My Polaris Ownership Experience
- Thread starter Err
- Start date
First of all, major props to Err, for the eloquent, and articulate manner in which he outlined his experience. While I would imagine there is lots of negative emotions involved, I for one, believe he has done a marvelous job of keeping emotion out of this thread, and stuck strictly with documented facts. That can be hard to do, when you're all worked up about this kind of experience. I would hope I have the stones to conduct myself in this manner if I am ever in a similar situation.
My life has been turned upside-down, and I have two sleds in good shape, that could likely be sold and the results cover almost all of a new PRO. So, I'm thinking about it. And, I trust my dealer implicitly. I'm just not sure if I want to trust a first year sled from Polaris quite yet. So, I was interested to see what this thread had in it, and where it goes.
Thanks, Err, for sharing your story, and for doing it with class.
PE
My life has been turned upside-down, and I have two sleds in good shape, that could likely be sold and the results cover almost all of a new PRO. So, I'm thinking about it. And, I trust my dealer implicitly. I'm just not sure if I want to trust a first year sled from Polaris quite yet. So, I was interested to see what this thread had in it, and where it goes.
Thanks, Err, for sharing your story, and for doing it with class.
PE
E
Err
Well-known member
Thanks PE
The sled is back in my hands with a new harness and new injectors. 3 wires rubbed bare were identified in my old main harness and my symptoms were reproducible when rubbing them together. Looks like a smoking gun. Once again the staff at my dealer was kick @ss. Parts arrived just this morning and they managed to install them and the sled back to me in the same day. I'm all set to ride this weekend. Fingers crossed.
The sled is back in my hands with a new harness and new injectors. 3 wires rubbed bare were identified in my old main harness and my symptoms were reproducible when rubbing them together. Looks like a smoking gun. Once again the staff at my dealer was kick @ss. Parts arrived just this morning and they managed to install them and the sled back to me in the same day. I'm all set to ride this weekend. Fingers crossed.
Good luck, you deserve some it sounds like.
Polaris, resolve wire rubbing issues. Thanks.
Polaris, resolve wire rubbing issues. Thanks.
D
Daniel Boondocker
Well-known member
Many of us are anxious to hear how your ride went. Hope it was a great day. Snow in Island Park was ridiculous today. Only the skiers could claim the best snow on earth in Utah. 
Ok next to Alaska anyway.
Ok next to Alaska anyway.
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Polar, go ride one..you wont be disappointed for sure...not even close to the dragons ......
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aebsledder
Well-known member
Wow
I am impressed with Err's patience and dilligence in dealing with his issues. I have had problems with a few of my sleds, and I can definitely sympathize with his pain. I think it is easy for people who have sleds that run well all the time to underestimate how truly frustrating it can be when your sled doesn't run. I think the true acid test is going to be what Polaris (or his dealership) does for him in the future. It is not like he bought a toaster or blender that doesn't work. I will play the devils advocate for a second and look at Polaris's side of the coin. I am sure they account for a few bad sleds off the line, it is probably inevitable given their production numbers. But, now that they clearly know about the problems he has gone through, it is time for Polaris to step up. How about an extra year or two of warranty? Or a waived sno-check fee on a future sled? I understand what's done is done, but righting a wrong that your company is responsible for should be the standard not for only sled manufacturers but for companies in general.
I am impressed with Err's patience and dilligence in dealing with his issues. I have had problems with a few of my sleds, and I can definitely sympathize with his pain. I think it is easy for people who have sleds that run well all the time to underestimate how truly frustrating it can be when your sled doesn't run. I think the true acid test is going to be what Polaris (or his dealership) does for him in the future. It is not like he bought a toaster or blender that doesn't work. I will play the devils advocate for a second and look at Polaris's side of the coin. I am sure they account for a few bad sleds off the line, it is probably inevitable given their production numbers. But, now that they clearly know about the problems he has gone through, it is time for Polaris to step up. How about an extra year or two of warranty? Or a waived sno-check fee on a future sled? I understand what's done is done, but righting a wrong that your company is responsible for should be the standard not for only sled manufacturers but for companies in general.
I read these posts too to try to find the good and bad in the sleds thanks to guys like Err for putting up posts like this with out emotion and brand bias.. all that being said and reading his posts I still am not afraid to snowcheck one, which is what I am going to do. Dad has a 2011 RMK 800 and I have put about 200 miles on it so far ZERO issues..like stated before you hear more horror stories than good stories about them.. If anyone is on the fence about getting a new poo after reading this don't be.
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R44guy
Well-known member
I have had plenty of expierence with lemon law buy backs on cars and arbitration on GM & Ford vehicles.
All of these corporate giants including Polaris have dealer agreements and the dealers are the only way the corporation has any customer contact or relationships.
What is frustrating is even when you have a problem like this your dealer is obviously aware of it and involved & they are obviously working with one of the dealer reps in regards to whatever the situation may be.
So when we call Polaris and they finally communicate with us and you advise there customer service agent of your complaint or concern and all they can do is record all of your issues and they can not make any promises other then to point you to the closest dealer, but then they pass on your information & concerns to the local or selling dealer who is suppose to contact the customer regarding the concerns.
So other then Polaris using their customer service line to pass the info back to the dealer for the dealer to handle the issues. I just wanted to share how the basic system works and why it is not really productive for the end user or the consumer. This is why the corporate giants have dealer contracts and agreements.
All of these corporate giants including Polaris have dealer agreements and the dealers are the only way the corporation has any customer contact or relationships.
What is frustrating is even when you have a problem like this your dealer is obviously aware of it and involved & they are obviously working with one of the dealer reps in regards to whatever the situation may be.
So when we call Polaris and they finally communicate with us and you advise there customer service agent of your complaint or concern and all they can do is record all of your issues and they can not make any promises other then to point you to the closest dealer, but then they pass on your information & concerns to the local or selling dealer who is suppose to contact the customer regarding the concerns.
So other then Polaris using their customer service line to pass the info back to the dealer for the dealer to handle the issues. I just wanted to share how the basic system works and why it is not really productive for the end user or the consumer. This is why the corporate giants have dealer contracts and agreements.
ERR
Ypu need to get rid of that sled. I did a similar thing and just wanted it fix for 3 yrs and hated it for three yrs. Do what ever it takes to get an agreement that it is fixed by ____ or replaced or refunded. I don't what to see anyone go though what you are going though and it may just never be right for what ever reason. Good luck.
Ypu need to get rid of that sled. I did a similar thing and just wanted it fix for 3 yrs and hated it for three yrs. Do what ever it takes to get an agreement that it is fixed by ____ or replaced or refunded. I don't what to see anyone go though what you are going though and it may just never be right for what ever reason. Good luck.
It is great that they actually found the wiring gremlin which can be super difficult to find at times. It is nice to find something wrong rather than "hoping" you got it when you tweaked something or replaced something... Just replacing the harness would not have you knowing if it really was or was not the issue... Peace of mind is awesome.
Can you take a photo of the area of the harness and/or describe what wires and in what location those were bare and shorting?
It might help others keep an eye out for the same problem if it arises.
Working with a good dealer and being persistent can pay off sometimes
Having this kind of problem is bad for all involved... Owner, Dealer and Polaris.
Crossing my fingers for you... give us a heads up tomorrow night.. When they are running right... Hard to beat the experience of riding the new RMK.
Can you take a photo of the area of the harness and/or describe what wires and in what location those were bare and shorting?
It might help others keep an eye out for the same problem if it arises.
Working with a good dealer and being persistent can pay off sometimes
Having this kind of problem is bad for all involved... Owner, Dealer and Polaris.
Crossing my fingers for you... give us a heads up tomorrow night.. When they are running right... Hard to beat the experience of riding the new RMK.
Hope your 800 gets fixed. Looking forward to your riding update.
E
Err
Well-known member
50 miles and a tank of gas, no issues. Ran it hard today, the pow was deep, lots of full throttle. Threw in a healthy dose of whooped out trails to see if I could rattle it into breaking. She never skipped a beat today. 
The three wires that had rubbed through were in the middle of a bundle of many. Maybe 10? I should have gotten a photo of the exact spot, sorry.
The three wires that had rubbed through were in the middle of a bundle of many. Maybe 10? I should have gotten a photo of the exact spot, sorry.
L
lognomore
Well-known member
So glad that the problem was found. As others have said wiring issues are very hard to find. I had a bog at midrange that will happen just once during a ride and then disappear for the rest of the day. Disconnected the TPS plug and put in some dielectric grease in it, only it got worse instead of better. Had it running, pushed, pulled, and twisted all the wires. Nothing is changing. Went ahead and cleaned the plug to the TPS. Will ride it next weekend and see what happens. If it still acts up, I'll take it the dealer and see if it giving any codes. The check engine hasn't been coming on so not sure what is going on.
Again, I'm glad you finally got your sled running good!!!
Again, I'm glad you finally got your sled running good!!!
No way, no how will I fork out money to a company that assembles sleds out of their own spec. Yes they ride good, yes I'm brand loyal but I won't buy another new poo.
Tell your dealer you will buy the injectors if he will put them! cost is 76 bucks! I had one do something real similar too yours so see if they will go for it! If not I'll sell them to you for cost! Pm me
#2
U got a coupon when you bought your sled that said Polaris will give you 1000 dollars on top of whatever your dealer will give u towards trade in value! So dealer gives you 10000 Polaris will give u 1000 more! Get a great deal on a 12 snowcheck from that dealer for all of your troubles! Ride a brand new one next yr with another 4 year warranty and all the bugs worked out. And keep riding the best sled on the market!
Don't waste money on a lawyer or any more time! You can't give it back and get your money back! PowerSports dealers are not ran or governed by automobile laws! So no lemons! No buybacks it's yours
#2
U got a coupon when you bought your sled that said Polaris will give you 1000 dollars on top of whatever your dealer will give u towards trade in value! So dealer gives you 10000 Polaris will give u 1000 more! Get a great deal on a 12 snowcheck from that dealer for all of your troubles! Ride a brand new one next yr with another 4 year warranty and all the bugs worked out. And keep riding the best sled on the market!
Don't waste money on a lawyer or any more time! You can't give it back and get your money back! PowerSports dealers are not ran or governed by automobile laws! So no lemons! No buybacks it's yours
