unwanted clunk when putting it in gear and it wanting to walk when in gear at an idle. It was a reliable bike and never had any problems.

[Fish4Dinner]

the older ones are fine. The relay is placed well and will not freeze. The new ones have the relay right in front behind the grill and freezes causing starting problems. I have a 2013 sportsman 850 and it is a piece of $!**. Great in the spring to fall. But ice fishing I rather walk cause my legs don't fail!

Our Polaris dealer acknowledges the issues but he does not and will not relocate our relays. We talked and next year I might build a cover for the relay box and shield it from getting wet and freeze up. But to be honest... Polaris is not worth the headache on the ice. They messed up and they should of fixed the issue instead of carrying on and building them the same way for 4 to 5 years. Most companies would jump all over the issue and place the relay more appropriate for the cold conditions we have.

For every headache I got from my Polaris... I will turn away just as many people from buying one. So I still have 1021 people to turn away!

[Fish4Dinner]

also to add... I am not sure about the older model Polaris... but the one I have... OMFG... taking out the oil filter was hell! Took me the whole day running around buying a couple of tools to fit in the tightest place possible to loosen the filter. All the tools I bought did not fits right and had to modify the tool just to made it grab the filter. Polaris has the tool in their service department but had none to sell to me. LMAO!

YES I HATE POLARIS WITH A PASSION!

[richfisher]

Out twice last year when both ATV's wouldn't start and we had to put the portable over them and crank the heater to warm them up.
Super cold each day.
Both new Hondas; so it's not just a polaris problem.

[Yamaha]

I had a 2006 Sportsman 500, after I was stranded twice on the ice I finally sold it...

It also had tons of wiring issues, just a big headache

[Dinky]

Had a brand new 2012....500 HO.....stranded me a few times on Simcoe......sold it and bought Finesys Honda......

[ptmpete]

1992 Big Bear 0 problems

[baldeagle]

i have a 2011 Polaris sportsman 500 HO...i only use it for ice fishing ....it has a carburetor which is what i thought would be better for cold starting problems but i have not had any issues ....i think the carb ones might need a little longer warm up and not always stay running on the first start up , but i have never had a problem starting or running ...

[poidy]

They make a good snowmobile, just not the best ATV, might be fast and powerful at fast, but always issues somewhere electrical and clutches/belts, had 2 that was enough

[DOM8TR]

I guess it comes down that any make of Atv can have there problems, I take it with Polaris its keep the relay from getting cold,or moisture between the relay pins and the wiring, might spray lubricant silicone, or a lube grease before the winter season and see what happens during winter season.