Can someone please tell me how a clutch kit works. What kind of change are you looking for . Will it take off sooner with less throttle? My sportsman's ,you have to really lay into the gas to get it to move. I would like more instant responce.
Noble

 

A clutch kit usually has different weights and springs for the primary clutch. Most kits raise engagement a couple hundred rpms meaning it will take more throttle to make it move. The stock blue/green primary spring you have in your sportsman has one of the lowest engagement rates. With the Heelclicker clutch you can keep your factory blue/green spring and change your weights and still have low engagement.

 

taking a lot of throttle to get mine going is what I don't like about mine. I want instant response. So your saying with a kit it will take more throttle to get going? What is the benefit of that? I would think a kit should get it going easier??? I'm always afraid of burning a belt when I take off in high. I don't always like riding on trails in low. Maybe EFI would solve my problems? Thanks for any explanations.
Noble

 

What year is your sportsman? When your belt gets wore down it will cause you to have to give it more throttle to take off. You might need to check your belt width. With most all clutch kits they grab the belt better with less slip. The higher engagment is for better take off.

 

A clutch kit will give you the instant response you're looking for. It also "grips" the belt harder & won't slip. Of couse you can't pull 1000 lbs. in high range, but they way you describe that you have to lay on the gas in high to get it going, it will take care of that. The reason you have to give it so much throttle is because of belt slippage & sluggish clutching in stock form, especially in high range.

The reason the engagement is higher is to get the engine closer to its peak power range. It's similar to letting the clutch out on a manual trans at 3,000 rpm vs. 800 rpm. The engine is making more power higher. On a utility quad the engagement isn't changed nearly as aggresively as it is on a sport quad. The engagement is still low enogh for pulling power, but the weights,springs & helix are changed for a more aggresive up & back shift and less belt slippage.

 

Thanks guys that helps me to understand. Mine is a 04.5 500 HO. It had a new about @ 500 miles ago. I have 1800 miles total. I rode a 700 that had a kit and it had to get to high rpm's befor it would go. Is that how all kits work? I want mine to go as soon as I start pressure on the throttle.

Noble

 

NH,

You should NEVER ride on the trails in low gear unless you are pulling or are stuck in mud. A clutch kit will not lower engagement. If you want to lower it you need to change the primary clutch weights to heavier ones. This will make it grab quicker and tighter with less belt slip on take off. You can also take out a shim in the primary but that gets a little more difficult. The weights are easy to change and are a cheap item but you have to make sure the new weights are not too heavy or you will lose all your top end.

 

Thanks for the replys. Do kits really make a lot of difference? I don't want to go the money if its for only a small change. I think Polaris' are weak on take off in high gear. You can't creap onlong a trail say 5 to 7 mph without damaging a belt. My low range is too low to ride in a lot. My 05 500 doesn't seemed to be geared as low as my 04.5 500. You really have to get into the throttle to go, just seems weak.



Noble

 

A whole clutch kit is not needed unless you go with the Heelclicker but that still wont lower your takeoff. You have to change the weights to do this. Most all clutch kits are more agressive thus taking more throttle to get it to move but it will take off like mad. Most people use clutch kits on utes because they have bigger tires to move. I use a EPI pink primary spring and it takes off real low but pulls hard from mid to top.

 

tomanytoys, Thanks for the explanation. I'm not sure how I would want mine to feel. I know I don't like the weak high gear in my 500's. Don't get me wrong, if you get on it, it has plenty of power but very weak taking off.

Noble