I'm now getting pretty angry with the reliablity of my new 2000 sp500, 35hrs, 234 miles and already replaced the brake pads. Put a posting out the other day on the play in my steering and you guys told me I now need new bushings. Well today noticed that the bolt that supports the hub bearing carrier in the rear that is connected to the lower control arm was loose and rubbing againest the inside of the rim. The bolt looked bad! The edges of the bolt head were chamfered! I took the rear wheel off, and pulled the bolt out... it was sheared with about a 1/2" missing on bolt and the rest still intact in the hub bearing carrier. I am lost for ideas, I don't want to bring it to the dealer because he is just no help. He got his money on the sale, and now when it comes to service I get jerked around for weeks. Is their a way to remove the sheared portion without removing the carrier and cv joint. Need real help, want to get back on the trails fast...summer is to short.

 

If you are for real you would be crazy to fix it yourself. You don't say what the purchase date is but you obviously could'nt have had it long. You guys scare the hell out of me. I did leave Honda to buy my sp500 since they did'nt have even a rumor of a bigger machine last year. I am having great luck with about 800+ mile on the same brakes and drive belt. Why would you want to work on it and give a dealer a reason not to repair your screw up. Take the machine back and keep us informed about your selling dealer. I don't know about New Jersey but here in Ark. we would be going for some rope. gardner10

 

Hey Gardner,

Here is Mississippi, we'd have already strung that dealer up and been looking for another. My bike has about the same amount of hours and miles that markkh's has and I have had no problems. I wonder how hard his miles were as compared to mine? We ride mud, trails and jumps, and I weigh 275, not a small load to carry, again, NO problems.

 

Like you I am a big old boy. I have two grown sons and a daughter and between them I bought at least 20 different 3 and 4 wheelers. With few exceptions they were Hondas. I have replaced gears, chains, sprockets,pistons and rings. We always rode hard and had a great time. I ride with people in my deer camp mostly now. Most of them have Polaris machines and have had excellent results. Hell--I suggested to my older cousin 12yrs. ago to get a Polaris because he had no motorcycle or wheeler experience. Now I read where people break things off the rear end--It looks like it's strong enough to be on a Hummer. Anyway it's just hard to believe it could be done without having an accident.
I looked at Water Valley on the map. You are'nt a long way from Columbia. I lived there about three years in the mid 60's. Man they had some great places to take a wheeler ride.

Gardner10

 

I too have a 2000 SP 500, with no problems. I did however put brakes all the way around at about 300 miles. I believe the cause for the early brake wear out was because mud ridin. As far as the play in the steering, there is a plastic bushing on the bottom of the stem that should/can be replaced. After some 900 miles and 2 oil changes I have no gripes!

 

My 2000 SP has also been bulletproof 486 miles and no complaints. Best atv I have ever owned. I do think there is a huge difference in how people ride. We ride pretty hard but not nearly hard as some. I am not sure any ATV could hold up to the abuse i see some people put theres through! WOW

 

My 2000 SP has also been bulletproof 486 miles and no complaints. Best atv I have ever owned. I do think there is a huge difference in how people ride. We ride pretty hard but not nearly hard as some. I am not sure any ATV could hold up to the abuse i see some people put theres through! WOW

 

My 2000 SP has also been bulletproof 486 miles and no complaints. Best atv I have ever owned. I do think there is a huge difference in how people ride. We ride pretty hard but not nearly hard as some. I am not sure any ATV could hold up to the abuse i see some people put theres through! WOW