as far as problems with my ho ive had a few burned up a belt had one belt shrink blew all my light bulbs(65 bucks worth) idle problem right after i got it (electronics that were covered by warranty) but most were my fault ive suk it at least 12 times above the headlight all in all very durable machine i would recomend it to anyone

 

TG1... you make a very valid point there. Keep in mind also folks, the bigger the bore, the heavier the block. The heavier the block, the lesser the performance. I'm inclined to think the added weight does definately cut into the advantage of the larger engine. Keep in mind also, power is not necessarily the result of a bigger bore. A well geared 500 can use enough mechanical advantage to out-torque even the biggest engines. For instance, the Arctic Cat 500 is claimed to produce more torque than the old 600 Grizzly. Basically, the extra cc's are more a speed issue than a low end power issue (and at a certain point, it's soon time to stop ATV shopping and start truck shopping). Don't be decieved... 500's can do more than you might think.

 

Filthyhabit
Glad to hear you've had good luck with HO. My girlfriend and I tried on out (my buddy's) to see how much room we'd have on it. Got to say it rides like a caddy! Maybe AC got something in the works... A 650 with a locking diff and IRS. It would be hard to top off a machine like that. So far my little cat has left me only smiling, even though I have swamped it out.
Here in Maine you'd have tree huggers throwing rocks if they saw you in a river bottom. Please don't think I was trying to start a pissing match... Just discussing wheeling. Like everything a couple of dumb asses can ruin it for everyone. Happy wheeling. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

dont worry i wasnt getting pissed at all just talking to anyways about the big cc,s ill take a 600 or up as long as its got irs and a locking diff and a better gauge setup And as far as not underestimating what a 500 can do like icecat said he should remember i do have a 500 ho and it lacks what i want (its personal taste)

 

HEY DUDE , not trying to be a smartbutt , But someone better tell someone where poolairs engines are made , one guess and it anit AMERICA . ALRIGHT ILL give you 3 trys and the frist 2 dont count , JAPAN HEHEHHEEHHEHEHEHHE , ANI'T THAT FUNNY , DON'T BELIVE ME ask your dealer , CHUNKY

 

I just want to clarify what I meant... I do not doubt that adding 200 cc's onto a 500 will add torque and speed, certainly it will. But I'm just saying to all ATVers out there that even if you don't have a 600+ machine, you're not underpowered. Like FilthyHabit said "it is a personal taste". In his situation, if his 500 Ho was not performing the way he wanted, by all means, a larger bore would likely be much better. Heck, it practically will take a tank to turn Vampires anyway [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]. But you do trade off weight with size and for the average recreational or utility user, 500cc's may prove plenty powerful. Honda's 400 Foreman is a good example. That thing is geared so low it is a torque monster. Also the gearing on the 500 Ho is perhaps the fastest gearing ratio in the 500 4x4 market. When you increase top speed, you sacrific torque. I'm not at all saying the Sportsman can't pull its own weight around. I'm just saying it is more of a rocket than a bulldozer.

 

to chunky boy Ive always known polaris gets there atv engines from fuji heavy industries before they even started making atvs they were using them in there sleds and ive been a snowmobiler for about 20 years i know where the manufacturers get there motors but i can tell you they are an american company with american employees and the money we spend on them stays in america You can argue all you want that hondas are assembled in america but the cash goes to the company headquarters in japan if ya wanna just help the japanese get richer be my guest ill suport my fellow americans UNITED WE STAND

 

Alot of the polaris ATV engines are made in Osseo WI, (Im not sure on the spelling), but I ran into a guy this last summer and he told me that alot of the ATV engines are made at the Osseo Engine plant. The 500cc engine on the cat is a very good motor, I havent had any problems in 220miles and I beat the **** out of it. Im looking at getting a 650, or the 700 becasue you can always have more power on hand, and I hate not haveing a locking front end. It really sucks when a polaris 400 drives right past me in the mud.....
Take Care
Thanks

 

HEy dude, you are right about buy american , thats why i bought a cat , polaris is my other quad if i dont get another cat , now cat engines may be made down south but its still a japannes engine i agree ,people here (where i live) will tell you there polaris are all AMERICAN , no more than my cat like you said a AMERICAN got payed for it , not trying to argue just stating a fact , sorry didnt mean to affend CHUNKY

 

Hey filthy, Have you actually run out of power on that HO or did it just stop spinnin the tires and sit there with the motor still rev-in? I have seen many an 500 stuck so bad that they couldn't spin the tires, but they never really run out of power, or bog the motor to the point that it couldn't either spin the tires or smoke the belt. Not pickin just wonderin. If you ever want to see lack of power, just come and see my Wolverine with vamps in the above mentioned hole. Sad sight indeed!!