Sportsman 500 H.O. Steering

Hey Everybody! New to the site. I have an 2001 Sportsman 500 H.O with about 1000 miles on it. To me, the quad seems to steer hard, harder my Honda 800 Rincon or other non Polaris quads.I wonder if anyone has any tips or thoughts on a remedy, or if that is just the way they are. The tires are about half tread actually on the front, and about 75% on the rear. I am running a good bit more air than posted at times to try and remedy the problem. Would new tires or something fix this, or am I stuck?


Thanks

Did you just get this bike?

The Polaris is a little harder to steer, especially if you are not moving. Only reason that I know of is the bike is simply heavier.

No, have had it since new. Not been ridden much. Never noticed until got new Honda how much different and easier it was to steer.

I have an 04 and it is a little harder to steer than a couple rincons I have been on, and about the same compared to a Brute I have ridden.

Most likely it is just a normal characteristic. You might want to raise the front of the bike up and see if there is any binding when you turn it at that point, just in case you do indeed have some sort of problem.

Power steering would sure be nice on the bikes.

Have done that. Everything is well lubed and non binding. Front end is just HEAVY. I am beginning to really dig the Rincon. It is a nice bike. Free wheels in auto down hill, and it still has the front /rear brake seperate but overall nice machine.

The tires would impact the steering. I don't know which tires you are running....so this is a guess, but the air pressure should be set around 5psi - 7psi. You've already stated that everything is lubed, so just a thought...have you tried changing the brass bushings on the front a arms?
*Coincidentally, I believe 2001 is when the Sportsman 500 HO got "easier" steering...hmmm I wonder what happened with that.*

Air pressure has alot to do with alot of things, the lower the air pressure the better, but not to low now, about 4 P.S.I, say if you have 7 or 10, they will float around more on the trail, and will be harder to turn, too low will be hard to turn too, since Polaris'es are heavy bikes, you have to remember its not going to be as easy, as other lighter bikes..I don't know how much Pressure your running right now, but try around 4 or maybe 5 P.S.I.

I agree with Kodiakman of a tire pressure around 5 psi if you are running with the 25's. The original tires on the bike were:
Front: 25 x 8-12, (5 psi)
Rear: 25 x 11-10, (5psi)
The slightly increased tire pressure I mentioned was for 27's or 28's

I would make sure the machine is coming out of awd..... they always steer harder when the front diff is engaged no matter what the brand.

Might set it up on blocks and see if the frontwd is engaged.... just a thought.

Good Luck

Ride Safe,

Chuck

Have done all of that. It does stick in 4x4 once in while, but I may have too much air in them, judging by what y'all are saying. The tires are original, so I haven't screwed with that.......yet.

I usually run 10psi in my tires.. that is just enough to keep the ride from being unbearable, and to keep the tires from breaking loose from the bead if you hit a rock too hard while on the trail.

My Mudzillas are a different story, usually 15psi in them.... 30-40 if I'm there to really show off...LOL

Ride Safe,

Chuck

I too have 2001 SP 500..Did you grease the nipple that in the steering shaft ???..it's under the plastic on the front of the ATV,,you need to remove the plastic to get at it..Al

I to have a 2001 Sportsman 500. They are easier to steer that the previous models, but not near as easy as the later models. I know this because one of my friends has a 99 model and another a 04 model and I have ridden the 02 or 03 800 model. I rode all of these new and the 01 was improved, but they made a huge change in the 02's or 03's steering geometry. After I rode my friends 03 800, I didn't like my 01 500 anymore. But I'm poor so I'm still riding it. I run about 5 psi in my tires, and my buddies run about 10 psi in theirs. I lend them my plug kit quite often.

Dewey