I have 41 hrs on my bike and about 130 miles but I work the bike hard. Since Feb I've moved more than 20 yards of dirt, over 8 tons of stone and riden in some the most challangine places we can get. My last 14 mile ride took about 5 hrs to complete. The Only issue I've had was melted side plastic which was fixed under waranty. I though my belt was werecked and when it was checked it looked brand new and showed normal wearin. I think many of the issues that folks see with bolts falling out and what not are due to lack of a pre ride check and poor dealer PDI and setup. Some of the riders here are just hard on there bikes like me. I've smased off my nerf bars but that's what I put them on for. Take the hit and not my floor boards. The PoPos are as good and any other name brand and probably a bit tougher than most.

 

I have a 2 99 Sporstmans. 1 has 14,532 and the other 16,710 miles. I have not replaced anything other than a few rear boots which wore out from so many miles. They have been rode hard and been down in deep mud. And don't burn any oil and still runs like new. I want by anything other than Polaris.

 

I had a 95 & 98 Xplorer and nothing major and averaged about 4000 miles each. It sucked taking care of the chains though. I now own a X2 with about 500 miles. I could never be happier. No problems and very nice riding with 2 people. I hardly know she is back there. I installed a Warn 3000 winch but have not needed it yet.

 

Hello Stumppuller1. I have a Sportsman X2 with the 500cc EFI engine. In mixed driving I have put on over 150 miles since brand new. I've done steep loose rock trails, wide open dirt roads, narrow root-filled trails, mudholes over the tire and it has performed excellent. No issues to date. Other than the metal pulls that allow you to use the back seat or fold it rattling a bit I love it. Never stuck and I've only had to pull the winch out for my son's 2wd and his friend's 2wd. Power is good even with a passenger. I'm 340 and it keeps up well with anything I've seen on the trail systems we use. Good engine braking keeps it sane going down steeps and I've gone up 45 degree slopes with my wife on the back. Hope this helps. My friends have 3 Sportsman 500 HOs. Also good. One loose bolt issue, one rear brake sticking due to being in storage before he bought it used. Other than that all smiles as we churn through deep clay and black soil mud. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

PS Don't get black. It's really hard to make it look clean...

 

gr8 unit the 500- ive had four-my company ons 5-if you are over 50 get a 500 the best ride in mkt.

 

I have a 2005 500HO LE with 1,000KM. Not one mechanical problem. My Polaris aluminum rims peeled but that was covered under warranty.

 

I have an 05 500ho with many miles and hours (not sure) not one problem thus far. I have a buddy that had a 1998 sp500 non ebs model. It had over 10,000 miles and never had the first repair done, except a belt. He recently traded it for an 06 sp800, but it was running like new the day we traded it.

 

Instigater,

225 Miles:
HEADLIGHTS FELL OUT
DRIVE BELT CAME APART
SPEEDO RING FELL OFF
LR HUB ASSY ALMOST FELL OFF

275 miles:
WTR PMP LEAKING @ WEEP HOLE
H2O IN OIL (TORN BREATHER TUBE)

Honestly, most of the above are minor problems. Some even could be operator inflicted. Also, remember you have a first year quad (05 sp800efi). I have many freinds with 05 and 06 sp 800 that haven't had the first problem. Every brand has bikes that are destined to be a lemon. Sounds like you may be lucky enough to have been blessed with one. Again, most are minor issues though...

 

06 Sportsman 800 with about 500 miles. No trouble at all. No melting anything or trouble of any kind. Has been through snow, streams, towed several hundred lbs in a single shot. Have not done any real maintenance on it at all. Has faired better in snow than some other quads in regards to getting stuck.

06 Sportsman 450 with about the same mileage. It has leaked brake fluid. I think that was just due to the cap coming loose on the container though. Other than that no problems. If you are going to plow I would recommend not going with the plows @ the Polaris dealer (if they are anything like the ones here). I have had Moose Plows in the past and those are great.

 

Why what is wrong with them!!!!!I was thinking about getting one from the Dealer.........Do you have any hands on with them....or just what other people say......caper.....