2008 Polaris Sportsman® 500 EFI

2008 Polaris Sportsman® 500 EFI pictures, prices, information, and specifications.
Model Type
Utility
MSRP
$6,999
Dealers
Warranty
6
Insurance
Generic Type (Primary)
Utility
Manufacturer Country
USA
Introduction Year
2006
Manufacturer Recommend Minimum Age
16
Parent Company
Polaris
Display Name
Sportsman® 500 EFI
Year
2008
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)
499 / 30.4
Compression Ratio
10:2
Starter
Electric / Pull
Fuel Requirements
Regular
Fuel Type
Gas
Fuel Injector
Yes
Fuel Injector Size (mm)
39
Carburetor
No
Carburetion Type
Fuel Injected
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
Aluminum
Front Tire Diameter (in)
26
Rear Tire Diameter (in)
26
Chromed
No
Tire Brand
Polaris PXT
Front Tire Width
8
Front Wheel Diameter
12
Rear Tire Width
11
Rear Wheel Diameter
12
Front Tire (Full Spec)
26 X 8-12 PXT
Rear Tire (Full Spec)
26 X 11-12 PXT
Front Brake Type
Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type
Hydraulic Disc
Engine Braking
Standard
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
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)
731 / 332
Towing Capacity (lbs/kgs)
1225 / 555.7
Fuel Capacity (gal/l)
4.1 / 15.5
Engine Displacement to Weight (cc)
0.68
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
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
Front Storage Well
Standard
Rear Storage Well
Standard
Headlight Mounts
Standard
Halogen Headlight (s)
Standard
Headlight (s)
Standard
Light Type
Halogen
Metallic
No
User Reviews
12 reviews
  • Awesome machine!!!!!!
    By Nathan hazlett (I am an Owner) on Nov 01, 2018

    Durable, 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 ...

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  • Excellent machine
    By CW Collie (I am an Owner) on Oct 25, 2018

    Bought 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, 2016

    The 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 ...

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  • Great atv
    By Michael (I am an Owner) on Aug 02, 2015

    We 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 ...

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  • Tops in Comfort - Average Reliability
    By Patrick Ryan (I am an Owner) on Dec 20, 2014

    I 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 ...

    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, 2013

    Bought 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, 2011

    I 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 ...

    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, 2011

    I 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 ...

    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, 2011

    I 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, 2010

    I 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, 2010

    I 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 ...

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  • polaris quality is total pile of sh-t
    By zach (I am an Owner) on May 09, 2010

    purchased 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 ...

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