This is my first post on this site and would like to say hi to you all. Bought my first atv yesterday. Is there anything that I should really watch with my new 500 H.O. I am going up riding in Northern WI this weekend and want to have a good time without breaking something that could have been prevented. And one more thing. What is the largest size tires you can run on these in stock condition without losing reliability. Any other different mods people are doing would also be greatly appereciated. Thanks in advance

 

Congrates ... and welcome to the world of ATV riding !!

I had an 01 model 500HO. Good solid bike. It will serve you well.

Tires might be the first change.....
Ride it for awhile as is ......to determine if the tires are satisfactory for you type of riding.

 

Congrats on the fine purchase. I would recommend you follow the break in procedures carefully. I also recommend that you check the shock settings on the rear of the machine. They are normally set at the softest from the factory. Tighten them up two clicks, you will be happy you did. It takes away any squat on acceleration and when climbing hills. You'll be able to see where to adjust them near the bottom of the shock. You'll probably need a spanner wrench, that's what we used on ours.

It's also a good idea to check the fluid levels after riding. Especially the coolant. It's been known to be low after the system gets full. If you're going to take off the warning labels, do it now before the sun fades the plastic.

That's all I can think of right now. Enjoy it. You have a great machine.

Scott

 

After riding it around a while, double check fluid levels, especially the coolant. Sometimes it goes down due to an air bubble from the initial fill. You can use any quality ethylene glycol anti-freeze, mixed 50-50 just like in your car. Take it easy on the beast for the first couple tanks of gas. Remember to hillclimb, mud-bog, and tow in low range. Other than that, you should be set.

 

Either have a dealer or you should change all the fluids after your first 10-15 hours of riding. Most dealers offer some kind of discount on this "break-in service". If you look thru the posts you'll find all kinds of ideas for minor and major modifications, both electrical and mechanical. I put toggle switches on my pod for running all three headlights at once, reverse override, and use the revese override button for a horn. I'm looking at clutch modifications now, the sky's the limit......

you picked a great machine.

 

purplescreamer,

tires don't have to be your first choice for mods.. the rawhides that come
on these atv's now are quite good..only if you're a true mudder would
you need to change to a more aggressive mud/snow tire.

I believe vforcer is thinking of his 01 model(which I've got one too) and in
that year of production the tires were not as good..


enjoy your machine...

 

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. The tires on the Sportsmans do look pretty aggressive compared to other brands stock tires. I'll give them a chance for a while and see how i like them overall. Again, thanks for the replies.

 

Good to hear that they offer better tires on them these days. My 01 tires were kinda wimpy.

I did install a hot seat clutch kit and exhaust system on that bike. I liked the sound change,
and the clutch rasied the "stall speed". It would lift the front a bit after the clutch change.

 

Where are you heading in northern wi. ? The park falls area is great.

 

PURPLESCREAMER
look at www.heelclicker.com
thay have an awsome clutch kit for the 500 ho and it rally makes a difference. I love it on mine. more torque less belt slipping and I use low range so much less now. its worth looking into
Have fun on your new wheeler