I'll be taking a look at a 2005 Sportsman 800 on Saturday, it's 3500 dollars. It's got 1600 miles on it.

I've been reading some pretty scary stuff about melting plastics, and extremely hot exhausts. I'm wonder if the 2005 model is just a lemon... Does anyone have any opinions on this model/year?

Thanks,

 

I had an 05 and it was bulletproof. Plastics should have plenty of heat tape on them by the exhaust and there was an updated exhaust heat shield which kept mine from melting. As long as it was maintained properly it should be a nice machine.

 

i miss my 05 800 sometimes i wish i would have kept it instead of the 850 every time i turn the key on my 850 i am worried something is gonna happen never had that problem with my 800 ever

 

besides bad heat shileds which help cause melting issues some had bad fuel pumps(but so did other models and sizes). over all the 800 is been a good bike. look at the side panles where the exhaust is to see if it's started to melt. some bikes had been remapped to make them run richer to help keep them running cooler.

 

The bike got sold, and right under my nose. I asked the guy and he said he sold it for 3000, since it needed minor repairs. I'm pretty disappointed. Thanks for the input anyway.

 

well that sucks. keep looking as theres always another(maybe even better) another deal around the corner.