When I was a kid I had a 250x honda and one day we where riding in a pit up north flying through puddles it rained the day before. I had never ridden here before so I dident know better but one of these puddels was way toooo deeep!! and befor I knew it I was swimming and all I could see of my wheeler was four tire bottoms on the top of the water. I was just wondering if a sportsman 500 whould do the same thing in this situation...

(I think the hole I went in to was a well or something not shure but i could not touch bottom)

 

While I have never tested my theory (and I hope I never do), I doubt very seriously that your SP500 will float. The Polaris fourwheelers, especially the big fourwheel drives, are a lot heavier that the old honda three wheelers. I owned one of the original honda 90 three wheelers and it would indeed float rightside up or upside down (my brother did test this theory). I own a 98 Magnum 4x4 and I have driven in some deep water, but did not notice it floating that well. As long as the tires are rightside up and moving, I have noticed some floatation, but when you stop, it goes down. I also remember a Polaris ad where a construction company lost a Magnum in a lake (I don't remember how). I do remember that they had to fish it out from the bottom and got it running. I could be totally wrong on this, but I would not suggest driving a $7,000 vehicle into a pond to test this.

 

Add a dual tire kit and a Sportsman 500 could be used for fishing trips, it would float. Make sure you take the wide trails to the lake though!

 

Hey guys with the mudrunners i have on my 99 500 it will float as long as it is not disturbed at all and you can not be on it. Turn up your idel and let it go in try it does work but don,t touch the wheeler or it will stop i have seen it done and done it my self but it is not for the timid

 

The rear end of my Scrambler 500 floats, but the front end sinks like a rock....
Been there.