2012 Polaris Sportsman® 500 HO
User Reviews
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Maintenance
By Joe (I am an Owner) on Nov 30, 2019Bought a '12 Sportsman 500 HO last year and looking to do some maintenance. Has any one used universal fluids during their routine maintenance checks?
Antifreeze?
Transmission fluid?
Brake fluid? Synthetic?
I'm looking to pick up the supplies at a local tractor supply ... or Auto Zone. Looking for some help before I put fluids into this machine and have a bigger problem.
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Turned me off Polaris
By mike (I am an Owner) on Oct 22, 2015Bought this new, worked it on our hobby farm. It has done work but so many things wrong with it. Wished I had saved more and got something better. Carb was plugged within 1000 hours. (I use 91 octane premium gas) Fuel pump went in the winter. Had to replace CV shaft after one year. Now rear caliper ... snapped where it crosses over the rotor. I maintain it all the time. Most of my time is spent maintaining it rather than enjoying it. Plastics rattle, have had electronic issues. Warranty is so short and no extended coverage was available. Biggest piece of junk. I had a 91 Suzuki that lasted longer. Looks like I'm going CFMoto or Arctic Cat for my next one.
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Rocks
By Heath (I am an Owner) on Jan 07, 2015 -
junk
By chris Robertson (I am an Owner) on Oct 31, 2013I bought mine brand new 6 months ago. It's been in the shop over a month. . Three different times. . First time they said factory defect. . Top end of engine blew up. Second time they had to adjust valves. Now the timing chain. Keep in mind that it has never run right from day one. I will never ... buy anything with the Polaris name on it!
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mean green
By troy baket (I am a Writer) on Jan 17, 2013I bought the sage green 500 ho and absolutely love this machine. It has all the power u want and the comfort of a Cadillac. I have plowed heavy snow several times with it this year and been in some good mud and she has not let me down. This thing is a beast!!!
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Polaris 500 HO
By Tony (I am an Owner) on Nov 12, 2012Purchased Dec. 2011. Just over 6 months and the left rear CV joint messed up and the rear right axle warped. Brakes don't work- purchase new caliper and pad- still not fixed. Have spent $500 + and still not working properly. Axles must be cheap because we've heard alot of people with the same ... problem on same model and year.
Also have a 2007(I think) Sportsman 90- brakes no longer work on it either. Haven't started trying to repair it yet.
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GOOD BIKE Bad CV joints
By jss (I am an Owner) on Nov 07, 2012Love My 2012 Polaris 500 sportsman, but only 400 miles and already broke a rear CV joint and they are $300 from polaris with no aftermarket ones out yet. I suggest buying upgrade axles which I did.
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Bad Trans
By Mike Winkelmeier (I am an Owner) on Oct 30, 2012Bought the 2012 Sportsman 500HO and had 2.5 hours on it. Had a knock in the transmission. Dealer had to swap out a new trans a floor model. Don't like the idea of having a brand new $6200 ATV with less than 3 hrs on it and having to take it in the shop. In addition, the shifter is not smooth ... at all. It's really rough. Tail light went out. just a cheap bulb but doesn't help my faith in Polaris. The rear brake is very tight as well. Almost feels like it's not working. Maybe I just got a lemon. Starter sounds cheap too. The dealer said that is how it was made.
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great atv polaris
By Ricky Johnson (I am an Owner) on Sep 11, 2012purchased this atv new in april of 2012 to replace my polaris sportsman 850 xp that i love to but didn't have the money this go around to buy one to replace it after totaling it out in a accident back in january of 2012. wanted the 500 ho back in 2010 when i got a good deal on the 850 xp.Thought ... I would miss the power and the power steering on the xp but got used to it.The 850xp was fuel injected wish the 500 ho was,but is not a big deal.The 500ho is a good value atv got the camo edition pretty sharp.want to add front and back brush guards and a winch when i can.The factory tires are not as good but replacing them with more aggressive tire would be nice.over all nice atv good job polaris keep it up.
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Great ATV!
By Mike Davy (I am an Owner) on Aug 23, 2012Great deal on this ATV and has so many features for a quad at this price point. I have owned sport atv's in the past 300ex, 350 warrior, and polaris scrambler 400 and this atv is so much more fun and capable on the trails. Loving everything about this atv so far!
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Great machines
By Matt H (I am an Owner) on Jun 28, 2012My wife and I each bought one of the Sportsman 500 H/O's without having owned any wheelers in the past. Boy were we surprised at how much we'd love them! They may not be the fastest machines on the market, but for the money there isn't a better deal (at least where we purchased ours). Couldn't ... have asked for a better machine for our first atv. Polaris at it again!
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polaris 500 ho
By 417312596 () on Mar 06, 2012i just bought one last month. i got a plow with it. i have plowed snow for years including running a plow service. never owned a four wheeler before. but, i wanted one for hunting. i figured i might as well get a plow too. i love plowing with this thing. it so much easier than with my truck. you ... can get in and out of places much better. i should have bought one of these things years ago!! as far as off roading goes have not had a chance yet. but if this atv runs this good in snow. it should have no problem in muddy fields. it is very easy to ride & operate with plenty of power when you need it.
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Great for the price
By james (I am an Owner) on Mar 05, 2012Just bought one 3/2/12 and I love it! Has just enough power and easy to ride. over all it is a good atv for the price Looking already to pass this one down to the kids and stepping up to a bigger model.
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2012 Polaris 500 HO
By Mark Conroy (I am an Owner) on Oct 05, 2011I just bought a ne 2012 500 ho and am verry impressed with it, very good bike and nice to ride.
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