Has any one had any troublee with th belt on the sportsman 450 or 500? Lots of people say ttheir belt brakes alot.

 

I really dont think that you need to worry about the belt

 

the only time belts break on sportsmans are because of idiots not knowing when to use Low or not useing it at all

 

Hey spyder i recall u burning a few belts on your sportsman lol

 

hey spyder what u mean not knowing how to use low?? i am getting a polaris 500 today 1998 and this is going to be my first automatic. i know when to use low whenever i go throught baD MUD RIGHT? OR PULLING HIGH IS FOR CRUSSING IF I GO WITH THAT WILL I BE OK AND NOT BURN UP ANY BELTS?

 

I have a 05 700 efi an was told by the sales person to help incress the belt lift when riding the trails where you are not exceding 20mph then should run it in low. As far as belts go I have only replaced 2 belts between all 3 of my belt drive atvs. Most peolpe who have alot of belt problem do not know when you run in water an the belt gets wet an starts slipping they need to be pulled out an dry it out not to just hit the gas an burn the belt up. That I belive is the biggest reason for the belt rumor. Ever brand of atv with a belt drive has this problem an it is not the machines fault it is ride error.

 

actually ive had my 335 and 50o under water alot even with it filling the belt guard to the point of slipping. the newer models have a drain build inthe case to drain the water out then you rev the engine ( not full throttle either) in neutral winch dries the belt. unless you have mud or alot of dirt in it. ive never burnt any of my belts doing this.

 

Use low when going under 7mph for an extended period of time, up inclines slowly or for the obvious situations like towing, pulling and thick mud.

I replaced my belt at aroud 1500 miles and it looked like new, only .040" under high (new) limit and .020" still before the sevice (low) limit.

Jim

 

one belt, and it was defective, atleast thats what polaris told me when i got the warrenty statement