Weak running boards Pro-Ride.

[backman]

One confirmed case in Sweden with a totally wrecked board. Any cases in US/Canada? I don't know the policy for linking towards other web sites, I hope this is OK otherwise feel free to delete my post, but go to http://www.snowmobile.se and klick "LÄS MER" underneath a pic of a Polaris tunnel.

 

[backman]

Direct link to article with pictures

After reading rules of forum I think it is OK to link directly so here is link to Swedish magazine Snowmobile's article. Article is in Swedish but everyone can see pics for themselves. http://www.snowmobile.se/articles/1011/public/2011_polaris_konsumentkopslagen_20110131_074710/index.shtml

Link translated with Google:

http://translate.google.se/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.snowmobile.se%2Farticles%2F1011%2Fpublic%2F2011_polaris_konsumentkopslagen_20110131_074710%2Findex.shtml&sl=sv&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

 

[2XM3]

look sleds are just like any other high performance item, you want lightweight? well at a point it gets very very expensive. Polaris has to juggle strength,weight and cost and still produce a 430 pound sled. To this end they have done a amazing job. Sure if you want super light and strong the tunnel should be made of carbon fiber and the running board edges from titanium tube,it would never break, cost about 5000.00 for the tunnel assembly though. If you start making stuff that no matter what won't bend and break, a brace here,a thicker tube there ect ect suddenly you add 50 pounds to the sled and your at 475 again. I'll take the 430 pound sled anyday and add bracing where i see fit . My mod sled weights 425 pounds ready to ride and would cost about 35k+ to build again. every part possible from carbon fiber and no corners cut. So for Polaris to build a 430 odd pound sled that is sold to the consumer for 12k is a AMAZING feat. The cast bulkhead alone is a work of art in strength and weight. Just like the woo sprintcars I built you want all the suspention/bumbers to ripoff/wadup it a impact to save the main frame structure. They are in fact disposible items. I always carry spare a-arms,bumpers,spindels ect in the trailer for just this reason. I'm 6'6" and 290 dressed in my riding stuff, added the polaris braces to the running boards right off,ride hard and ZERO issues.
You want a bumper that wont wad up on impact? no problem just add 3 pounds and build it from chrome moly, want it to weigh the same and not break? make it from .250 wall carbon fiber at 750.00
If just a fact of life that liteweight parts made to a price point are not as strong as high $$$ stuff. If you never want barts to bend or break ride a yamaha...(jk) rant over

 

[treemagnet03]

Not sure what the laws are in Sweden, but after 60mi/km I am pretty sure that was beat on pretty good, by a fairly good sized individual. Or, as noted in the translation, a rock or stump...which, though he states he didn't hit, can HE prove that? I don't think the burden of proof lies with Polaris. Warranty is for "normal use," and denies "normal wear and tear" if I remember correctly. If he can't prove "normal use"---a term which means normal according to GROUP consumer average, he doesn't fit the warranty outline...sorry. And, should this go to court over the advertisement, Polaris, I am sure, will come up with several first hand witnesses who are able to back their defense. He takes this to court and he most likely is going to loose. It will cost him more that just sucking it up and fixing the thing.

And for him to state that he has never seen anything like this on sleds before means he forgot about the late 90s (or earlier I guess too). Before much attention was paid to the running board. Perhaps he never rode during that era. Those running boards were pretty bad with regard to holding up to abuse. Heard very little whining in that era, just a lot of bracing and fixing.

 

[Norway]

2XM3:

I hear you, but in this case he has not ridden it hard. No rocks, stumps or nothing. I've bent my A-arm on a rock, no probs, but if my boards crack up like that I wont be a happy camper!!

That's the frickin tunnel after 600km/380miles, not an easy part to replace. Or cheap! How many tunnels do YOU think it's okay to go through per season, using the equipment for what it was made for??

Me, I'll probably end up bracing and modding my PRO a bit here and there. But I would expect it to hold up to normal use through warranty!

No flame, no anger. Just saying..

Regards,
Rune

 

[backman]

Actually, according to Swedish law, the burden to prove anything lies with the seller/producer during the first year. And both left and right running board show same cracks. I guess he totalled the sled over a cliff and the only things damaged was the scaringly (by eye) weak boards?

Not sure what the laws are in Sweden, but after 60mi/km I am pretty sure that was beat on pretty good, by a fairly good sized individual. Or, as noted in the translation, a rock or stump...which, though he states he didn't hit, can HE prove that? I don't think the burden of proof lies with Polaris. Warranty is for "normal use," and denies "normal wear and tear" if I remember correctly. If he can't prove "normal use"---a term which means normal according to GROUP consumer average, he doesn't fit the warranty outline...sorry. And, should this go to court over the advertisement, Polaris, I am sure, will come up with several first hand witnesses who are able to back their defense. He takes this to court and he most likely is going to loose. It will cost him more that just sucking it up and fixing the thing.

And for him to state that he has never seen anything like this on sleds before means he forgot about the late 90s (or earlier I guess too). Before much attention was paid to the running board. Perhaps he never rode during that era. Those running boards were pretty bad with regard to holding up to abuse. Heard very little whining in that era, just a lot of bracing and fixing.

 

[2XM3]

2XM3:

That's the frickin tunnel after 600km/380miles, not an easy part to replace. Or cheap! How many tunnels do YOU think it's okay to go through per season, using the equipment for what it was made for??



ya tunnel should be stronger, no argument there. Thats why I went with the carbon one on my mod sled, just could not see how to get one light out of aluminium that would really take a impact/beating

 

[crf118r]

I noticed the same problem starting on my Pro prior to having 300 miles on it. I beat them back up with a rubber mallet and installed Poo's tunnel braces, which span that area with a thicker aluminum. I didn't notice any cracking, but I was a little surprised at how easily they bent. I run the outside of my boot on the outer rail and I assume my boot tip/ toes were bending them down. I'm not a bug jumper or anything like that so, again, I was a little surprised when I noticed it. Obviously a set of board inserts would make that problem go away, but it's just more money we need to spend on aftermarket products. I agree with the previous lightweight vs. strength statement too. It's hard sometimes to spend the extra coin on something you feel you shouldn't have to do to improve an engineered product, but simply put, add some BB's or some Meathookers and go ride the thing already!!

 

[mountainhorse]

I've got a couple of Huckers and heavy guys that I'll be installing some Better Boards on their Pros next week...

They are definatley hard hiters as far as riding goes...The boards are sacked out...but not the support tubes. The pow coated BB's will help to get rid of snow and firm up the running boards with doulbe the metal thickness of the stockers.

 

[High Roller]

Check Cr Racings new wide board kit, with tunnel bracket. Won't bend this boards. 2 hour install.

 

[longgold]

Actually, according to Swedish law, the burden to prove anything lies with the seller/producer during the first year. And both left and right running board show same cracks. I guess he totalled the sled over a cliff and the only things damaged was the scaringly (by eye) weak boards?

Can someone please explain to me why we are having this discussion along the lines that these guys have done anything wrong?

2XM3...you want to talk Weight? Weight savings? You are gonna tell the guy to "suck it up" (I am paraphrasing) because he forewent strength and duarbility and longevity over weight? You need to give your head a bit of a shake.

I - for one - will take the 45lb version thanks, where my a-arms arent going to melt if I look at them too hard, and my running boards arent cracking at the first sign of a little action (mine are shot too!)...oh, and we DO have carbon fibre bumpers...and they crack like pretzels...

Backman...dont take offence...especiall when your great Country has produced such wonders as Henrik and Daniel...Marcus Naslund, Matias Ohlund, Samuelsson (should have been an Olympian)....yet your boards are breaking like Sami Salo.

LG

 

[Peevo]

I've got a couple of Huckers and heavy guys that I'll be installing some Better Boards on their Pros next week...

They are definatley hard hiters as far as riding goes...The boards are sacked out...but not the support tubes. The pow coated BB's will help to get rid of snow and firm up the running boards with doulbe the metal thickness of the stockers.

I like the idea of installing Better Boards. But, what will happen if my stock boards will start fall apart when using Better Boards?

Some pictures of the boards in the first post:

 

[2XM3]

2XM3...you want to talk Weight? Weight savings? You are gonna tell the guy to "suck it up" (I am paraphrasing) because he forewent strength and duarbility and longevity over weight?



Yup i will,you are missing my point,is not giving it up its PAYING for it !!! The basic problem is that how do they make a light sled for 12,000.00? I would gladly pay double the current price for a 300 lb titanium carbon PRO RMK. I did it for 25 years in my racing shop and won a whole lotta races that way. Heavy motosport vehicles do not perform well . BTW there is no material right now lighter and stronger than correctly built carbon fiber parts. You make that bumper out of .250 wall carbon and it would pick up a elephant, and still weigh 1/3 of aluminium. Why is it .062 wall? Cause its cheap.
It is correct that many many people do not care or need a light sled, but for me and my group light is the way to go. If the pro rmk weighed 500 pounds and was built like a rock do you think it would sell like it does? Nope. IMHO

 

[mountainhorse]

The better boards are made of .125" thick aluminum... the stockare .063" I belive.

For the average Joe... the stockers are fine.

IMO...The BB's will hold up better, and because of their powdercoating... shed snow and ice better...It does cost more and add a tiny bit of weight though.

I like the idea of installing Better Boards. But, what will happen if my stock boards will start fall apart when using Better Boards?

As 2x said... people want lightweight... the factory delivered on that... If you are an extreme rider that pounds on the sled or just a really big guy... some things may give up when you are punishing the chassis.

Some pictures of the boards in the first post:

 

[snopro_ac]

i put the tunnel supports on mine, next year i will order BB for it, or i will put skinz air frame ones on it depending on how much money i have left over.

 

[P.G]

[QUOTEBackman...dont take offence...especiall when your great Country has produced such wonders as Henrik and Daniel...Marcus Naslund, Matias Ohlund, Samuelsson (should have been an Olympian)....yet your boards are breaking like Sami Salo.

LG[/QUOTE]

You got Borje Salming too, we got crappy runningboards. Thanks!

 

[Peevo]

You forgot Peter Forsberg!

Super Ultra OT. Funnier than weak running boards. Sorry!

 

[littleanthony]

How much do you guys weigh?looked mine over no bending yet.

 

[longgold]

You forgot Peter Forsberg!

Super Ultra OT. Funnier than weak running boards. Sorry!

I was only naming the Swedish Canucks....left out Lidstrom and Zetterberg too

 

[longgold]

2XM3...you want to talk Weight? Weight savings? You are gonna tell the guy to "suck it up" (I am paraphrasing) because he forewent strength and duarbility and longevity over weight?



Yup i will,you are missing my point,is not giving it up its PAYING for it !!! The basic problem is that how do they make a light sled for 12,000.00? I would gladly pay double the current price for a 300 lb titanium carbon PRO RMK. I did it for 25 years in my racing shop and won a whole lotta races that way. Heavy motosport vehicles do not perform well . BTW there is no material right now lighter and stronger than correctly built carbon fiber parts. You make that bumper out of .250 wall carbon and it would pick up a elephant, and still weigh 1/3 of aluminium. Why is it .062 wall? Cause its cheap.
It is correct that many many people do not care or need a light sled, but for me and my group light is the way to go. If the pro rmk weighed 500 pounds and was built like a rock do you think it would sell like it does? Nope. IMHO

q

But the point here, is no one is trying to build a mod-stock sled...we are just wondering why our boards arent lasting 2 months of regular duty service...

You dont have to convince me on the merits of Carbon fibre...spent tens of thousands trying to convince NASCAR to go Carbon Fibre with their seats...Case-in-point Dale Earnhardt Jr...(his Aluminum seat folded like a po-can)...but that too is far off topic...

Back to the point...add 20lbs to this sled for me then, and make it a little more durable! Or, like you, I'll also gladly pay up for a stock sled that has all the merits of lighweight AND durability...but a guy should not HAVE to go aftermarket on things this early into the season, just so he can get his sled out of garage...