Okay, here's my question/dilemma.....I have tentatively agreed to purchase a Sportsman 500 EFI in the Camo model which incl. rear wheel EBS.


ADC is a good feature, I know. The question is...can't the EBS be driven w/ a relatively high degree of safety on mountain descents w/o the ADC feature? Many of you have been using the EBS for years in mountain situations and major catatrophes do not litter the forum pages. Yet I have read in posts how squirrely and dangerous the EBS has been to some of you.

Since I haven't experienced the 500 w/ EBS on a steep (what steep means still is undetermined since everyone has a different comfort level), I keep mulling it over in my mind and wonder if I am making a mistake to go w/ the rear EBS on a camo unit.

I live on 10 acres in southern Oregon surrounded by mountains (3-6000 ft.). I know I will descend mountain roads/trails (when hunting and scouting the area) (I also used to ride my Honda XL250 motorcyle in my 20's and 30's all over these mountains and very few trails were impassable. Now I'm 57 yrs. old and switching to a quad but I am NOT an "extreme" seeker. So I am searching for more definitive advice before I fork out the $ next week.

I also read in another post that if I approach a trail that begins to descend, it is safe to negotiate it if at the top of the descent, I put it in high or low and very slowly let the machine move downhill, using the brakes lightly when needed and lightly throttling to keep the unit from coming to a halt. I do not understand how the rear wheels lockup if I am "inching" my way down the hill...do the axles actually lock up and stop turning?

So to summarize this post,

if I buy the CAMO model w/ the rear EBS, will I still have a functional quad that will afford me safety? I have determined that because of the overall ride and workmanship of the Sportsman 500 EFI, I will not buy anything else....this just seems to have everything I want...but the periodic posts about the EBS just leaves me a bit uncertain.

Thanks for your insight and wisdom in helping me w/ this purchase.

Troy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Troman,

Anyone willing to give some insightful recommendations on this EBS question??

Would sure appreciate some feedback.

Thanks

quote:

Troman

I live in COLORADO I know full well what steep long and loose mean. I ride a 06 800EFI now I had a 02 700 that the wife now rides. I have had POLARIS since before EBS was available.

Don't worry about the EBS you will learn to control it and all will be well. These newer models have the best EBS to date, not counting the ADC not sure about it. What happens with EBS is that as you slow down the belt drops into the primary clutch far enough to lay on the one way clutch (EBS also known as ENGINE BRAKING SYSTEM) by blipping the throttle what you are doing is raising the belt off of the one way and causing the machine to free wheel without engaging EBS. Are there better systems for EBS yes, can POLARIS EBS work well in steep terrain yes. Should it be some thing to worry about definitely not. Start into a down hill slope in what ever gear you feel most comfortable, that will come with time. Start off slow you can always speed up. The more seat time you get the more comfortable you will get.

Thank you, Cob,
I have read many of your posts and you definitely speak w/ experience. (I've also watched several of your videos in the last week!!) I greatly appreciate your analysis of the ebs system and the clarity by which you explain it.

It seems that some have maybe exaggerated the complexity of the function of the ebs, whereas you believe the focus should be the rider coming to know how his specific machine handles.

I look forward to sharing with you more after I get some time in the saddle of this Sportsman 500.!!

One other question for you, Cob....when you say to start off slow in high or low, does that mean w/ the ebs engaged (no throttle) or w/ a little throttle so the machine is in gear? Do you mean by "free wheeling" that the machine will be in high or low w/ the compression of the engine holding it back?

I just can't wait to get some real world time in the seat!!!

Sorry for all the ?'s but w/o any experience, I am trying to visualize what I will be experienceing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Troman,

I don't think I can offer much since I'm a flatlander. EBS was an inprovement over no engine braking. Like you I doubt I need it.

It appears you're looking at the standard model which doesn't come with EBS. How much is the dealer changing for the EBS upgrade. I'm just trying to see what the real price difference is for the ADC given EBS on both models.

Cajun

You may have misread my initial post....I'm in mountainous part of the country (Oregon) and I think the EBS would be of great benefit so I'm headed in that direction, especially after Cob's reply. I'm just don't like enough of the bells and whistles on the DELUXE to go that direction.

I'm adding a Warn RT 30 winch (w/ remote and lifetime warranty) to this camo model, plus I just don't need the fancy wheels and colors offered in the deluxe model....even though the ADC would be nice....according to Cob, riding w/ EBS should be sufficient....plus, I'll wait to see how the ADC works for a couple years)

I'm looking at the 2007 Camo model which comes w/ EBS and the rear worklights. (The standard model comes stripped down w/o EBS and the worklights.)

My dealer offered the Camo model for $6699 (the camo is a special model aside from the standard and is a $400 upgrade according to the Polaris 2007 booklet).

I have found that the prices really vary depending on what part of the country you live in.

What I was refering to by starting off slow was don't hit the the hill going down at 30 miles an hour. An exageration but start down slow say at 5 miles an hour what ever you feel safe at. As you decend and you need more speed that is easy to attain. Lot easier to speed up than it is to slow down. If the EBS engages to hard it will cause the wheels in rear to lockup to an extent, but when you blip the throttle it will release the EBS and all is back to normal. The EBS if left engaged and you are creeping along will stop you dead in your tracks on about the steepest slope you can find. Hard to explain and not scare you about it at same time. But you will understand far more once you get some seat time in.

Just enjoy and you have question ask.

Cob,

Your reply makes perfect sense! Thanks for the clarification...I am choppin at the bit to get this purchased and out in the woods!

Thanks to this forum for making a newbie feel welcomed and not intimidated.

Blessings on all of you guys!

Troy

Troman, I think that you might not have understood my post. I was trying to determine what the dealer was charging for the EBS upgrade on the standard model. It is an extra cost option on the standard. Don't let them push you into thinking you have to buy the camo model to get EBS.

I don't much care for Polaris making non-EBS clutches as part of the standard package. After all Sportsman have been equipped with the feature for the last 9 years. I'm sure it's part of their pricing stragety to get people to spend more money for the ADC equipped deluxe.

I too have a camo model. Welcome to the forums.

quote:

Troman

Thank you for the chance to help out. One of these days it will be your turn to help someone else the way we have helped you. It is ppl like yourself that make the site what it is. Read alot and post often. Soon you find that it is hard miss a day you have check to see what is going on with the second family.

Cajun

I agree that Polaris is trying to twist arms by limiting the ADC to the deluxe along w/ the winch (in my opinion the winch is not the best deal because it only has a 1 year warranty and it has no remote, which I like when I respool after using it....the warn winches have limited lifetime warranties on the mechanical).

I chose the camo model because I think it will be more scratch resistant when I'm in the woods. Interestingly enough, they had the green which is a standard model, but it also had EBS and the rear worklights. Along it was a red standard model w/EBS as well.

To get the deluxe, it would cost another $1000and even then I'd have a machine w/ a color I don't want, fancy wheels I don't want, and a Polaris winch that isn't exactly what I want....SOOOOO I'm in it for the EBS on the CAMO like yours!!

It amazes me that they don't offer the camo w/ the adc/ebs, since it will in most cases be used in hunting country (mountains and hills and such)

Cob,

In just 2 days I am already getting that exact feeling about the quality of people here. What an encouragement!!

Troy

Troman, Don't be confused. All Polaris Sportsman have EBS...... The deluxe models also have ADC!!!!! And don't let the dealer confuse you to get more of your money!

quote:

Should it be some thing to worry about definitely not.

If you come to a steep descent on a slippery surface such as ice/snow or crushed granite, you better be paying attention and worried! You'll want to be in high gear and use your brake lever to control your speed. It's called "White Knuckling It" I would never want to see an inexperienced rider attempt this. It can be dangerous. I was following 5 Polaris quads down a not real steep slope yesterday that was covered with snow and ice, they were all over the place and not in control most of the time. It did not look like fun. The Polaris EBS works great if you got good traction....otherwise

Yes yesterday on some ice was the fist time I dint like the EBS. I would let off the gas to get a bit of control like I would on a normal non EBS bike and it would go sideways and slide that way till I put some power to the front tires. So unless your going down a shale or ice covered hill I would say the EBS is great but if you do one of those two things then I would get the pucker facter till you learned how to feather the trottle and brakes to take you down safely.

quote:

Originally posted by YnotAZ:
Troman, Don't be confused. All Polaris Sportsman have EBS...... The deluxe models also have ADC!!!!!

Actually that changed in 2007. The standard models are non-EBS. Yes, Polaris has turned the clock back to 1997. Certain models do have EBS without ADC, the stealth and camo models obviously fall in this category.

quote:

Originally posted by ATVer:

quote:

Should it be some thing to worry about definitely not.

If you come to a steep descent on a slippery surface such as ice/snow or crushed granite, you better be paying attention and worried! You'll want to be in high gear and use your brake lever to control your speed. It's called "White Knuckling It" I would never want to see an inexperienced rider attempt this. It can be dangerous. I was following 5 Polaris quads down a not real steep slope yesterday that was covered with snow and ice, they were all over the place and not in control most of the time. It did not look like fun. The Polaris EBS works great if you got good traction....otherwise

I agree Atver. After watching Polaris's for years going down slippery, rocky slopes, and watching what happen I ll pass, and like you said it takes experience, and some skill in managing this beast down a steep trickly section.

Especially, now after ownign a Polaris. We just rode this weekend, put the X2 in 2wd/low tried the standard EBS, lets just say no fun. It is just as I watched, and felt on other Sportsmans, slidding, skidding, etc... Did the same section AWD/Low, much more controlled and safe desecent, the ADC is a winner, thank you Polaris.

You know Polaris thought the standard EBS was an issue over the years, and heard many Polaris complain about it, and answered with the Active Descent Control. It had to be a major complaint since most manufacturers never add such a feature just to add it.

Now, it just like everything its personal preference, some people like a heavy EBS system, some people don't that is why you have choice, standard EBS or ADC. Just depends what you want. Without a doubt, no agruement, if you want a Polaris, with a heavy EBS, get the Active Descent Control, if you don't want a heavy EBS, than don't get a Polaris with ADC, just depends what you want.

We ride alot of mountainous areas in Arkansas, and are always tackling steep crap. Steep areas where if you were riding up it, and stopped halfway up your machine would flip over backwards, without a doubt. So I love the ADC for the sections like that when we are going down them. I am all about a safe and controlled descent.

I ll have videos and pics to show what I am talking about, shortly. We got some great footage of the machines in action.

quote:

Start into a down hill slope in what ever gear you feel most comfortable, that will come with time. Start off slow you can always speed up. The more seat time you get the more comfortable you will get.

quote:

Originally posted by Cajun:

quote:

Originally posted by YnotAZ:
Troman, Don't be confused. All Polaris Sportsman have EBS...... The deluxe models also have ADC!!!!!

Actually that changed in 2007. The standard models are non-EBS. Yes, Polaris has turned the clock back to 1997. Certain models do have EBS without ADC, the stealth and camo models obviously fall in this category.

Actually, that is in response to what some of us flatlanders actually requested. I filled out a survey at a farm show about what Polaris should offer, and although I don't think I deserve full credit for it, I suggested making a 'basic' model at a reduced price. If you ever drive through I-80 in Nebraska, you would agree that EBS for anyone around there is a waste of money. Also, the NON-EBS clutches have less moving parts, and have a lower ratio at initial engagement, both of which are advantages to someone like me.

Also, I have communicated with MANY people about Polaris quads, and I would say that at minimum 90% of the complaints about the Polaris EBS system causing them to lose control were by riders inexperienced with the system in the terrain they were riding. By this, I mean that either the rider is fairly new to his machine, or the terrain they are riding.
Follow Cob's advice, start slow & easy, and you'll be fine. Unless you are trying to out 'extreme' the next guy you will be fine.
I know of about as many wrecks due to an inexperienced rider panicking and hitting the 'rear' brake too hard, inducing a flip on a full-time 4wd machine (due to the rear brake also locking up the front wheels) as I do wrecks caused by only rear wheel EBS. I attribute both to inexperience.

quote:

Actually, that is in response to what some of us flatlanders actually requested. I filled out a survey at a farm show about what Polaris should offer, and although I don't think I deserve full credit for it, I suggested making a 'basic' model at a reduced price.

The only problem I have with it, is the dealer network is going to push the deluxe model on the unknowing customer that wants EBS and doesn't necessarily need ADC. I can almost see the look from my local dealership when asking about the EBS upgrade on the standard. I'd be willing to bet the EBS upgrade is at least half the cost of the switch to the deluxe. For all the extras you get with the deluxe, without EBS I don't think they priced the standard low enough.