I recently purchased a 08 polaris 500 sportsman and love it. I've got about 300 miles on it and for awhile now I noticed a sound from the engine when its under load just by giving the gas or on a incline. When crusing it's not there. It sounds like a rod knock.A friend of mine has a 2002 500 and the noise is not there. Could this be a clutch noise, transmission, or could this be a engine problem. I know this is a 4 stroke engine and they do make a lot of noise however this seems to be that old lawnmower engine rod knock. Anybody know what I'm talking about or have any idea what this may be.

Thanks

 

My 07 and 04 had it to, I think its just the normal motor noise for the H.O.

 

Thanks for the reply. I hope that's all it is, It runs good otherwise. I'll give the dealer a call monday and see what they say. I like to get as much input from other riders before I decide to call my dealer. I've had a lot of snowmobiles before and a good share of problems with those, This is my first experience with ATV's. I did take out the extended warranty but I really hope I don't have to use that. I'd like to keep it in one piece and trade it for a 09 next year maybe. I like the power steering.

Thanks

 

Both of mine "knock" but it sounds kinda like spark knock or something similar. If only one machine done it I'd worry but both sound the same and they both run fine so I just tune it out and enjoy the ride.

 

Put a few more miles on my 08 sporty 500 ho efi this past week and I too noticed that it seems to rattle quite a bit with the engine under load. I only have 250 miles on it and wouldn't think the valves could need adjustment yet but it does seem to be louder now than it was last winter. My buddy riding his Rancher ES right beside me said that the sound of my engine actually drowned out the sound of his!? WTF...Is this normal for Popo?

 

My 02 500HO has made that noise from new. I have 2,800 miles.