I just recently bought an 04 Sportsman 500HO and after the first ride out am not sure if it is up to snuff. I had an explorer 400 last year and the 400 seemed much more responsive and faster. Granted the 400 was a two stroke, but my Sportsman seems to not have the greatest top speed, maybe 45mph. This ride was at 9000 feet, but it was suppose to be clutched for that altitude.

Any input would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

 

It kinda sounds like your jetting of the carberator is wrong. At such a high altitude it probably needs to be leaned up a little. Unless your mechanicaly inclined I would take it back to your dealer or somewhere like that.

 

Wow a reply... I was beginning to think this site didn't welcome new comers, Thanks...

I normally do all my own work but under warranty I am hoping my dealer will find something on the 10 hour service. I am off about 400 rpm when at 9000 feet, so they may need to change the weights. My dealer thought it might possibly be a weak spring as well.

Thanks for the reply...

 

I have a 1995 400 Explorer and have been thinking about replacing it with a 500. Just can't seem to get over that hump, the Explorer is basically every thing I need. That is except for the EBS, I do a little mountain riding a couple of times a year. Other than that I can't complain, I can't imagine needing any more power. One of my questions is the power, does the 500 actually have more power than a 400 2-stroke?

 

I bought a 400 Sp 400 with EBS and ride @ 8,000'to10,000'
Your jetting should be @ 160 and replace the stock spring BLUE/Green with a GREEN--you will like the performance then...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]


I have both the the 400 Xplorer and a 500HO..The HO will take the 400 Xplorer on top end...but the 400 will eat it on bottom end and to me is funner than the 500 to ride, just because of the 2 stroke..IMHO

 

If I'm not mistaken a stock 400 is 38hp and the 500HO is 39hp you can push a 400 to get around 60hp, the 500 should have maybe an extra 5mph at the top end.

 

That is what I was led to believe... The problem I have is that my sportsman isn't near as fast as my 400 explorer was. I am lucky to rach 40mph on the sportsman, and it just doesn't have the get up and go my explorer had. Its a nice ride, but it just feels doggy.

 

There's quite a weight difference between the two, - it's the trade off for that cushy suspension. BUT, It should do better than 40 mph, If it's that sluggish there must be something wrong. If it's still under warranty I'd take it back and see what your dealer can do for you.

 

I took it back last week, but was pretty much told the speedometers on the 04s don't seem to read the same as the earlier models. I am taking it back in next week for the 10 hour service, and they said they would go over everything to make sure there isn't any problems such as week springs etc. I would like to compare it with someone elses at 9000 feet and see if they differ.

I know my rpms are 3-400 low, and they said they would change the weights to bring them up. I just have to wonder in my mind if the valves weren't adjusted correct from the factory, or if there is something else holding things up.

 

The speedo's don't read the same?? what was that guy smoke'n??? like if an 03 is going 60mph and is passed by an 04 going 65 the speedo on the 04 would read 40... don't let that guy work on your quad...
I could see a set of pipes and a high flow air filter helping at high altitude, but I think you need to make sure it's right first, as long as you at the dealer dropping it off ask if you can ride another unit and compare.
I think if the valves wern't adjusted correctly it'd be popping and spuddering and backfiring etc...

Good luck !