I purchased a 2014 Sportsman 570 EPS ATV new in ’14 (along with a Polaris winch, Polaris Glacier Pro plow setup, and many other Polaris extras). Spent in the neighborhood of $8k on everything, said and done. I used the machine primarily to plow my driveway in the winter, and rode it a total of 4-5 times on trails. Never took it mudding, and had plans to keep it forever. The machine was maintained WELL IN EXCESS of Polaris recommendations, using Polaris oem parts. At 60 hours, and 500 miles, I experienced a hard starting problem. Immediately trailered it and brought it to my local dealer who informed me that the motor had ingested dirt and needed to be replaced as it was totally destroyed. They were not able to give me any explanation as to how dirt was able to bypass an OEM Polaris filter. However to their credit, they were (and continue to be) very patient and willing to show me the disassembled motor. Upon seeing it on the bench, the jug is definitely destroyed, and it appears dirt went through the bottom end as well.

So, upon seeing that, we talked options. They suggested I reach out to Polaris customer service, and speak with someone there. I told the dealer that I was holding no hope for Polaris to help, and that I had heard nothing but horror stories about their customer service. They advised me that they would attempt to make a goodwill plea to Polaris on their end. We agreed to touch base with each other as things developed over time. I asked the tech to explain to me how, other than the factory, OEM filter failing, dirt would enter my motor. He was not able to give me a logical explanation. And as a mechanically inclined 40 year old male who has been wrenching most of his life, I am unable to come up with one either. All signs point to filter failure.

So, I contacted Polaris customer service and was promptly told, and reminded several times over the course of a 5 minute phone call that the machine was not under warranty. However, I was advised that a case had already been opened by the dealer and that a service tech would be contacting the dealer.

Today, after several weeks, I was contacted by the dealer and informed that Polaris "will not be helping or assisting in any way, shape or form" as the Atv has ingested dirt and is out of warranty. However they offered me no additional explanation or reasoning as to how dirt or dust was able to bypass an OEM, Polaris filter and pre-filter sleeve.

NOBODY TO DATE HAS OFFERED ME AN EXPLANATION AS TO HOW DIRT WAS ABLE TO BYPASS A FACTORY FILTER.

I do not abuse the machine. I over-maintain it. I still owe in excess of $3,000 on what is now essentially a paper weight. I have bee quoted a price of over $4,000 for a replacement long block motor. I am a husband and father, who really took a leap in even spending this sort of money on myself in the first place. I am completely disgusted. The scariest part about this is that just prior to the incident, I was considering purchasing an 850SP and relegating the 570 strictly to plow duty at home.

I will never purchase another Polaris product as long as I live. I will, however, take every opportunity to spread my story in order to hopefully save an unwitting, unsuspecting person from a potential several thousand dollar loss. I do not know many people who can afford to throw their hard earned money away; I certainly cannot.

Polaris Industries does not care about the customer. If you are a reasonable, sensible adult who is in the market for an ATV, you absolutely owe it to yourself to explore other manufacturers. Hate to see myself type that last line. But it is what it is. I waited over a month to see this play out, before even coming onto the forum. I enjoyed the machine for a few miles. This one has been hard to eat….