Even though you may spend a lot of time and attention taking care of your ATV, you may still experience a dead battery from time to time. This happens to the best of us all the time. Usually it is in our car, truck, van or SUV, but just because you do not use your ATV as frequently as your bigger vehicles does not make them exempt from this unfortunate incident. A dead battery happens pretty similarly in and ATV as it does in larger vehicle. An ATV battery will most often die if anything that uses the electrical system is left on while the motor is not running. Personally, I am most guilty of leaving the lights on after I have parked my ATV for the day. Fear not though, even though you may have a dead battery, you aren’t necessarily stuck with it.
Jump starting an ATV is very similar to jump starting a car, only you usually want to jump an ATV battery from another ATV battery. There are, however, some key differences and warnings you definitely want to know that I will address below, as well as an alternative method to jump starting for where you don’t have a source to jump from.
Starting out with the basics will give you a lot of insight into what is happening with your battery. First, a battery powers the electrical system and helps power the motor on your ATV. Batteries, of all kinds, hold charges of positive and negative charges that work together to provide the power. Within the ATV, the battery is and integral part of the engine and without it, your ATV will not start.
Batteries of all kinds basically work the same, but motor vehicle batteries, like ATV batteries, are somewhat different than those used in a flashlight because they dispense power, but also simultaneously being refilled with new power to be used. This is accomplished by the alternator within the engine. When your ATV is turned off, the battery has an amount of usable energy stored within it. The ATV uses this stored energy to start the engine and continue powering it during use. While the engine is going, the alternator is being powered, which is refilling the battery as it empties.
It is this process that allows ATV batteries, like those in cars and trucks, to last years rather than days or even weeks.
The mechanics of the battery are pretty simple and in theory the battery should always be able to start your ATV. However. there are several reasons that the battery may not be able to start your ATV that you need to be prepared for. One of the most common is that you have left on your lights or something else that is pulling power from the battery while your ATV is powered off. The lights and other purely electrical features of your ATV still work because the battery has stored energy that the alternator had filled it with during your last ride. There is a risk that whatever electrical source that is pulling for the battery store will pull too much of the stored energy from the battery and it will no longer be able to start the engine effectively. When this occurs you are able to restart the battery with a jump and let the alternator refill the battery with power once again.
It is important to note that it is common for a battery to fail because it has prematurely emptied, but eventually, like everything, a battery will meet the end of its useful life. It is important to note the difference between a non-charged battery and a battery that is fully dead.
The main difference between a battery that just needs a jump and a battery that is fully dead is the battery’s capability to hold power within it. The reason batteries are able to recharge is due to plates that both discharge the power as well as receive the new power within the cells in a battery. As the battery is used, those plates will eventually break down from use, they also develop a discharge which will reside within the battery corroding it faster. Basically, batteries die because nothing lasts forever. Batteries that no longer possess the capability to hold a charge are ones that need to be completely replaced with a new battery. If the battery is still able to hold a charge, but has simply dispensed of all the energy currently stored within it, there is hope that jumping it will solve the problem and you will be back to a fully functioning battery in no time.
There is no easy way with only your eyes to distinguish between a battery that is no longer able to hold a charge and one that is simply DEAD. There are devices that allow you to test the charge of a battery and most mechanic shops have those and will let you use them if you are questioning what to do. Besides testing the battery, the best way to tell if the battery may be past its prime is by how long you have had it. The longer you use a battery, the more wear and tear the plates inside experience, so if it has been a while (think years not months) since you have replaced the battery and you have noticed the battery struggling to turn over, the battery probably needs to be replaced. If it has been replaced in the last year, then it is likely you will be able to recharge it to satisfaction again.
It is important to note that other problems do arise that may seem like a dead battery but are really unrelated. One of these situations is if something is wrong with the alternator and it is no longer functioning correctly to restore a charge to the battery.
This may lead you to think that there is something wrong with the battery when the battery is actually fully functional. If the battery is tested and works fine or you have a new battery and the ATV won’t start, your next step is to take it into a mechanic unless you know what you are doing.
Despite whether or not your battery is able to hold a charge or past its prime, it doesn’t make a dead battery on the trail any more fun. If you are out and about and your ATV will not start, there are three methods you can try to get it restarted.
A compression start is where you manipulate your ATV into starting by making it really easy on the engine to turn over. To do this you will need to be able to get your ATV moving at close to 10 MPH. To try a compression start, first turn on the ATV and then put it in first gear. If it is unwilling to be put in first, you may want to up it to second gear. As you begin to push the ATV, you will want to pull in the clutch and get moving.
Once you are moving at a good speed, about 10 MPH, try letting out the clutch and adding gas as the engine begins to try and turn over. This will hopefully trick the engine into starting and the battery, as long as it is still viable, will be able to charge while the engine runs.
Hopefully if your battery dies on an outing, you are with a friend or family member who also has an ATV because jumping an ATV using another ATV is probably the easiest way to get the job done. First, bring the ATV’s close to each other so that jump cables can reach each ATV’s battery. Then, attach the jump cables (typically red and black cables) to the good battery. Follow this process by attaching the other end of the cables to the empty battery. Turn on the first ATV, or the one with the full battery, and let it run for a little while, approximately 3-5 minutes. After that, try and turn on the dead ATV with the cables still connected. Typically, this will do the trick and your ATV will immediately start.
You can now disconnect the jumper cables by fully disconnecting the cables from the previously-dead battery and then the full-battery ATV. Make sure to allow it to run for approximately 30 more minutes before turning it off to allow the alternator to fully charge the battery again. You may ride it during this time, or you can simply let it idle.
You may not always have someone with you that has another ATV to jump start your ATV, but hopefully you are able to reach a car or other vehicle. If you just drove for hours to try out a new riding spot and found your battery dead, you can use your car to jump the battery as long as you pay a little extra attention to what you are doing. First, connect the jumper cables to the car battery. Secondly, connect the second set of cables to the ATV. DO NOT TURN YOUR CAR ON. Make sure to leave your car engine and battery off. Car batteries are much more powerful than ATV batteries and putting that much energy into an ATV battery can deeply and permanently damage the battery.
Even when the batteries are connected and both devices are turned off, enough energy can be siphoned to the dead battery to restore enough of a charge to help it start. After a little while, again approximately 3-5 minutes, try turning on the ATV. When the engine turns over, you are safe to disconnect the jumper cables, one vehicle at a time, as long as you let the engine run while the alternator refills the battery, again approximately 30 minutes.
If none of these methods work for you, you will want to get the battery tested. If you aren’t in need of a new battery, that is a good indication there is something else going on with your ATV and a trip to the mechanic may be in store.
ATV’s are a lot easier than cars, but they are a tricky and complicated of machinery that needs maintenance and attention, but that doesn’t mean that only professionals can handle every little thing. Understanding the ins and outs of your ATV battery can save you a lot of time, money and frustration as you enjoy riding the trails.
Charging Instructions for Motorcycle Battery How do I jump-start my vehicle? 3 Ways To Revive A Dead ATV Battery
← Charging
Having your ATV battery not turn over can be a really terrible time. At home, you can charge it using your battery charger, but if you are out on a trail or at a campsite, it can be scary when it won't start. But all is not lost. There are a few ways you can get your ATV battery going again.
The Compression Start is where you basically trick the ATV into starting. What happens is you get the wheels moving, and that can trick the engine into rolling over. Once it is on, it will charge the Battery as you drive.
Turn on the key or switch and put your ATV into first gear. Sometimes, if you cannot get it rolling fast enough, you may need to put it into second gear.
Pull the clutch up and get the ATV rolling to 10 MPH. Then let out the clutch and add gas as your hear the engine try to turn. This should make the engine fire. Make sure to pull in the clutch once it's started to make sure you don't crash
This is a really useful way to jump start your ATV as you will usually be cruising with at least one other ATV. This is a fairly simple way to get your ATV running, it's merely jumping it like when you jump a car.
Connect the cables to the good battery first, then connect the bad Battery. When you connect the black wire, or the ground Wire, it is usually better to just attach it to the frame as there is not a lot of room on the battery. Just make sure it is grounded. Start the good battery first and let it idle for a few minutes. Then try starting the bad battery. Once it starts, remove the red wire first, then the black from the newly started ATV, repeat for the other. Let this ATV idle for a while before you turn it off.
You can actually use a car to jump start an ATV. This can be really useful if you just drove for miles and miles to a location and then found out your ATV isn't turning over.
Connect the wires like you would with any other ATV/ATV or car/car set up. Then, do NOT turn on the car. The car battery is much stronger than the ATV battery, and if you turned it on you could cause problems to the ATV Battery. Instead, just try to turn on the ATV. If it was the battery preventing it from starting, then it should turn over.
These three ways to get your ATV battery going can be really useful when you find yourself stranded. Knowing the power of your machine, what it can do, and how to get it going is very important for this. But try to take good care of your battery at all times, and check to make sure it is in working condition before you leave.
Polaris has introduced updates that will affect 2023 ATVs. Riders can expect an improved Ride Command system, new accessories and line updates. Let's talk about updates in more detail.
Ride Command is Polaris' navigation app. In group trips, it helps the participants to connect with each other. nine0003
In the updated Ride Command+, you can install the SIM card and connect to the Internet through it. So the owner will be able to see data about his ATV through the application on the smartphone or the website. For example, you can track the charge of fuel or battery, or errors. More importantly, you can track the location of the ATV. This is useful for those who leave the ATV in the garage for the winter or on a trip to the place of fishing or hunting.
Later Polaris promises to add other useful features. Here is what should be implemented in the near future:
The new Ride Command+ system will be available free of charge for 3 years on ATVs where it is installed. And 1 year if it was purchased separately. Subscription will cost 9$9 per year.
New accessories added to the 2023 range:
Prospector Pro 2.0 All Season Tracks . Due to the flexible sides and a slight inward bend, it is easy to turn on such tracks. They can be installed on any Polaris ATV.
Pro Armor Lighting Panels . The entire range of lighting panels has been updated, they have become more powerful. The design of square, one- and two-row models has changed. Some panels have orange lenses to better illuminate the road when visibility is poor: in fog, snow, rain, or through dust. nine0003
Steering wheels (only for Polaris RZR).
Two models of Pro Armor tires (Polaris RZR only).
Organizers and storage accessories from Kolpin (Polaris Ranger only).
RZR . The RZR Turbo R version received two new colorways. And in the RZR Pro XP Premium package, a new speaker control panel was installed, made in the "marine" waterproof design IP68. nine0003
Sportsman . Models 450, 570 and 850 received a new color scheme. In addition, the Sportsman 450 and 570 have larger bars with luggage racks.
General . Two new models have been added to the lineup: General XP 1000 Sport for two and four passengers. Among the modifications of General XP, these are the most affordable. They differ from the “older” versions, Ultimate and Premium, in a simpler interior trim and equipment: it will not have an audio system and the Ride Command system. nine0003
Ranger . All Premium versions received new LED headlights. The SP 570 Premium, XP 1000 Premium, and XP 1000 NorthStar trims added a USB port to the dash.
The XP 1000 NorthStar Boss received a Ride Command, a new LED underbody light, an overhead switch panel for auxiliary gauges, and added a 12V jack in the cargo area.
Youth . The Outlaw 70 EFI, an ATV model for children ages 6 and up, has been given a new color scheme. And on the 150 EFI UTV models, new seat belts and replacement foot mats were installed. nine0003
The major update for 2023 Polaris ATVs is the Ride Command+ app with mobile internet and new features. In addition to the application, some models received changes in equipment and trim. And there are new accessories: tracks, tires, lighting panels, steering wheels and storage organizers.
14 Sep
Polaris has many interesting surprises for riders.
For example, the company returned to the four-stroke liter snowmobile market, and also introduced an updated RIDE COMMAND system. We will tell you about all the new products for the 2023 model year in the article. nine0003
The most important upgrades are for the engines. Gorniki received a new two-stroke naturally aspirated Patriot 9R, and utility models and crossovers received a four-stroke ProStar S4. The 850 Patriot Boost, introduced a year ago, is now being used in cross-country snowmobiles.
Enough other innovations. Many sleds have moved to the Matryx platform, the SKS is back, and the two-seat Indy Adventure X2 has arrived.
Patriot 9R Engine
The Patriot 9R is a mountain snowmobile engine that makes conquering snowy slopes even easier. Compared to the 850 Patriot, it is 1.2kg lighter, spins faster, has 7% more power, and has 12% more torque than its predecessor.
All this thanks to a larger cylinder volume (900 cm³), a lighter crankshaft with 3% less inertia, a 10% lighter flywheel, ceramic-coated pistons, a new design of the cylinder block and a number of other improvements. nine0003
Patriot 9R engine available for PRO RMK SLASH and RMK KHAOS SLASH snowmobiles.
Polaris PRO RMK on Matryx platform
All 2023 mountain sleds are built on the Matryx platform, which makes handling easier and more predictable.
The INDY SP and Switchback SP also received the Matryx platform, now fitted with the 650 Patriot engine instead of the 600 Cleanfire. nine0003
This is a light and agile snow and trail model that takes its name from its legendary ancestor from the eighties. It comes in the only configuration with a 650 Patriot engine and a 15x146x2.0 track.
Polaris SKS
In 2023, Polaris is returning to the four-stroke snowmobile market with the new ProStar S4 engine.
This two-cylinder unit is based on the proven motors that Polaris has been using in ATVs for years, but optimized for snowmobile performance. nine0003
The 1000 cc 4S develops just under 100 hp, fuel economy and quick throttle response. It has a dry sump lubrication system, an updated electronically controlled throttle body, a new balance shaft and a new cylinder head.
ProStar S4 Engine
The ProStar S4 engine is installed on crossover, motocross and utility snowmobiles. Due to its compactness, it fits into the Matryx chassis without any problems. To compensate for the weight of the engine, models with a four-stroke engine received Polaris TS shock absorbers. nine0003
850 Patriot Boost
Turbocharged 2-stroke engine available on Indy VR1 and Hybrid Switchback Assault models. In this case, you can still choose the 850 Patriot.
Indy Adventure X2
This is a two-seat model for trail riding and shallow snow.
Available in two engine options, the two-stroke 650 Patriot and the four-stroke ProStar S4. Equipped with double carbide rails, 7S screen and strong Sentry bumper. nine0003
The biggest update is the RIDE COMMAND+ system. Many more models get a new look, the RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar Trail Boss has become even more useful on the farm thanks to new options, and the available GENERAL XP 1000 Sport has appeared.
RIDE COMMAND
The RIDE COMMAND+ system can connect to the internet via cellular networks. Due to this, all data about the ATV is available remotely through the application on the phone or the RIDE COMMAND website. For example, you can view the battery level or the amount of fuel, as well as run diagnostics and learn about errors. RIDE COMMAND+ also allows you to find an ATV on the map. nine0003
Over time, RIDE COMMAND+ will be updated over the air (OTA) with new features.
For example, there will be an analogue of a car alarm with feedback and a trip track recording function with a report on kilometers traveled, waypoints and changes in altitude. RIDE COMMAND+ comes standard on the 2023 Ranger XP Kinetic and Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar Trail Boss Edition models. For others, it is available as an option.
RZR . The RZR TURBO R model received new black fenders and rockers, as well as two new colors and good Rockford Fosgate acoustics.
2023 RZR TURBO R
Rockford Fosgate Speakers
Ranger. The RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar Trail Boss 2023 comes standard with a diode rear work light, a new 12-volt outlet in the cargo area, an overhead switch panel for controlling lights and other equipment, and a RIDE COMMAND+ system. Other Ranger models in the Premium trim received new LED headlights. The RANGER SP 570 Premium, RANGER XP 1000 Premium and RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar come with a USB charging port on the dash.
