Took the 500 out for the first ride today with my 6yr old son. Went on a national forest ORV trail in north GA. There was a max width of 50" on this trail so I thought it would be fun to see how it would handle. Well the first trail I took went down a pretty rocky and steep hill, in a couple of places I had to squeeze between two trees that were at most 52" apart, throw in an off camber corner and I was in trouble, basically had to drag the roll bar across the tree and with a little luck I was through without any major damage. Fortunately this was the only trail that was this tight and turns out is was prob the most difficult trail there, tough way to start the ride!
After that I started to get a feel for the machine and it started shifting and riding better as the day went. I do have a few questions to other owners to make sure there is nothing wrong with my machine:
I notice some rather loud drivetrain humming, resonance in 4th/5th gear around 20-25mph. Is this normal? Happens in 2wd, didnt try in 4wd.
Downshifting doesnt seem to be smooth unless I am going under 10mph and there is an abrupt clank during most downshifts. Upshifts are pretty smooth, sometimes very smooth, but the downshifts sound like it going to break something, especially when getting aggressive.
Also when I got back home I took it for test spin and under some fast power shifts it seemed to be delayed in shifting almost like it would slip for a second then engage. It may have just been cold not sure as I didnt notice it doing this during my ride. It did miss a shift once during the ride, not sure what happened there.
Anyway sorry the wall of text just wanted to make sure everything is normal. It is my first side by side so I dont have much to compare it to. My last atv purchase was a 92 yamaha timberwolf,bought it new, still runs like a top. I will say the 500 did surprisingly well for the most part, rocky/clay climbing and descending everything in 2wd I pointed it at, which in some places was shocking considering how steep. Just a great trail machine, never once needed more power or speed, maybe softer shocks. I met a motorcycle rider that told me I was not allowed on the trail with a sxs, had to explain the 50" width thing to him, not sure he bought it but whatever I know I was legal as I had done my research before going. We ended up having a blast and put about 20 hard miles on her. Only visible damage was a large rock dent to the front skid.
After that I started to get a feel for the machine and it started shifting and riding better as the day went. I do have a few questions to other owners to make sure there is nothing wrong with my machine:
I notice some rather loud drivetrain humming, resonance in 4th/5th gear around 20-25mph. Is this normal? Happens in 2wd, didnt try in 4wd.
Downshifting doesnt seem to be smooth unless I am going under 10mph and there is an abrupt clank during most downshifts. Upshifts are pretty smooth, sometimes very smooth, but the downshifts sound like it going to break something, especially when getting aggressive.
Also when I got back home I took it for test spin and under some fast power shifts it seemed to be delayed in shifting almost like it would slip for a second then engage. It may have just been cold not sure as I didnt notice it doing this during my ride. It did miss a shift once during the ride, not sure what happened there.
Anyway sorry the wall of text just wanted to make sure everything is normal. It is my first side by side so I dont have much to compare it to. My last atv purchase was a 92 yamaha timberwolf,bought it new, still runs like a top. I will say the 500 did surprisingly well for the most part, rocky/clay climbing and descending everything in 2wd I pointed it at, which in some places was shocking considering how steep. Just a great trail machine, never once needed more power or speed, maybe softer shocks. I met a motorcycle rider that told me I was not allowed on the trail with a sxs, had to explain the 50" width thing to him, not sure he bought it but whatever I know I was legal as I had done my research before going. We ended up having a blast and put about 20 hard miles on her. Only visible damage was a large rock dent to the front skid.
