Polaris 6X6 Sportsman Info.

[49thunter]

In one of my earlier posts I expressed my interest in the Bomb 400 outlander .
Im starting to lean more towards buying a Polaris 6X6 Sportsman. I was wondering if anyone out there that has one could give me some feedback on theirs. Both the good and bad . If I get one I may buy the tracks also.
Thanks

 

[AKmud]

6x6

6x6

PM me with any specific questions you might have. I have a 2004 6x6 and have a few buddies with them as well. There are good points and bad but a lot of it depends on how you intend to use the machine. A general comparision is that the 6x6 will go places most stock 4x4's won't. Probably the worst problem I have found with it is ground clearance because of the sprocket and disc brakes hanging down. If you are going through very deeply rutted trails, you will need a good winch. Crossing swamps and soft muddy areas it will blow most 4x4's away. Some people don't like the rear drive being chains. I have found that there is a little more maintenance involved, but as long as you keep them lubed and tight there isn't any problem.

Climbing hills is a dream, no worries about flipping over backward. Payload is huge! Rear dump box is factory rated at 800#s. Lately I have hauled several yards of rocks/gravel and now am hauling topsoil to the tops of the hills around the yard for my lawn. Some loads have been so heavy that steering becomes a problem (probably well over 800#s....).

Tracks, from what I have heard, are overkill for the most part. I didn't get them based on friends opinions. In the soft stuff they are incredible, but on hardpack trails, rocks, etc... they don't ride so well. They are also quite stressful on the chassis and hubs. My advise would be to save the $1k for the tracks and just invest in a good front and rear winch. You can always get the tracks at a later time if you feel the need.

One word of advise though, if you do end up with a 6x6, see if they will throw in the Engine Brake System (EBS). It is about $500 but Alaska Power Sports in Anchorage threw mine in with the deal. It is a life saver!

 

[Snowwolfe]

I love mine. This is my second one. Like AKmud said they will go places a stock atv can not touch. But if you add after market tires to a good atv it can out mud a 6x6. I was shocked my King Quads with mud lites will go through mud holes my 6x6 get stuck in.
But the main reason I love my 6x6 is for what it can carry. It is a dependable well made ATV.
If I had the extra change I would lengthen the swing arm and add 26 in Mudlites all around and it would be unstoppable. Some of my friends have tracks on theirs and they love them but they are not without there disadvanatages. Cost, heavy and they slow you down and up the fuel consumption. But they are the absolute best for traversing through mud bogs.

 

[Loomis]

I have over 4500 miles on mine and its been a good machine. Definatly a little more maintenance than a 4 wheeler but I will never own a 4 wheeler again. 26x12 ITP 589's in back and 26x10 vampires up front make up for the ground clearance issue.

 

[AKmud]

26's?

26's?

Loomis,

Were you able to get the 26's on without lengthening the swing arm? I figured the rears would rub without the extra length.

 

[Snowwolfe]

I have over 4500 miles on mine and its been a good machine. Definatly a little more maintenance than a 4 wheeler but I will never own a 4 wheeler again. 26x12 ITP 589's in back and 26x10 vampires up front make up for the ground clearance issue.

Loomis, Can you post a picture of your rig with the 26 in tires on it?

 

[Loomis]

The AT589ms tires run a little smaller than advertised, my friend put the 25's on and there was at least a 3inch gap,I put on 26's and and its about a 1/2 inch gap. As far as other brands I dont know. My camera died so I cant post pictures. But to tell you the truth the vampires on front make more difference than the back 4 tires,they will start to rub a little on the fenders if your a arm bushings are getting sloppy at all, one of my springs broke last year so I put ranger springs up front and now it never rubs, not a bad ride either. The rubber boots on the rod ends will get tore up pretty quick but you can order the automotive sealed type ends that will last forever. Also FYI I have welded up 4 6x6's frames this year just inside of whre your right foot goes.

 

[AKmud]

Vamps

Vamps

Did you have to put spacers on the front after putting the 10" wide tires up there? I just got a set of 6 - 25" Swamp Witch tires and went with the 10" wide fronts. I haven't got them mounted yet because I have been using the machine hauling topsoil (ugh!). I didn't want to get them mounted and then not be able to use it if the fronts didn't fit quite right.

Any problems or advice?

 

[Snowwolfe]

I am also interested in adding 10 in wide tires to mine up front. Are spacers needed?
Someone told me wheels off the Ranger have a different offset and will permit 10 in wides up front with no rubbing but I am unable to confirm this.

 

[Loomis]

I dont have spacers on mine, theres not much space between the tire and the rod end wich eventually tears up the rubber boots, I changed my rod ends to the sealed style after they wore out but I suppose wheel spacers would work also, A friend put the new 26x10 vampires on front that actually come in a left and a right tire, the tread is offset to the outside to allow more clearance,they work pretty slick.

 

[AKmud]

Gonna need spacers....... (

Gonna need spacers....... (

Got the Swamp Witch tires on today. No problems other than it needs about 1/2" more clearance on the front. Going to have to get spacers after all. I also have one tire that the bead won't seat. It won't climb over the little lip that holds the bead before it gets to max bead setting pressure. Any ideas? I have lubed the snot out of it, jumped up and down on the rim trying to get it over the little bead holder thingy, ran a strap around the tire prior to airing it up, hit it with a rubber mallet while airing it up, etc.... I'm running out of ideas!

Here are a couple of pics of the new treads and the rubbing problem.

Before -

After -

Side view -

The rub -

 

[Snowwolfe]

Very impressive. How does it steer?

 

[AKmud]

Don't know,

Don't know,

I haven't ridden it yet due to the rubbing. Once I get the spacers put on I'll give it a good test.

 

[49thunter]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info

Sorry I havent replied sooner , been busy lately.
Thanks you all have helped me make up my mind , so a 6x6 it is. I do have a couple of questions. Can you mount a winch on the rear of the machine or use a multi mount system. Also the new machines use a plastic bed and I was wondering how can I mount a gun boot or two on the back . Would any of you have a photo of your gun carry system. Thanks again.

 

[49thunter]

Skid plate ?

Skid plate ?

Would a skid plate be recomended to protect the sprockets and brakes?

 

[AKmud]

Here's a look...

Here's a look...

at my rear rack. I welded it up from 1" square tubing. The treestand attachment just pins in place and isn't normally on it. You can see where I mounted the gun boot. It is the old, original gun boot with the simple, carriage bolt mounting system. They are hard to find any more, but it makes for a clean mount on this rack. I also recently put on one of the Kolpin chainsaw press brackets which I LOVE! Very much worth the money.

If you are looking to buy a new 6x6 I would check out Alaska Power Sports in Anchorage. I bought mine new in 2004 for $7,348 which included a 2,500# winch (wouldn't mind going a bit heavier), the Engine Brake System (EBS - gotta have it!), and hot grips. Most other dealers I spoke with wouldn't touch even just the machine for $7,300. My bro-in-law and I bought two of them at the same time which may have sweetened the deal, but they are worth talking to.

I have more pics if you want better detail.

Rob

 

[AKmud]

with spacers

with spacers

I broke down and bought spacers today($98!). 1 1/2" to both sides. It is more than I wanted, but it should help stability. Now I will have to invest $100 more for extended mud flares or invent something myself. Anyway, here's a look (I have 3 photos of the metamorphasis under the "swamp witch" thread) -

 

[Snowwolfe]

I built a small wooden block and mounted it inside my bed. I then installed the rifle holder to the wooden block.

 

[Sid]

Gun Carry System

Gun Carry System

Sorry I havent replied sooner , been busy lately.
Thanks you all have helped me make up my mind , so a 6x6 it is. I do have a couple of questions. Can you mount a winch on the rear of the machine or use a multi mount system. Also the new machines use a plastic bed and I was wondering how can I mount a gun boot or two on the back . Would any of you have a photo of your gun carry system. Thanks again.

there is a system i got it from a person in valdez it works great I will look fot the photes send me an E mail I am the person that just posted the wheel spacers [email protected]

 

[Sid]

Gun Carry System

Gun Carry System

Sorry I havent replied sooner , been busy lately.
Thanks you all have helped me make up my mind , so a 6x6 it is. I do have a couple of questions. Can you mount a winch on the rear of the machine or use a multi mount system. Also the new machines use a plastic bed and I was wondering how can I mount a gun boot or two on the back . Would any of you have a photo of your gun carry system. Thanks again.

there is a system i got it from a person in valdez it works great I will look fot the photes send me an E mail I am the person that just posted the wheel spacers [email protected]