Trying to find out if anyone can tell me the differance between the new sportsman 500 and the 2002 steering. I just purchased one and I'd like to see if I can make the 2002 the same way. The difference is amazing.

 

I don't think they changed the steering. It does have differnet tires though. Maybee you need to grease up your 2002 steering components.

 

I was told by the dealer that polaris changed the leverage points on the struts to decrease sterring effort. But this mod was not new, I am not sure what year he said that it had been done, but it was fairly recent. Many people have told me that the 6-700's steer better than the 500's. Mine steers much better than my buds 02 500.
I have looked @ the diffrences between the 6-700's and my 04.5 500 and the only real diffrence that I can see is the engine. I would surmise that polaris just started putting the 500 engine in the 6-700 chassis for 04.5. Maybe maybe not. If so where does the extra 50-75 lbs come from on the 600 ?


Rider

 

Everything was greesed prior to the trip this past weekend. Will the tires make that much of a differance between the two?

 

I have a 02 500 HO I've replaced the front springs and have new rawhide grips on it and its still hard to turn. I've rode full time 4x4's with better steering is there a fix for this.

 

I've contacted the dealer where I purchased it. He said that they changed the steering geometry. I had asked him to ask the techs to see if its possible to upgrade the steering on the 2002 500 H.O. to the new 2004.5 sterring. He thinks that it can be done but he'll verify it with Polaris. Possilbe simple change would be the sterring coloum itself. As per him.

 

Make sure the alignment is correct. I have had one two out of the box that did not turn easy and it was the alignment.

 

2die4, what did your dealer ever tell you regarding the steering column? Did you replace it? Did it help? I need some help on mine. Thanks, Larry