Im looking to purchase a pair of Sportsman 500s, however Im not sure if the EFI is worth the extra money. Living in Las Vegas, Im going to be riding trails a lot and also going up to Utah and Tahoe. The EFI would be much better for this, as I assume so would the Active Descent Control.
Is it really worth the extra money? Also, living in a place where it does get so hot, how are the 500s with over heating?
i like my carb. my last wheeler was a carb. never had an issue with my last 00 polaris carb 7000 miles on it when it was sold. i took my 08 sportsman carb 2days ago on a 230mile ride non stop on a 90deg day. didnt miss a beat. i like carb. but either or would do. if you want to spend the money on a efi. have at it. thats my 1/2cent
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2008 polaris sportsman 500ho carb(cash paid)
home made 54" snow plow, 3000lb warn winch, winch grill cut out "cut by me", 8 911ep led warning lights & ls12, LED taillights & work lights, front bumper, K&N air filter, P-X-T tires & alum rims(summer), 489 & steel rims(winter), hand/thumb warmers, RotopaX fuel packs, 4x8 trailer w/LED tail & maker lights, custom made lock & ride fimco boom sprayer, lock & ride tall windshield. got my auto reverse lights made and installed.
I have the carb model and it runs great. Even in the winter I have zero problems with it starting when it's COLD. My friend has the EFI 500 with active decent control and I have to say due to the ADC it has smoother clutching on the low end. much smother when you slowly apply gas to start rolling. Also the ADC is nice. He lives at the bottom of a small mountain so it comes in handy. JMO
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2009 POPO SP 500
X2 Alum rims
rear seat
Viper Winch (synthetic cable)
2 1/2 yr old co pilot
For a few dollars more......I myself would take advantage of the EFI and the ADC. The ADC is well worth it. I don't have ADC on my X2 but I have ridden Sportsmans with ADC....a much safer machine. I emphasize safer. ADC is one of the early reasons that I'm looking toward a new ATV.....my 07 X2 is EBS only.....don't care for the tire "chatter" on steep declines. I ride the Tahoe area a lot and that is where I rode an 07 Sportsman 500 with ADC and I preferred it over my X2's EBS......there's a lot of rough country in Tahoe. Annnd I'm happy with EFI......I don't think the whole industry would have followed EFI if it were so "iffy". That's my dos pesos.
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2007 Sportsman 500 X2 Camo - ATV-Guru Front/Rear Brush Guards/Bumpers
Polaris 2500 Winch , Hand Guards , Low Profile Windshield , Front Rack - Mad Dog Fender Bags - Tamarack Front Cargo Bag - RAM Mounts - Garmin and iPhone Holders - Headlight Pod Bracket for RAM Mount Holders - HotGrips - RotoPax
Go with the EFI. I live in Reno and ride around Tahoe and out east of Reno in the desert. Rides more consistently than any of the carb quads my buddies ride.
One thing to note is make sure they set the clutch weights for the altitude. I bought mine in California and they had it set for sea level. It was a bit sluggish up in the mountains. I had them changed at the local dealer and it made a big difference (despite the dealer saying it shouldn't be a big deal).
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Regards, Mick
2008 Sportsman Touring 500 Stealth Black
Rack Extenders front and rear, Stainless Steel bumpers front and rear, 3 way Headlight mod, HID Lights, Mad Dog mirror, RAM GPS mount for Garmin 60csx, WARN 2500 RT winch, work lights with K&S handlebar switch, Bad Boy air horn, hand guards, Touring model large Rear Storage bag (Polaris), Fender bags (Polaris), Wild Banchee(lil Mule) rear utility rack and mounts, front mounted Rotopax gas cans, Maxxis Bighorns
Sportsman 500 H.O or EFI
