1999 Polaris Sportsman 500 Test Drive Review

[@buildurtruckurway9118]

Some people like to argue but they did have a 500ho in 2000. It wasn't branded the 500HO it just had a 40mm makuni carb and better cam and was built by the dealers with a kit that Polaris offered. It was a "performance" kit. I have one with the dealers build sheet stapled in the owners manual. Says it was a $350 performance option the dealer offered in 2000. Then polaris caught on and just made it the factory option in 01. to be even more specific it was a performance kit they sold for the scrambler that dealers installed on the sportsmans.

[@608_diesel]

Fantastic machines! I had a 1997 500, a 2004 500 HO and now I have a 2016 570. They've all been super reliable and work horses.

[@rockspowersports]

@608 DIESEL That’s great to hear that you’ve had good luck with them. I bought a 2015 Polaris Sportsman 570SP new for my wife and I had a 14 sportsman 850xp both good machines but ended up selling them and buying a side by side.

[@evolvingguy2766]

I had got an 04 or 05 500HO as my first atv and holy are they rippers first I rode and first I worked on I loved it I’ll always have a sweet spot for a red Polaris 500

[@project5.097]

I picked up a 2001 polaris sportsman 500 ho 4x4 and it runs like a champ! Gave 750 for it. It has 423 hrs and 10256 miles on it and it will still kick up some dirt. I did have to replace all of the suspension bushing but that wasn't bad. But we love it rides amazing for its age!!

[@Hammerback0]

10,000 miles and 423 hours? Mine has 5800 miles and 1180 hours. Your machine has averaged a speed of 23.6 mph while mine has averaged 4.6 mph

[@MotoDex156]

My dad bought me THAT wheeler off you. Still running strong with 1300 miles on it and hasn't gave me a problem!

[@rockspowersports]

That’s awesome to hear it’s still treating you well!

[@damiandelapp5490]

I picked up a 97 with 2200 mile on it that was just flat out neglected went through it front to back about 6 years ago super great bike strong reliable!

[@connerbranson2892]

Just got an 02 500HO sportsman from my grandparents hope I can fix her up it’s been a long time since I got to ride her and I’ve been missing it

[@hawkman302]

Those are solid. I have a 2003 HO, and it still goes while almost still being stock. Use it on a farm, outdoor runs, and ice fishing and kicks a$$ every time.

[@rickkinsworthy7799]

Lots of guys think they will lose their 'Man Card' if they ride an Automatic/CVT 4 wheeler, but not me. After growing up on a farm with no automatics, and 26 years OTR driving trucks, I'm wore out on shifting anything. I love the Polaris 4 wheelers. I had a 500 Scrambler 2 wheel drive, bought it new in 2001. They only thing I disliked, was the factory chain couldn't handle the power of the 500. After replacing the factory chain with a larger aftermarket chain, never had another issue with anything.

[@rockspowersports]

@Rick Kinsworthy Yeah I hear those people a lot… manual machines are fun however a properly setup CVT will get you through snow or mud better than a standard transmission in my experience. Love those Scramblers, I had a 500 a couple years ago. Very fun machines, I wished they would have the low range in them like the sportsman’s though. You don’t really need it for trail riding like they were designed for but it would still be nice to have.

[@upnorthvlogs]

a good machine i had 94 400 was pretty fast if I remember right a little finicky in the cold weather start😅

[@wyblackwolf]

I still have the one my dad bought brand new back in 2000, still running the original drive belt and tires. Never getting rid of it

[@rockspowersports]

@WYBLACKWOLF That’s impressive to still be on the original belt and tires 23 years later.

[@wyblackwolf]

@@rockspowersports Right? Every time we crossed water deep enough we would pop the plug in the clutch cover out and let it dry for a few minutes before riding again.

[@rockspowersports]

@@wyblackwolf That’s a very good way to do it instead of burning the belt. If you do proper maintenance on them they’ll treat you well.

[@markcollins5026]

Man, time to put on a new belt !

[@JackSlade12]

There pretty quick for the age can’t go wrong with one of them

[@sombradesigns1734]

Just bought this in 97 scrambler mode, BEAST.

[@motormouth2472]

We have an 09 Sportsman 850. Very powerful and the thing is an absolute tank. Very comfortable on the trails at Tug Hill here in Upstate NY

[@millerbification]

The older the better in my words I got a 2002 Polaris 330 magnum no big head light or speedo planning on doing a speedo sometime but my personal ATV just manly use for hunting down here in North Nashville Tennessee Gallatin Tennessee is were I live and from

[@rockspowersports]

@Miller Bingham I had one of those magnum 330’s last year. I ended up selling it to my brother. Those are very tough machines and have plenty of power for a 330.

[@millerbification]

I have some questions for you tho I got one and in progress on rebuilding everything on it like a stator and all electronic systems are trashed man if you go on my channel I'm in process of getting everything replace everything tho I'm not a expert by no means I got a cell number if you can reach me that be nice I'm a first time ATV owner and learning from mudd mowers to ATVs

[@johnscribb6731]

great review. Love the old machines you test.

[@reyrivera5296]

Great video! I’ve enjoy watching that sportsman doing wheelies I have a 2002 and 2003 500s and I love them great old machines!! Hope we can see more videos soon👍👍

[@leostampfly1752]

Just bought a 99. Been sitting in a shed at a guys hunting camp for 8 years. Got some spark issues but the machine seems to be really solid.

[@georgemeeker9459]

Rock great job. Going through your older videos.

[@andrewthomas1648]

Love the vid pal keep up the good work

[@motofarmmx2430]

Best 4x4 utility atv built imo. On the price I remember the 99 retail sheets and even tho jd power said 6749 I recall 6999. Also the ebs model was 1000 more so 7999 until they made it standard. Ive owned 2 brand new the first and last year of the HO. 01 and 13. Better than the grizzlies king quads and rincon/rubicons ive owned. In 13 to get ebs you had to get the camo. Ive seen these with 60k miles. I would buy another new one in a heartbeat if they still made them. Can't find a used one here for under 3k.

[@rockspowersports]

@Motofarm mx They are a great utility machine. And Yeah I was going off the price I see online for msrp back then. It very well could of been more. 60k miles on any wheeler is impressive! The most I’ve seen on a sportsman 500 that come into the shop was probably 12,000 miles. Have you tried out the sportsman 570? Not a fan?

[@motofarmmx2430]

@@rockspowersports your model is the higher end one with the ebs back then. Crazy it was 1000 more. In 2000 it was standard and in 01 they came out with the HO. Got to compare these new since the neighbors had 2 new 2000s and I had a 01. The 00 might of had a tiny bit more bottom end but the 01 had a little more top. Different cam lifters and carb. I'm not a fan of them either. Bring back the sportsman 500. I'm sure trail guys might like them but my uses for a quad like this was around the farm and in the woods. With an occasional leisure ride.

[@motofarmmx2430]

@@rockspowersports was a guy on the forums years ago with more than that he was a guide. I believe the quad got burnt in a garage fire.

[@rockspowersports]

@@motofarmmx2430 That’s good to know, I was thinking they all had eBay for this year. I knew certain newer years did not come standard with it.

[@motofarmmx2430]

@@rockspowersports first gen it was a 1k option. 2000 it was standard. Then I'm not exactly sure when they made it an option again. I believe in the last gen. It was cheaper to get as an option then than when it originally came out. By a good bit also.

[@robgoffroad]

I've had several Polaris utility ATVs... two 850's and now on a 2022 570. The 570 is amazing. It has exactly the right amount of power. The 850 was great but I would never let a noob ride it because it's too fast.

[@markhenderson6969]

Love the video i have a 02 sportsman 400 same color mine faded too bought mine new still love it

[@98dodge360v8]

Helps the 500 was so reliable as well. The Gen IV polaris's are still comparable to new machines which is incredible. So far the dual sensing ebs is still my favorite (I havent gotten a ADC model yet). You should do a work shoot out with the turbo diesel since the 500 was the diesel's competitor.

[@rockspowersports]

@98dodge360v8 The turbo has been removed from my Polaris diesel for now. I’m planning on installing it in one of my other diesels with the custom oversized piston.

[@98dodge360v8]

@@rockspowersports Then that'll make a more original comparison. You always read the diesel was to expensive and under performed too the gas version. How true is that? Seems like a good vid to do. If you dont I might make a vid comparing it to a 02 400 sportsman.

[@rockspowersports]

@@98dodge360v8 Yes I was planning to do a comparison on these before I sell the sportsman.

[@concealit4800]

It was ahead of its time high ground clearance true all wheel drive and it would smoke any 4x4 honda in a drag

[@alinachandler1650]

Those are solid I have maybe an 2008 to 2010 sportsman H.O.

[@Bobbytrus12]

You gonna keep that wheeler? You should!!!!!!!! Make some more videos on that!!!!!!

[@rockspowersports]

@Lucas Perttu The plan was to sell this one. I have to many machines to keep them all.. I will do a utility/work video on this wheeler before I sell it.

[@Chuckseese]

Best suspension ever

[@brocfetz3634]

Very good and knowledgeable video I learned a lot

[@jejoko]

Great review!! Enjoyed, thank you. May I ask how tight of a turn radius this machine has. And may I suggest you include that info in your reviews. Thanks again!

[@jeffwilliams9086]

Good video, thanks!

[@genecaruso5506]

It’s built like a tank

[@robertsbushcraft]

Does anybody know what the welded plate on the front brush guard is designed to accept? It's the off-centered plate between the bars. I'd think something winch related, but, I can't find any information online about it.

[@JimsTechNonsense]

You should give a heat gun a try on the plastics, it might bring back the color.

[@rockspowersports]

@Jim’s Tech Nonsense I usually do, I’ll usually sand off the faded part and then use the heat gun. I did a couple of test spots on this and it is faded deep. Heat gun just turns it hot pink at this point.

[@applejacks971]

It seems this is only 4wd when in low transfer? I don't know anything about these and considering a 2001 HO. Good vid!

[@rzl07375]

Dam I seen 55 mph that's dam fast for an older utility.

[@rockspowersports]

@RobL. They are pretty fast! This dirt road is pretty soft right now from the frost coming out of the ground, if it was tightened up I’d expect to see a few more mph out of it.

[@jeffsmith9420]

Great video. You in Maine?

[@rockspowersports]

@Jeff Smith I am in the Northeast part of Vermont.

[@jeffsmith9420]

@@rockspowersports Ok. I could hear the New England accent.

[@thomaslangton7099]

I had one of these but she was getting ready to blow up and hopped really bad when driving and hardly drove cause the belt was slipping for some reason even after replacing it

[@rockspowersports]

@Thomas Langton It sounds like you might of had some clutching issues with yours.

[@thomaslangton7099]

@@rockspowersports i believe so but the mechanic I was going to didn’t wanna fix it cause it would have been “too expensive” but I ended up selling it for 3k it had a rear seat and 3k lbs winch so I think the buyer and I got a good deal

[@jmudd5449]

I have beautiful 99 500 sportsman

[@chrisharriman9017]

Only thing ever was seriously wrong was camshaft issues. I think a lot of that was ppl didnt run 0w40 and used 10w40 instead

[@johnnugent6516]

Arkansas Wavin

[@LandonHuber-jq1ks]

I think I’ll get me one 🤔

[@RedArmor24]

I had sportsman 500 4x4 1996

[@rockspowersports]

Nice! First year of the 500, how’d you like it?

[@RedArmor24]

@@rockspowersports my dad first owner 1996 so my dad give me 2012 since. My dad used working at caterpillar equipment so dad bring caterpillar oil, grease fit, transmission oil, other stuff on atv pretty reliable but few issues front end like tied rod, pad brakes but great atv. Strong engine much torque. I see sportsman 1999 not same as 1996 different

[@tedkowal1]

How much did you pay for it?

[@rockspowersports]

I’ll probably sell it for $1800

[@brocfetz3634]

I did not think they would do wheelies lol wow my 500 ho won’t do that

[@motofarmmx2430]

Something is wrong with it or you can't ride. Not trying to be a dick.

[@rockspowersports]

@Broc Fetz I would definetly look into the belt condition and your clutching on yours. They won’t wheelie just from stabbing the throttle, you either need to hit small bump in the trail like I did or pull back on the handle bars pretty good.

[@cirbar3467]

As reliable as a honda?