I NEED advice on the 2004.5 sp500h.o I am thinking obout buying one and want to know what you guys think. Give all advice. I relly need this advice. You may also post some good web sites or pics?
Thank you

 

Polarisman,

I just bought a 2004 500 a few weeks ago. I really like it. I don't have the park feature or the fuel gauge, but I do like having a reserve (just incase the fuel gauge is't too accurate) and the 04's have a more aggressive tire than the 04.5's. For me, the 500 has all the power I'm going to need. I was looking into the 600, and 700's but from what I was reading on this forum, it doesn't sound like polaris has all the bugs worked out of the twin engine designs. And also from a lot of people's opinions, they say the 500 has been around awhile, all the bugs are worked out and is a really great machine. For me, if i was going to spend in upwards of $6000, I wanted a machine that was going to work good, not have it in the shop a month after I bought it. ALSO, I'm speaking purely from what other people have said, but I hear the 700's have an annoying vibration sound??? Guess you'd get used to it, but my 2 cents...The 500 HO is the best option right now, at least it was for me. I don't think you will be dissapointed!

 

I bought a 04.5 Sportsman 500HO in early January and I'm VERY happy with it. Thus far I only have about 75 miles on it, but its run great and has plenty of power. Because of the snow, I've only pushed it to about 55mph but I think it will give a few more. I havent had any problems with it do date and the only options I plan to add are a better air filter, and a rear storage box.

I run a 48" Glacier plow on it and the only complaint there is the need for a plow weight. I'll be adding one before next winter. I use a 2500lb Warn winch to lift the plow. It's worked well and done its job.

 

How do u like the awd system?

 

Excellent. I havent gotten it stuck yet I've been riding in some of the snow covered farming fields that are pretty ugly.

Some people worry about the fact that the front end only engages when the rear slips a little but I havent found that to be a disadvantage and actually it makes the unit steer nice when you dont really need the front end engaged.

Overall I'm real happy with the whole ride. Also 2 buddies with 2wd rides (older scrambler and Yamaha Predator) are ready to trades their rides in on a Polaris 4x4 after they rode mine.

You cant go wrong with the Sportsman 500HO.

 

How about acceleration?How different are the treds on the tires on the 04 and 04.5

 

I think the acceleration is great. Now remember this is a utility quad, it's not going to be like a scrammy or blazer meant for a race track, but it accelerates pretty quickly.

As far as tires the 04's come with the aluminum or chrome, i'm not sure really with goodyear rawhide grips. The 04.5's I belive come with carlisle badlands with the black wheels. To me the goodyears look more aggressive. But by all means don't go for the 04 just for the tires...you can always change the wheels and tires...you can't add a park feature to your tranny and it's probably a costly job to add the new spedo with a gas gauge... Can't go wrong with the 500

 

sigarms

i have the 2002 polaris sp 400 4x4 and i have mine up to 60 several times with the wind at my back of course. im a big guy too.

as far as what you said about rear tires have to spin a little beffore the front kicks in. i agree with you!!

you hardly notice at all if any. i believe it says in the manual the rear needs to turn 1/5 of a turn......well thats nothing.
my honda lover friends never believed me that the polaris is true 4x4. can't be they said. till one day we parked up hill in soft sand to prove it.

 

Hey there PolarisMan,
How' the riding in Minnesota. I use to own a '02 4x4 Scrambler 500. Traded it in last October for a 2004 Sp600. The reason I traded is because I ride long distances when I go out so I wanted the increased comfort and cargo capacity. Here is my advice for your dilemma. If you work with the machine and going to use the low end of the powerband alot, get a Sp500 as the Sp600 is not very smooth at low RPM'S. If you are going to ride long distances at medium to high speeds, the Twin Sp 600 is the way to go as it is super smooth at cruising speeds.
You can't really go wrong with the Sp500. It is a proven, bullet proof machine. Go for it. I have not had any trouble with my 600 yet (over 1500 miles on it) other than the fact it does not run well when cold. It's a newer engine from Polaris so it is not as time tested as the Sp500's Fuji engines and components. Time will tell how reliable the 600 is.
Between the 04 or 04.5, that's your decision. The park position and in-line shifter of the 04.5 is alot more refined than the h-shaped shifter of the 04 model. If you ride very muddy terrain, the 04's Goodyear Rawhides have the edge. For riding comfort however, the 04.5's Carlisle tires are better. The 04.5 also has an electronic gas gauge. If your willing to put down a few extra dollars, I would say go with the 04.5 . I went with the '04 because I got a great deal. Now I'm waiting for the EFI Sp600 to come out...

 

thanks alot i think i will go with the 500 because it suits me more. I like the o4.5 because of park and speedomter and other guages. Thanks for the help anything else let me know? thanks