sportman 500

[john-weiss]

i'm starting to look for a new bike. and i'm not sure winch one i'm going to buy. but this is one of them. and i have a few questions. how good is this in mud? and how does the AWD work. i have a honda right now and i can engage 4wheel by pressing a button can i do the same on this or does a "computer" tell it to engage?

[Dirtbmw20]

Welcome to the forum. The Sportsman 500 is one of the best bikes in it's class. The 4wd drive is superb, even more superb when compared to a Honda 4wd system (no harm meant by that). Great ride, great suspension travel, and great ground clearence. As far as the 4wd goes, you simply flip the switch from 2wd to 4wd and you have nothing else to worry about, no levers to hold for lockers or none of that crap. I own two 500's and couldn't be happier with either of them. Both are excellent mud machines and even better water dwellers, they love to swim. You won't be disappointed with a Sportsman 500. If you don't live in a cold climate or high elevation, stick to the carb models and not efi unless it's really necessary for your riding enviroment. Tha's my personal experience and every bit of it comes from hands on experience with the 500's, and also my personal opinion.

["Bankrupt"]

well i didnt much care for a honda before this weekend and now, i care for them even less.

my friend has a rubicon and while we were riding today, i asked her "you gonna let me ride your bike" she said "sure, that mean im going to ride yours?"

well we swapped bike for about 30 minutes and after about 2 i was ready to swap back. the honda rode like a tank, handled like a girly bike, had the power of a barbie jeep and was about as much fun as, well..... riding a honda.

the only good comments i had about the bike was that 1.) it handeled like a sport quad. easy to turn and steer and "sling" around a corner. 2.) the speedo pod is awesome. lots of info there, clock and all the important stuff. unlike mine which is 50/50 analog/digital.

the bad things are way too many to list. besides the total lack of power, the crap-ola seat. the wagon wheel ride (solid rear axle) and the simple fact that when you hit the gas the rear end jumps up in the air about a foot. and when you hit the gas in reverse it squats down to the point where you think that suspension is broke.

needless to say i was more than happy to get back on my popo.

[Turk]

I love my 06 Sp 500 HO.Had it almost 2 years now and could'nt be happier with my choice.I ride it pretty hard but also take very good care of it and it's bulletproof machine.

[cd]

the 400 425L and 500 four stroke polaris engines are arguably the best engines they ever built as far as reliability, overall performance and inherent problems. Even though they now have much bigger machines I still consider the SP500 HO one of their "flagship" machines.

[Rubberdown]

I've had my 2004.5 500HO Sportsman since brand new in 04, and now with 2700 hard ass miles on it, I would buy anotherone in a heart beat. I likely wouldnt ever buy the 800 for the simple fact that I dont need to go that fast to the point where it could easily kill me and also for the fact that a bigger bore machine will just break more stuff, like axles when you hook up and the motor has far more power than the axle has strength.

just my 500 cc's ;)

[Donut Slayer]

Well, when I got my 700 I was looking for a 500. I couldnt find a 500 cause it was the end of the model year. The dealer sold me my 700 for the 500 price. :whoo: But if I had to buy one again, it would be a 500.

[OnlyPolaris]

i love mine. i go anywhere and more other quads do. 4x4 is best on the market. plenty of power. easily turns bigger tires. i have never had this thing topped out simply because i don't need to go that fast. the 500 is the only bike i will probably ever own.

[popomonster]

i love my 800. but i know a few guys that are selling/trading theres for 500's. you must have self control, and a extra gas can. :)

[GOTTOYS]

I ride a 05 sp700 with a carb. If I did it over I would get a 500 with fuel injection. I seldom go over 40-45 mph and the 500 has more than enough power. It would be nice to get a little better fuel economy. You can't beat the ride and the 4wd system is just plain great. Just flip the switch to 4wd and forget about it. It shifts in and out as needed. It's amazing how tough these things are. I ride mine pretty hard but try not to abuse it and I haven't broken anything yet.....GOTT :smokin: