I just purchased a new sportsman 500 HO and would like to know the good and bads about it.I would like to know besides what the manual says about breaking the machine in if I should do anything else. Also is it worth getting the extended warranty from polaris? The dealer told me I have to buy it within the 6 month warranty to get it.Thanks for any help as this is my first new qaud. I also had the High altitude work done on as the dealer put in the deal. Does that make a big differance in power? I live close to 5000ft and have alot of higher mountains around to play on.I thought it was a good thing to have.

 

Welcome to forum! People might try and tell you different but the fact is you bought one of the best allaround quads there is! The 500 sportsman wether it is carb or efi is the back bone of the polaris line and it has ben around for a long time.They are not the fastest 500 {can-am} around but the deffinently are not the slowest {honda}The polaris does have the best irs suspension on any 4x4.There system is the one that all the others are trying to beat, they are referd to as te Cadillac of the 4x4's.If you dont know how to fix your own quad I would sujest getting the extended warranty on any machine as the cost of repairs can be quite extensive at the dealer.As for your high altitude jetting assumeing it is not efi helps a bunch I live in colorado and ride my popo at 12000 ft all te time and the jetting helps out tremendously.I dont know if it would help at 5000 ft thoe as I dont get to ride at those ellevations very often. Anyways good luck w/ the new machine you will love it!!!! P.S. keep up on your basic maintence and the popo will last you a lifetime!

 

If you some extra money to spend, consider aftermarket tires. ITP makes Terracross Radials and MudLite XTR Radials. Maxxis makes Bighorn Radials, and there are other nice tires out there depending on which terrain you prefer to ride on or what type of riding you find yourself doing a lot. I followed the manual on break-in, and haven't had a single problem with my H.O. It runs perfectly, quietly, and strong. Does not burn any oil, and has never skipped a beat. A winch is almost a necessity if you ride in difficult terrain or in mud. The Sportsman is super heavy when its stuck, don't ask me how I know. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Use L range when riding slowly or when if you're trying to get unstuck, things like that. Don't want to smoke your belt by being in H range in certain slow speed/high load situations. Don't forget the Reverse Override button, which you'll need to press in order to get AWD and higher revs in Reverse.

Congratulations on the new ATV.

 

Great post, I just purchased the same ATV (mine is red) and it should be delivered maybe tomorrow or Friday. I live in Ohio but will be using it for a little trail riding and work around the house. We purchased a smaller ATV for my son in December and of course daddy had to get one!

 

We've had our 2 Sportsman 500 HOS for two years now and have had zero problems. Except Polaris has had two recalls on the ECMs. Regular maintenance I've done on my own. I've managed to submerge mine in salt water once, after fluid changes it still runs like new. I just put on a set of Maxis Big Horns since my tires were starting to show a lot of wear - this way my wifes 500 has a couple spares. The only thing I'd change is buying an EFI, but I can't complain about what I have one bit.

 

Just got one in Nov the sportsman 500ho efi x2 touring, great machine,rides like a cadilac compared to my old honda foreman 400, great gas mileage handles great,about 450miles on it and no problem so far, all of it on snow trails here in N.B Canada and it looks like it will be July before the snow melts.I think you will really enjoy good luck.

 

Thank you all for the great info and I am glad I made the purchase!I also got mine in red,I hope to do the oil changes and small repairs on it myself but this is the first atv I have had since being a teenager.I will be on this forum alot because there is alot of GREAT info!

 

I was wondering how hard is it to change the engine oil?Also should I do a full fluid change after the break in period around 20hrs? I would like to change the oil after the first 10 hrs but don't know if I should do the first change myself or have a dealer do it and have all the fluids changed.Please tell what you guys think! Thanks again!

 

Draining and refilling the oil tank is easy, same with the oil filter. It's cleaning the screen and draining the crankcase that are pains in the ****, IMO. The owner's manual spells it all out. Check this previous thread on the same topic. I'm assuming the 500 H.O. hasn't changed between 2005 and 2008, so all the procedures should be the same.

http://forums.atvconnection.co...key=y&keyword1=pliers


The front differential fluid was easy to change, and the transmission was even easier. I'd say to do it all yourself. If you need more help or specific instructions, pictures, jet let us know.

 

Thank you Sheepdog!!! I will change it myself when it is time and will do the other fluids to but might need some insight when it is time to do also.I have a total of 4 hrs on the machine now but when it hits ten I will change.Thanks agian!