So I finally went out and grabbed my first ATV.. got the 08 Polaris Sportsman 500ho EFI and Im loving it.. things a tank!

A few questions though.. as far as break in.. I didn't baby it as much as they maybe wanted? I read an article on this site about beatin it and I can't say i BEAT it but I had the RPMs near 5,000 quite a bit and I was breaking it in in snow most of the time.. usually 3-4 inches nothing too bad. Already took her out into some water/mud to play and it was all good.. at 100 miles I change oil/filter / coolant correct? I've been checkin the levels pretty often and im right at 95 miles.. ready to get the service done or rather, do it by myself.

One thing the dealer tried tellin me was some BS about driving in low gear mostly.. Im nearly positive this is wrong and I was driving that sucker in high most everywherre I want because I was rarely under 10 MPH.. this is right I assume? Everything I've read lends me to beleive that just wanna reassure, as I never trust a salesman.

guess thats it for now, Nice to be a new owner!

 

Dump that oil and filter NOW Dawg. and get some fresh in er....
Low= 15mph or less............

Congrats on the new popo.........

Cheer's Mate...........Willieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.......

 

so low is for 15 or less? The manual said 7 so I was just going by that, but at least I really have been going 15+ for most of the riding i've done.

Yeah I figured the oil and filter needed to go, thanks for the grats bro.

 

Use low under heavy load (towing, mudding, or really slow riding 7mph or less)
use high every other time you polaris will last longer and get better milage.

you wouldnt drive you car around in 1st gear all day long so dont do it to your atv.

first time riding in West Va in the mud i used high range all day long, even in the mud holes (granted the mud wasnt up to the lights)

youll do fine in high.
have fun riding, keep it maintained, greased, and full of gas, and youll be fine.

 

Yeah thanks bro.

I figured as long as I maintain fluids and keep an eye on things and the underbody I mide's well ride hard.


Thing is some of the most fun you can have though!

One more Q, what would you guys recc. the polaris BodyGuard system or the Polaris Normal Brush guards?

 

I have this one and am pretty pleased with it......

John

http://www.purepolaris.com/Det...173(PolarisPGACatalog)

 

I personally like the looks of the body guard. It's just the matter of opinion. So what ever you like, go with that.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: GDeputy

One more Q, what would you guys recc. the polaris BodyGuard system or the Polaris Normal Brush guards?</end quote></div>


IMO the body guard is a pure waste of $$ plus it makes the ATV WAY too wide.

The brush guard is nice but adds weight and I found it to make the quad less nimble and quite front heavy. I had the brush guard bumpers front and rear a couple years ago on my 2005 and I could feel the playfullness dissapear. It became basically a tank and nothing more. Too much nose dive as well.

~MT

 

How much do they weigh? The only reason is because I do alot of trail riding and tend to 'make my own path' from time to time, so i'de like the protection to allow me to run over the mini trees without any worry of crcking a bumper or anything or the headlights for example.

I trust this forum more than most anywhere else that i've searched so opinions are appreciated.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: GDeputy

How much do they weigh? The only reason is because I do alot of trail riding and tend to 'make my own path' from time to time, so i'de like the protection to allow me to run over the mini trees without any worry of crcking a bumper or anything or the headlights for example.



I trust this forum more than most anywhere else that i've searched so opinions are appreciated.</end quote></div>

1st thing to get is front/rear bumpers!!!!!