Generation This Generation That

[Turk]

I've never understood the whole Polaris Generation thing.

Can someone here help me understand what it means when somebody says "I have a Polaris Gen. V" or "I own a Polaris Gen. VI".

What classifies a certain year polaris as a ceratin "Generation Polaris" ??

[Riven]

I'm with you i have an 04 but don't know what gen it is? Its never been a problem but it would be nice to know.

[Bigdog800EFI]

Not positive but i think this is how it goes.05 and newer dropped the generation badge.
04.5 gen VI
04 gen V
02-03 twins gen IIII
01-03 singles genIII
97-01 gen II
pre 97 Gen I

[Turk]

Oh I think I get it now Thanks Bigdog800EFI.

[cd]

Thats in the right direction but I know its not quite right, I had this stuff in a book at one time, let me look


however in the history of sportsmans that is pretty good, but not the actual polaris generation designation.

[cd]

Ok I'm going to try to explain this, this gets confusing but it really just comes down to the body work and frame, not alot to do with years or size

Gen I are fairly extinct

Gen II would be any trailboss from 96-up any xplorer 250 and magnums; sportsmans from 98-down

Gen III would be most Sports, Scramblers and Trailblazers with the exception of a year or two in their beginning, so pretty much 97-up 400/250/500 didn't matter as long as it looked like a scrambler

Gen IV Is where it gets fuzzy but for the most part this would look like a 2001 Sportsman 500 body-wise

Gen VI they consider the 04-up but this would be were your 04.5 should come into play I believe and it would be 400-700cc

From what I know the Predator/outlaw never got assigned a generation

The hawkeye/pheonix/sawtooth didn't get a generation from what I can tell but if they do I would think the new "midsize" sportsmans would be in it.

I don' think there was a Gen V

Their sleds also have generations

I will say don't go buying parts based on the generation, the gen number really doesn't have much to do with the composition of your machine as far as mechanical parts go; build date, model year, are they only way to go. There were quite a few changes among generations with transmissions, brakes, drive systems, and electronics.

[BIG_T]

The gen number was based on frames,
The hawkeye is just midsize, not a generation.
The pheonix/sawtooth bikes are a totally different class, sincce they aren't really designed by Polaris, just made by Aeon, whic Polaris owns.

[Turk]

Thanks for helping understand that better guys.

[jimmypsp700]

Ok I'm going to try to explain this, this gets confusing but it really just comes down to the body work and frame, not alot to do with years or size

Gen I are fairly extinct

Gen II would be any trailboss from 96-up any xplorer 250 and magnums; sportsmans from 98-down

Gen III would be most Sports, Scramblers and Trailblazers with the exception of a year or two in their beginning, so pretty much 97-up 400/250/500 didn't matter as long as it looked like a scrambler

Gen IV Is where it gets fuzzy but for the most part this would look like a 2001 Sportsman 500 body-wise

Gen VI they consider the 04-up but this would be were your 04.5 should come into play I believe and it would be 400-700cc

From what I know the Predator/outlaw never got assigned a generation

The hawkeye/pheonix/sawtooth didn't get a generation from what I can tell but if they do I would think the new "midsize" sportsmans would be in it.

I don' think there was a Gen V

Their sleds also have generations

I will say don't go buying parts based on the generation, the gen number really doesn't have much to do with the composition of your machine as far as mechanical parts go; build date, model year, are they only way to go. There were quite a few changes among generations with transmissions, brakes, drive systems, and electronics.

Thats just about right on but you forgot the Gen IV+ 2002-2003 sp600/700.

[rlc2500hd]

Ok, so how do ya now the build date. I bought mine used.

[Turk]

Ok, so how do ya now the build date. I bought mine used.


On my machine the build date is listed on the factory sticker on the lower right side of the machine by the radiator.

[hampster_rancher]

On my machine the build date is listed on the factory sticker on the lower right of the the machine by the side of the radiator.

Exactly!

[BIG_T]

yup, that will tell you. Otherwise, bring the serial number to your dealer and he should be able to look up the build date.