i am buying my first atv and i really like the polaris 500 H.O. is it a good atv

 

MY personal favorite,and I've worked on all of em! Started out as a 425 Magnum engine way back in 1995 and evolved into the 500. Will last many years if taken care of. We sold more 500's than any others! OPT

 

so what do you think about the 2011 sportsman500 H.O.

 

Other than recoil start omitted,same basic machine,dependable. Only real weak point is single a arm and strut assy,versus the double a arms on the higher priced machines,but they have used em for years,only need to replace ball joints in a few years depending on how tough you are on it. OPT

 

Great machine.

I have owned an 01, 02, 04 and 05 Sportsman. Great machine and best quad on the market for the $$$$.

 

thanks for the info, but i heard from someone that the polaris randomly shuts off. is this true.

 

the carb 500 ho is one of the best atv's and the engine is mostly bullet proof. have not heard of any random shut offs on these carb bikes. imo

 

It's not a good ATV. It's a great ATV.

 

I bought a 2010 model to replace my 95' Honda and I love it. It's a big old bike compared to my previous bike but once used to it's size, it is a lot more stable.

And then I had a run out with my dealer mate and he had a 2011 400(450) which I had a try on. If I was looking to buy change tomorrow I'd seriously consider the 400. It felt a lot more nimble yet is more or less the same size as my 500. It won't carry as much gear but depends on what you want to do. The steering effort on the two bikes is worlds apart.

The 500HO is a great bike and like I said I love mine but you should try out the 400 too.

All the best

JF

As far as reliability is concerned, I don't know but we get two year warranties over here so I've not been worried so far. I've only needed a battery and the solenoid from the battery has been playing up lately causing the bike to shut off when it pleases, but I think that's just down to dirty connections.

 

I have ridden a Polaris 500 Scrambler many times and enjoyed the heck out of it...so I'm not knocking the Polaris line up at all...but...have you looked at others to compare? Is the 500HO better for some reason(s) than the others you have looked at?

There are a number of other bikes I would also consider. My experience with my 2005 Suzuki Vinson 5-speed has convinced me that Suzuki makes a great ride. It doesn't have front locking differential or fuel injection or power steering, but it has plenty of power, a great ride for a SRA, and it is very reliable.

I have ridden Hondas for years before that, and the only real complaint I have is their delay in putting disc brakes on their bikes...before 2006-2007 they were still using drum brakes on their flagship bikes, and there is just no excuse for that (which lead me to buy the Suzuki) The 1995 TRX300 had serious issues with drum brake seals leaking and trapping water that corroded the brakes...and I hold Honda accountable by buying something else.

My friend has a 2003 Grizzly 660 that has been a great and reliable ride for him...unfortunately he doesn't know a wrench from a screwdriver, so maintenance and minor repair has always been done at the local rip-off scooter shop, but the bike has never let him down.

My latest bike is an 2007 Arctic Cat 650 TRV. It has been to Utah's Paiute Trail twice and has never given me any trouble, other than a battery dying after sitting for months unused. It is my first automatic, and it runs great

Just something to consider in case you are still considering options