I am just wandering if you have had any problems with the 500HO and if you were what kind of problems you had? was looking to buy one.

 

I have had my 500 since December and have almost 300 miles on it. I have ridden it in snow and ice and some pretty muddy areas. So far the only problem has been a leaking o-ring on one of the hubs which i replaced myself because the dealer couldn't get it fixed quick enough.This is the second polaris I have owned, had a 2000 335 sportsman which had lots of minor problems. I have had more problems getting a dealer that can service a machine in a week so i can ride on the weekend than had problems with the machines.Went through three dealers before i found one who can give me the kind of service i need.I have a bad back so i picked this machine for the ride more than anything but I am pleased with the way it performs.Most of my riding is trail with lots of rocks and poker runs. Hope this helps you with your decision.

 

Had mine since Jan this year. Almost 300 miles and no problems. Just gas and ride.

 

I have five or six friends that bought new HO's last year and one 2002 in November. No one has any problems and they are all so happy with them they don't understand why I bought a Honda.

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My friends have them and they are great ATV's. The 500 HO would be my first choice Polaris. However, I hear that 2003 HO's will have some better modifications. As of now, the 2002 HO's have a running change. The oil check valve is now down on the left-hand side by the floor board for easy access. If you get a 2002 HO, make sure yours' is one with this new running modification. I have seen them and they make checking oil simple.

Daryn

 

I have a 2001, and love it. keep her greased and clean and you should'nt have a problem. A smart purchase is the shop manual if you do decide to buy a Polaris. I don't rely on dealers to do my work, so this manual allows me to do my own maintenance and gives me the baseline for how the ATV is assembeled.

 

Buying a shop manual for every ATV you own is a great idea. Read it. All.

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1000+ miles on my 2K1 Sportsman HO RSE. The only problems have come from my own doing and not having the shop manual when I should have... I've been rack deep in the swamps, went through the ice on the lake and been to 10,800 feet in the Rockies. Just like the batteries, it just keeps going and going....

No problem-o.

 

Had a problem with the belt blowing up every other ride,
turned out to be a washer in the sheaves.Went through 9 belts[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]
Fan took a dump(mud[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img])took it apart and cleaned it.
4 cv boots(breaking trails[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img])
No big deal except the belts.

Now if you get one of the bad ones,(Yeah they got real bad ones)sell it and cut your losses.Ask muddy
Where ya at muddy?Show yourself[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img],educate this man on how to tell if you got a bad one.
Dont worry
he'll show up and when he does,HAVE FEAR[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Bought mine in may of last year, it now has 3000 miles on it. I haven't had any problems. These machines are high maintenance and a pain to service.