This blog is about ATV and UTV Test Reviews, Products, Repairs, Maintenance and More! This information is free and delivered without bias. Informative test reviews and DIY VIDEOS with each entry. Appreciate you taking a look... Everything ATV UTV Reviews
In this article we'll explain how to change oil and filter on a 2005-2014 Sportsman 800. This process is straight forward and expect no surprises. Before getting started have the following tools and supplies on hand.
- 2 qts. oil, 0w-40 or your choice
- Oil Filter, Wix 51356
- T40 Torx Bit
- catch pan
- funnel
Begin the process by warming the engine up to operating temperature and parking on level ground. Next remove the oil drain plug, T-40 Torx bit. While the oil drains remove the spin off oil filter located on front of the engine. With the oil drained reinstall the drain plug and oil filter. The process is completed by adding two quarts of oil through the dip stick tube. Remember to recheck the oil level after idling the Sportsman 800 for a minute or so. Performing a oil on an ATV doesn't get any easier than on the Sportsman. Everything ATV UTV Reviews
Recently we had the opportunity to help a friend get his quad up and running. The ATV was a 2006 Brute Force 650i and was in dire need of a thorough carburetor cleaning and air-fuel screw adjustment. Removing the carburetor's on the Brute Force 650i requires removing lots of plastic body panels, air box, several cables and hoses.
Not long before getting into this 650i project we cleaned the carbs on a 2013 Brute Force 650 with a solid rear axle. The carburetor orientation was different on the two 650's and it appears that Kawasaki changed the orientation of the carburetors on 2010 models and newer. That being known removing the carbs on both still requires removing all the above mentioned components, but the newer 2010 and up models is a bit easier in our opinion.
Once the carburetors are removed from the ATV cleaning is basically the same on both orientation types. While the carburetors are off the Brute Force we suggest removing the air-fuel mixture plugs or the round caps that cover them. This will allow you to precisely adjust the mixture and tune out any stumbles or hesitations in the Brute Force 650 that are common from idle to 1/8 throttle and idle to wide open throttle. The air-fuel mixture caps are primarily there for emission purposes and the hope that you'll bring the quad back to the dealer when the symptoms show up. Both the 2006 and 2013 Brute Force 650 we tuned needed the fuel mixture enriched to remove stumbling at low throttle.
When adjusting the air-fuel mixture start by counting the number of turns it takes to bottom the screw out. Once you've counted the turns they were set on from factory turn them back out to the factory setting and make adjustments at out at 1/4 turns. Make certain all the adjustments are done identically to both carburetors. To check the adjustments get the Brute Force 650 up to operating temperature and tune by making 1/4 turn adjustments and then riding it until it runs smoothly again. When you get the carburetors adjusted to that sweet spot your Brute Force will likely perform better than it ever has! Everything ATV UTV Reviews
Recently we tested the 800 Sportsman by Polaris. The Sportsman 800 last production year was in 2014 and the 800 twin cylinder monster was replaced by the ProStar Series of power plants. There are many good Sportsman 800's floating around in the used market place and they may be the most underrated ATV we've tested.
I'll start this review by debunking my own dated perspective of Polaris ATV's coming into this review. Back in the 90's we rode with several Polaris ATV's. This was a time when Polaris was just coming into the Kentucky market place and they were still getting the bugs worked out. During those years we witnessed many of those early Polaris ATV's breaking down frequently on the trail. Engines coming apart, CVT belt issues and other drive line failure was fairly routine. Not only that, but heard stories of the dealership not being able to fix certain failures and ultimately leaving owners with a oversized paper weight.
Those were the early days of the Polaris ATV's and since then it's obvious they have came a long, long way in performance and reliability. Certainly have been impressed at the build quality and common sense engineering of our Sportsman 800 test ATV. As with any quad we test there are areas that really impress us at Everything ATV UTV Reviews.
Engine
Suspension
4wd System
Engine: The 800 twin cylinder power plant comes to life hassle free with help from the fuel injection system. Once started it sounds okay, but not like a V-Twin Brute Force or Can-Am. The engine does however deliver quick acceleration and ample torque to raise the front end at will and power through and over the toughest terrain. The 800 Sportsman will not leave you wanting more power and if you can go wide open throttle for more than eight seconds you must be on the highway.
Suspension: The 800 Sportsman is one of the most comfortable smoothest riding quads we've tested. The seat is soft and similar to laying down on a memory foam mattress, but never bottoms out. The Sportsman 800 has massive ground clearance and fully independent suspension at all four corners with big time wheel travel. Simply put the Sportsman has one of the smoothest and trail capable suspension setups in the business.
4wd System: Polaris refers to their 4wd system as AWD or All Wheel Drive. They call it this because their 4x4 system actually delivers true four wheel lockup. No limited slip action at the front differential where only one tire spins. The system is simple and requires only a flip of the handle bar mounted switch to engage. The Sportsman 800 we tested rarely had to be switched into AWD just due to its ability to power through and over obstacles with the 800 twin cylinder engine and tremendous ground clearance.
With all the capability of the Sportsman 800 there was one feature that would take some getting used to. The single lever braking handle on our Sportsman test quad worked great and it is simple to slow the quad, but it's not what we're accustom to. Some more seat time on the atv would undoubtedly make the feature more comfortable for folks like us who are accustomed to the independent front-rear braking handles on other atv's.
Other notable mentions on the Sportsman 800 would be ease of maintenance, ample storage compartments, tough front valence, winch pre-wiring and a built in rear receiver hitch.
In conclusion, the Sportsman 800 really delivers a great package and is nothing like the pioneering Polaris ATV's. If you're looking for a used ATV that has all the right ingredients the Sportsman 800 is certainly one to consider. -Everything ATV UTV Reviews
ITP introduced the Blackwater ATV tire in the late 80's and it was ground breaking. The Blackwater was one of the first mud tires to hit the market and was very popular with the extreme off-road warriors. In celebration of ITP's 30th Anniversary the company launched the newest version of the off-road tire, the BLACKWATER EVOLUTION! As the Blackwater tradition continues this newest adrenaline junkie ATV tire doesn't disappoint. Not only do they look awesome, they have some new features that push the entire ATV tire market to continue off-road tire innovation.
During our test the Blackwater Evolution ripped through everything we threw at them. They provided incredible traction on hard pack, mud, rock and sandy soil. Pulling the front end up into a wheelie was effortless as the Evolution's grip like they are glued to the ground. Not only do they provide ripping traction they also ride smooth thanks to the 8 ply radial construction. The BLACKWATER EVOLUTION tires are very predictable hill climbers too. Pick your line, throttle up and you're at the top quickly. These ATV tires range in price from $120-$150 and come in the following sizes.
BLACKWATER EVOLUTION sizes by tire height, tire width, wheel height
