Wow, Polaris 2014

[Bushwacker1]

144 550 fan ?

I was all excited to see a 144" 550 fan in the new chassie as there is nothing out there that a person could put a 10 year old kid on that will actually go thru deep powder. I figured that if the pro is 417 LBS the shorter track and less parts of the air cooled engine would put it under the 400 LB mark. Then I check the weight specs and dissapointment set in. If they want to have new customers in the future they need to make products that the young kids can cut their teeth on and not be riding something that is way more sled than than they can handle. The 550 / 144 part they got right but the weight is just too much for a young kid to handle. They all make motorcycles and atvs for the kids but they refuse to make a powder sled for them. And yes we have a 120 but it is by no means capable of going thru deep snow and is getting too small for a soon to be 10 year old. Rant over.

 

[jpete27]

it's like junior high all over again. my dad is better than your dad.

good grief!

 

[Sage Crusher]

So, basically just fixed the screwed up crap from the 2013 sled?

No changes for any sleds this season except Yamaha and Cat, but that just applies to the guys that like riding pigs.

I imagine that BRP has something up it's sleeve for a Rassmussen influenced chassis but they don't wanna make the same mistake Poo did by cutting corners and end up sacrificing strength for weight. The big thing for Poo here is DID THEY FIX THAT TIME BOMB OF A MOTOR or are the 2014 buyers in for a letdown also??

It is funny that everyone dances around this quote above...
Since 11 Poo has had this issue and stands behind it with the same junk parts to blow again in another 1,000 miles ( or less)
listening to all rave how well it is ( which it is a great tree sled) but pick through the post on the polaris site and you will find a hord of peeps-
angry with this motor. Now ( Drumm Roll Please) You are blessed with it for another year... Not me- I ditched my collor tagged drive shaft before I hit 800 miles..... Just passing the time bomb before I lost a lower case... Welcome Polaris to 2014.. the "I forgot how much you left us behind"....
Keep your flickable 400 lb sled.. I want to ensure to get back to the parking lot, perferbally not behind a tow rope ( AGAIN )

 

[Reg2view]

Better execution of good design is good, be it QD, carbon, bonding, and needed. Clearly Poo recognizes this. Their R&D folks are the most frustrated of the bunch - they create and validate design, and others downstream mess it up.

Intense innovation is how you gain marketshare leadership in powersports. Execution is critical, of course, but share doesn't change with just execution unless the competition is failing. I do see wasted opportunity here on Poos part - I'm sure the R&D folks were ready with more, be it tracks, suspension, clutching, motor improvements, etc., that were voided by engineering, or manufacturing, or finance, or legal, etc. You lead and keep leading, by leading. Doo has demonstrated this in the trail segment in spades. I don't own Poo or Doo stock directly, but product innovation will help make me a better rider, and cause me to throw my money at their product. I think Poo laid back in 2014, and only created openings for competition in the next 24 months. JMHO, of course. Not going to stop me from riding...

 

[Sage Crusher]

I agree ^^^ But are we really still lead to beleive that through R&D is still being done to the extent of really testing ( riding) these sleds? if so I can see where alot of mistakes (bonding) could have become visible- and the drive .... some in less that 20 miles.... someone is not testing with the production sleds or refuse to ..IMHO

 

[clamlake600]

Okay, let's start talking prices! If your in Minnesota or surrounding states, please give tri-k sports in maple plain, mn a call. 7634797319. Talk to Tim. Tell him ray sent you. These guys bend over backwards and have excellent prices and service. As an example, I called about quickdrive bolts recall that came out Friday on Saturday. Said they already ordered them for me along with new belt (because mine is spitting metal wires out of it) and they have me on schedule for repair this week. They did the proactive thing, and have my business! I could go on and on about them, but give them a call and find out for yourself, you won't be disappointed.

 

[bobgrmkpro]

I have 750 miles on my 2013 Pro 163. 600 of those miles are mt riding like Cooke City, Is. Park / Mt. Jefferson. I have not experienced ONE of the failures listed above. My three riding friends 2-13's and one 12 Pros have not failed any of the listed problems either.

In fact the only 12 or 13 model sled I have been riding with that failed was a 13 A Cat highly modified engine. Can't blame A Cat for that.

 

[Snodawg]

The fact that they did very very little this year to the 14, just justifies that they are spending all of their R&D dollars on an entirely new chassis and/or motor. Remember 2010??? 2015 is going to be an extremely interesting year for the sledding industry. All of the mfg's have taken a year off. They aren't really taking the year off, they are secretly building new sleds. These things don't just take a year to design and build. They started on the 2015 sled way back in 2011, shortly after the Pro was released. So just wait til next year and every body will be amazed. Ski Doo will come out with a new chassis "XT", Cat will have a great new 850 DI, Polaris will have a 900 DI in their new "Extreme" chassis and Yamaha will come out with a 140 HP 2-stroke.....No, check that, they won't , but they will lose 2 lbs.

 

[captain_curt]

nothing is perfect. I maintain my sled to the tee. I rode in the up and never had a problem for 15 years. Started going west and all out and wore out the pto crank side bearing at 1200 miles according to dealer. I own alot of machinery but nothing takes the abuse a 2-stroke sled takes in 3 foot of fresh. It is frustrating that they can not make a sled that can take the abuse for the price but buy a four stroke if u want reliabilty. perfomance has its price.

 

[rick5150]

Okay, let's start talking prices! If your in Minnesota or surrounding states, please give tri-k sports in maple plain, mn a call. 7634797319. Talk to Tim. Tell him ray sent you. These guys bend over backwards and have excellent prices and service. As an example, I called about quickdrive bolts recall that came out Friday on Saturday. Said they already ordered them for me along with new belt (because mine is spitting metal wires out of it) and they have me on schedule for repair this week. They did the proactive thing, and have my business! I could go on and on about them, but give them a call and find out for yourself, you won't be disappointed.

Umm...what recall????

Did I miss something I haven't heard or seen anything about polaris doing an actual recall on QD bolts.

Good to know there's a dealer in MN that understands mtn sleds/riders though most are like a deer in headlights!
Ill try to remember this guy come 2015 snowcheck

 

[Sulley]

Well so far I'm leaning towards the 14 Doo......is this a mistake? Poo didn't admit to issues or make any changes but raised the price. WTF is the 4YR ESC anyway? I can get the Doo for $1500+ less and 4YR B-B warranty, wtf to do?! Only ever owned Poo..........

 

[wellfed777]

ride em all first ! ^^^

 

[cjfox]

Well so far I'm leaning towards the 14 Doo......is this a mistake? Poo didn't admit to issues or make any changes but raised the price. WTF is the 4YR ESC anyway? I can get the Doo for $1500+ less and 4YR B-B warranty, wtf to do?! Only ever owned Poo..........

I got the chance to ride a 2013 XM BIG BORE!!! and all i can say is OMG its still a skidoo and they can keep there Tmotion hahah, if its your style and what you want go for it but for me i really do feel like a monkey ____ a football, i cant dangle on a doo lol, i wouldnt have it anyother way love my 13 pro rmk stripped one belt with 100 miles on it my bad hit a dry creek bottom, other than that not one problem, i mean if you think about how hard you ride and what you put these sleds thru they are amazing machines,

 

[MtnRidr4Life]

Anyone know if the engine makes any more power? Website sure as heck doesn't say.

 

[Dizzle]

Sorry Polaris didn't seek, and acquire, your approval nugg. I'm sure they're losing sleep over it

 

[GoBigParts]

With such minor changes or such a Ho Hum release I expect that there is something in the works that will be released next season to knock your socks off. I was told by a sponsored rider that there are really awesome things to come and that I will be riding Polaris for a long time. Well since I didn't see many changes for 14 I believe 15 will be the year. Please be a new motor.

 

[ak]

Umm...what recall????

Did I miss something I haven't heard or seen anything about polaris doing an actual recall on QD bolts.

Good to know there's a dealer in MN that understands mtn sleds/riders though most are like a deer in headlights!
Ill try to remember this guy come 2015 snowcheck

There is a recall new bolts and new torque setting. The bulletin has been posted in the drive line section.

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341770

 

[Scary Larry]

A friend of mine from polaris said 2015 will once again change the snowmobiling industry

 

[indydan]

CFI4 & CFI 2 MOTORS

Defending Polaris alittle.

Just Maybe some of the Polaris CFI4 & CFI 2 Motor problems are misunderstood. ??

And surely Polaris has failed aimlessly at informing their dealers & Sled buyers the complex balance between minimum and maximum tollerances.

First - Polaris has these motors set up from the factory for a complete and utter MORON!!

*( Some say..........Break it in like your going to drive it, or like you stoled it ) * WRONG !! If they are built for performance they need sum early Lovin.

The factory spec for all Polaris all CFI 800 motors - .004 to .0055 Cylinder to piston clearance to a brand new piston.

I have 2 brand new 2013 cylinders on the bench and both measure .0063 piston to cylinder clearance

After the break in period is done the piston wil measure at least -.001 to .0015 smaller.

That puts your brand spanking new sled @ .0073 to .0078 cylinder to piston clearance.

Polaris service Limit MAXIMUM cylinder to wall clearance is .009 - Its nothing to see .012 to .015 piston cylinder clearance in motors that have been sent in for service.

Now what that means is this - Between 500 to 1000 miles...... close to 100%...... and I mean damn close to 100% of all Polaris small block motors
will be up to or past .009 cylinder to piston clearance in the first year of ownership.

And Mountain motors that get used alot will have .010 to .015 thousand clearance by the end of the second year. ( In other words completely woren out ) As close to junk as you can get at this point.

The sad facts are this - POlaris almost HAS to have them set up this way or some MORON will cold seize them.

If you understand how to warm up your sled then you should know what Heat Soak means.

( Warm up is NOT about the stupid heat guage getting to 125 degrees. )

If you start a sled at -10 degree f.that has sat all night and let it idle to 125 degree and then take off you have just done about the worst thing you can do to your poor motor. ( other then take-off at -10 of course )

Your 24.3 lb small block 800 crankshaft is still frozen well below zero. and is brittle & very non flexable. ( now imagin that same 24.3 lb warmed up to 125 degrees ) can you possibly get your head around how much more forgiving things are at +125 degrees as they are at -minus zero ?

Once the heat guage gets to 125 you should shut it off and let it sit at least 10 to 20 minutes and let it HEAT SOAK. the heat will move from the warm pistons, cylinder, and anti-freeze into the crankshaft. ( I would hope at this point you have NOT touched the throttle )

After this heat soaking ( The sled BETTER be on a stand ) if you don't have a stand with you then its time you order a good handle lift adjustable stand. Now with the sled on a stand start it up and let the heat guage get back up past 100 degrees or to 125 Degrees then SLOWLY appy throttle and roll the track most time you will hear ice breaking and chunks clearing themselves.

THIS IS A MAGIC TIME FOR YOUR BELT AND BOTH YOUR CLUTCHES !!

If your one of those guys that either picks the sled up and drops it or heaven forbid just hit the throttle and go...........You truely desire a BLOWEN motor.

unless your sled lives in a heated shop it BETTER be put on a stand and properly warmed up.

All this being said - What am I saying ???

EVERY SMALL BLOCK 800 Needs new pistons after the first year of riding if you rode over 500 miles.

And if you deside NOT to replate and properly have a shop size your cylinder correctly then your samll block needs NEW pistons EVERY SEASON!! PEROID.

Just like a Dirk Bike - Your Polaris small Block weights about 85 pounds and puts out about 140 hp......and properly rebuilt and clearance will get a new Mountain E-Tek all the hell it can imagin.

In my opinion if you are anal and you warm your slked up like you should these motors should be rebuild when they are brand new for maximum performance.

A completely stock properly rebuild Polaris Small block will out perform and fully modded STAGE 2,4,6,8 10 what ever you want to call it that is over the service limit...........The main reason people think they need fuel controls is because the motors piston to cylinder clearace is over the limitand is getting worse because the problem compounds itself.

The more clearance it has the harder they slap and the more they destroy themsleves.

This is the main reason why people rave about the Long Rod motors, Its because the specs and clearances are must better then mass production clearances.

If you feel the power start to go away on a Polaris 800 Small Block, or you can't pull your clutch weights lighter weights or MOD Parts are not the correct path to take.

Fix the cylinder to piston clearance first...... then if you feel you still want to buy aftermarket parts they will actually work better.

( Keep this in mind ) - If you take your sled to ANY shop for motor work ask to talk dirrectly to the shop TECH and ask him this one simple question.

* ( Do You have a Cylinder Bore Guage ? ) * If he even pauses that means he does not. If he says yes ask him to show you it on the shop.

If he doesn't have one your at the wrong shop and your rebuild quaility depends completely on luck........Instead of measurements.

( You must take control of what gets done to your motor )

Polaris does NOT teach there shop TECHS anything about motor rebuilding you have to find a shop that has taken steps to correctly rebuild a motor or send it to a shop that can.

Starting back in 1997, The Polaris 800 Small Block is one of the best Motors Polaris has built to date it just needs to be kept well within spec.

If it starts out at the correct specs this motor runs good for a long period of time.


Dan

 

[pura vida]

good info dan. thanks

pv