A few questions from the Polaris owners..

[dougspcs]

I have been watching a Polaris 250 trike on CL for quite a while..the poor guy can't seem to give it away.

Before I invest in something so different I thought I would check with the other Polaris owners..hopefully some objective opinion and not just 'Polaris rocks' if you know what I mean.

How to they run out? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Any mechanical issues to check for?

I'll be pretty much buying this thing sight unseen and with no personal knowledge of them..

Thanks in advance.

[jeswinehart]

For me a draw back is that you need to shift from forward - neutral - reverse with your right hand away from the handle bars. Not normally a problem since you are stopped when doing so but with me also owning a 85 250ES Bigred, it has me spoiled because on the ES, that is accomplished with the left hand on the handle bars and left shifter.
Note: to properly shift a Polaris trike the left rear hand brake lever needs to be engaged to sysconize the motor to tranny (it also engine brakes to bring to proper rpm).
When in neutral the left hand brake dose nothing to stop so if you are stopped on a incline and shift from one gear to another, you now face having to depress left lever to sysconize and use the front brake lever on the right side of your handle bars,,,, a hard choice needs to be made by rider. Grind gear or free wheel backwards or forward ~ yikes.
My Polaris trike has given me nothing but enjoyment once I got it in proper working order. I do not jump it, ride it terribly hard but it do have the get up + go to perform.
My Polaris trike will be delivered to the upcoming Badlands ride Aug 1 for its new owner to enjoy (after I ride it all week end). I just do not have the space for 4 trikes, or rather I am very tired of trying to having to be so cramped with 4 trikes.
Howdy knows many of the weakness of frame, tranny and such. Mine just keeps on perking away.

[Howdy]

I will try to list a few now and more later. Right now I have fireworks to go watch.
The electric Starter is normally the first thing to go bad on these machines, followed by the rear brake cable.
You do not want to jump these machines. 6" is fine, but 3' will damage costly parts.

[keister]

They love the cold and hate hot weather.
When, not if, your starter goes out, its a real bear to get to. But the parts are available and not too costly. They also have pullstart backup.
Most people (I think) just unhook the oil injection and premix gas.
They are fast! Not 350X fast (almost), but SXs and 200X get left behind.

[dougspcs]

They love the cold and hate hot weather.
When, not if, your starter goes out, its a real bear to get to. But the parts are available and not too costly. They also have pullstart backup.
Most people (I think) just unhook the oil injection and premix gas.
They are fast! Not 350X fast (almost), but SXs and 200X get left behind.

Oh see, now I'm even more interested..

I didn't even know they were a 2 stroke..

Guess I should have looked closer at the spec sheet on the old site!

[RoscoW]

It's basically a trail boss with one less wheel.

[CRAZY70MAN]

Swingarm bearings are usually shot...I know mine are. Comfy ride. I plan on restoring mine for my 12 yr old daughter. She loves the thing cause it will smoke any of the honda utility trikes her cousins ride..lol......... I think they are a neat part of the trike history and it would be a good addition to anyones collection.

[MIK6]

I love mine.. but as the guys have said. Swinger berrings and starter issues.
Mine has been ridden hard, I broke a top motor mount and took out my inner clutch cover, im looking for a replacement now.
Awesome trail machines, a blast to ride. Like a cadalic version of a big red! But faster!

MIK6/ Mikr

[just ben]

the electric start system is sub par at best. Even with a good starter and battery, you can crank a cold engine until the battery is dead however one pull on the recoil will bring it to life.:wondering The front end seems very "heavy" when turning and takes some effort on hard surfaces to keep the front end from plowing. That may be just the tires I have on mine but I do remember ending up in a ditch(actually twice) on Mik6's because of the front plowing but I was riding 2up. Or it could be the massive size of the p3 with a puny front end that was designed for a much smaller Yamaha 225.I'm not a huge fan and I think the rarity is the coolest thing about them. Mine will be for sale as soon as I can teach my girl how to shift a semi auto transmission.

[dougspcs]

What is the hub bolt pattern on these trikes? Is it 4/156 like so many other Polaris? Is it 4/156 like so many other Polaris?

Maybe a front rim/tire swap option is available similar to the one I've done on my SX/ES exists to help the 'plowing' issue!

Make the front end look badass too!

[just ben]

What is the hub bolt pattern on these trikes? Is it 4/156 like so many other Polaris? Is it 4/156 like so many other Polaris?

Maybe a front rim/tire swap option is available similar to the one I've done on my SX/ES exists to help the 'plowing' issue!

Make the front end look badass too!The rear is 4/4 and the front is 3/100 it's a Yamaha front end

[dougspcs]

The rear is 4/4 and the front is 3/100 it's a Yamaha front end

That's crappy..I tried to find some alternate 3/100 to change up one of my Yamaha's front wheels once. Nothing exists in the aftermarket for that size.

That's a big check in the 'minus' column..thanks Ben

[atc007]

Buy it Doug, You'll love it or sell it. Either way ,then you'll know. Life is short :) I think you'll like it,you won't take it out riding in the mud like your Hondas. That will NOT happen. Belt drive...

[dougspcs]

Buy it Doug, You'll love it or sell it. Either way ,then you'll know. Life is short :) I think you'll like it,you won't take it out riding in the mud like your Hondas. That will NOT happen. Belt drive...

I think you're right Bill. If it's still around near the end of the week I might just pay him a visit..1st day back from holiday and I have some catching up to do.

[Howdy]

What is the hub bolt pattern on these trikes? Is it 4/156 like so many other Polaris? Is it 4/156 like so many other Polaris?

Maybe a front rim/tire swap option is available similar to the one I've done on my SX/ES exists to help the 'plowing' issue!

Make the front end look badass too!

The rears are the same as a Golf cart so you have a very large selection for the rear. I have a set of home made adapters that allow me to run 4/110 Honda's as well.
I'm wondering if there is a way to add reeds to the P3. I think if they had some it would make it easier to start. But I could be wrong.

[dougspcs]

The rears are the same as a Golf cart so you have a very large selection for the rear. I have a set of home made adapters that allow me to run 4/110 Honda's as well.

I've seen those too..I found some on Ebay last year for a friend trying to fit up his yard trailer with the 4/110 Honda rim and tires he had as spares.

It's that damned 3/110 front that is the killer..no adapters and few if any rim alternates..

[Howdy]

Being as the front end is Yamaha you should be able to swap it with a different model ( say a Yamaha hauler ) and then you would have another front rim option.

It would also be wider.

Howdy

[keister]

Oh see, now I'm even more interested..

I didn't even know they were a 2 stroke..

Guess I should have looked closer at the spec sheet on the old site!

Polaris model number is 250R/ES. Coincidence or not, it is truly a cross between. 250R and Big Red. Best of both worlds if you ask me. Fully racked 250 2-stroke with reverse and a hitch. I have to respectfully disagree with Ben. I love how mine handles! With a knobby on the front, flat profile tires on the rear, and big wide floorboards; I feel totally planted to the ground. It's quite confidence inspiring. I was barrel racing mine at TF. I won't take mine through heavy mud, but it more than makes up for it in the snow!!

[Buck Snort]

I have had 3 Polaris 2 stroke quads. 2 of them were the 400 Explorers. I really liked those quads. Like other members here have said about the trikes, I had problems with the starters and swingarm bearings. I would buy a Polaris trike if it came my way for sure.

[jeswinehart]

Yeah, I really never noticed any ill handling in regards to the front end either. Mine just go's where I point it. If it ain't turning enough at that point I simply give it full throttle type of bleep and spin the back end around.

[just ben]

Being as the front end is Yamaha you should be able to swap it with a different model ( say a Yamaha hauler ) and then you would have another front rim option.

It would also be wider.

HowdyIt is already the same wheel. The rear hubs are also the same spline as late model Hondas. I don't dispute people love these machines I love keisters aswell (nothing like scrambler shots) As far as the ill handling it may be my tire combination but I believe it has more to do with the front end not being a great match to the rest of the bike.I do agree that the floorboards are great especially since the fender is bolted to them,it makes feeding a tire your leg nearly impossible. I do think that they have their +'s and also some cons. The only way you will know if it's right for you is to hop on one.