Have the oportunity to buy a 03 500 sportsman.It has 500 miles on it.Is there anything to look for?He said it goes through brakes.To be honest he doesn't like the bike.He said that he's having a tough time selling it.I think it's a good machine if the price is right.Thanks,M/M.

 

I have never heard of one eating breaks. Idk whats up w/ that. I think I would have someone that knows about them, and you trust, to give it a good looking over b/f buying any used quad.

 

I understand that there was a new design tranny in 03 or 04? I don't think this dude knows what he has.He said that it was full time 4wd.That can't be true,or is it?m/m.

 

No, its not full time 4x4 its true awd, on a switch.

When the rears lose traction and slip 1/5 turn the fronts (both) kick in for true 4x4.

The front drive was moved inwards from the hubs to a centralized unit in '03 i believe.

JIm

 

Yeah, Polaris AWD is a beautiful thing. You never now that it's in 4wd, till you need it, and its so smooth you dont know its kicked in till you see the front rubber spinning. Some say its not good on rocks, hills, bla, bla, bla. I have been really pleased w/ the setup on most all situations.

The only problem I can find w/ it, and this is splitting hairs, is that when Im on a slippery trail side, say a small hill, and riding sideways, the frontend will tend to slide till you punch it a little to get the back tires to slip. Is there anyway around this. Maybe so of yall know how to avoid this.

For all other instances, I really like how it works. I love to watch the tires sit still on the ground and spin in the air on the 3wd quads. (front differental, not a locker)

 

I've had three 500's and my buddy is on his second one. We've never had to replace the brakes on any of them, even pushing 3,000 miles. We ride in the mountains and are not usually slow riders. Good luck.

 

Hi

I bought an SP500HO Camo new in the spring of 2003. It is a reliable machine and the only annoying thing for me is that the speedo fogs up. I have a little over a 1000 miles on the machine. It sounds like there is a defect in the brakes on the machine you described. It should not wear the brakes much at all. Defects do happen. I had a defective strut that I had to have replaced under warrenty the second time I went riding. The machine hasn't had a problem since that was fixed. One bad part can really make an owner think the whole machine is bad if they are impatient and can generate a good deal for you.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Thanks for the reply's,it's better to know a little before you go kick tires.I have rode 97 500 explorer and it was one of the original big bores.

Are these machines as big or bigger than the prarie 650-700's?

So,there is no switch for 4X4 it's all automatic,so at low speeds it's easy to steer,etc.cool!!m/m.

 

The AWD only works when the switch on the handlebar is selected, and the rear tires slip 1/5 of a turn like Jim said. It is not AWD all the time.

Jef