Hello,

New guy here. Just bought a nice 04 Sportsman 500. The tail light is on all the time and does not change when the brake is pressed. It this the correct behavior? Should it be on all the time instead of on only when the headlights are on? Should it function as a brake light also?

THANKS,
David

 

Double filament bulb and the tail light stays on. Check first for a burnt out stop light filament. The stop light is triggered by a pressure switch on the brake block.If the bulb is ok,could be a connection or switch problem. Item #3.Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Honda, Arctic Cat & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse

 

THANKS for the help. Will check out the bulb and switch this weekend. THANKS

 

Had a chance to check the tail light out a little better this weekend. The brake light does come on when the hand brake is applied. It does not come on when the foot brake is applied. I think the rear brake may not be working. The pedal does not have much travel, but enough to allow me to shift from park to other gears.

 

The rear foot brake is weak on all Polaris. Is more of a safety back up thing.
The hand brake does it all, it runs both front and back brakes at once and applies 60% front and 40% rear.
I,m not even sure if the rear foot brake has a brake light switch since I never used it. I,ll get back to you on that one.

Tip, When riding some people stand on the rear foot brake without knowing it do to its bad floor board location and that causes premature rear brake pad wear.

Another tip I mention is silicone the pull rope handle over the recoil rope hole. Water and crud will get by the rope handle and into the recoil cover and there are many expensive parts inside there that like to stay dry and clean.

 

Rear master cylinder is the weak link. If you don't use it occasionally the rear master cylinder seal can get hard and allow air into the system. No brake switch on this "emergency" type brake as this is what the main purpose it was for and also as a manual assist for descending.Item #11. Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Honda, Arctic Cat & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse