I just got my first atv yesterday. I traded my 98 Sea-Doo XP Limited for a 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500 with about 2000 miles on it. The guy I got it from told me it was a Dewalt special edition but I'm not real sure about that. He also told me it was an h.o. but when I got there it wasn't. That didn't really bother me much so I went ahead and got it. I rode it about 50 miles already and no problems at all. Seems to run strong with no problems and almost accelerates with the yamaha grizzly 600's and 660's I am riding with. I had a couple of questions I was hoping someone could help me with.

First, and not real important, what is the difference between the 500 and 500 h.o. besides just more power. Is there a physical difference in the motor, or just mods?

Second, and more important, I want to rig a rocker switch onto it somewhere so I can kill the tail light and speedo light while I am running. Out where we are riding, there are occasions where you may not want to be seen and that tail light makes it to easy. How hard is this gonna be? Is there anywhere that may have wiring diagrams that will help me? I am very mechanically inclined and excellent with electronics. Any suggestions or experiences would help. I have not looked at it yet for this.

Thanks,
Brian

 

The H.O. has a bigger carb, different cam, slightly larger exhaust pipe, and 20% more power. Other than that, they look the same. On the Sportsman models, if it were a H.O. it would say it on the side. I don't think that they introduced the H.O. to the sportsmans until 01.

And welcome to the forums[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

there is a little plug by your back tail light and i dont know if this is the best thing to do or not but i just unplug it when i dont want the light and as soon as im done just clip it back on

 

I just took out the bulb , now Rosco P. Coaltrain cant see that little red light going through the bush when I'm running that load of 'Shine' down to Uncle Jessie's place.
YEEEEEEHHHHHAAAAAAWWWWWW!

 

I will probably try the deal with the plug and just use a double throw rocker switch to kill both the tail light and the speedo light. I looked at it today and I don't think it will be to hard to do.

Thanks,
Brian

 

The difference in a none HO and the HO apart from what has been mentioned already, the HO has a bigger crank to take the extra power.

 

I was mostly wondering about the difference between the two because in the back of my mind I was thinking about converting it to a H.O.. I am not gonna mess with any engine internals unless the engine blows or something. For now I will just stick with stuff like K&N air filters and better exhaust. Maybe some carb work a little later this year.

The guy I got it from is giving me a bigfoot kit (tires and rims) that is almost brand new. He said he put it on and didn't like it. I will probably try to sell it and use the money for new parts and/or maybe some new tires.

 

2001 was the first year of the HO in the Sportsman. I wouldn't bother switching it over to a HO, why too much $$$ and time for that small of difference. You will be a lot better off getting a good clutch setup if you want better performance.

 

I own a 2000 Sportsman 500 and I really like the bike. It will go anywhere and everywhere. Good choice!! What did you pay?

 

I didn't pay anythign for it. It was an even trade for my sea-doo. I would guess the value on both was about $4000. The guy I traded it with lives out by the lake and I live out in the country. It worked well for both of us.

The only reason I was even wanting it to go faster is so I could keep up better with the grizzly's. It is realy plenty fast for me. They have a bad habbit of pulling out in front of others and throwing dust on them. I just want to be able to accelerate with them from about 30 to 60. hopefully exhaust, K&n and then maybe a clutch will help.