PRO RIDE TUNNEL REINFORCEMENT KIT

snowfun · Apr 20, 2011

LOOKING FOR SOME INPUT ON POLARIS FACTORY ACCESSORY TUNNEL REINFORCEMENT KIT. DUE THEY HELP WITH THE RUNNING BOARD CRACKING CONCERNS ? DUE THEY CAUSE A SNOW BUILD UP CONCERN ? DUE THE RIVETS THAT YOU INSTALL IN THE TUNNEL COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TRACK? I JUST CAN'T BRING MYSELF CUTTING OUT THE RUNNING BOARDS ON A NEW SLED TO INSTALL BETTER BOARDS

redink420 · Apr 20, 2011

After 8 or 9 days on my '11 I installed better boards. I was getting buildup and could already see the factory cutouts starting to bend. I won't hesitate to cut the '12 up before it even hits the snow.

Arcteryx · Apr 20, 2011

redink420 said:
After 8 or 9 days on my '11 I installed better boards. I was getting buildup and could already see the factory cutouts starting to bend. I won't hesitate to cut the '12 up before it even hits the snow.

I have the Polaris reinforcement braces and don't really recommend them. They did strengthen the boards and held up well but I found they allowed more ice to build up.
I went ahead and ordered Air Frames. Pretty sure that is the only way I am going to be truly happy.

rotax · Apr 21, 2011

Pol reinforcements do help stiffen/strengthen the boards if you don't wanna cut up the boards.

Aftermarket boards will most likely be 'better' yet, but obviously, require cutting.

TOlsen · Apr 21, 2011

I put on the Polaris reinforcements and my boards still bent. Mostly behind them, but some in the center. This is not a shock, I'm a huge guy. Now if I want to remove these for better boards I'll have holes in the side of my tunnel. I'm going to skip these on my 12 and plan on adding inserts when need be.

Rev Kev · Apr 21, 2011

My Pro never saw snow before I was hacking away, and installing better boards, it was tough cutting into a brand new sled, but I don't regret it, 1100 miles and zero running board issues.

F-Bomb · Apr 21, 2011

I've had on Better Boards (of course) in September about twenty minutes after it hit the ground. NOT ONCE HAVE I BEEN SORRY! Plain and simple it's one of the best aftermarket products on the planet and they flat out work for the PRO.

Certainly the PRO is a huge improvement over the iq raw for running board clearing but not in strength and they don't even come close to performing as well as BETTER BOARDS.

Want even stronger then the proven standard? They can be made in any material thickness...THE HD STUFF HAS BEEN AWESOME.

DO IT and quit handicapping yourself...life is too short to not have the best!

savagecanuck · Apr 21, 2011

Loved my betterboards on my 09 D800.Now that I traded it in on a 2012 pro I will be ordering BB this summer for my new sled

Nvr2deep · Apr 21, 2011

Reinforcements work great don't cut save your money.

doc202 · Apr 21, 2011

so, really, how hard is the install on these better boards? is it pretty hard to screw up the install? Man, cutting on a brand new sled scares the crap out of me:face-icon-small-sho

FCR112 · Apr 21, 2011

Nvr2deep said:
Reinforcements work great don't cut save your money.

Got any pics of that?

F-Bomb · Apr 22, 2011

"pictures" thanks that was hilarious! Yes 2deep we invite 'you...' to save your money!...and thank you for your comments..brap :face-icon-small-ton

doc not horrible and keep in mind now well over 10,000 people have chopped away prior to you FOR JUST BETTER BOARDS (probably add about fifty more for the rest of our competition BRAP BRAP:face-icon-small-ton)...and believe it or not some have bunked things up! BUT it's a pretty simple concept and takes about 2 hours for most folks to accomplish on their first install. I've done over 200 myself and I'm NOT CONSIDERED THE BEST MECHANIC IN THE INDUSTRY! (that will be hilarious to some that have raced with or worked for me in racing during the past...I was restricted from any mechanical activities because we liked to win!)

Lay em over your board....trace your cut path...cut out the entire footbed (not little window holes) below the the Better Board leaving adequate metal to catch a rivet. Drill out your holes and install the steel rivets supplied.

rotax · Apr 22, 2011

doc202 said:
so, really, how hard is the install on these better boards? is it pretty hard to screw up the install? Man, cutting on a brand new sled scares the crap out of me:face-icon-small-sho

The actual cut was the most "work" when I did mine on my previous sled.
But, that depends on your cutting tool I spose.

I used a Jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. It wanted to bounce around a bit, but it got 'er dun.

An air riveter is STRONGLY recommended as well.

What kind of cutting tool does work the best/smoothest for this operation? Any tips?
Cut off wheel on a RotoZip? Doubt any body saw/tools will be affordable enough to justify for such an occasion.

FCR112 · Apr 22, 2011

Me and Buds experience... Air Riveter and a cut off wheel (Thanks Shanny) still need a file too for getting rid of the shrapnel... man would a die grinder work awesome.
I must be slow cuz it took me about 4 hrs (m series), but we clamped the crap out of everything in the best effort to get them on perfect. Be sure not to set the boards in place and trace around the outside of the boards and start cutting!!! You'll have nothing left to rivet it too. (may seem obvious but it's been done).
I rode today in snow deep enough to come UP through the better boards and I am a believer more than ever. Mine are on a M8 (4 sale!) extra thick and powder coated. My New Ride will have them on as well.

Tried the jigsaw, rotax you are the man! and a dremel is good for the little stuff but I think you would go through about $9,673.46 worth of cutting discs doing the entire project

MORSNO · Apr 22, 2011

A plasma cutter worked great...yes this was my first time ever using one.

2007 RMK Dragon 700

Test Fit

FCR112 · Apr 22, 2011

I want a
Plasma cutter!

adamg · Apr 23, 2011

They are pretty cheap on ebay, FCR.

crf118r · Apr 23, 2011

The Polaris reinforcements are a joke. Save your money... don't buy them. They don't "reinforce" and hold more snow. BB's take care of all of the problems. But, if you really want them, I'll sell you mine for what I paid. Just let me know :face-icon-small-win

F-Bomb · Apr 23, 2011

I have a sweet little Hypertherm PowerMax 380 plasma cutting machine that is one heck of a tool! Hot knife through butter. THIS IS A FUN GADGET TO HAVE! You can ruin thousands of dollars worth of metal in hurry. I don't have a back hoe but this has to be the garage tool equiv of that for MAN-awesome-NESS.

The disadvantage of plasma is the clean up (slag that has to be ground down or off) plus it takes a very skilled operator to cut a nice clean straight line. The more experience you get with what you are doing helps to eliminate the slag as well. You can see every shake and wobble in your results. The good news is on the PRO because Polaris made such a mess of the running board that you don't or can't bother to worry about a straight cut path and still get catch material. Oh well it's on the under side so no worry.

The next best cutting tool has been a cheapo harbor freight air body saw...they get down to $9 on special but mostly around 12-15. They wear out or get bound quickly but you can get three or four installs per.

Yes 100% you should all invest in a Harbor Freight air rivet gun as well. $39 and it will do a bunch of board installs...I think I've used only two in all of my installs and that is amazing! Most of 10,000 rivets was on one and I just barely had to buy another!

Ironmanstl · Apr 23, 2011

How about WRP inserts, seem the same as BB but also have sidewall support
these will be going on my '12 when it arrives

https://www.rockymountainsnowmobile...ntain_Tuff_Polaris_RMK_Runningboard_2011.html

http://www.youtube.com/user/MarcWRP#p/u/4/6CcftHmbNE0

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