Lock and ride hand guards-junk

[mickyd32]

I'm going to post this up as I've now spent way too much money on this product for what I've gotten out of them. Normally I try to only post positive threads but in my opinion, someone really screwed up at polaris with these.

So here is the story. I have broken parts from 2 separate sets now both in different ways and both in completely rediculois and unacceptable ways

Case A - installation
I was installing the finished product onto the bars when I snapped the camlock style clamp off at the pins. I know the instructions clearly say do not over tighten. Well when the mount is still free spinning on the bar and you give the clamp and extra turn (because of the clamp style full turns are the only possible increments) and it snaps off, there is clearly something wrong.

So I figure ok I've got a bad batch here ill buy a new set at the dealer reinstall and be done with it. I did mention to the dealer I didn't like the whole set up and they agreed after installing a few sets in their own shop

So I get the new set home, get through install without snapping anything off and yesterday proceed to go for the first ride. We are going through a small section of bush, my left hand guard contacts a willow NO MORE than a quarter inch in diameter and snaps off where the guard meets the mount

I am pretty sure these things would see more stress from wind at wide open throttle than that impact, wasn't even going fast. So I loose my $#6t on the trail over this, my buddies laugh and here we are.

Moral of the story don't buy this junk, see if you can find the old Pro Taper mounts or something else.

This also doesn't take into account the other things I didn't like while installing

Ill post the pics up when I get a chance

 

[tube]

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to post on this...

Totally agree. I love the part how the nut spins in the plastic and you can't possibly get a wrench on them.

Mine broke first day, and I'm sure they won't sell the tiny little 2 dollar arm I need separate. Well see....

 

[cateye5312]

I did the same thing as in case A. The product has a 30 day warranty so my dealer replaced it. I pick up the new one today. I'm not sure what the correct answer is to keep the darn things from snapping off. I am going to try some better foam/grip tape to keep them from spinning on the handlebars so maybe i won't have to tighten them quite as much. I am assuming you also fought like heck to get the guards bolted on to the mounts since the nut just spins in the plastic?

 

[mickyd32]

Oh you know exact how I fought. Had some specially bent needle nose pliars in there along with a hacksaw blade to try and jam that nut. What a setup that is.

 

[cateye5312]

I am planning on using my dremel tool to remove the plastic slot this time. I ran the nuts on backward so that I could get ahold of them first time around. I was smart enough to put the handguards on first at the nice warm kitchen table (my wife enjoyed that LOL) instead of out in the shop after putting the mounts on the sled like the instructions tell you to. That would REALLY make it a nightmare!

 

[mickyd32]

I also attached all the hardware together first then mounted to the bars


The ONLY thing that made getting that nut on the plastic guard easier was to thread it all the way onto the bolt separately on the bench. Then fight with it in that crappy little slot in the guard

 

[tube]

Thread the nut on and off a bunch first, get the nylock part pretty warm. Then use some oil on the end of the bolt. It helps tremendously.

 

[cateye5312]

Yep I did all that too. Do you think maybe the designers had better nuts and bolts to work with instead of the cheap chinese crap that's in the kits so perhaps the first prototypes worked just fine? That's my theory anyway.

Back to the clamps, those locking clamps have been used on mountain bikes forever so it's not like they were breaking new ground with the design it is more a matter of crappy materials.

 

[mickyd32]

That's my thoughts on the clamps a well. The design is fine, should have been billet tho. Not a crappy white metal cast

 

[sledder22]

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to post on this...

Totally agree. I love the part how the nut spins in the plastic and you can't possibly get a wrench on them.

Mine broke first day, and I'm sure they won't sell the tiny little 2 dollar arm I need separate. Well see....

They dont sell the arm seperate... It sucks. i have been leaving mine a lil loose now in hopes they bend in and not break

 

[G-Force]

Same problems as the rest posted here, called my dealer and he found me a set of last years style, never had a single issue with the ones I put on my Assault last year, they seem quite a lot sturdier lol.

 

[Allterrain]

I broke the plastic piece that attaches the guard. Had my tarp on loose in the yard, pulled it off and one side was snapped off. Just made a new one out of aluminum. The other side somehow hasn't broke, but I will replace it when I get chance

 

[toofpaste]

Are these the same as the ones on the 2013 snowcheck sleds? If so, I agree. Mine broke very easily.

 

[JLeosnow]

Great, just ordered a set yesterday...

-John