Were there two different 97 500 Sportsman models made? Or an Explorer and Sportsman. Do both have independent rear suspensions? Any specific info on these would be greatly appreciated.

I am talking to a guy who has 2 97 models and he wants to sell the "RED" one as he called it. He said they were both Sportsman models but one of them did not have the hood on the handlebars with the light,speedo,ect? FYI

 

In 1997 polaris came out with a Xplorer 500 for one year,It is the same thing as the sportsman but it does not have the light pod on it.I have friends who have it and it seems to be a good machine.

 

Exactly, the Explorer 500 was the same only it didn't have the headlight pod or the rear rack extension. Everything else was identical. Pretty stupid huh!