2011 polaris 500 ho airbox mod

Jmathey9 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2011, 08:34 AM

Hello, I'm new to the forum and decided to post to get my feet wet. I just bought a 2011 sportsman 500 HO and love it. I just can't leave it be so I am ready to do some upgrades. Tire and wheels for sure, then who knows what. Anyone out there want to let me know what you have done and how you like it. Also any info on your tire upgrades, size, fit, type would be great. jet kits, clutches, exhaust. There are so many out there that when I think I have made up my mind I find something I might like better. Thanks

Thomasj · #2 (**permalink**) 12-18-2011, 09:54 AM

the clutching is really good in the new 500s so I would not mess with that unless you get some really big mud tires. Jet kits are good but overpriced. You can just buy jets for less than five dollars and have the same results. These machines respond really well to breathing mods. vent the airbox, exhaust, and jetting will do wonders. If you plan on mudding or going in deep water go with some good flowing snorkles instead of the airbox vents. And always add a good washable foam filter. Uni or twin air are the best.

Jmathey9 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-18-2011, 10:24 AM

Very cool thanks. I'm just going to add some big horns, and only go 26 or 27's. I just like to mess with everything. It's part of the fun

swampdonkey1982 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-20-2011, 02:27 PM

Hey I'm fairly new the site and ATVing in general and it seems like the consensus is that A arm guards are a great investment.

maverick11 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-21-2011, 10:26 AM

The best upgrade i have ever made to my machine was tires. You will have to figure out what is right for you. The bighorns are my choice for my needs. Clutch kit is nice too.

bgirard420 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-21-2011, 02:41 PM

Welcome

Indeed, A arm guards are a great investment. For what its worth, the plastic boot guards that come on it actually work pretty well IMHO. On more than one occasion I got something wedged up in there and nothing got to the boot. I was pleasantly surprised.

This being said, let your type of riding dictate what your first upgrade will be. I don't think too many would disagree that the first investment should be a winch closely followed by tires. If you're going to ride in the snow this is especially true. Heavy, 8 ply radial tires may necessitate a clutch upgrade while lighter models (mudlights/zillas) may not. I ended up putting an EPI kit in after getting new sneakers to get back some torque. One thing that really helps is the 3 headlight mod particularly if you ride at night or plow. It also seems like the only way to really increase power is to combine a new filter with a new pipe and a jet kit all together. Lastly, if you plan to just ride it around the yard, you won't have to do much as they are great machines right out of the box

antoniodef · #7 (**permalink**) 12-21-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgirard420

Welcome

Indeed, A arm guards are a great investment. For what its worth, the plastic boot guards that come on it actually work pretty well IMHO. On more than one occasion I got something wedged up in there and nothing got to the boot. I was pleasantly surprised.

This being said, let your type of riding dictate what your first upgrade will be. I don't think too many would disagree that the first investment should be a winch closely followed by tires. If you're going to ride in the snow this is especially true. Heavy, 8 ply radial tires may necessitate a clutch upgrade while lighter models (mudlights/zillas) may not. I ended up putting an EPI kit in after getting new sneakers to get back some torque. One thing that really helps is the 3 headlight mod particularly if you ride at night or plow. It also seems like the only way to really increase power is to combine a new filter with a new pipe and a jet kit all together. Lastly, if you plan to just ride it around the yard, you won't have to do much as they are great machines right out of the box

You lost torque even though you kept the same stock tire size? When I get around to tires, I plan on 26" Grim Reapers but don't wanna do a clutch.

Jmathey9 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-21-2011, 03:51 PM

Thanks for everyone's input. I got trigger happy, and by Friday I am having delivered the following: STI H1 wheels black Slik-vote, 26" itp mud lite xtr's, HMF swamp xl exhaust with jet kit and k&n filter, epi clutch, and warn 2500# winch with synthetic rope. I just hope I won't need spacers to accommodate the tires, that would damper my weekend riding fun.

bgirard420 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-21-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antoniodef

You lost torque even though you kept the same stock tire size? When I get around to tires, I plan on 26" Grim Reapers but don't wanna do a clutch.

Yeah, I couldn't believe it. I'd be fine if I just rode around on old railroad beds but I push the 500 hard. I ride with all big bores too so I need to get all I can out of it. Have to use low a little more now too. Interestingly enough, when I only had the rears mounted, I did 150 miles without a clutch kit and without a problem. Soon as I put the fronts on, I lost some get up and go and belt slipped a few times. Put the kit in and it's been better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmathey9

Thanks for everyone's input. I got trigger happy, and by Friday I am having delivered the following: STI H1 wheels black Slik-vote, 26" itp mud lite xtr's, HMF swamp xl exhaust with jet kit and k&n filter, epi clutch, and warn 2500# winch with synthetic rope. I just hope I won't need spacers to accommodate the tires, that would damper my weekend riding fun.

Dude, that is sweet

Looking forward to seeing your finished product! Hope you can get by without spacers, I bet the fronts will be close. Here's my 25 x 8 fronts...clearly bigger than stock despite being the same size.