Bought my first Polaris ATV - Production date is 12/98, are they like cars? Anything after the 6th month makes them the following year? Meaning my 12/98 is a 1999. Also It says 500 Magnum 4x4-it has H/L&R shifter on right by tank. Is it a 500 Magnum Sportsman or what? -- Whats the difference between a Magnum and a Sportsman? Are either of them any good? Thanks for your patience and help guys, I just hate being ignorant about things I own. And yes I know BUY THE MANUAL! I just got to know what I got first-lol

 

Magnum has a solid rear axle and the Sportsman is I.R.S. .......That's the first you will notice!!.....Caper................

 

whats the model number?

 

It has no stickers other then one - Magnum 500 Liquid - on right side of gas tank. then on front under headlight it has a sticker saying - Dual Sensing EBS other then that just a faded out sticker with a production date of 12/10/98 so is it a 98 or 99? Thanks

 

You have a 1999 Polaris Magnum 500..To check the year look at your frame just below you oil tank.. etched in the frame is a serial number..The tenth letter-number is the year..We have one and it has been a very good machine..

 

99 500 Magnum vs Sportsman Specs.

Except for the rear suspension and gas tank size they seem to be the same machine.

 

Thanks for your help and the links guys--