i don't know how that sportsman 500 was ridden but we've had ours since 98 and it has like over 4000 miles on it and besides when it was wrecked the only thing that went wrong was the belt needing replaced and cover warping due to heat. the new sportsman's have a lifetime warranty on the belt. haven't had a starter or axle problem, don't know what could go wrong with the axle unless it was abused.

 

lifetime warrenty on a belt means nuttin when your out stranded in the woods

 

You are so right, lol!!

 

Thats what I am talking about, I had to tow the D@#% thing in over 30 miles including going over a 12000 ft pass. After fixing the belt the next morrnig we lost the starter in the afternoon, The time befor, It got stuck in the mud and its 2500 lb winch could not budge the thing so I pulled it out using a tow strap tied to the the trailer ball and once we got it out it had a broken axel so I had to tow it back to the truck and once agan we had to call it an early day. my Buddy I sold it to is Over 50 and never rides it hard at all, the rest of us are always waiting on him to catch up he's got three speeds slow , slower, and slowest . I sold it with about 500 miles on it and since than I bet its not seen more than 35 MPH, but has lost 3 belts a starter and 1 front axle and 1 rear axle a few light bulbs 2 bateries 1 cv boot and has lost numorus screws and bolts wich has alot to do with all the god awfull raddling and clanging sounds it makes.