As I am new to Polaris ATVs, I have a question maybe someone can answer??? How does the EBS work? And also, there seems to be a knocking around the front left side of the engine (near the clutch perhaps) any ideas?

I did get an owners manual with the ATV (SP 500 - 2000) but it is pretty useless, except for safety information

Thanks for any info!

 

the braking systems on the old automatics dont work to good but on the geared atv going down a hill and having auto braking is a good feature to have so they up graded the automatics to have good braking system i dont know how they work but they work good. if i were you i would look in the belt system and check out that knocking sound those belts they could lock up your motor keep the belt system maintained corecktly or you will be paying big buck


atv professional,
gwizardzacatv

 

Thanks gwizardzachatv!

The knocking I was referring to has always done it. The machine only has 4 hours on it, and less than 30 miles. Just bought it last week...was doing it at the dealers, I just assumed it was "normal"

 

The knocking you hear by the clutch is not normal. I had the same problem. The black plastic cover that surrounds the clutch was stepped on, bending it inwards, and causing the centrifugal clutch to rub against it. If the knocking is the one I am referring to, when you accelerate, its more like a scrubbing sound.

 

Well the ebs system works on a bushing that will spin only one way it is on the drive clutch. The belt has groves in the inside face 7 i belive these groves ride on this bushing when idleing when the clutch is engaged the belt is riding on the clutch sheaves causing your secondary clutch to spin it is kinda complicated but is actualy very simple if you know what i mean i don.t know how to word it wich makes explaiing it difficult for me i probably just got you more cunfused then anything hope this helps

 

Thanks for all of the replys, guys. When I go to the dealer to buy me wife one in the next couple of weeks, I'll take this one back and ask some more questions! Thanks again!

 

It’s very difficult from your description to tell just what the knocking is or where it comes from. The easy way to find out if it’s coming from inside the belt/clutch housing is to feel the plastic with it running. Rev the motor if you have to, with one hand on the housing. It’s very thin and if something is hitting the inside of it you’ll know it.

If either of the clutches rub the inside of the housing it results in more of a sustained scraping sound. A short thump or knock is usually the belt. A burned spot in your belt would do this, but misalignment of the housing cover might do it as well. Either way I wouldn’t accept it as normal on a machine as new as yours and would expect the dealer to fix it.

 

bad2bone,

I agree with the other posters, if there is a knocking sound, get to the bottom of it.

But, when I bought my '98 I was worried about what I perceived to be a knocking sound in the top end of the engine, specifically under acceleration. In the end, after test driving a few of my friends Sportsmans it turned out that I was worried for nothing. The engine sound is quite different from the Honda that I was used to. There was no knocking, it was simply the normal "note" of the engine. I just had to get used to it.

Good luck with your specific sound. Hope it is indeed nothing.

DJ

 

bad2bone,

I forgot to address the EBS issue.

On the early models with no EBS, the clutches could (and would) disengage when you let off the throttle. On decents, if the clutches disengage the ATV freewheels and will roll down the hill quite quickly. The operator could apply a little throttle to keep the clutches engaged, and thus provide engine braking. The problem was this is not a natural thing to do. When you are trying to slow down the last thing you think of doing is hitting the throttle. Slowing down a unit without EBS required more braking power and attention by the driver. The EBS system, simply stated, keeps the clutches engaged and allows the engine to slow the machine. The technical workings of how the clutches remain engaged - I haven't a clue!

My 98 has EBS, my buddies does not. There is quite a difference in how the two machines operate, especially in the hills.

Hope this helps.

DJ

 

You may be right about the knocking sound DJ. It does not sound like a Honda engine. I spoke to a local mechanic that has worked and owned numerous Polaris machines and he said the engines are bulletproof. He is going to look into the noise thing for me. The dealer that I bought it from is about 85 miles aaway, and they are getting out of the polaris business (too much competition). I just managed to get a steal deal on a new unit from them, but they won't be doing any service.

Thanks for all of your advice!