Looking at a Polaris

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:33 pm

A buddy of mine has a 95 Polaris XLT for sale and wants $800.00 for it. Has 3000 miles on it and looks to be in pretty good shape.

It has electric start, reverse, and the 2 up seat on it.

My questions is what should I look for when looking over the sled. I am not as familiar with the newer sleds.

I figure I would do a compression test on all three cylinders, check out the track, hyfax, wear rods, etc. But other than that I dont know.

Are these sleds known for haveing any problems? I know the Indy twins are really reliable just not sure about the triples??

So i am just curious if its worth the $800??

Thanks,

Eric

Mr. Deere · Post by **Mr. Deere** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:19 pm

Check this Link out it was on the same sled I posted it and got some good feedback. http://z12.invisionfree.com/jdsleds/index.php?showtopic=3634 BOB

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:26 pm

Thanks Bob.

Sounds like $800 would be a fair price.

Was there any known running problems with the 95 models?

Thanks,

Eric

Post by **Matt** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:46 pm

That post pretty much covers it. $800 is fair. Back at the start of winter I posted mine on craigslist for $1500 (which I know is high). I got a couple offers for $1000 but I kept it.

Liquifire 4/6 · Post by **Liquifire 4/6** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:05 am

Eric, the price sounds right. Check the compression and the clutch and if those check out ok, buy it. I really feel that the XLT was one of Polaris's most reliable engines, provided it is left in stock condition and NOT piped. Those little triples will last a long long time spinning at 8000-8200 RPM's. Throw some pipes on it and spin it faster than it was intended to spin, and you'll be havin probs within 500 miles. The most troublesome XLT's were the 1996 models as they had some issues with improperly installed piston c-clips. This led to quite a bit of trouble in 1996 and unfortunately, the XLT's reputation suffered a great deal from it. It sounds like the sled you are looking at must be an XLT Touring....1995 was the first year the XLT touring was built on the Evolved chassis. It's a very nice sled, but for some reason, the Evolved body style XLT's generally are not as quick as the Wedge style chassis XLT's. The reverse mechanism was a tad problematic on them (and all other reverse equipped Indy's) during this era resulting in a few cracked chaincases and busted up gears. Be sure the reverse cable is adjusted properly and pop the cover off the chaincase to check for worn components. The XLT Touring has 34 mm carbs and isn't too bad on fuel and is easy starting. The XLT's with the 38mm carbs guzzled fuel and were often miserable to start, especially when they had been shut off for 10 or 15 minutes.

Pete

JDFanPa · Post by **JDFanPa** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:17 pm

Im not a fan of the monoblock tripples used in these sleds. Ive owned other polaris tripples that were great but found these motors to be bad. I bought a 1996 xlt with 32xx miles it was on its 2nd motor and this 1 didnt last more than a 200 miles after I got the sled. It did have the 38mm carbs and really sucked to start hot or cold. I think if you got it atleast replace the crankseals nd freshen it up you would be ok. These are doggy with a single pipe tripple pipes and some clutching really woke this sled up alot but probably hurt it asfar as reliability. It was quick once tarted but dont shut it off unless youve got alot of plugs. The 800 isnt a bad price if you want to put some money into preventive maintnence I paid 1500 for my 96 when it was 8yrs old and cosmeticaly it was a 9 on a 1-10 scale. If you are lucky and it has the extra 12 suspension this is some pretty nice suspension. Even though my newer sleds are cats Ive always found polaris to be a good sled just not the mono motors. One god thing also about these sleds are the indy chassis has been around forever and alot of parts interchange. Sorry to ramble just my thoughts.

75rat · Post by **75rat** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:59 pm

Liquifire 4/6 summed it up pretty well. $800 seems like a good price.

I've owed 4 XLT's; two 94's and two 99's. 3 had reverse and all worked great, I won't own a sled without it. The 94's were two of the best sleds I've ever owned (Still own one today). They have 34 mm carbs. Super reliable with good power and love the sound of the triple. The 99's are also nice and ride much better, but they aren't as quick. I'm not a big fan of the 38mm flatslide carbs, but that's another story.

The Xtra-12 used on the 95's give a nice ride, but don't expect them to corner like other high performance machines. They are not made for jumping either, they're trail sleds. I would also suggest going through the rear suspension, check for seized shafts, elongated holes in the rails, and worn out bearings.

Left stock and proper maintained, these things seem to run forever. I wish Polaris still made them, I'd buy another one....

Jim

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:13 pm

Thanks guys. I will take a look at it next weekend while i am up in WI. What should the compression be on the engine? here is picture of it

thanks,

Eric

75rat · Post by **75rat** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:04 pm

Should be around 125 psi and all within 5-10 psi. Anything under 100 psi is usually not good. If properly tuned, it should purr like a kitten...

Good luck,
Jim

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:09 am

I talked with guy who has the sled for sale.

Says there is a squealing noise when engine is running and you have to lift the track off the ground to start it. Becasue it wants to turn the track when starting. He doesnt know much about sleds so he wasnt sure exactly what was wrong but thought clutches might need to be adjusted.

He mentioned that a new belt had been installed.

So do you guys think that all that is wrong is that a wrong size belt is installed? What else would cause these problems?

I am going to check out the sled this weekend.

Thanks,
Eric

75rat · Post by **75rat** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:06 am

Eric,

There could be a problem with the primary clutch, or the clutches are not properly aligned. More than likely however, they just put on the wrong belt (too short). Try running it with the belt off, the clutch should move in and out freely with rpm changes. Be careful not to over rev the engine with the belt off.

Jim

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:50 pm

Thanks Jim,

I was thinking of doing the same thing. I guess the old used belt is included so I will try installing that as well and see what happens.

I hope this deal works out. I would really like to get a newer sled for next year. Too bad all the riding I will get to do is riding it on the trailer..ha

I am sure it will need a little attention to get it summerized and ready for next year.

-Eric

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:30 pm

Well,

Everything seemed to check out on the sled so I picked it up this weekend. Now all I need to find is a 1 up seat for it.

I noticed the belt was on wrong. So I switched that around...hopefully that solves the problem. I did not notice any noises when I loaded it on the trailer.

Hopefully this week I will have some time to clean it up and get it summerized!

75rat · Post by **75rat** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:09 am

Congratulations!

It's gonna be a long wait for snow.....

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:25 pm

Here it is.....

The new addition to the collection. Boy does it make the Trailfire LX look small.