I am considering a 2001 sportsman 500 with 1000 mi for 3K. I am concerned that a 11 y/o machine may have issues from sitting. Please give me your thoughts and mechanical service to get her ready for a season of plowing along with issues common to those years. I am drawn to the Honda for the reliability thing but the Sportsman is very attractive and seems to hold up if taken care of even if it is 100 lb heaver.
Thanks;

ekhunter

 

there will be lots of opinions, I have likes and dislikes about both Honda and Polaris, the honda will be reliable, and the 500s have good power, if old enough to have drum brakes, I don't care for Honda's brakes, if disc, they are fine...I upgraded my foreman 450 to disc front and have no brakes at all in the back...when I get a different backing plate I'm going to graft a polaris rear brake on it. The Polaris will have good brakes, and will ride nice, and I like their 500 motor, the automatic is nice for trail riding and the way their 4x4 works in the front end they get around very well in the mud and snow....unless you get the belt wet. I don't really like the Mcpherson struts Polaris used, and I find lots of them with worn out suspension and not alot of hours on them. If doing a lot of pulling and that sort of thing, I prefer the Honda for the manual transmission instead of taking a chance on slipping or breaking a belt.

I have Honda and Polaris machines and it just really depends on what kind of riding I plan on doing as to which machine I take with me. If taken care of, both are very reliable and will do a good job....just remember that ATV's are a high maintenance toy, there are always wheel bearings and cv joints and upgrades and that sort of thing to take care of.

 

in my opinion, that is too much money for an 01'. yes i would want to know the history and maintaince of the bike for sure.

 

Too much money for that atv. I bought a 2000 sp500 with 80 miles about 3 yrs back. The first thing I did was change all the fluids and the battery. Since then I ride every Saturday night October through May with no major problems. Any atv will have issues if you abuse and don't maintain them.


Jim

 

NADA says it's worth $1,855 and KBB lists it as $2,730 retail in excellent shape and $1,845 trade-in in good shape. I wouldn't pay 3 grand for it no matter how good it looks.

 

i paid $2500 for my 02' and thats only becuase of what model it was and there rare. look around and i'll bet there are better deals then that one.

 

I'd be lucky to get 3k for my 08 I'd only ask $3500 .