in hindsight would you still buy this sled

[snobyrd]

With all these early drive shaft and belt failures, would you still buy these pros? I know it's early in the season , but I'm really on the fence about buying mine in dec when it is to be delivered at my dealer. There's a lot of chat on here about these 2 things, and my gut is is telling me to reevaluate my choices. There's no doubt in my mind that pol will fix these issues,but it might take all winter for things to get sorted out, we could end up with broken down sleds that could take days to get fixed, and winter is only so long. I hate being a guiney pig for manufactures, I have been one in the past, many times and it truly sucks. I'm not brand loyal, I just want to ride the best mountain sled out there at the same time durability is paramount . Right now I'm almost not feeling it, 417 lbs is awesome , but mechanical issues suck. I know guys are gonna chime in and say any mechanical thing can fail, but these things are failing already and it's not even full out sledding season yet. This could end up being dragons reincarnated ( dragging them home), I've researched all the reviews on the sleds this year, and all three are home runs , I even spoke to a doo dealership today, but I thought if I did buy a doo I would rip of every decal on the dam thing just so I wouldn't have to admit I'm riding a doo lol.
It sure would be nice if pol would get on here and calm the storms and assure us that we will have a good season with min mechanical issues

 

[Ski-Dont89]

Would i still buy a 13 even after all this negativity?

That is an easy answer.



HELL YES!!!!

 

[High Velocity]

If I wasn't already riding a '12 Pro, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a '13. The internet (and many of the fools on it), blows everything out of proportion. All sleds have some issues. The '11 & '12Pro's have been good machines overall and the '13 is lighter and more refined. No brainer in my mind.


Done fishing. Let's go sledding !!

 

[PowderMiner]

2013 test ride observations

I watched the guys at the Baker Shoot-out last spring doing some climbs in crappy snow conditions; the kind that are bad for engines, drive shafts, and chain/belt drives.

Then I took it out for a day ~50 miles of some steep climbs, some slow tech climbs, some crappy trail, and some crappy snow sidehilln.

The thing worked period. It didn’t make a lot of noise but when you needed to sidehill and get over a mid-hill skidder grade, out of position and between trees; it did it. And got back to the truck.

The Awesome dealer (SVP) that let me take it didn’t inform me of any damage to belt(s) or shaft after return.

Sleds set-up, got warrantee, got the desire, I’ll test it out… Come on snow!

 

[IEATSRT]

For sure I would. And you can bet Polaris will handle it. They have the best selling mountain sled reputation to maintain so rest assured they will do their best. I've been watching the threads diligently... I recall two belt failures that resulted in cogs being stripped that were more than likely the result of operator not following break in procedures. These belts would get you home. ZERO blown belts. And drive shafts are somewhere in the vicinity of 6-8. Numerous threads, hundreds of posts and thousands of views on this?? Are you kidding me?? Mass hysteria, its obviously contagious! Much of it fed by those who don't even own a pro nor have intentions of buying one.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

or even dare say peeps looking to make money off them..currently, there is a ton of hype over the 13 poo...even more then i remember from either 11 or 12 ...these sleds are far better/more reliable then is currently showing on the forums........relax..have a good heart to heart with your dealer about your worries..i bet he can help with your worries......

 

[MATCO]

There is not a better mountain sled available at this time. Rumors are high because competitors cannot keep up with polaris innovation. I do believe there are other manufacturers that build a good product but not one that performs as well as this pro chassis. I own 2 2011 pro 155's and I just bought a 2013 pro 163.

Could the engine be better? yes, could the fit and finish be better? yes.

But simply put there is not another sled that can hang with the pro chassis in deep technical riding.

 

[mountainhorse]

Short answer...Yes.

There are a FEW, repeat, few documented cases of 2013 issues on the forums and out there in cyberspace.

Those people are real and deserve to be heard and to have a speedy solution to their issues with their new sled.

AND...

I also believe, after having years of experience in reading, contributing to and moderating this forum that problems can get blown out of proportion.

Are there any Zero problem sleds out there... NO.

Should you ignore the the issues SOME are having... NO.

Should you take it with a grain of salt...Yes.

In the end, you will have to make up your own mind as to what you want to do, and it is good to ask questions.

All three of the Mfgs have significant brand new technology in their sleds.. all of them will have some problems arrising from them IMO.



My 2 cents.






.

 

[POLZIN]

I m happy I didnt buy one. I had my snowcheck $$ on the table untill I saw the belt drive set up. Polaris has no doubt defied best practices with the design. How detreimental that will be ??? who knows for sure

I had no idea about the drive shaft at that point . Horribly bad Idea IMO.

Time will tell on both. but there is NOT enough evidence to say YET! By Xmas We will have a better idea.

 

[capnkirk]

well said MH.

Even with the early issues...I still wouldn't hesitate to buy one. You know it will get worked out.

Now if i walked into a dealership this morning and tried to make a deal on an avail 13 i would b asking an awfull lot of question, and be putting the "screws" to the dealer based on everything i've learned here. That is a guarantee!!!

 

[PaulAnd]

I hope that the 2013 pro's don't sell because of said issues.. So I can have my pick of leftover Pro's and get a killer deal. I would buy 1 right now if I could afford it. If the said issues get blown out of proportion.... I might be able to afford 1 at end of this season. Sorry guys..

 

[Excalibur]

YES!!!! Not worried. I want the best mountain sled and this is it. (Ohter than a CMX)

 

[Jaynelson]

I bought my 2011 Pro when many were worried about it being a 1st year sled. There were the same type of threads on here as there are now regarding injectors, fouling plugs, overheating and some other whatnot.

Regarding the "same type of threads"....the ones where 1 guy has a problem and he (or often his friend) posts on here looking for some advise (or just to complain), and 30 people join in the witch hunt....15 of which don't own the brand in question. Numbers get higher every year, as MANY more people have either purchased, considered, or began hating the Pro because it's not their brand and it works.

In the interim, I've have 2 seasons of trouble-free sledding on an excellent mountain platform that runs with or ahead of anything else out there out of the box. Some people have had issues, but overall the sled is a hit and works great.

If you want the Pro chassis and are worried about the internet hype....why not buy a 2012? It's not like the 2013 changes were going to make it twice the sled anyways. Or an Assault with the pow track....better shocks and no driveshaft or belt drive issues.

On the other hand, you've got a month to see how all this pandemonium plays out. You've gotta look at who is making the ungodly number of posts in the Pro section on these issues. For better or worse, you've got;

- People who own other brands stirring the pot
- People who own other brands who get excited when another brand has issues
- People who own other brands doing their best guess for advice
- People who make their living selling parts for these things
- People like you considering purchasing one
- People who have purchased one and haven't had a chance to ride it
- People giving bad advice based on bad advice they read somewhere else
- People who have to add their 2 cents without reading all the threads already here


Somewhere after all of that (and a bunch more)....you have people who have actually bought the thing and ridden it (problems or no problems). Even within that group....how much have they actually ridden it in early November in a year with little early snow?

So....even with all of these threads and all of this slop. Your guess is as good as anyone's. Sounds like $500 would get you a proven driveshaft (if you don't want to wait and see what Pol does) and a guard for the belt drive. Shouldn't have to spend money on a brand new sled....but you usually do.

 

[goforbroke]

I have a 2011 pro and funnest sled ever. I have a 2013 that I put 15 miles on and no issues. Now if It has issues and causes me to miss a weekend ride, I'll be ticked, I only get 8-10 rides a year. I strongly considered the doo, but I know 2 doo riders that have lost an etec engine and I know no pro riders that have lost an engine. I know, small sample size, but I think doo and poo make great sleds (still not a PC fan) and you might be one of the few that has a problem. With that said, I was going to sell my 2011, but keeping it as a backup sled just in case this year due to internet hype, I say hype as I've only seen 3 pics of a broken drive shaft and I'm thrilled with the belt drive and don't see it being a big issue.

 

[Freeride1]

I would . It makes my 12' look like a turd. At worst I will do a driveshaft swap or mod. I want that belt drive, it is so badass! We have some 13's in our group so I might keep a steel driveshaft in the bed of the truck ready to go so we can get everyone out of the woods if it is a problem. I can handle that. Our group is hard on stuff anyway. We break a lot of wierd stuff. Ski rubbers, stering post collars, ski tips, rear axles/bogie wheels, brake levers, shocks...and even A arms

 

[flying frenchman]

Yes I would. Motor was upgraded, better running boards, but would definitely sell my belt drive and driveshaft and install a chaincase and 2012 driveshaft. This way I would have a perfect factory sled.