Polaris Sportsman 500: Off-Road Conqueror
Polaris Sportsman 500 is a reliable utility vehicle introduced by the American company back in 2005. The powerful device gained wild popularity, which prompted the manufacturer to release several modifications of the Sportsman.
Line model range:
- Polaris 500. This is the basic version of the device, released in 2005. The car can be called a real all-terrain vehicle; the ATV handles confidently in the forest, on rough terrain and in wetlands. Thanks to the powerful engine, the device can be used for both active recreation and work. One of the main features of the Sportsman is the automatic transmission and fuel gauge.
- Polaris Sportsman 500 Touring. This is not just a workhorse, but a full-fledged touring ATV. After changes made by the manufacturer, the device acquired a more powerful engine (39 horsepower), a passenger seat and a more attractive design. The car performs well both on the highway and on rough terrain.
- Polaris 500 EFI. When developing the ATV, the manufacturer placed the main emphasis on power and safety. The new model has acquired a descent control system, disc brakes and an overheating indicator. An interesting solution was the installation of a winch with a pulling force of 2500 pounds.
For Polaris, 2005 was a very productive year. The company presented customers with three versions of the Sportsman - Polaris 500 6×6, Mossy Oak and 500 HO. The devices differed in fuel tank capacity, load capacity and equipment. Significant changes occurred only in the 2011 models. For example, the Touring unit received a passenger seat, hydraulic brakes and a more powerful engine.
Polaris Sportsman 500 Specifications
In addition to its attractive design, the 2005 utility vehicle boasts good characteristics. The developers installed a reliable four-stroke engine on the car, with a displacement of 499 cc. Thanks to its high power (38 horsepower), the equipment has earned recognition not only among hunters and fishermen, but also among fans of tourism.
- Start type – electric starter.
- The engine cooling system is liquid.
- Drive type – full.
- Gearbox – variator.
- Brakes – disc (front and rear).
- Suspension type – independent, with a travel of 170 mm (front) and 241 mm (rear).
- Load capacity of the luggage racks is 40.9 kg (front) and 81.8 kg (rear).
- The dry weight of the equipment is 307 kg.
- Gas tank capacity – 18 l. New versions of the device have a tank capacity of 15.5 liters.
The Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV is not only safe, but also economical. The car consumes only 10-12 liters of gasoline per 100 km. Naturally, consumption depends on driving style and route. When driving on difficult roads (wetlands or mud), fuel consumption increases to 14 liters.
Comparison with competitors
One of the main competitors of the Polaris 500 ATV is the BRP Outlander L570 X MR. The Canadian car beats the American in almost everything. The Outlander is equipped with a more powerful engine; under the hood of this predator hides as much as 48 horsepower. Fans of SUVs will also be impressed by the design of the L570. If the Sportsman is more reminiscent of sports equipment, then the appearance of the Canadian simply screams of power and cross-country ability.
However, in terms of price, Polaris technology definitely wins. A new Sportsman costs between 380-450 thousand rubles, depending on the modification and year of manufacture. For a fresh Outlander, with full equipment, you will have to pay 978 thousand rubles.
Domestic manufacturers did not stand aside either, or rather, the Stealth company, which presented the ATV 800GT ATV. The Russian utility vehicle is distinguished by its significant carrying capacity and power. In cross-country ability, the Stealth is inferior to the Sportsman, but wins in price. For a fully equipped AVT 800GT you will have to pay only 400 thousand rubles.
A serious opponent for the Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV was the Honda TRX 500 FA. Technically, both cars are very similar, so the only question is the price. The cost of a new Honda, produced in 2016, ranges from 810 to 880 thousand rubles.
Operating experience
Judging by the reviews, the Polaris Sportsman 500 has proven itself only on the positive side. The owners appreciated the maneuverability, reliability and design of the device. Surprisingly, the ATV, released back in 2005, is still in demand today. What attracts users so much?
- Versatility. The Polaris 500 ATV is suitable for both work and leisure. By car you can transport or tow cargo, go fishing and hunting, travel through the mountains, etc.
- Reliability. One of the main advantages of American technology is durability. A thoroughbred horse can ride for 2-3 years without serious breakdowns. With proper handling and regular maintenance, the device will last 5-6 years.
- Reasonable price. The Sportsman 500 is an excellent solution for those who cannot afford Honda or BRP devices.
- High cross-country ability. There are practically no barriers for an American. The ATV will travel over any off-road terrain, overcome a small stream or swamp, or climb a hill.
The most noticeable drawback of an SUV is the size of the tank in newer models. Although fuel consumption is low, a 15.5 liter gas tank is enough for only 140-160 km.
Repair and tuning
For fishing and work, the basic Sportsman 500 configuration is more than enough. However, fans of tourism will have to fork out money and install new shock absorbers and a durable front bump stop on the ATV. You should also customize the device to suit you. For example, shift the support plates that are on the footrests.
With repairs, everything is much simpler; serious damage occurs only with prolonged and careless use. Minor faults can be eliminated yourself. Most often, owners are faced with faulty wiring, uneven engine operation and damage to plastic parts. Finding spare parts for a popular model is not difficult; you can order everything you need from a dealer or in an online store.
Troubleshooting Tips for Polaris Sportsman 500
Founded in 1954, Polaris Industries first began producing ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) in 1985. This gave the company more than 25 years of ATV experience when it launched the new Sportsman 500 in 2011. Polaris designed this versatile ATV for hunting and the company offers several troubleshooting tips for common problems that may arise.
Without turning over
If your engine won't turn over, Polaris offers three potential problems and solutions. First, the battery voltage may be low and owners should try to recharge the battery to 12.8 VDC. Two other problems could be that there are loose connections at the battery or solenoid. In any case, owners should check and tighten all connections.
Doesn't start
If the engine turns over but does not start, the ATV may be out of fuel. If so, fill the tank. Then turn the cycle key to the "on" position three times for five seconds each, after which the engine should start if the problem was lack of fuel. It is also possible that there is water in the fuel or that the fuel is too old, in which case it will need to be drained and refilled. If there are defective spark plugs or they do not spark, the spark plugs must be checked and replaced if necessary. For three other potential problems (plugged fuel filter, water/fuel in the crankcase, or mechanical failure), Polaris recommends owners contact their Polaris dealer.
reflective
If the engine is backfiring, there may be a weak spark, improper spark plug gap, old or waterlogged fuel, or poor ignition connections. Owners should inspect/clean/replace spark plugs, set correct gap spacing, drain and replace fuel, and check/tighten all connections accordingly. For other possible problems, such as improperly installed spark plug wires, improper ignition timing, or leaking exhaust components, see your Polaris dealer.
Stalling/Misfires
If the engine is running irregularly, stalling, or misfiring, there may be dirty or faulty spark plugs that need to be properly inspected, cleaned, or replaced. It is also possible that there is low battery voltage. The 2011 Scrambler 500 battery must be charged to 12.8 VDC. There may also be incorrect or water-filled fuel that needs to be drained and replaced. The engine may stall if the driver starts/stops without sufficient warm-up. In this case, the rider must fully warm up the engine before operating. Consult your dealer if there is a clogged fuel filter, faulty reverse limiter, worn/faulty spark plug wires, faulty electronic throttle control, or any mechanical damage.
overheating
If your Sportsman 500 engine is overheating, there may be debris stuck in the screen. Debris must be removed before further use. It is also possible that the radiator is connected. The owner can take care of this by using a garden hose to wash debris out of the radiator fins. Polaris cautions that heavy-duty hoses (such as those from pressure washers) can damage and deform these fins and should not be used.
Stall/Loss of Power
When the Sportsman 500 stalls or loses power, it may be due to lack of fuel. Owners should add fuel and turn the cycle key to the "on" position three times before attempting to start the engine again. If this is not the problem, there may be a damaged or clogged fuel vent line that needs to be inspected or replaced if necessary. The engine may also stall if there is diluted or incorrect fuel that needs to be drained and replaced. Ignition connections should be checked and tightened, and spark plugs should be cleaned and replaced if necessary. If the engine continues to lose power, there may be faulty spark plug wires, faulty reverse speed limiter or faulty electronic throttle control, or other mechanical problems, all of which require a trip to your Polaris dealer for repair.
Related articles:
- Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI Problems
- Why won't my Polaris Sportsman 90 start?
- How to Troubleshoot Polaris Ranger
- Polaris 700 Problems
- Oil specifications for Polaris Sportsman 500cc
- Polaris Sportsman 700 Specifications
Polaris Sportsman Touring. “Sportsman-tourist” with a new engine
Polaris Sportsman Touring has a new 567 cc engine with fuel injection. We tried this ATV in action and were pleasantly surprised
Natalia Umnova
The new engine produces 44 hp. With. and has good traction, so the quad can easily carry two people and their luggage (traction force - 555 kg), which can be mounted on the front and rear small trunks or put in a trailer (weight up to 810 kg), but then about any cross-country ability will have to be forgotten. Under the front luggage platform there is a sealed container with a capacity of 25 liters, which is easy to open without the need to remove loaded junk from the lid.
The Polaris Sportsman Touring 570, like most crossover vehicles and many Polaris models, is equipped with an automatic PVT transmission and automatic all-wheel drive, that is, the quad decides when to engage all four wheels (with AWD mode enabled, of course), and returns to two. when a difficult section is passed.
The seats are soft, comfortable, high seating position
The suspension of this Polaris is conventional (MacPherson strut at the front, double wishbone at the rear), has a travel of 20-24 cm, but seemed quite stiff even with the rear shock absorber at its most relaxed. The driver's footpegs are as short as on the Polaris Scrambler 1000 (see “5th wheel”, No. 6 2014), that is, there is no room to move your legs back when going uphill, but if this is a problem for a sports “Scrambler”, then for a tourist “ “Sportsman” is a design feature that does not particularly affect driving performance, since the format of use does not involve conquering steep slopes, especially with a passenger.
The unsealed glove compartment in the back can be used to store tools, cables and other useful items.
“Sportsman-tourist” is not intended for serious mud or deep water obstacles. This is immediately evident from the small 12-inch wheels (it is not recommended to install larger ones) and the battery placed directly on the frame (very convenient to change, by the way!). Although the air intakes of the engine and variator are located right under the steering wheel, this device is still created for relaxed trips with a passenger, for whom there is a comfortable seat with a backrest and strong handles, raised higher for better visibility. And the quadric steers surprisingly easily: it seems that it has power steering, but there is no power steering, just good geometry and small wheels.
The finder headlight is a useful thing: it shines where you turn the steering wheel
Be careful with the gearbox lever: when you turn on mode H, you can painfully pinch your finger on the plastic
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions | 2184x1219x1219 mm |
Base | 1422 mm |
Clearance | 279 mm |
Fuel tank volume | 17 l |
Engine | 567 cm3, 4-stroke, 1-cylinder, liquid cooling, injector, 44 hp |
Transmission | automatic PVT; modes: 2WD/AWD, H/L/N/R/P |
Suspension front/rear | MacPherson, 208mm travel/double lever, IRS, 241mm travel |
Front/rear brakes | hydraulic, disc, all wheels |
Front/rear loading capacity | 40.8/81.6 kg |
Dry weight | 330 kg |
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