ATV serviceability

markwmo · Mar 8, 2023

I used to have a 2001 Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV that was a pretty good machine and was fairly easy to service. The battery was under the seat, oil filter was fairly easy to access, etc. After I retired I decided to buy a new 2015 Polaris Sportsman 570. What a mistake that was. First annoyance was the battery location. Pretty much have to take a front wheel off to access it. The oil filter is in a very difficult location to get a wrench on and remove without oil going everywhere, Wheel has to be removed for that also. The transmission at times make grinding noise like it's about to give it up. It only has about 500 miles on it, all on farm. However I think I'm about ready to send this one down the road and look for something better. My main question - given the serviceability issues I've stated does anyone have a recommendation on a newer machine? I already have a UTV that is fine but also want to have an ATV for some tasks. Thanks!

TractorTYMe · Mar 8, 2023

I love my Suzuki Kingquad, battery is under seat, air filter on cover where "tank" is traditionally. Oil dip stick easily available on left side, oil filter on front left side, turn steering wheel to access it. And together with Yamaha best CVT transmission as far as smoothness and reliability goes. I had 4000 miles/400h on my old KQ Powersteering 500 before it got smashed by a tree. Now I have a 2020 750 Powersteering. Separate front/rear brakes with manual front diff lock.......nice simple machines.

deserteagle71 · Mar 8, 2023

Yamaha Kodiak or Grizzly. Super easy to service, and super dependable. No major changes in the design for at least 15 years so all the bugs have been worked out. My 2006 Kodiak has over 9000 miles on it and still going strong. But I do keep up with the service.

Rockbadchild · Mar 8, 2023

I have nothing against yamaha they make good quad, I grew up with a kodiak it was very good to us... My go to is Can-am very solid and easy to work with...

MTGreen · Mar 8, 2023

Honda ATVs, like their cars, are actually designed integrally as a complete unit with service access in mind and not just shoehorning the motor into any frame that will fit with service access as an afterthought. Higher end models are fuel injected with no cvt belts/sheaves to slip grease or break

nybirdman · Mar 8, 2023

Any of the Japanese bikes,we have three Yamahas.Purchased 4 Yamaha's new,have owned Kawasaki,Honda,Suzuki.My Kawasaki was 22 years old when I sold it for 1/3 of the "new" price.
Honda's with the electric shift have a parasitic draw(runs the battery down) and they don't like our cold weather(Northern NY).

CloverKnollFarms · Mar 8, 2023

There is a battery relocate kit for the Polaris. I installed one on mine

mikester · Mar 9, 2023

Try out a new UTV side by side and then tell me you don't want one

Paystar · Mar 9, 2023

markwmo said:
I used to have a 2001 Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV that was a pretty good machine and was fairly easy to service. The battery was under the seat, oil filter was fairly easy to access, etc. After I retired I decided to buy a new 2015 Polaris Sportsman 570. What a mistake that was. First annoyance was the battery location. Pretty much have to take a front wheel off to access it. The oil filter is in a very difficult location to get a wrench on and remove without oil going everywhere, Wheel has to be removed for that also. The transmission at times make grinding noise like it's about to give it up. It only has about 500 miles on it, all on farm. However I think I'm about ready to send this one down the road and look for something better. My main question - given the serviceability issues I've stated does anyone have a recommendation on a newer machine? I already have a UTV that is fine but also want to have an ATV for some tasks. Thanks!

I agree with everything you said plus this: I bought a brand new 570 in 2016. Had to leave it at dealers day they called me to come take delivery. Could barely move shifter. Clutches were out of alignment. Then took it home to discover water pump leaking. Brought it back. They fixed under warranty WHICH THEY CHARGED ME A DEDUCTIBLE TO USE ONE WEEK OLD. Brought it home. Still leaked. By 2500 KM all four shocks and sprigs were sacked out. I only trail ride on logging roads and I am 160 pounds. All four wheel bearings were also shot.
And engine or clutch always had some odd sounds coming out of it and it always smelt like burning oil. So I traded it back to a Polaris dealer for another brand and that is the last Polaris I will buy new.
Still have my 04 SP500 H.O. and that one has been bulletproof. Just going to keep running it and fix as needed.