Being new to polaris I have a question for you guys. I think my motor sounds strange at 1/2 to full throttle. It doesn't make the noise at idle or relatively slow / constant speed but under accelleration it sounds like pinging / rattle etc...in the engine area (on right side if I had to pick a side). Almost like something metal is loose / vibrating (at least that's what I'm hoping) but in all honesty is sounds like my old Honda civic with no oil and poor valve adjustment (tap...tap...tap). Just wondering if this noise is something I should worry about or just normal for a polaris engine.

 

My 2004.5 500 and my new 2006 500EFI make the same sounds. I saw a post where people were asking the same question. If you add it sounds like it's going to explode, that normal too. You would think by 2006, Polaris would have fixed the strange sounds. On the other hand, the 500 is supposed to be the most reliable engine in the Sportsmans line-up, why change a good thing. My 2004.5 sounded like a diesel at idle and like it was going to explode at full throttle. All normal. If you're not sure ask your dealer.

 

One major sound that all Polaris atv's make or will make sounds like a slight knock at idle. Or maybe sounds like a diesel at worst. This is on the left side of the atv. This is the infamous Polaris clutch chatter. In the primary there is 6 buttons that slide in the clutch as it shifts so you dont hear it because of the force but at idle they chatter inbetween the slides of the clutch. These wear after time and are replacable. When new you dont hear it so much but once they start to wear you hear the knocking. It really is no big deal and most tend to deal with it. To us Polaris owners it is normal and if it did not make that noise then its not a Polaris.

 

LOL!!


aocabrown yes it's normal. i've been riding Sportsmans since '98 or '99 and every one has done that. you'll get used to it!