Hello and Thank you for reading,

I have recently purchased a used 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500 Non-HO and it was running great... I am in love with this machine..

I decided to take it trail riding a few days ago with no problems.. When I got home.. I rode it around the next day.. I noticed that the bike started to give off this Popping or Putting sound as you let off the gas. Not a full blown backfire but a popping sound.. I asked around and some people told me it was normal.. Some told me it wasn't.. I have never heard this noise on an ATV before.. I'm sort of worried.. I don't know what it is!

I'm going away starting 8/26/11 and coming home 8/31/11 so it may take some time for me to answer

Thank you for reading and I hope you can help me

 

Welcome to the forum! First off check that you have only about 1/8' slack at the thumb throttle(adjustment is made where the rubber sleeve is on the cable down from the housing) this adjusts the internal etc switch and can backfire upon letting off the throttle at speed if you have too much slack.
Another thing to check is valve clearance(.006 intake and exhaust) along with the center(exhaust) cam lobe for wear. 1996-2000 models were prone to have excessive cam wear and some of the symptoms were popping back,bogging off idle,etc.Later model cams were improved. Just remove the cam cover and you can check the cam and valve settings. OPT

 

Hello! Thank you for responding.. Sorry i took so long to answer I was on vacation! I will try those things above and let you know how i progress.. Could I please have your email so I can personally get a hold of you?

Thanks!

 

You can PM me on the forum! OPT

 

Would it make sense that the EBS system causes the machine to pop? That's what i'm being told

 

Ebs shouldn't have anything to do with engine popping back! Check the valve clearance and the cam shaft for wear,plus throttle slack. Think you will find the problem somewhere in this area,if not then could be even something simple as a spark plug beginning to foul out or trash in the carb or possible lean jetting? Its just a process of elimination! OPT