[pyromedic]

As a new guy here and a new 2015 570 Full Size owner I've been reading over many of the posts here, old and new, and a question comes to mind. Just how reliable are Rangers and why do some people seem to get so few miles before having what seems like big mechanical trouble? One thread I was reading titled "How Many Miles" had pages of people with Rangers with thousands of miles and no problems, and with the original belt while a more recent poster is having front axle trouble at only 950 miles with one season plowing.
I understand that some people don't maintain their equipment as well as others, and some add accessories such as lift kits that might cause premature wear and still others drive through all kinds of water, mud and what I would probably classify as abusive driving that would lead to early failures.
So, what gives? Besides the causes I listed above, is it just luck of the draw, are some parts just prone to early failure or are Rangers just not all they are cracked up to be? Are there weaknesses I need to be aware of? Generally I treat all my equipment lovingly, provide good maintenance and drive sensibly, which with all other equipment I've ever owned (cars, trucks, chain saws, lawn equipment etc.) has paid off with reliability and low maintenance costs.
Thoughts?

 

[Gadestroyer74]

Most people take a utility vehicle which is mainly made to work and do things like that and turn it I to this mega thing on steroid nothing wrong that . Then there those that drive them like they stole them and think there a tank and abuse them. These things we mostly plastic and are built cheaper to make the most revenue and they just aren't nearly as bullet proof as we would what them to be . In my opinion here they weren't designed to be mud bogged and to be rock crawlers. It's these folks money and they can do as they please

 

[fswan]

Keep in mind, a lot of what you read here is about problems folks encounter--that's our main purpose, to collectively put our heads together and help out our fellow enthusiasts figure out those one-off problems. Right now if you read through the current posts, there are probably 30 or 40 issues being addressed (if that many). We have nearly 26,000 members so that gives us a 'problem rate" of 0.0015384615 (how's that for creative math--damn, I could be a Democrat!). Not bad odds! Although there are a few, generally speaking, folks just don't start a thread to brag about how they have gone a gillion miles without a problem! Keep your machine up the way you described and the odds are you will be more than satisfied reliability and longevity. However, in a couple of years you'll get the bug to trade it for the latest/greatest model anyway!

 

[POS POLARIS]

It's a complicated question.

Polaris has targeted the recreational rider as their sole customer when they've developed the ranger/rzr. They for example didn't target the people who were using kawasaki mules, or running the old JD gators (the tough slow ones). Their machines are powerful, easy to use, and fast. My biggest flaw with polaris is the fact that in my eyes, their machines were built to be disposable. They weren't built for the long haul, they weren't built to be used for years. Their target crowd is the bunch that trades every 2-3 years and won't put more than 3000-5000 miles on in that amount of time.

there's two reasons you see failures on the polaris ranger. Reason 1 is the fact that most think it's cool to bolt on 31 inch tires and spend their time trying their hardest to tear up a $13000 machine while drunk in a mud hole. Reason 2 is failures that happen because polaris put more money into their wallet instead of putting higher quality components into their machines. The people who use the machines for a purpose like plowing snow, or ranching/farming, or for a utility service, those are the people who find out that rangers aren't built with longevity in mind.. They're handy as heck, but that's it. The only reason I've not jumped ship yet is because no one else has come to the plate with a machine that is as capable as the ranger. For what I do, I need the good ride, the power, the speed, the good cab. However I have to find ways around the deficiencies that present themselves on a regular basis...

The Kawisaki Mule FXT is the closest thing I've seen to competing with the polaris. It's got a heavier built suspension and frame, good power, heavier built powertrain, but sadly, only available in a 4 seater. which won't work for me.

The polaris 800 series rangers really gave polaris a black eye, and because of that alot of UTV manufactures such as Kawasaki and Yamaha have been catching up in sales and improved products. (isn't capitalism great?)

I priced out a new 570 fullsize, and I still am having a hard time getting one setup with a good hard cab, heater and warranty for less than $19,000. I won't pay that much for a machine that starts breaking down in it's 2nd year with a warranty that won't replace parts that are "worn out" or "corroded" . From what I've heard, the new polaris backed warranty program is even worse about covering failures than assurance insurance company.

Many may disagree, but that's my take on it.

 

[carnivore]

The reality is Rangers are just like anything that is manufactured. The majority of them are trouble free, but sometimes you get a defective part. The thing that makes that look worse is people with no issues are out riding, not spending time on here. The majority of people that come here are the ones who have an issue,and need help. So the balance looks considerably worse than it is. You see this on all the forums, regardless of brand.

 

[trailcutter]

It's a complicated question.

Polaris has targeted the recreational rider as their sole customer when they've developed the ranger/rzr. They for example didn't target the people who were using kawasaki mules, or running the old JD gators (the tough slow ones). Their machines are powerful, easy to use, and fast. My biggest flaw with polaris is the fact that in my eyes, their machines were built to be disposable. They weren't built for the long haul, they weren't built to be used for years. Their target crowd is the bunch that trades every 2-3 years and won't put more than 3000-5000 miles on in that amount of time.

there's two reasons you see failures on the polaris ranger. Reason 1 is the fact that most think it's cool to bolt on 31 inch tires and spend their time trying their hardest to tear up a $13000 machine while drunk in a mud hole. Reason 2 is failures that happen because polaris put more money into their wallet instead of putting higher quality components into their machines. The people who use the machines for a purpose like plowing snow, or ranching/farming, or for a utility service, those are the people who find out that rangers aren't built with longevity in mind.. They're handy as heck, but that's it. The only reason I've not jumped ship yet is because no one else has come to the plate with a machine that is as capable as the ranger. For what I do, I need the good ride, the power, the speed, the good cab. However I have to find ways around the deficiencies that present themselves on a regular basis...

The Kawisaki Mule FXT is the closest thing I've seen to competing with the polaris. It's got a heavier built suspension and frame, good power, heavier built powertrain, but sadly, only available in a 4 seater. which won't work for me.

The polaris 800 series rangers really gave polaris a black eye, and because of that alot of UTV manufactures such as Kawasaki and Yamaha have been catching up in sales and improved products. (isn't capitalism great?)

I priced out a new 570 fullsize, and I still am having a hard time getting one setup with a good hard cab, heater and warranty for less than $19,000. I won't pay that much for a machine that starts breaking down in it's 2nd year with a warranty that won't replace parts that are "worn out" or "corroded" . From what I've heard, the new polaris backed warranty program is even worse about covering failures than assurance insurance company.

Many may disagree, but that's my take on it.

I totally agree with what you have said,to me polaris does not have the quality of some other machines,but have the most variety to chose from,the thing that frustrates me with polaris is their lack of support with issues I have had with my midsize.

 

[berks co hunter]

I can agree with pos polaris.
but I just wanted a better built machine.
if you maintain your ranger and give it a good
check over once a month and keep up with it.
it should last a while.

 

[POS POLARIS]

good maintenance always helps, would never deny that, but if you've got a machine that was build with a servicable lifespan of about 800 hours/7,000miles, once they reach that point, all bets are off. When you go to the level that polaris has of using some Chinese components in your machine, you might as well start considering the CFMOTO SxS's that come strait from the Chinese facory. It's a move that lowers durability, and also lowers the consumers trust in the machine. But hey, they most likely saved a couple hundred per machine.

 

[pede58]

As Adam said it is a complicated question. What people say here as with most internet forums take with a grain of salt, your only getting one side of the story and their is usually 2, and most problems are self inflicted, not all but most. Polaris outsells everyone in this market and by a bunch and far from the cheapest, didn't use to be that way Deere and Kawasaki had that honor both powerful companies, that alone tells me they are doing something right. Are they perfect, no but who is, sure would like them to be for what you pay. I had this thought after reading another post the other day and honestly believe if Polaris de-tuned Rangers to match other brands their would be a whole lot less problems, but that's just my opinion and you know what they say about that.....:anonymous:

 

[trailcutter]

a lot of the issues on this site are common to all polaris owners regardless of how we drive them,such as no mud protection,poor air intake location,weak suspension parts etc.

 

[POS POLARIS]

My dad always makes the point and he's pretty much right when he talks about how me and my brother drive our rangers pretty hard, and he drives his like an old man. even with that his breaks down just as much as ours. Shouldn't be that way, but it is. What does that mean?

 

[trainman200]

I've owned a Kawasaki Mule 610 and a JD 825i Gator, both were what I would call left in the stock condition as built, I did add a winch and a top, but that's about it. Both vehicles performed flawless over the years, but decided I wanted a crew UTV and decided to go with a Polaris 570 Crew, just didn't like the larger Mule, or the JD Crew models as well as the Polaris Crew's. I will keep the new Polaris pretty much stock as built, but did add a winch, top, and some other comfort accessories that I liked. So far so good with the Polaris, I don't over use my vehicles, so I pretty much expect to get the same service out of it as the others.

John

 

[trog]

I owned mine for over 5 years now only reg. maint. and once had to rebuild front diff because dealership did not fix it just pressured washed it full of water it still worked till locked up other than that 150 dollar problem none other than that in 5 years I would say it all about how you treat them and maintain jm2cw T&S

 

[Impaled]

A ranger's lifespan is 99.9% dependant on its owner's mentality level and purposed use.

I myself have had zero problems over the past 4 years. Alot of my non-issue experience is based on the fact that I use it as a TOOL 90% of the time, while the other 10% is mid throttle joy rides up and down the trails on my farm.

I have no modifications over stock in the engine, drivetrain, or suspension, and only have added an aftermarket cab, winch, and tires (but stayed at the stock size)


Alot of the failure-n-bich-aboutit guys appear to buy them for the sole intention of gaining popularity at the local public mud hole, to meet some kind of status level on social media sites, or generally compensating for inadequacy somewheres below the belt. The list of modifications will stretch for days as each bolted on piece reduces the reliability and takes away from their intended purpose more and more. As soon as something breaks they run to the bull horns and shout from the mountain tops to let everyone know how unsatisfied they are with Polaris.

Then there is a tight knit group of guys who do all of the aboved mentioned modifications, drown, sink, or grenade their machines just because they can. More power to you guys!!!!

Hell If I had an endless amount of credit and a forever replenishing bank account I'd have several disposable toys just to soup up for me to tear up. Truth is, I do all I can to keep what I currently have so there is no way I can throw 12-15-20k into a burning fire...

 

[trog]

could not have said it better very true bert T&S

 

[Hartone]

Well said Bert

 

[berks co hunter]

a lot of the issues on this site are common to all polaris owners regardless of how we drive them,such as no mud protection,poor air intake location,weak suspension parts etc.

bingo!!!!!

This is what im talking about.
the list goes on and on.
I hopei can keep this p o s going till
I find some sucker to buy it.
biggest mistake ive ever made.

 

[stainlessman]

God I'm knumb....I never realized the more the mods...the smaller your weiner....my machine is mostly stock by the way...lol

 

[rowe doo]

Glad mine is mostly stock!

 

[smalldog]

Polaris sells more so just on numbers alone the problems will increase vs other brands. That said I have had ten Polaris sleds, four ATV's and one Utv Ranger and pretty fair luck with all. I service mine on time, grease it almost after every trip over 50 miles and change fluids as per manual. I have had good luck but I do not think they are built as good as ten years ago but hey bought a fridge or lawn mower lately? Gentlemen we are in a throw away world these days its just unfortunate that the Rangers is more then tossing out a 200.00 microwave.
Big problem is where I am from in the winter we plow snow for a hour then park it in a warm garage for three days or so then plow again and the constant change from cold to warm, damp to dry causes corrosion plain and simple. Another is pretty sure Polaris put all those grease fittings there for a reason not just to fill a hole.