2014 Sportsman 400 hard to shift

[Kevin Vlogs]

Hey Guys,

I'm pretty new to ATV's and never owned a Polaris before. Lately I have noticed that it is very hard to shift from Park to any other gear. Is there an adjustment, or is that just the way they are?

[Frank Angerano]

Hey Kevin. Welcome to Quadcrazy! That’s a great pic in your profile! Is that a 68 or a 69? Either way it’s sweet. 

Shifting should not be difficult.  Have you checked and or changed all the fluids? 

[Kevin Vlogs]

That is a 67 RS that I built with my son in our garage. It was an awesome experience. Shifting is very hard to move out of park. I just bought this ATV from a person my wife works with. They gave me a folder with receipts for service from the Polaris dealer. They never had any issues just did routine maintenance. It has 252 hours on it. Do you think I should change fluids?

[Frank Angerano]

Well I would just double check that all the fluids are up to par first and see how the oil looks and feels.   Have you looked at the shifter to see if anything is obstructing it ? Does it look like it was removed and reinstalled? 

[Kevin Vlogs]

I checked all fluids and they seem fine. I might go ahead and change again to be sure. There is no obstruction that I can see on the shifter. It shifts smooth from one gear to the next, but moving from Park you have to really tap it or push pretty hard until it moves.

[Frank Angerano]

Maybe a good idea to change fluids.Have you tried to rock the bike back and forth and shift at the same time to see if it’s any easier?

[Kevin Vlogs]

I have tried rocking it and it does make coming out of park easier. It just feels like linkage is out of adjustment or bent. May just be me not being used to the shifter yet. It runs great and all fluids look clean and don't smell burnt or anything. I was just looking to buy replacement fluids on amazon. They sell the Polaris oil change kit and other fluids. What do  you recommend about places to buy fluids and should I look at synthetics or stay with Polaris recommended.

[Frank Angerano]

Stick with what’s recommended.   You can’t go wrong. 

[BuggyMasters]

Does it shift easy with the engine off?

[TritownTrailrider]

2013 550 xp, was hard to shift from new. I use Mopar atf+ 4, and motorkote hyper lubricant , Shifts like butter trans stays cool.

Also use in rear diff  and engine. Rear  diff was always  very warm. Now  with aditive stays cooler to touch .

 I found ATF+4 to be the  best after  many other  fluid trials. And even without motorkote, was slick  shift.

[Dustin C]

Try adjusting the shift linkage. I try to get the two extremes (park and high) to work, then the rest should all work.