I've been doing some reading and I've read now quite a bit about the Polaris sportsman having quite a bit of mechanical problems and people saying theirs are always in the shop. I've been looking for a used one between 2000-2004. are sportsman really that bad? I'm noting going to be one of these kids on atv jumping it riding it hard and going through 5ft of water but like I said I am looking for a used one so know telling how its been treated.

 

Go with a 2005 or newer Sportsman - too many plusses over the previous gen. centralized Hilliard (no fluid in hubs), better stronger transmission among things.

Keep your eyes peeled for a 2011-2013 500HO, and 2012-2014 500HO - the rad was moved up, and the winch down. Less chances of the rad getting plugged.

I ignored the ‘Polaris is junk’ crowd when I bought mine, have not had a single issue.

The pic with the field in the background was in 2012, the other last spring.

I bought mine new, has 6,300km/3,937 miles - its on its second set of tires (Tracion Grippers), second set of brakes (EBC) and third battery (Car Quest AGM).


Been an excellent atv.

But when I replace it, could be with a CF Moto - a different flavour, but they are doing it right.

 

If you don't get a newer Sportsman as WilliamBos suggested at least get a 2001. The 500 will be an H.O. with longer travel front suspension and easier steering than the older 500s. My 2001 500 H.O. was so much easier to steer than my 1997 500, that I mostly used the old one to plow snow, and didn't ride it much after I got the '01.

My '97 broke a rear A-arm while I was riding. It turned out that one of the grease Zerks was defective, so that part of the A-arm never got any grease. It was just a matter of time until it failed. I didn't have any other problems with it in thousands of miles. The ADC broke on the one I have now, twice, but I never use it anyway. I haven't had any other problems in 20 years that I can recall.

 

Should of been 12-14 400HO.