jay27fish Posted December 22, 2012 Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 I recently bought a 2012 sportsman 500 ho that i plan on using to ice fish this year this is my first atv. i have been told that to use it in the winter i have to take the plastic gaurds of that cover the a arms and axles so that snow and ice does not build up and rip the cv boots. i took the rear covers off and it looks fine after removing the fronts though it looks like there is not going to be much protection for the front axles so i put them back on. Anyone have any ideas or do anything like this to their quads for the winter? thanks for any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack66 Posted December 22, 2012 Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 Ive never done anything to my eiger 400 but in the winter lots of snow and ice build up on the bottom and I chip it off everyonce in a while. Sometimes its hard to get the plow on but never had any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskywizard Posted December 22, 2012 Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 On my Can-Am outlanders, I add fuel and go. No changing components for winter. Can you post a pic or 2 to help us visualize the issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay27fish Posted December 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 how do i upload photos if they are to big to upload? trying to add from my blackberry (i have issues with technology:huh: ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted December 22, 2012 Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 A cottage buddy has a 2010 Sportsman 500 and doesn't remove that stuff for winter riding, no problems yet I put my photos on photobucket and it automaticaly sizes them for OFC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Fishing Ham Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 My first bike was a Sportsman 500. I never removed the boot guards when I used it for Ice fishing. However occasionally I did check for build up of ice/ slush when I stopped. I do the same thing with my Outlander 500. I can't recall if there was any time when I need to clear any build up. I would suggest you make a few trips, check on any buildup before you decide to remove the guards. Ice conditions such as slush and temperature will also have to be taken into account. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 I have the same machine. Not too sure about the plastic guards to protect the CV joints. One thought would be to replace the plastic with aliminum plate that wraps around the CV joints. If I remember correctly a new CV joint was $200.00 for my 1996 Polaris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GYPSY400 Posted December 24, 2012 Report Share Posted December 24, 2012 (edited) I take mine off.. There is little to no risk of hitting sticks in the winter .. and it makes cleaning the snow and slush out of the suspension way easier. After a few trips out, you'll see how much slush gets in there and its very important to have the ice away from the cv boots. Also, check your gear oil, if milky.. Change it!! Edited December 24, 2012 by GYPSY400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay27fish Posted December 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2012 thanks for the info very helpful i have the backs off but will leave the fronts on and see how it goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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