I have a very worn 98 sportsman 500. My wife and I use it to check on our chicken barns and livestock about 5 times a day so it’s always ran cold. I should admit that its maintenance is always last on my list of things to do. The speedometer broke, the cam shaft wore out ($400 for a 4inch part), the rear breaks aren’t working, often times the one front hub will lock and not release until I put it in reverse, my joints are wearing out and there are about a 20 of them, and there is a rattle in the belt drive area.
On the other hand it is still running every day. For the farm the independent suspension is awesome. I can fly over those bumpy rocky pastures I have so I do like it.
I grew up riding Honda ATV’s and we never had any problems with them but we rode them very differently than the way I ride this sportsman. I also have a couple polaris 90 ATV’s for my kids. They have both been in the shop to many times. I have a couple really good polaris dealers nearby but when I finally wear out this sportsman I will really have to think if I want another polaris again.
Eric