I am an owner of an '04 sportsman 600 with the goodyear mud style tires stock. I bought this machine for the high ground clearance, independent suspension and locking 4wheel drive. My problem is yesterday I rode on hard packed snow trails with my friends. The leader was driving a 400ex with studded tires and drove like he was on rails. Other quads were King Quad 700, outlander, foreman 450, and rancher. The problem I had was in the twisties and downhills with a tall 740lb machine and rear wheel engine braking in slippery snow and ice conditions. I took my place at the rear because I had to fight this machine to keep the rear end from coming around. We were driving between 30-45mph which is fast for these trails and truthfully I had no problem when I dropped speed. I didn't buy this quad to be a race quad and I don't have trouble keeping up in summer. Any suggestions on keeping this machine on the trail at above average speeds? The rancher, foreman, KQ and outlander because lighter, less ground clearance and engine braking on all four wheels smoked me. The first thing some of you are going to say is I don't know how to ride but I've been on atv's for 21 years.

 

Being the conditions that you described, I would lower the tires air pressure down to 2-3 psi so they grip better!

 

i know exactly what you are talking about. have you tried using the hand brake? 4 wheel braking you know. mabe that would help.

throttle gives you AWD, then quick hand brake.

give it a try!

-MT[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Hand brake yes, let off brake, engine breaking rear wheel takes over in mid turn or downhill turn very unnerving at speed and is enough to throw me off track. When you ride 46 miles of very windy trails like I did yesterday I'm saying it got old. It did not do it at every turn but at alot of them. Drive your sportsman on glare ice at 50 let off the throttle and tell me what happens. (rear end wants to pass the front end in a skid) It wasn't that bad on the hard pack snow but like I said enough to throw me off track numerous times.

 

polaris has a problem with its EBS, even though its very good, only having 2 wheels is a problem. practice feathering the throttle to keep the EBS engauged but to keep it from locking up on you and skidding. i would also recomend getting new tires, maybe ITP 589's as they have a massive tread and should bite into the snow real nice.

Good luck!

also, if you want to get some more proformance out of your quad, get it rejetted for winter conditions, buy a K&N air filter (without the mesh prefilter), and take your airbox lid off (if your not going into anything wet).

 

Stud your tires.

 

Or chains.

 

Like the other advice said, stud your tires and feather the throttle. Chopping the throttle will have that affect because it has too much engine braking.... try to not chop it if you can. Also, stiffen up the springs as much as possible.

 

iI have the ITP 589 M/S on both the 500HO and the 800
Great all around tire but in the snow trail riding ,I switch back to the stock tracker P's on the 500.
Just a better tire in the snow(I dont no why)
seems like the 589's dig in
and the stock';s grip and control better
I dont no how the stock 800 tires are in the snow yet...No Snow

 

American ….Let me tell you are right on about a problem with the Polaris sportsman in the conditions you just described!!!!

One thing I know and I'm sure you know: this is a utility quad and not a sport quad …and with that stated I will say this:

I bought a 500 h.o. and as far as ride goes and most of the type of riding its great .BUT…Polaris has got some serious issues with the 2 wheel EBS and that stems from the front hubs and AWD system.
I would go so far as to say that if you put 100 bikes on jack stands 60 of them would have one or two hubs that do not engage or stay engaged! This system has some good points but one of them isn’t the ability to take much punishment! I am constantly maintaining mine and my friend’s front hubs. (and you don’t know they don’t work until you are stuck)
Like I said for the most part I love my quad but after having that system let me and numerous others down at all the wrong times I am looking at other machines!