2012 Polaris Sportsman® 500 HO

2012 Polaris Sportsman® 500 HO pictures, prices, information, and specifications.
Model Type
Utility
MSRP
$6,199
Dealers
Warranty
6
Insurance
Generic Type (Primary)
Utility
Manufacturer Country
USA
Manufacturer Recommend Minimum Age
16
Parent Company
Polaris
Display Name
Sportsman® 500 HO
Year
2012
Make
Polaris
Engine Type
Single-Cylinder
Cylinders
1
Engine Stroke
4-Stroke
Cooling
Liquid
Valves
4
Valves Per Cylinder
4
Valve Configuration
OHV
Bore (mm/in)
92 / 3.62
Stroke (mm/in)
75 / 2.96
Displacement (cc/ci)
498 / 30.4
Compression Ratio
10:2
Starter
Electric
Fuel Requirements
Regular
Fuel Type
Gas
Carburetion Brand
Mikuni
Fuel Injector
No
Carburetor
Yes
Number Of Carburetors
1
Carburetor Size (mm)
40
Carburetion Type
Carburetor
Transmission Type
Continuously Variable (CVT)
Primary Drive (Front Wheel)
Shaft
Primary Drive (Engine / Transmission)
Belt
Reverse
Yes
Transmission Brand
Polaris Variable Transmission (PVT)
Hi / Low Range
Yes
Wheels Composition
Steel
Front Tire Diameter (in)
25
Rear Tire Diameter (in)
25
Chromed
No
Front Tire Width
8
Front Wheel Diameter
12
Rear Tire Width
11
Rear Wheel Diameter
12
Front Tire (Full Spec)
25 X 8-12; 489
Rear Tire (Full Spec)
25 X 11-12; 489
Front Brake Type
Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type
Hydraulic Disc
Front Suspension Type
McPherson Strut
Front Travel (in/mm)
8.2 / 208
Front Adjustable Fork Pre-Load
No
Front Adjustable Rebound Damping
No
Front Central Suspension Strut
No
Steering Damper
No
Front Stabilizer Bar
No
Rear Suspension Type
Independent Double A-Arm
Rear Travel (in/mm)
9.5 / 241
Rear Adjustable Shock / Spring Pre-Load
Yes
Rear Adjustable Rebound Damping
No
Number Rear Shock Absorbers
2
Rear Suspension Material
Steel
Rear Stabilizer Bar
Yes
Air Adjustable
No
Steering Type
Manual
Steering Control
Handlebar
Length (ft)
6.92
Width (in/mm)
48 / 1219
Height (in/mm)
48 / 1219
Wheelbase (in/mm)
50.5 / 1283
Ground Clearance (in/mm)
11.3 / 286
Length (ft/ft)
6
Length (ft/in)
11
Dry Weight (lbs/kg)
696 / 316
Towing Capacity (lbs/kgs)
1225 / 555.7
Fuel Capacity (gal/l)
4.1 / 15.5
Engine Displacement to Weight (cc)
0.72
Seat Type
One-Piece
Adjustable
No
Seat Material
Vinyl
Seat Location
Driver
Folding
No
Seat Height (in/mm)
33.8 / 857
Number Of Seats
1
Frame
Steel
Body Material
Composite
Floor Board Location
Driver
Hand Grips
Standard
Hand Guards
No
Light Guard
No
Radiator Guard
No
Front Fender
Standard
Rear Fender
Standard
Handlebars
Standard
Front Bumper
Standard
Rear Bumper
Standard
Front Fender Flairs
Standard
Rear Fender Flairs
Standard
Bash Plate (Front)
Yes
Digital Instrumentation
Standard
Clock
Standard
Tachometer
Standard
Trip Odometer
Standard
Speedometer
Standard
Hour Meter
Standard
Temperature Warning Type
Light
Fuel Level Warning Type
Gauge
Warranty (Months/Condition)
6 / Limited
Battery Warranty (Months)
0
Tongue Weight (lbs/kgs)
120 / 54.4
Rear Hitch Type
Receiver
Driveline Brand
On-Demand™
Driveline Type
Selectable 4X2 / 4X4
Number Of Driveline Modes
2
Rear Unlocking Differential
No
Rear Solid Axle
No
Limited Slip Differential Location
Rear
Differential Lock Location
Rear
Power Outlet
Standard
Capacity (lbs/kgs)
90 / 40.8
Rear Storage Well
Standard
Headlight Mounts
Standard
Halogen Headlight (s)
Standard
Headlight (s)
Standard
Light Type
Halogen
Metallic
No
User Reviews
14 reviews
  • Maintenance
    By Joe (I am an Owner) on Nov 30, 2019

    Bought 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 ...

    Read More
  • Turned me off Polaris
    By mike (I am an Owner) on Oct 22, 2015

    Bought 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 ...

    Read More
  • Rocks
    By Heath (I am an Owner) on Jan 07, 2015

    Love the bike. Trail, race, hunting. Does it all!

    Read More
  • junk
    By chris Robertson (I am an Owner) on Oct 31, 2013

    I 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 ...

    Read More
  • mean green
    By troy baket (I am a Writer) on Jan 17, 2013

    I 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!!!

    Read More
  • Polaris 500 HO
    By Tony (I am an Owner) on Nov 12, 2012

    Purchased 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 ...

    Also have a 2007(I think) Sportsman 90- brakes no longer work on it either. Haven't started trying to repair it yet.

    Read More
  • GOOD BIKE Bad CV joints
    By jss (I am an Owner) on Nov 07, 2012

    Love 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.

    Read More
  • Bad Trans
    By Mike Winkelmeier (I am an Owner) on Oct 30, 2012

    Bought 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 ...

    Read More
  • great atv polaris
    By Ricky Johnson (I am an Owner) on Sep 11, 2012

    purchased 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 ...

    Read More
  • Great ATV!
    By Mike Davy (I am an Owner) on Aug 23, 2012

    Great 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!

    Read More
  • Great machines
    By Matt H (I am an Owner) on Jun 28, 2012

    My 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 ...

    Read More
  • polaris 500 ho
    By 417312596 () on Mar 06, 2012

    i 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 ...

    Read More
  • Great for the price
    By james (I am an Owner) on Mar 05, 2012

    Just 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.

    Read More
  • 2012 Polaris 500 HO
    By Mark Conroy (I am an Owner) on Oct 05, 2011

    I just bought a ne 2012 500 ho and am verry impressed with it, very good bike and nice to ride.

    Read More