I just hit the 300 mile point. A while ago I brought it to the dealer for the intial breakin service and I had problems with the front left shock bottoming out. So what ended up happening is the mech. called polaris and asked what he should do they said replace the strut. and it was free. but it didnt fix it. The mech told it was cause I have a winch on it. But thats the part that bothers me most H.O. Owners have to have a winch cause it sure is a tank. I am not even riding it hard about 15 mile an hour I hit a whoop and it rubs. Front left side. Ride side too if I hit it a little harder. But the whoop is nothing my 92 trailboss 4x4 with a winch will hit it full speed and not bottom out. my warrior will hit it at 60 and nothing even close to worrying me. If the winch on my H.O. is causing this they should warn me when I had them install It before I even picked it up. My other upgrades are the 03 rawhides which come on the new sportsman and they didnt change anything upfront. I must add I love them rawhides Great ridin tire. I fear the only downside to them is They wont hold up long. Soft rubber. I also added two 55 watt fog lights and a switch for three headlights Which I feel was needed I love things to be bright. The speedo light dims a little with all of them on. But Not enough for a discharge Still Fires great I only use the top headlight for fireroad running when my rpms are up. Other wise it is useless for woods running the fog lights help great there. I am sure glad I have the 250 watt altenator. My option for the shocks are heavy duty springs or adj springs. I like that Idea alot. I plow in the winter which I havent even putt on yet afraid too. The mechanic said the rubber bushings wont help. But that makes me mad 3 of there display models had the 2500 pound winch and a plow with no suspension updates. I guess I feel Its more there problem then mine....... And response would be appreciated......... I have alot more to say but we will start with this............Text[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

I also have an 02 SP 500 but have no problem with like this. I have the 2000 # Polaris winch and also the Sportsman plow, which I have tried out. Even with this all on it did not sag badly or at least not so that the shock would bottom out. Did they replace the strut only (shock) or the whole assembly. Because the spring is what "suspends" the machine, the shock part of it is to dampen or absorb the action of the spring. I have 320 miles on mine.

 

My Sportsman is ok but I have ridden a few that had completely soft front ends that bottom out easily.
These are heavy machines and weigh more then 1000# with a winch and a full tank of gas.
The stock front struts seam to ware out quickly, and the weight of the winch makes it worse.
You should get aftermarket heavy duty springs for the front struts. That would smooth the ride out quite a bit.

 

Mega
I hope that when you say with a winch and full tank of gas, the sp500 weighs a 1000lbs with a rider, not by itself.

 

Buy a set of progressive adjustable springs and your problems are solved.

 

The aftermarket HD springs will greatly improve this problem. Mine does the same thing, the fornt end is really heavy. Also as a plowing tip. With the added wieght of the plow I have noticed that the bike tends to roll forward it is not balanced. I throw a 70lb tube sand on the rear rack and it conter acts this effect. The tube sand is the kind you get at lowe's and other places. I usally carry three of them in my pickup for weight in the winter. they are under $5 a piece.

 

Ya,
I was refering to the quad out on the trail with a rider. 1000#'s easy.