I have been shopping for a new quad and after looking at most of the makes and models available on the market today I am just about convinced that the SP500 would be a great machine for me.

I use my current quad (1993 Kaw Bayou 300) for a wide variety of rec/utiity uses; hunting, camping, snowplowing, firewood gathering etc.. It gets its hardest workout on my fall hunting trips when I often pull a heavily loaded wagon through several miles of mud, water, swamps and whatever other gunk is out there. My winch (and back) often get a pretty good workout throughout the course of the season.

May main concern with the new SP 500 is how well has it performed for any of you in any of the following conditions:

Traveling through deep- thick mud.
Crossing deep water and/or streams.
Pulling a heavily loaded wagon through the mud/muck.

Also, has your belt driven clutch had problems getting wet and slipping?


I would really appreciate any feedback from current owners of this machine to give me their honest opinion of how their 500 has performed and held up under rigorous conditions.

Thanks...

 

The 500cc Sportsman will do just about any chores you ask of it without any problems.It is also one of the best mudders out there today.It also gives the best casual trail ride you can get from any ATV in my opionion.When performing tasks such as pulling,towing,hill climbing,or serious mudding,ALLWAYS use low range.Your belt will be fine.I burned out my belt very quickly when my quad was brand new,however,since learning when to use Low range,everything is fine with the belt.If in doubt,USE LOW RANGE'Its that simple'

I sold the 99 Sportsman in favor of the lighter [110lbs lighter] and more nimble 2000 2-stroke 400cc Xplorer.The Xplorer is quicker,a better hill climber,and also a better mudder.And it also does a load of wood hauling for me.The 2-stroke engine devolpes alot more wheel speed and does it much quicker.For what you want to do,the Sportsman is an excellant choice.Best of luck.====Bill

 

Ok as for mud....it will out do any other stock machone out there except maybe the traxter

As for water....and belt slippage...it is NOT a problem....I had my SP over the racks last time I was riding and as long as you are in low and stay on the Gas you are fine!

and for towing it has some POWER in LO....


Here is a picture of me riding in a river.....

Click Here!


ok before everyone yells at me I have had it deeper i had it over the racks a few inches for about 3 seconds..... But this picture is the best I could get because I ran out of film when I found the deep spot....Sorry guys!


Chris

Do your self a favor get the SP500 you will LOVE it!

 

I was on a ride my buddy, he was on a new Grizzly, his wife was on my new Kodiak, I was on my Sport. We came upon a huge, deep mud bog. His wife asked me if she could take my Kodiak through it, I gave her the thumbs up. Ten minutes later, after we towe my Kodiak out, my buddy tried it on his Grizzly. Same outcome. Along comes a fellow with a Sportsman, kid on the gas tank, no less. He proceeded to go right through the bog, hit reverse, backed through, no problem. If that wasn't enough, he called us over, showed us he was in two wheel drive. My buddy didn't believe him, so he did it again. This really blew my buddies mind. My 2000 Kodiak needed a tow back to camp, where I had to perform 4 hours of surgery on it to get the five pounds of mud out of my clutch system. I would venture to say the Sportsman would do fine in a mud, swamp environment.

 

Love those yellow machines. Just don't see too many around. I'd like to think my next one will be yellow!!

And--I ride with quite a few guys with Sportsmans, No problems in mud or water--good machines!

 

How do the Sportsman 335's do in mud next to the SP500's??? are they the same? or does the 335 get stuck easier?

Just getting ideas for my next quad.

 

Clindst,being the owner and avid mudder of BOTH the Sportsman and the 400cc Xplorer,it is MY opionion that the Xplorer will out mud the Sportsman.MY reasons?
1.Except for the tiny sprocket on the rear of the Xplorer,it has the same ground clearance as the Sportsman everywhere else.If we were jumping logs,the sproket MIGHT hamper the Xplorer,however,in mud,the sprocket does not bother it all.
2.Wheel speed plays a major role in the mud,the Xplorer wins this catagorie easily.

ATV MAN,
Now about the 335 Sportsman?Ride both the 335 and the 500 Sportsman.Alls im going to say about this is you probably wont want the 335 after riding the 500cc.The power differance is unbeleivable.Remember when I said that wheel speed plays a major role when mudding?Same thing applies here.I have 2 friends that own the 335 and took a spin on my Xplorer and Sportsman,they regret not looking into their purchases further before buying.

Happy trailing to all===Bill

 

Ohh dang I don't want an expensive atv...I want something cheap and good in mud.

 

I appreciate all the feedback from all those who responded. I just read the article posted about the '01 machine. I would have to think that leftover "00s will have to come down in price to get them out the showrooms since they offer an improved bike at the same list as last year. I'll have to see what the dealers can offer me now.

 

hey bog if u r looking for a atv that u can trust when going through deep water and mud then get the sp500 and if want a atv for work play or [green]hunting[/green] then get the sp500 [green]Remington special edition[/green] very nice looking and great for hunting oh and if u do buy a polaris 2000 model sportsman dont forget to tell them to mount u r free warn winch 2000lb.