Sled: Polaris

  I picked up a 05 Poo XC 500 SP this year,,and I want to put my wife on it. The problem is,,her old sled was a older ZL 440,,and I feel this sled is just a tad too wicked for her,,she is a wimp. The old ZL made noise when you goosed it,,but it did not correlate to speed,,like this XC. The powerband just seems too wicked for her. What would be the best way to mellow this thing out a bit. I know it will be in the clutching,,,primary and secondary. I know it would be disappointing if I crawl on,,but I do not care about that,,just want to set it up for her.

I think the clutching is already slightly on the tame side in these sleds, and you really don't want to mess with the carbs. This is now 106 hp sled, just the nature of the beast, Probably put a governor on the throttle block, like something that doesn't allow the flipper to make full travel to the bar. I'd also recommend you set up the sled as perfect as possible for her weight and current riding ability so there won't be any surprise handling issues. In the meantime get the wife enrolled in some strength, and weight classes.

You could try putting in a primary spring with lower starting rate and the sled should get more lazy at lower rpms. Like the Polaris Gold 100-275. (Might pull down top rpms a little too much though...) And, as jasper suggests, get it set up as good as possible for her, then she'll build confidence.

Yeah, lower engagement primary spring could help as Ivar recommends, except with using the stock weights its going to really load the engine in the mid range and this promotes detonation on these ves twins. Probably need to go to some lighter weights and back off the tps voltage also as a compromise.

Wouldn't be easier just to have her not " goose it " until she gets used to the power difference? As far as suspension set up I highly doubt she will notice anything other than heavier or lighter steering if she is a moderate at best trail rider.

jasper:

Yeah, lower engagement primary spring could help as Ivar recommends, except with using the stock weights its going to really load the engine in the mid range and this promotes detonation on these ves twins. Probably need to go to some lighter weights and back off the tps voltage also as a compromise.

I'd think the smaller bore of the 500 would be less susceptible (sp?) to deto than its larger cousins...?

Maybe put in a straight 34 or 36 degree helix with a silver spring..?  

She'll have to learn throttle control now , with twice the power of the old sled. And she will  - if she feels comfortable and safe.

 

 

 

As far as detonation goes, it isn't as bad in the smaller bore engines as the 500 and 600 but its definitely there if the tps voltage is adjusted too high, or too heavy a weight is used. I've seen it in these sleds happen, and it gets worse with the crummy gas we get today. I've met a number of women out on the trails with these sleds that do just fine on them. Its too bad Polaris doesn't still offer the non ves liberty 500, that was a nice mellow engine perfect for a lot of people as such, and easier to maintain. I think right now good proper sled set up will go a long way to build more confidence. The rest will take of itself as time goes by.

I dont believe the XC500 is a grunt monster as the non-valve big block 500s. 500 power valve motor is usually more smoothier and more mellow so I think your woman will have to learn to go a bit more easier on the flipper when taking offs. Like others stated, she will get used to it. And I agree with the rest above. WL

My wife has been riding an 02 XC500 for many years.  She loves the sled...  If the sled has stock clutching, it really is a smooth accelerating sled.  As stated before, have her ease on the flipper and get use to it first.  The sled handles remarkably well.

Thanks for all the great responses,,,but I have a question. How do I check/adjust tps voltage.  Believe me,my wife is as wimpy as they come,,the last thing I want to do is scare her off ( but I could run more that 30 miles a hour,,not a bag thing)  and the clutching on this sled seems like it might do just that.

  It looks like my best bet would be the gold spring.

If not familar with the tps, I'd stop by a Polaris dealer to check it, or have it adjusted if needed. Also think it'd be a good idea to have lighter rated ves springs installed if this sled is going to run at very slow speeds for extended periods.