Good thing you got an older one. Bean counters at Polaris got rid of: brush guards on drive shafts, latch on seat, glove box, aluminum oil reservoir replaced with cheap plastic, grease nipples, cheaper drive metals, I think, as many complain of wearing out drive train in 2500 miles. I was gonna buy a new one but after they cheapened it out, I decided I don't want a newer Polaris now. Got a used 2001 for 300 in great shape. Gonna get a new Suzuki King Quad. Bean counters have ruined a great product.
Found myself a 1 owner 99 500 that I finally got spark back and today will be fuel and air can't wait to get it running and finished I love this atv. Was a family member that hasn't ran it in 6 years but now I'm the proud owner of a wonderful atv that I have had the pleasure of getting to know through research and working on it. Came with a polaris plow and a nice camo cover so stoked
Great video! I feel the same man! Rode one of these as a kid and ended up buying the same model last year! It’s very sentimental. Brings back so many good memories every time I look at it or take it for a ride it takes me back to my childhood.
I moved to a new house and my neighbor had this exact wheeler, same color and everything but also with a plow, sitting in his yard for about 5 years. I asked him about it last weekend and he said it stopped charging the battery so he parked it and he'll never do anything with it again. I expressed an interest and he said take it and see if you can get it going. I grabbed it the same day! So far I 've found it needs a front left wheel bearing along w/ the 4WD clutch, Complete tune up, w/ carb clean, fuel pump and a couple other odds and ends. It also needed the clutch cover replaced and I went with the Chinese special for $58 shipped on EBAY. Thank God for EBAY. You'd go broke fixing these up with stealership prices. I'm still working on it but can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm into it for $300 so far including the cost of all the OEM fluids. I've had it running for a short time to check the charging system and it appears to be charging so I'm thinking he might've just had a bad battery? I'm hoping he comes back and says give me a couple hundred but we'll see!
In the early days (1988 example) Polaris msrp was generally comparable to Japanese models, but for what you were getting (loud 2-stroke and chain drive, poor quality) they were viewed as expensive. Their wholesale margins were also terrible for dealers (high made in USA production costs) so many dealers opted out of selling them. In 88 Polaris petitioned the International Trade Commission to put tariffs on Kawasaki and Suzuki essentially saying they couldn’t compete. The commission found that their products were not comparable enough (not worth the same) and no tariff was imposed. You’re right that in the mid 90s when Polaris models were priced less than Japanese imports (simply due to lack of demand) but the stigma of too expensive for what I’m getting remained. (Magnum 425 sold for 5499 in 1995 and Prairie 400 sold for 6200). The independent suspension and other upgrades plus good marketing of the 97 Sportsman turned the tide for Polaris and people started to see the value.
Hey, Thank you for the good vid. I am buying one (2000 Sportsman 500) , with an issue as it moves forward only with no reverse. Do you know what could be the issue, and is it an easy fix or deep experience required? Thanks
Hard to say, hopefully it's an adjustment issue where the shifter is just sloppy, these tend to need a good wack on the shifter to get the desired range engaged properly. But yes reverse can go bad inside the transmission. Trace your linkage back and make sure you're getting full range of motion then go from there. Good luck!
May I ask what you payed for it. I’m looking at a 2001 Polaris sportsman 500 same one as yours it’s in mint condition 1 owner garaged kept he has original title it has front steel bumper Polaris winch and it even has a steel electric front end loader . That’s also removable. He is asking 2250$ I’m not sure if that’s to high or not as it’s 21 years old but it’s about a 9 out of 10 condition wise almost perfect. What do you think??
Excellent video man. Been wondering about the aftermarket covers. I’m going to buy one now. Thanks for the measurements and such.
Good thing you got an older one. Bean counters at Polaris got rid of: brush guards on drive shafts, latch on seat, glove box, aluminum oil reservoir replaced with cheap plastic, grease nipples, cheaper drive metals, I think, as many complain of wearing out drive train in 2500 miles. I was gonna buy a new one but after they cheapened it out, I decided I don't want a newer Polaris now. Got a used 2001 for 300 in great shape. Gonna get a new Suzuki King Quad. Bean counters have ruined a great product.
Found myself a 1 owner 99 500 that I finally got spark back and today will be fuel and air can't wait to get it running and finished I love this atv. Was a family member that hasn't ran it in 6 years but now I'm the proud owner of a wonderful atv that I have had the pleasure of getting to know through research and working on it. Came with a polaris plow and a nice camo cover so stoked
Great video! I feel the same man! Rode one of these as a kid and ended up buying the same model last year! It’s very sentimental. Brings back so many good memories every time I look at it or take it for a ride it takes me back to my childhood.
Check your front rubber engine isolator. They are known to break and cause the engine to move and allow clutch to rub on the the plastic housing.
I moved to a new house and my neighbor had this exact wheeler, same color and everything but also with a plow, sitting in his yard for about 5 years. I asked him about it last weekend and he said it stopped charging the battery so he parked it and he'll never do anything with it again. I expressed an interest and he said take it and see if you can get it going. I grabbed it the same day! So far I 've found it needs a front left wheel bearing along w/ the 4WD clutch, Complete tune up, w/ carb clean, fuel pump and a couple other odds and ends. It also needed the clutch cover replaced and I went with the Chinese special for $58 shipped on EBAY. Thank God for EBAY. You'd go broke fixing these up with stealership prices. I'm still working on it but can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm into it for $300 so far including the cost of all the OEM fluids. I've had it running for a short time to check the charging system and it appears to be charging so I'm thinking he might've just had a bad battery? I'm hoping he comes back and says give me a couple hundred but we'll see!
That's awesome congrats!
Got mine for 25$ got it running rough for about 300$ gonna put about 400$ more in it ti get it running right
Very nice machine, I just picked up a 2000 335 Sportsman. Only 1700 miles on it.almost show room new! Warren 2500 lb winch.
Engine sounds good!
I believe Suzuki had the first independent suspension. That is a nice atv. Great shape for the year.
I'm very happy with it!
The Polaris quads prior to these were not expensive, and actually were much cheaper than their Japanese competitors.
In the early days (1988 example) Polaris msrp was generally comparable to Japanese models, but for what you were getting (loud 2-stroke and chain drive, poor quality) they were viewed as expensive. Their wholesale margins were also terrible for dealers (high made in USA production costs) so many dealers opted out of selling them.
In 88 Polaris petitioned the International Trade Commission to put tariffs on Kawasaki and Suzuki essentially saying they couldn’t compete. The commission found that their products were not comparable enough (not worth the same) and no tariff was imposed.
You’re right that in the mid 90s when Polaris models were priced less than Japanese imports (simply due to lack of demand) but the stigma of too expensive for what I’m getting remained. (Magnum 425 sold for 5499 in 1995 and Prairie 400 sold for 6200).
The independent suspension and other upgrades plus good marketing of the 97 Sportsman turned the tide for Polaris and people started to see the value.
I started laughing when he said, but anyway back to why we’re here Neighbor guy just flying over
I found a beautiful 1997 in near mint condition 1 owner and he’s asking 2600. What do you think?
Go for it!
Hey,
Thank you for the good vid.
I am buying one (2000 Sportsman 500) , with an issue as it moves forward only with no reverse. Do you know what could be the issue, and is it an easy fix or deep experience required?
Thanks
Hard to say, hopefully it's an adjustment issue where the shifter is just sloppy, these tend to need a good wack on the shifter to get the desired range engaged properly. But yes reverse can go bad inside the transmission. Trace your linkage back and make sure you're getting full range of motion then go from there. Good luck!
May I ask what you payed for it. I’m looking at a 2001 Polaris sportsman 500 same one as yours it’s in mint condition 1 owner garaged kept he has original title it has front steel bumper Polaris winch and it even has a steel electric front end loader . That’s also removable. He is asking 2250$ I’m not sure if that’s to high or not as it’s 21 years old but it’s about a 9 out of 10 condition wise almost perfect. What do you think??
Buy it! That's a bargain and I payed just a bit less than that.
My sportsman was nade in Canada (Eh') its a 2005 H.O.