2008 Polaris Sportsman® 500 EFI
User Reviews
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Awesome machine!!!!!!
By Nathan hazlett (I am an Owner) on Nov 01, 2018Durable, this machine meets my expectations and exceeds them. I use this four wheeler every single day and I have a blade on it for 50% of the time winch driven could be a bit stronger but it's good for what it what it is it starts for me every time got plenty of power overall just an outstanding ... piece of equipment
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Excellent machine
By CW Collie (I am an Owner) on Oct 25, 2018Bought my Polaris Sportsman brand new and have never had a problem. Recently gave it to my son and bought myself Polaris Ranger.
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One single issue
By James Thomas (I am an Owner) on Jun 01, 2016The only major issue I have had with my machine was the sprauge carrier in the front gear case breaking while it wasn't a cheap fix I did run it for years with it broken and on top of that I have been hard on it so I am not complaining about the only major break I have had however I still think it ... could have been priced better as far as parts and initial purchase is concerned
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Great atv
By Michael (I am an Owner) on Aug 02, 2015We have 3 of these on our farm 2 efi and a carberated. Both efi have about 6k miles and the other 1800. Only problems we ever had is the constant velocity was grinding on one and replacing the electric celenoid under the seat. We use them for farm work and work them way past their recommended work ... load. We had to start locking the rear suspension for big loads. Never had any blown belts or anything. All in all a good performing and quality atv.
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Tops in Comfort - Average Reliability
By Patrick Ryan (I am an Owner) on Dec 20, 2014I had this machine since new in 2008. It's pretty powerful and it's the most comfortable ATV I've ever ridden, by far. It might also be the best handling ATV I've ever ridden. Even friends of mine with Honda's have driven it and agree it's the Cadillac of ATV's. The EFI works perfect, the AWD is ... fantastic, and the engine braking & decent control work flawlessly.
It's more comfortable than a Honda but not as reliable. I had a relay replaced this year which cost me $400. I also had to replace the fuse block with inline fuses. If you own one of these older Polaris machines I suggest doing that regardless if you have had any problems or not. It might save you trouble down the road. Not a big deal to do it yourself if you can solder wires together.
Other than that I haven't had any issues. Everything is original on it including tires (will replace very soon though). It has 3,500 km (2,200 miles) on it. 3000 km of that is high speed trail riding and the rest is snow plowing and rocky trails.
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Great 4 wheelers!!!!
By Ray (I am an Owner) on Sep 27, 2013Bought two 2008 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI' s, each with 200 miles and my family Loves them!!! They are comfortable and very quick and climb over everything I need them too!!!! GREAT used 4 wheelers!!!!
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Double Trouble!
By Bryan Jolley (I am an Owner) on Nov 22, 2011I purchased 2- 2008 Sportsman 500 EFI's in December of 2009. I also purchased a "in house" 5 year warranty that was supposed to cover the machines bumper to bumper. Of course that was an additional $500 per machine. The ATV's now have 1500 miles each on them. In 1500 miles I have had the follwing ... issues:
1- Rear CV Shafts replaced on both machines.
2- Defective wiring harnesses on both machines(took 2 months to fix amd serious discussions with the service department to have covered under warranty). Each harness would have cost me $900 w/o the "in house warranty"
3- Winch relay burned up
4- Sensor on throttle body on both ATV's went bad.
5- Intake manifold came loose?(were is the loctite)? resulting in dirt ingestion and scarred motor which Polaris will do nothing about (shouldn't this be a factory issue?). The "in house warranty" will not either, (cost to repair = $1200.00.
I would strongly recommend that you consider other brands when purchasing an ATV. Polaris will not stand behind their products.
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After Riding Hard for 3 Years
By 1851279887 () on Feb 27, 2011I would have to say there are better machines. I own a Sportsman X2 and have had numerous problems with it. They are as follows.
1) Throttle cable tension loosened up and caused backfire when letting off of the throttle. Wouldn't idle either. This problem was not so bad after I figured it ... out with the help of the internet.
2) Wouldn't idle and lost power when hot. Figured out that the intake valves became recessed into the valve seats. This caused the valve rocker clearance to tighted up and keep the intake valve from seating when the machine was cold. Poor quality of valve components.
3) Had the seat configured for (2) people and lost the seat while towing. Who would have thought Polaris would have designed the seat to just sit on top of the machine and not securely fastend when in the (2) passenger position.
4) Machine quit while plowing snow. Jumpered around the fusible links to the fuse panel and the machine runs. Still looking for a clean fix for this one. Polaris wants 30$ for their fusible link kit. You can buy one at any auto parts store for under $10, you just need to figure out what to buy.
Other than that, I love the machine when nothing brakes. Next machine I buy will be a Honda.
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Love it
By Steve (I am an Owner) on Jan 18, 2011I bought brand new have not had a single problem with mine. Have had lots of fun ridding the trails in TN. Ride through the snow, mud, rocks and water not had a problem.
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Junk
By Dennis Alspaugh (I am an Owner) on Nov 20, 2010I also bought this and have had nothing but problems. It has 200 miles on it right now and Planet power sports of Coldwater Michigan where I bought this from said it sucked the intake gasket in, cost to me $200. Sucked the intake gasket in????? HOW????? Will never buy Polaris again!
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Do Not Buy
By Justin Thompson (I am an Owner) on Sep 08, 2010I have had mine for less than two years. In the two years, I've had nothing but problems. Not only with the motorcycle itself, but with Polaris customer service as well. I bought mine brand new. Since I've had it, it has been in the shop 3 different times for a total of about 6 months. My wheel literally ... split in half. We shipped it to Polaris and they ruled it as "rough riding." Now if it were rough riding, wouldn't two or four wheels split in half? I called Polaris customer service and they kept repeating to me that "once a decision is made, it cannot be overturned" and that "no one in the company can do so." Now after my local 4 wheeler dealer got mad at Polaris, he just gave me the parts for free for having to deal with all of this. Basically, do not buy Polaris. Junk product, horrible customer service. My next atv will be something other than Polaris.
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polaris quality is total pile of sh-t
By zach (I am an Owner) on May 09, 2010purchased a new 500 efi, and evey time i take it for a ride something brakes! example after 600 miles water pump went bad,seal to water pump leaks,fan for radiator doesent work,gear selector switch to transmission has been replaced twice,cv axle joints been replaced twices. now to elictric problems ... go to start and nothing turns on. and try it again it starts up? and then get a few miles down the trail and it shuts off buy its self! go to fuse panel and jiggle fuses and its fine until it happens again a few minutes later! all in all im very close to taking it back to polaris main office dumping off back of the truck and setting on fire! or finding a deep water hole and sinking it and report it stolen and go back to a jape bike that lastes! that my thoughts of polaris quality products
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