Hey guys. Well I decided that I don't need a monster ATV. Ecspecially with the price of gas....so I am thinking of buying a used 500HO. What would be the best years to look for? I have an X2 and I love it, but I have heard that the 06 500EFIs are having problems. Are the carb models all that different? I live in Colorado so I would love to have EFI, but I don't want to buy a 2006 model. Are there other brands/models you recommend I look at. I was thinking of another Popo as I have not yet had any problems with mine. Any info would be greatly appreciated....Thanks!!

 

how far are u from chattanooga tennessee

 

I have a 2004 sportsman 500 h.o. and it runs strong and is an overall good atv!!! The only trouble I am having is keeping the cv joints from busting.

 

kingofmudholes~
I live in Colorado Springs so I am really far, but it almost appears that it would be worth it to buy from Southern Powersports. I wonder if they will ship it to me and the cost involved....hmmmmm.

Sportsman5004X4~
Why are you having problems with your CV joints? Do you have a lift or any other mods? Is this a weak point on these ATVs?

 

I have a 02 Sportsman 500 HO, I really am still happy with it. No problems with my CV joints

 

i had an 02 also w/ no problems at all. i dont think besides the efi 06 there is any bad yrs on the 500. could be wrong though.

 

i have a 03 and that was the year they changed a little in the steering that makes it easyer to turn so id say the 03 with carb is the best one they made. i have over 7,000 miles on mine with no problems whatsoever.

 

Wow. Are you really **** about maintenance? How many miles did you go before your first valve adjustment?

 

I think that if you ask around most of the early problems with the 06 EFIs have been resolved. I wouldn't be afraid of a well maintained 500 HO carb though. A friend of mine had an 03 500 HO and abused the heck out of it and it took it very well. He was not big on maintenance or even cleaning. I was amazed that it never failed him. He sold it to buy a 660 Raptor. He hates himself now. You are making good choices, as is said on here pretty often, you can't beat the Polaris 500.

 

I would advice you go with a sp500 ho model. I beleive the ho began in 02. Now the sportsman had their biggest design change in 05. Better suspension, better lights, better tires, better storage, and better steering. As far as a bad year, there are none. I have a buddy with an 98 that has over 15k miles on it and has never had anything done, replaced, or worked on, or tuned up. It has been ran very hard, and still runs strong. The Fuji Heavy Industries engine on the sp500 will run forever and a day. Best selling model polaris has even today with their big bores. The sp500 is bulletproof, tried, true, and proven to be an absolute animal. The 06 500efi had problems initially, however, those have been worked out now. Best quad poalris makes. It houses the best engine polaris offers, then paired up with the efi and the sp800 cltuching makes it the best and most durable quad in the polaris lineup.