I know them pretty good, they have demo bike that they let you take for a rip down the feild. The chrome rims and rack extensions, would cost over 500 bucks anyways, then you got a bigger motor, twin, and i like the sonic bluse, plus the front end look nicer. I think i'll likely get the 600, but i'm still considering others (i'm making sure i get the right bike for me)

 

LightningSVT01,
You obviously abused your 500 and that is why you had belt problems. And, the tranny sucks air in the same way as it always has. What you are referring to is the tranny exhaust and any genius can see where it is and understand the limitations of the quad. Would you put a boot on that goes to your knees and complain that your sock got wet when you jumped in waist deep water? That makes about as much sense as complaining about the tranny exhaust on the 500. If you thought it was too low for you, you should have moved it. And, if you understood the operation of the SP500HO, you would have realized that it was not necessary to remove all those bolts to get water out of the tranny. Just put it in neutral and rev it up. The only reason thereis a drain plug on the 600 is because the air pressure will not push water all the way up to the height of the new tranny exhaust.

The clutches are basically the same. If you abuse the 600 the way you did the 500, expect more problems. Would you ride a Honda and bash it after you sucked water into the motor? That is the equivalent of what you have done here.

OK, I am better now.

Greg

BTW - I ride a 700, not a 500. I just felt the need to defend what is arguably the best quad on the market. It deserves a fair shake.

 

Newsflash!!!...

Last time I was at my dealer (TODAY) all 2003's have the new convienient little drain plug on the PVT housing. Polaris added this to all their 2003 models.

Also, the higher PVT intake that lightningsvt01 is refering to on the SP600/700 is now on ALL of the Sportsmans. Hence the reason why all the Sportsman's fuel tanks are no longer 5.25 gallons...they are now all 4.75 gallons because they had to make room for the newer syle PVT vent/intake thingamabob.

To conclude, I have heard an equal number of problems with the 500 as the 600 and 700. I don't know how many of each account were actually true, but look around on all the internet forums. I don't know what to believe.

 

Rincon, in the Kawasaki forum I thought you said you were buying a P650? In a later post you said that you were still checking out other quads===good move. Ride all you can.

 

You are pushing your foot brake down?
If its that bad take it to the shop and get them to do a shifter linkage adjustment.
I have a problem with the tierod ends raddling.
It looks to me like you could put a greese zerk in it if you could find one small enough.

 

AtvNutPolaris


Who do u think you are? Evidently you own a SP 500, and I am hitting so areas that you must have had issues with as well. I am sorry if I do not drive mine from the house down to the street to take out the trash! Yes, I ride my 4x4 on trails in mud! After all, that is what it is for. "What you are referring to is the tranny exhaust and any genius can see where it is and understand the limitations of the quad." As I recall, I never said anything to the such! What I referred to was: "The belt air intake hose on the side of the SP 500 opens up near ur feet. " I still do not see where I referrd to the "TRANNY EXHAUST". Before u go shooting off your mouth, why don't u take my opion and analize it for what it is for. I am telling u the problems that I had w/my SP 500. Not only have I ran into issues, other have as well. "if you understood the operation of the SP500HO, you would have realized that it was not necessary to remove all those bolts to get water out of the tranny. Just put it in neutral and rev it up." Talk about a high brain power? LOL You go ahead and put YOUR bike in neutral and rev it up! If I had water in any part of my bike, I would much rather drain it, then try to push the water out with the motor, and possibly casue more damage! SP 500 have a history of belt and other problems .Why even buy any 4x4 big bike, if you are not going to be able to ride it as such. Just to make clear on this issue, I have been through all the same trails with my SP 600. Guess what, NO PROBLEMS!

OffRder15

I looked at so SP500 03's at my dealer. I can not recall if they had the drain pulg or not. I will take ur word on it. According to the "Genius", all u had to do anyway was put it in neutral, and rev up the engine! Why would they put a plug on it if all you had to do was that? The belt air intake hoses that I saw where the same. These may be the first runs of the 03's they had, and my dealer may have not had the most current release of an 03 on the floor, so again, I am just going to take your word on it. It still makes me wonder why they would have change that as well. After all, the "Genius" said thought that the owners should make that change?

 

lightningsvt01,
You are addressing ATVNutPolaris, and you should be addressing me... actually, you should have just read my post and learned something.

You Posted:

"What you are referring to is the tranny exhaust and any genius can see where it is and understand the limitations of the quad." As I
recall, I never said anything to the such! What I referred to was: "The belt air intake hose on the side of the SP 500 opens up near ur feet. " I still do not see where I referrd to the "TRANNY EXHAUST". Before u go
shooting off your mouth, why don't u take my opion and analize it for what it is for.


My reply:
The belt intake you refer to that is beside you foot is not the intake. It is the PVT exhaust. It is where the air leaves the belt housing.

You posted:

I am sorry if I do not drive mine from the house down to the street to take out the trash! Yes, I ride my 4x4 on trails in mud! After all, that is what it is for.

My reply:

How deep should a quad be able to go? I doubt Polaris recommends that you ride in water 3 feet deep. Where do you draw the line? I am not saying that you should not mud your bike and enjoy it. I am saying that if you intend on doing so, use common sense and do not bash the quad for your lack of common sense.

You posted:

According to the "Genius", all u had to do anyway was put it in neutral, and rev up the engine! Why would they put a plug on it if all you had to do was that?

My reply:

The reason for the drain plug is the higher exhaust outlet. The air pressure will not flush the water out of you raise the exhaust outlet like they have done.

As far as Polaris moving the tranny exhaust, I have been telling everyone that this was going to happen since the release of the 700. There are other changes coming as well.

I was just yanking your chain in my previous post so don't get offended. You appear to be new to this. Keep an open mind and listen to the right people on this forum and others and you will learn some things that will make life easier.

 

gregsims

You seem like you may not be all that bad of a guy, but you need to read my orginal post like I said before. These are the problems that I had with the bike. I am not saying that I ride my bike in high waters or mud to cause these problems. I have seen this happen with a friends bike when they got into water higher than what he should have. I was just stating the differences in the bikes is to why I would not buy a SP 500. This is my opion, and from all the problems I had: (belts, clutches, linkage, ignitions,leaks), I would not suggest anyone to buy an SP 500. I love nothing more than spending $6000 on a 4x4 atv, riding it on Saturday, and returning it to the dealer on Monday, because the belt has popped, or other issues! After all, this was a brand new bike, and had under 50 hours on it. It just mad my day!. What has offended me is the way you are addressing my post in total disrepect. The orginal qustion was from weedy: "Please list any problems and mileage on your machines. I am considering one for the wife after the tax return comes in.

Do you like the in-line shifter better than the 500 HO shift pattern?

Anyone own a 500 HO before owning the 600? How do the two compare?"

The info that I gave was correct and valuable for someone that is looking to buy a new/used SP 500. If I had known some of the issues, I woul have looked at the other models of Polaris a little closer before buying the SP 500. Yes I may be new to this forum, but that is because I had just bought a new Polaris, and was looking to trade info. This still does not give you the right to try to lash out on someones problems. That is not what this forum is for. This is not a boxing ring to see who can make the other person look the worst. This is to help each other out w/info from their trial and errors. If you are wanting to help with some helpfull info, I would be glad to listen. If all you want is a word war, I don't have time for you.

Thanks!

 

I was giving you a hard time, because the problems you associate with the SP500 were self inflicted. If you ride the quad in high and slip the belt or ride in deep water and slip the belt, you will have belt problems. This will apply to any belt drive quad. I have ridden Polaris since 98 and have never broken a belt. I know many people that have ridden Polaris atvs also with no such belt problems. The people I know that have experienced problems have all abused their quads. Some people just refuse to use low range when they should. Others like the deep water riding too much and on occasion get their belt wet. While you can dry the belt and clutches off, repeated water intake will ruin the buttons and eventually the clutch sheeves.

I have a 700 but I have ridden a 600 and they are about the same. I like both, but I think the 500 has proven itself reliable while I have not had the 700 long enough to pass judgement. My 700 feels like it pushes corners more than the 500. And, both were euqipped with progressive springs. I like the power of the 700 and i find I do not have to use low as often, even though I probably should. The 600 is only slightly faster than the 500HO. As far as the shifter goes, I do prefer the 700 shifter. However, I never once had a problem with my 500 shifters. If your shifter on yor 500 does not want to shift, give the bike gas in gear, then, try again just like you would on a standard shift Honda or a dirt bike. Whatever you do, do not force it. That is how people jam their shifters.

It is hard to express humor online where one cannot see the other's expression. Sorry if I offended you, but it is my nature. My wife says I have no cooth. I tell her to shut her pie hole and get back in the kitchen.

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Greg

 

If you want to ride a Sportsman in deep water, check out my old setup i had on my SP500. the snorkels on the front rack will stand up for deep water riding. Look at the Modified Sportsman Album.

http://photos.yahoo.com/gregsims01