My thumb is starting to itch and twitch. We've been seeing frost in the mornings and some forecasts of snow.
I've talked to my dealer and they haven't rec'd all the parts yet for the updates. Just wondering if anyone has had their FST's updated yet.
Should be like a new machine this season with the engine updates and the ride characteristics should show improvement with the changes 'Snowbeeler' suggested.
Can't wait.....................

I called my dealer asking about getting the updates done and he hadn't recieved anything yet from Polaris. He told me to wait until the end of the month, he thought he would have everything by then.

I was told October

still no word from my dealer either.........they didn't even know until I called them :sleep3:

I took mine in this week to get the updates and brought home the wifes 07 Fst It looks Great!
I wish they could move the wires to get at the spark plugs like they did on the 07. Let you know when I get it back. :beerchug:

If the map is correct then we really shouldn't need to get to the plugs. However, i'm going to have mine replaced when i take it in so that i can start with a fresh set after the updates. I replaced them myself last season and i don't want to have to do it again. Not sure what they were thinking when they designed that part of the engine compartment.

FYI, My dealer knows nothing either. Sometimes i get the feeling that he would rather not be bothered with my "hard to work on" sled.

I don't want to pick on your dealer but he needs to read his emails. Dealers are not notified one at a time. The information is available, he's just not looking or maybe he is busy with all the ATV's Polaris is stuffing the dealers with. Either way I told my dealer I did not what to get it out of storage yet so we are going for the end of Oct..

Gizz - if your not getting good service, you might want to try Canyon Motorsports. I have been very happy with their service and they really try to make you happy.

:banana: Dealer gave me the green light to bring the FST in for the updates :div20: :div20:

Got mine back last week. They did the ECU Reflash,Alternator Heat Sheild & Oil Cooler Sleeve Insert.
But did nothing about wires and hoses Rubbing. Looks like I will have to do this on my own or what till it Dies on the trail and take it back for warrenty :banghead:
It looks like the only thing that is going to fix the fuel gauge is to bend the float rod as posted on this sight last year.

Are the dealers supposed to reroute the wires and hoses? I thought they were just supposed to do the flash and other updates? Only reason I am asking is I have a chance to buy an 06 FST with the updates done, or buy an 07 FST from another dealer. Would you buy an 06 or an 07? :banghead:

88

There have been many improvements over the 06 to 07 model. Ski spendles have changed, skis, re-route of the wires and tubing, and a bunch of other things that are yet to get disclosed.

For a few bucks more and a longer warrantee, I would just pony up and be done with it. Get the 07 and be satisfied you have as good as it gets.

Save a nickle spend a dime process is never very productive. Remember it will be an 07 and not a year old sled when you buy it. That is worth something too. While the 06 is still a nice sled and with the updates it will be a good sled, why settle when you can just spend a bit more and get all the other things along with it?

I agree. I'm not unhappy with my 06 but i would opt for the updated version at this point. Of course if the price is right you have to consider it but if the price difference is not too great then i would definately opt for the 07.

Why don't you get the online parts book opened up, and check for yourself what spindles are used on the 06 versus the 07.

The Touring and M10 equiped LX, no longer has a Fox rebuildable Front Track Shock.

The LX (versus the 06 FST Classic) does not have the wide windshield with built-in mirrors.

Two seperate rags talked about the changes to the spindles and the reason for the changes were the complaints about the arm strong steering. There are also a couple companies making after market spindles for those who own the 06 changing the geometry to improve the steering. I don't have a parts book. Going on what Polaris told the editors about upcoming changes.

That is important if you want to revalve the track shocks for a much improved ride.

From what I've heard' no spindle change, only ski's and seen this. The mount hole has been moved 3/4"

Let me lend you my online parts book:

http://parts.polarisind.com/Browse/Browse.asp

THANK YOU!!! Parts book is GREAT!!!

The updates seem to work fine. I performed them on a brand new 2006 FST Classic.

The oil cooler insert goes in nicely, with the restrictor right on top of it.

The alternator shield is much bigger and really covers up the entiere alternator body from the radiated heat from the turbocharger and exhaust pipe.

The reflash to the 2007 engine management program and configuration went smoothly. The engine starts instantly, cold or warm. In 50F outside temperatures it idled for 20 minutes, reached 160F degrees and leveled off.

I did not have enough space to test any performance.

Excursion, been reading this site for over a year and really appreciate your input. I believe I read somewhere that you are a dealer. It would sure woud have been nice if the factory had done the same when we were all out R&D their sleds the past couple of years, never responded to e-mails or phone calls. Polaris has always been a good sled for me, out of 5 other sleds, since I started riding in 1996, only one (RXL) was ever been back for repairs. This FST has been fairly good to me except the same problems everyone else is having. Anyway thanks again for your input.

Excursion,Thank you for the parts manual.

Daveyboy, rnet, others

Glad to help out, I know most would prefer to be able to investigate and learn some of these things on their own, if they have the right tools.

A nice feature of the online parts book, is not real obvious...

After you have entered in a product line, year, model,
you have a left side column of assemblies in that model machine.

When you click on an assembly, the column shows the parts detail that is in that assembly.
On the right side of this parts detail (you may have to pull on the dividing line to see it) is an underlined link with the word USAGE

If you click on this you can see all the models and assemblies where this part is used.

Be aware that this display of where used may be misleading, for example if you are looking for where an 800 VES exhaust valve is used, you could get misled into thinking that it is used on 600 or 700 engined sleds, because in many cases several models share the same 'parts book' and the computer is really telling you what Parts Books that part number is listed in.


When I come out to New York state some day, maybe you folks can point me to a chunk of trail that has had a groomer on it.

When it stays cold for more than a week and we have snow, the trails in WNY are groomed very nice. Be glad to take you for a ride.

You'll have to come here in northern ontario for a rip. Lots of snow and thousands of miles of groomed trails.

I haven't gotten much north of Hornepayne ON, but I understand some of the folks up there ride an FST for 1000 miles in 24 hours. That would be most excellent, my high is 625 running the Grand Maris MI 500 miler on a '96 600 XCR SP triple, triple keeping up to a YAM 600 SRX triple, triple. We were making some sweet sounds that day.

Picked up my 06 FST today from the dealer , the resitor wire for the gas gauge level is
back ordered, they made all other updates and reflash. I cannot tell the difference in the alternator cover (shield) it looks just like the old one,
Can anyone tell me the difference??

Got my sleds back from the dealer updates.
Now it's time for me to do some updates. I'm studding up the FST with 153 'Gold Diggers', changing the windshield, changing to IQ graphics, and adding the block heater(the Polaris block heater is an adhesive backed heating pad that attaches to the coolant tank).
The electric start kits finally came for the 600HO's. So my wife will be getting electric start. They were and then they weren't available last year. Looks like a pretty straight forward installation.
And after all that, let it snow. It's been trying around here, just a little too early though.

In regards to spindle changes from an '06 to an '07... the spindle is the SAME. Plus, only performance models recieved the revised ski mount, shaved keel and softer spindle rubber. Models with an M-10 are the same as an '06 when it comes to ski revisions.

Where did you get this information about the block heater for the FST's?

The only coolant tank on an FST is the plastic overflow or collant recovery tank. Heating that up will NOT warm up the engine. I am still waiting to see the block heater for the FST. Some of the ATV's have adhesive oil heaters but that is on the ones with metal oil reservoirs.

I ordered the 120 vac block heater for the FST and when I rec'd it I looked over the instructions quickly, but was really inquisitive about what type of heater it was going to be. I assumed a soft plug type, but no it's an adhesive backed heating pad. And I'm almost sure the instructions said attach it to the coolant tank. Hmmm? I haven't had time to pursue the installation any further. I will read more slowly and post later.

Have had all the updates done , and the sled is back from the dealer
Still NO fuel sender jumper to correct the Gas Gauge, polaris says its back-ordered
Anyone recieve this jumper yet? Part #2410850

:banghead: No, mine still there, but the dealer however is checking and thats all I can hope for, however I did away with another 2 stroke and brought the new 2007 FST IQ in black, so I said when the FST Switcher is fixed I will pick up both ....Unless we get 20' :beerchug:

I got the jumper put on my sled in the spring when Polaris made it available. It does NOT fix the fuel gauge, it only makes the gauge read like there is more fuel in the tank. It eliminates the blinking 1/8 tank indication but does not fix the accuracy. To fix that you need to bend the float rod like myself and others have done. See my post in "fuel gauge accuracy".

Mike

Click to view attachment

Excursion,
I went back and read the instruction manual and the 'block heater' doesn't attach to the coolant tank. It adheres to the Mag Side Engine Mount Bracket. The heater is only 125 watts. But I suppose if it were plugged in all night enough heat would transfer to help in extreme cold conditions.


I guess my dealer/mechanic was on it for the updates, because I got everything. The only thing he waited for was the carb boots for our 600HO. As soon as they came in I hauled the units in for 'all' the updates.

real-steel,

Thanks for the pic of the instruction sheet. It is an interesting way to addon a block heater in a very cramped engine compartment. The way the thermostat and radiator/oil cooler are plumbed in, I don't think it would be easy to install a coolant block heater that will be very efficient.

It is tricky to install a tank-type coolant heater, that will circulate the coolant, when the engine is not running, BUT will not short-circuit the cooling system when the engine is running.

You might be able to 'span' across the radiator, and then use a shutoff valve, or a one-way valve to prevent flow thru the coolant heater when the engine is running. I think it will be necessary to use a tank heater with a pump, because thermosyphon flow, probably won't get the job done.

:banana: Updates all done, let it SNOW!!! :celebrating:

Updates done on my sled on Friday. Dealer knew NOTHING about the fuel gauge fix so i didn't get that, but i think i'll bend my rod as others have done. I just got to get brave enough to do it. I asked for new plugs but dealer said didn't have time to put them in on Friday and i wanted to get my sled home (over 1 hour drive one-way). I know i need to find a new dealer but there's really nobody within range that i'm aware of and i kind of felt like i needed to get these updates done ASAP at my original dealer just so i can get it done and get out of there.

So now I am finally looking for a new dealer in N-Central PA. If anyone knows anyone that wouldn't mind taking care of my FST and a 2005 Poo Classic that i bought somewhere else shoot me a PM and I'll get in touch with them. There's likely gonna be future purchases. I'm just looking for someone who actually gives a crap about 4-strokes. My current dealer literally hates them and said so himself. (His words "I ain't changin plugs in that POS today"). This was after i made an appointment to get the updates AND PLUGS done a week before. I left work early to get there early enough to have all the work done. NICE!.

Hope you solve this, Dealers can also be a big problem to product representation, Service what you Sell or get out of the business.... This dealer has to go, my dealer kept me informed with no BS, and I waited for the fuel gauge fixed and did not rush the matter and after selling our Super Sport decided to buy from them again our 2nd FST, ......so here are some Pics, :div20:

Gizz

My dealer said that you type in the serial number of the sled and all the fixes for it come up. Assuming this is true, your dealer really doesn't give a crap for your sled or business. This is not the way to keep a customer and the sooner you replace him the better, as dealers like that give the whole industry a bad name. It happens...just the way it is. So do your research and get on with it.

As I have said before, 50% of buying a sled is NOT the price. Nobody wants to pay too much for a sled, but $100 saving with an idiot dealer is not worth it when they CAN'T get the job done AFTER the sale.

Just like car and truck dealers, there's good ones and ones that you don't want to deal with.

As for the fuel fix, the jumper wire is a joke. Fuel gauge should read the true situation in the tank, or might as well, go back to the plastic tube deal running up the side of the tank. At least you could tell how full or empty the tank is. Take the time to pull the sender and bend the sending unit. Then you get the real deal. It will take you most of a day, but in the end, you will have something useful rather than a gauge that reads full for 3 or 4 gallons, drop to half way over the next gallon then to near empty on the next one.

BE sure to read the write-ups others on here have experienced in the process of doing this. That information is invaluable.

It is sad that Polaris isn't fixing this for the IQ sled owners. But the truth is, all the manufacturers ignore you after the sale, if the fix is too expensive. Of course the bean counters at these organizations are still in control, and are scratching their heads as to why fewer and fewer sleds are being sold over the last few years. They are blaming poor winters. But in MY BOOK, this is like a workman who blames his poor work on his tools. Auto companies let the bean counters run with the rules too, but they have finally seen the light over there and are beginning to grasp the concept that if the customer ain't happy for the life of what they just layed big bucks out for, then they aren't coming back for another helping. Seems either the industry has given up on the sled business, or they are slow to learn that the customer is the all important thing...in fact it isn't just the thing....it is the ONLY THING. If they have to charge a bit more to give a long warrantee then, what is the big deal. These are super complex machines with lots of things that can go wrong, and leaving you after a year or two with potential to hold the bag on a $2000 fix isn't popular with the guy who is telling his wife that he needs a new high tech sled. Most guys aren't wrenches and aren't eager or happy to start riping into the sleds at the first sign of a problem.

So as soon as the companies making sleds figure all this out the better. Take care of the customer forever, and put a 10 year warrantee on the sled, standard issue (gee is that 5,000 miles for most sleds purchased???) and watch how the whole talk of poor winters effecting sales, simply....melts away!!!

Nice garage and sleds. Is that a lock on them? You live in Quebec? Sorry, I couldn't resist. I have strong feelings about theft in my favorite place to ride. :beerchug:

You bet everything is locked and armed and No Live in Rural, Manitoba, north of Minnesota, you just can't be to safe these days, krypton cable and one BF$%^* LOCK, I lost one sled (99-XC500-Red, 150 miles on it and trailer back in 1999) and do not want to go through that again. :banghead:

Could some one snap a pic of how the coolent line rerouting or clamping looks after the dealer finishes the updates. Does it hold the lines further from the can?

Coolant line rerouting? Aw no, did my "previous" dealer screw me out of another update?
I didn't think there were any hose reroutings going on.

Let's be positive, the dealers all love the FST owners. Really. Would I Lie?

Here is the Original Fall of 06 FS/FST Update post.

In addition to what is mentioned in the Team Tip S-06-08-01, about using two cable ties to pull the 4 way manifold away from the silencer, toward the CAC metal tube, there is another step that helps a lot. You need to remove some coolant to avoid a spill, but if you get the silencer out, and then remove the hose between the water pump and the 4 way, and shorten it up some where it goes on the water pump and then reinstall it, this will pull the manifold away from the silencer also.

You can do your own "update" since there really is none from Polaris.

Coolant fix.

Thanks. I already did the "factory dent" thing last year :div20:
I think i'll also try and either push it further onto the water pump or just shorten it myself. As for the ties, i'll do that afterwards if necessary. Also have some heat shield tape so i'll do that as well.

I would really love to have my VIN number run by another dealer just to see what warranty work has been charged to my sled so i can compare it to what has actually been done. Would be mighty interesting.

Excursion - If your dealership(i think it's safe to say you are one right?) was closer you'd very likely be my dealer. I've gotten more FREE service from you than my existing dealer has ever given me and I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. Without this forum i'm afraid i'd be really in the dark. I'm sure these FST's are a bitch to work on and things are tight in there but that's the way it is sometimes and some dealers just don't get it. Because of that they also won't be getting my future business. This is my first new sled and there will be more in the future cause i'm addicted. Once i get my son, daughter, and wife hooked i'll be set. Too bad my original dealer won't be part of those sales, accessories, or service work. I don't like dropping $9K on an FST and $5500 on a leftover 500 classic for the wife, then being told by the same dealer that "i ain't working on that P.O.S. today". Why did i go there in the first place? Honestly i didn't really know any dealerships cause i never owned a sled. Someone mentioned them and unfortunately i went there. Lesson learned and time to move on.

Don't take it hard Gizz, we all live and learn. But this forum is uniquely helpful, and something I think we can all agree on helps in ownership of these sleds. We all collectively own one or more sleds and report issues and solutions so that we can all help each other. It is very new to the world of ownership and it is revolutionizing how ownership exists.

So as you work out problems and find solutions we can all help each other and that is the good that comes from it. It is very obvious to me as it is to everyone else on here, that having a member who is also a dealer who is Genuinely interested and is DEDICATED to helping and improving and informing is without question a great resource. We all collectively thank Excursion for this help. Someday, the slow to learn factory will get involved and become a valuable resource as well, and become a Venue to keep everyone informed and in the loop, and therefore committed to buying Polaris...perhaps being a valuable resource for them as well, and at that point the pressure to help won't be on Excursion who doesn't get paid to keep us informed. But until then we thank him. I only hope that Polaris gets this figured out sooner rather than later. Afterall, what a great opportunity it is for them to get free advice, on miles tested in real life conditions and to improve product lines to the point of near perfection. I cannot think of a better way for them to get good PR, improve product, and entrench vitally important product loyalty than to step up on these forums and use them to the max.

well said smokeless. I to have said the same, but nowhere as good. Polaris wake up to what we are saying here. Join in the chat.