Polaris Sportsman 500HO?

[2000400EX]

Do any of you guys have one of these quads or know someone that does? My buddy is in the market for buying a new 4x4 quad this spring. I done some looking around for him and I think the Sportsman will suit him the best. (sorry Honda!) I was just wondering any of you know if these quads have any problems? How do the drive belts hold up? Would you burn up a belt pretty quick trying to pull something heavy in low gear? I'm coming from experience with snowmobile belts, which can wear faster at low speeds/loads, but I have no idea how these belt driven quads hold up? Any info, comments, or suggestions would be helpful! Thanks guys!:D

[400EXcrazy]

my friend has a 97 polaris sportsman 500 and HE LOVES IT so do i. that thing has power out the ***. the belts hold up great. i have a polaris 325 and never had a problem with it. plus if the belt does mess up its got a lifetime warranty. i would say go for it. i think polaris makes the best 4x4. his 500 will do anything never got it stuck. and if u take good care of it it will last forever

[2000400EX]

A lifetime warranty on the belt? Really?:eek2: That's pretty cool! Thanks for the info man!:D

[400EXcrazy]

yea man anytime

[YTZ250#1]

I have an 02,and I don't know anything about the life time warrenty on the belt.I can tell ya that if you ride it like a sport bike it won't hold up.Mine has a little over 400 miles on it and the inner tie rods are loose,the lower ball joints are loose,and I had to replace the front struts with some works ones.they are also a little tippy when trying to make corners at higger speeds.Other than that it is a nice machine,just be sure to get a winch cause if you get it stuck they are about 700 lbs and you won't be picking it up out of the mud.I've had to use mine a couple of times,but I can go threw muck up over the fenders as long as the frame don't get hung up.

[biker]

the only problem with the belt driven machine is if the belt gets wet it's gonna slip! one thng i've noticed about the Polaris's is your not gonna gas it and bunny hop over things in the trail they just lung forward if you know what I mean! If it was me and I was looking for a 4x4 I would go for the Wolverine it's sporty yet has all the cababilities of a 4x4 just my 2 cents:macho

[2000400EX]

Thanks for the input so far guys!:D I'm kinda disappointed to hear that they wear out like that. I think he's kinda made up his mind now though.....he's set on getting the Sportsman 600. Hopefully it will be a good machine for him.;) He will mostly use it for work, with a little bit of trail riding on the side though. Thanks again guys!

[RMX500]

nothing like a sportsman 700 EFI.

saw one of those when i picked up the predator. I said damn, rincon better look out.

[2000400EX]

I think my buddy is leaning towards the 700 EFI now....can't wait to see what kinda mud that thing will go through!:blah:

[quadman440ex]

One of my friends got his 700 EFI today. I cant wait to blow him away on my Prairie 700