Good machine with plenty of power (Polaris Sportsman 500)

Member Name: john

Product:	Polaris Sportsman 500
Date:	09/09/06 (1760 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ride, power

Disadvantages: Some poor mechanical engineering

I have had my atv for 4 years and enjoy it it a great deal. I have had a few problems such as jamming of shifter and unable to get out of gear, a parasitic draw that keeps killing my batteries and steering that is very heavy compared to other atvs. The new POLARIS atvs have much nicer steering than the 2000.

I can climb anything and am very satisfied with the durability of the design. I do have a problem with water collecting in the recoil case which rusts the starter despite having the recoil firmly over the opening for the rope. This ATV is the only one with a nice high light which is great when you are plowing snow. All the others have them low and thus you can't see when the plow is elevated. The body is durable as can be. I know, I have rolled it a couple of times. It is a heavy machine however and difficult to get off your body when it lands on you. The ride is awsome, especially for me as a paraplegic in need of a more tame ride. A solid axle ride will kill me. I have done rides of 200 plus miles and felt good after to get an idea of how good the ride is.

I wish Polaris made this without a belt so that driving through deep (to the seat) water doesn't become a very slow adventure. So far I have gotten out of the rivers, but the wet belt made that quite the challenge. Good thing there wasn't a steep bankon the other side.

Summary: Would recommend again and again.