The manufacturer Polaris specializes in the serial production of various motorcycles, which includes both snowmobiles and ATVs. Now the range of ATVs includes a very large number of types intended for specific applications. For touring riding, the manufacturer provided the Polaris SPORTSMAN TOURING 500 model. One of the main differences between this ATV and most others is the location of the passenger seat; here it is installed immediately behind the driver’s seat. The passenger seat has a comfortable backrest. The model also includes adjustable footrests. All this together provides not only excellent ride comfort, but also a fairly high level of safety. In addition, it is necessary to highlight the design of the seat itself, which provides excellent visibility of the area for both the driver and the passenger.
But this is not all that distinguishes this ATV from many analogues. In order to ensure improved performance, the manufacturer has endowed the equipment with the following technological features:
- All-wheel drive with automatic engagement.
- 500 cc power plant, complemented by a carburetor fuel system and liquid cooling. The motor also has quite good torque.
- Rear suspension with A-shaped arms, thanks to which a high smoothness and, accordingly, comfort is achieved.
- The motor provides both electric and manual starting.
- There is an electric power steering mechanism.
When developing the Polaris Touring 500 model, many little things were also taken into account. For example, the engine radiator was mounted much higher than the chassis of the ATV and tilted slightly back. This solution made it possible to prevent the radiator from clogging with dirt when driving off-road.
The stability of the ATV has been positively affected by the new EBS braking system. This system includes hydraulic disc brakes on all four wheels. The brakes are controlled by a special brake lever, but if you need to brake only the rear wheels, then a pedal is also provided here. In addition, the high stability of the equipment is also due to the extended wheelbase in combination with the displacement of the power plant to the rear. The offset itself was made not only to improve stability, but also to install the seat, since the two-seater seat required just such an arrangement.
Video
The Polaris SPORTSMAN TOURING 500 ATV showed excellent performance when driving over difficult terrain and rough terrain. The equipment goes over uneven surfaces as smoothly as possible and is able to cope even with very difficult obstacles. All this was achieved through:
- High ground clearance of 280 millimeters.
- Large wheels with stamped steel rims and tires 25x8-12 at the front and 25x11-12 at the rear.
- A powerful winch HD 2500, which is already included in the standard equipment of the ATV.
- Improved rear suspension with vertical and horizontal travel.
The Polaris Touring 500 handles well on fairly steep slopes, water and mud obstacles, as well as in forest debris and boulders. Thanks to this, the technique has gained the greatest popularity among fishermen and hunters, since the machine is ideal for these purposes. But still, it should not be ruled out that the model is also used by tourists and lovers of extreme recreation. The standard equipment has front and rear luggage racks that can support loads weighing up to 122 kilograms. A fuel tank with a volume of 15.5 liters is installed, which ensures long-term operation of the ATV without stopping to refuel.
The instrument panel of the model is presented in the form of a digital display. It is equipped with a tachometer, speedometer, odometer, travel mode indicator, hour meter, and battery overheat indicator.
ATV polaris sportsman 500 and its chassis
The Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV has very good suspension both front and rear. The front suspension is MacPherson type. The compression stroke is 20.8 cm, and there is an adjustable spring preload. At the rear there is a serious independent suspension with a transverse stabilizer bar and a change in stiffness, there is also a preliminary adjustment of the springs, and the travel during operation is 24.1 cm. Plus, in addition to all this, the suspension is stuffed with sensors that allow it to be optimized as much as possible.
Power unit of a motor vehicle
Engine of the ATV polaris sportsman 500
The Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV is equipped with a four-stroke 40 horsepower engine. Such a number of horses with its weight of 335.7 kg allows it to feel like a fish in water off-road. Even very heavy mud and large slopes are no problem for him. The engine runs on gasoline. The volume of the combustion chamber is 0.498 liters. And the entire high-power unit is cooled with liquid. Fuel reserve is 15.5 liters.
General characteristics
The polaris sportsman 500 atv is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes on all four drive wheels. Torque is transmitted via a shaft from a CVT automatic transmission. In terms of capacity, it can be noted that it can be either single or double. Also, the ATV is equipped with a lot of electronic computer equipment, which will provide speed, engine speed, mileage per day, amount of fuel and various other data. All data is displayed on a digital display.
And what's so special about it?
Reliability of Polaris ATVs
The polaris sportsman 500 ATV differs in its reliability and functionality from other machines of this type. The production of these ATVs began in 1996, and to date more than 1,000,000 of them have been sold. This all-terrain vehicle is equipped with the latest technology. Developers are constantly introducing and adding new features to it. The suspension and transmission alone make it a leader among ATVs. The American company does everything to make your vacation as active and unique as possible. So, you can instantly install additional accessories on it that will be useful on your trip.
Specifications
Power point:
- Number of cylinders – 1.
- Working volume – 500 cubic meters.
- Rated output power is 39 horsepower/29 kilowatts (at 5500 rpm).
- The highest torque is 56 newtons per meter (at 4250 rpm).
- Number of camshafts – 1.
- The camshaft location is overhead (SOHC).
- Number of valves – 2.
- Type of cooling system – liquid.
- Type of lubrication system – oil bath.
- Type of fuel system – carburetor.
- Recommended fuel is AI-92.
- The type of ignition system is contactless electronically controlled (CDI).
- Starting system type: electric starter.
Chassis:
- Drive type – full.
- Transmission system type – variator.
- Frame type: tubular steel.
- Clutch type – centrifugal automatic.
- Front suspension type – independent McPherson with horizontal and vertical travel.
- Rear suspension type - independent with A-shaped arms with horizontal and vertical travel.
- The front suspension travel is 208 millimeters.
- Rear suspension travel is 222 millimeters.
- Front wheel tires – 25x8-12.
- Rear wheel tires – 25x11-12.
- Front disc type: stamped steel.
- Rear disc type: stamped steel.
- Front brake type: hydraulic disc.
- Rear brake type: hydraulic disc.
- Power steering type – electric.
Dimensions:
- Structural length – 2184 millimeters.
- The structural width is 1219 millimeters.
- Structural height – 1219 millimeters.
- Seat height – 857 millimeters.
- Wheelbase length -1448 millimeters.
- The lowest ground clearance is 279 millimeters.
- The smallest turning radius is 3200 millimeters.
Other characteristics:
- The capacity of the fuel tank is 15.5 liters.
- The maximum weight of cargo transported on the front trunk is 51 kilograms.
- The maximum weight of cargo transported on the rear trunk is 71 kilograms.
- The curb weight of the ATV is 335.7 kilograms.
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 2021, 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.
Price
The cost of a Polaris SPORTSMAN TOURING 500 ATV from an official dealer and without mileage now varies from 330 thousand rubles to 380 thousand Russian rubles. The final cost, as a rule, is influenced by the year of production and equipment, which often includes camouflage coloring in addition to additional equipment.
For used equipment, the current price ranges from 250 thousand rubles to 325 thousand Russian rubles. In this case, in addition to the year of production, the price may vary depending on the mileage and technical condition.
Reviews
- I purchased this device new for 340 thousand rubles. My configuration had everything basic, but this was quite enough for regular driving through the forest. The ATV engine is very good. He is durable and quite powerful. I was also pleased with the dynamics, the model accelerates very easily, and the presence of a passenger does not affect the dynamics in any way, which I especially liked. I didn’t find any significant shortcomings in the model during the entire period of use, but there were still some electrical problems that were solved, probably, in about 20 minutes. I’ve been riding it for more than 2 years, both for fishing and just around the neighborhood.
- Several of my friends often go on ATV rides. I even had the chance to participate a couple of times, albeit as a passenger. After the last time, I myself came up with the idea of acquiring such equipment. When choosing, I came across Polaris and was very interested in something. I ended up buying a used one in decent condition. The first couple of weeks the ATV was really a lot of fun, but then it came down to repairs. In principle, this process did not cause any particular difficulties, but after 600 kilometers after repair it began to stall on its own. I tried almost everything, but nothing worked