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Time to bump my son up in size on an ATV. Been looking @ the Polaris Phoenix 200 and the Can Am DS 250. Curious if anyone has an opinion on these two particular models?


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I have always had extremely good luck with Polaris. Have never had a problem with all the ones I owned over the years.


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Thanks! I have a Ranger that I've been completely happy with so I am leaning towards the Polaris myself. Plus they're made here in the states ... right? CanAm is a Canadian company and looks to be a well made machine also. Price on CanAm is a touch higher too I believe. The only major differences between the 2 machines that I see is that the Can Am is chain driven and has rear disc brakes while the Polaris is shaft driven with sealed rear drum brakes. Oh, and the Can Am is electric start only with no back up while the Polaris offers electric start with a kick start as a secondary. Just thought I'd mention all this to maybe get some more thoughts or opinions on the 2 quads.


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I have Yamaha's but if I were to choose between the two you mentioned I would go with the Polaris. The one thing you should make sure of is if the one you choose has independent suspension especially in the rear. Without the suspension mentioned they will beat you to death even a youngster. You might have to step up in size to get this though. I do love my Yamaha 450 though.

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You don't say what size your son is or how old he is. I'd buy him the biggest (though low sitting machine) that he can easily reach the grips and the pedals. I like Yamaha but they sit kind of high, I'd also look at the Kawasaki 300. If you can find the older model that shifted they are a tough little machine. Different manufacturers have different size machines and that affects the center of gravity. For kids I really think the lower center of gravity machines are critical. Don't tip over as easily. Of course that is depending on the kind of trails you ride.


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I had a Polaris although slightly bigger than the 250. It was reliable and gave good service on the farm.

I tend to buy a machine that my local dealer sells and services so I go with Kawasaki or Polaris and of the two I like the Polaris.

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I'd get him a bicycle before I got him a Polaris.


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They're both good companies, good equipment. I've been buying Polaris stuff myself, but partly because of the local dealer. I'd recommend you visit both of the dealers and see who you're comfortable with before you pick the machine.







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Originally Posted by tzone
I'd get him a bicycle before I got him a Polaris.


This! (or at least whichever one is made in Japan.)


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just buy him a SxS........

maybe he'll let you borrow it.........


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Seems quads in my parts have gone the way of the dinosaur..


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Polaris it is folks! Visited several dealers on Saturday and found a leftover 2014 @ a discounted price compared to the 2015's. My boy is anxious to get it. We are going back this Saturday to get it and bring it home. This machine will serve him much better than his current one.


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Good deal! I've NEVER regretted buying a Polaris.


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Prayers sent to you son. smile


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Tzone why don't you like the Polaris? I have it narrowed down to either can am L or Polaris 570. Should be picking one up in the next month or two.

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Not tzone, but I can answer that question from my viewpoint and experience. Polaris ATVs have simply never made the grade when compared to the rest. I say that without prejudice as I have run and ridden their snowmachines for tens of thousands of miles and, with the exception of the 550 engine, have been very pleased with them. I have just never seen a Polaris ATV that held up by comparison to Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, and Kawasakis, the order being placed on the quantity of machines I've run or observed. I do think Polaris ATVs are better now than they were however; I don't necessarily say the same about all the other brands. (FWIW, my present ATV is a 450 Yamaha, an '11 model with 11,000 miles on it. If anything that thing is overengineered. The old Honda in the yard - still running- has at least 30,000 miles on it. The engine has only been "open" a couple times....to change the spark plug. laugh )


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Klick answered it pretty well but I'll add this. It's not Polaris I don't like, it's their 4-wheelers. They stink. I've had several, and they both left me stranded. All the polaris' I ir my family have had needed what is call major repair and the ALL had electrical issues. They may be better now but I won't know because they're too expensive to get burned on again.

Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and can am are a better product. The only maintenance I've done to my 2000 foreman is oil and filters. The Yamaha grizzly is going to be my next wheeler this fall.

Snowmobiles and motorcycles are a different story. They're pretty bad ass.


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Originally Posted by tzone
Klick answered it pretty well but I'll add this. It's not Polaris I don't like, it's their 4-wheelers. They stink. I've had several, and they both left me stranded. All the polaris' I ir my family have had needed what is call major repair and the ALL had electrical issues. They may be better now but I won't know because they're too expensive to get burned on again.

Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and can am are a better product. The only maintenance I've done to my 2000 foreman is oil and filters. The Yamaha grizzly is going to be my next wheeler this fall.

Snowmobiles and motorcycles are a different story. They're pretty bad ass.


As long as you don't buy the RMK with the 800, that motor is a total pos. I've got a friend that took out a brand new 2016 AXYS RMK with the 800 HO and it blew up with less than 100 miles on it.


That's ok, I'll ass shoot a dink.

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Polaris' strengths are not in their depth of R&D. Plenty of good ideas though.

Every company in the rec-veh market who fails to adequately cover R&D has had issues.


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Polaris sells alot of the 'Razor's' around here........

But will stick to my Rhino 700..


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