Nice, you bought a Polaris Ranger 500, new or used and it has a good top speed. Still, you want to drive faster and accelerate better. But what is the top speed of the Polaris Ranger 500 and what can you do to increase the top speed? If you’re looking for the top speed of this model, here’s what you need to know:
The Polaris Ranger 500 has a top speed of 44 mph, although it has a unique feature that limits the top speed to 25.5 mph.
These numbers have been collected through spec sheets as well as watching the many YouTube videos where the Polaris Sportsman 500 is driven fast. This way, you can be sure we haven’t just collected the theoretical data, but also checked how the Sportsman 500 performs in practice.
Additionally, we’ll give you 8 suggestions on how to ramp up your Polaris Sportsman 500 and increase the top speed, so read on!
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Polaris Ranger 500 Top Speed
The Ranger 570 is one of the popular models in the Polaris UTV range. Not only because of its engine, but also because of its functionality, quality and driver comfort.
The Polaris Ranger 500 is a reliable and effective all-day utility vehicle powered by electronic fuel injection, a 498cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled engine with 32 horsepower. It is substantially smaller than full-sized Ranger XPs since it is built on the same sturdy, steel chassis as the Ranger 400. The Ranger 500 has a top speed of 44 mph, although it has a unique feature that limits the top speed to 25.5 mph.
It is useful in regulating the speed when working with work crews and less skilled drivers. Due to its slower pace, this vehicle should cause fewer accidents and, in most cases, exceed workplace safety standards.
See the video below for a top speed test of a Polaris Sportsman 500, it is even faster then expected.
Also read: How To Bypass The Polaris Speed Limiter?
Ranger 500 Topspeed Compared To Other Polaris Models
Curious to see how fast the Ranger 500 is compared to other Polaris Ranger models? The table below gives you a quick overview of the different top speeds. Keep in mind that these numbers are averages of the factory specs, as well as several speed tests, found on YouTube.
| Model | Top Speed (mph) |
|---|---|
| Ranger 500 | 25.5 – 44 |
| Ranger 570 | 50 |
| Ranger 800 | 40 |
| Ranger 900 | 50 |
| Ranger XP1000 | 65 |
| Ranger Kinetic/EV | 60 |
| Ranger Diesel | 40 |
| Ranger 150/200 | 15 – 30 |
| Polaris General XP 1000 | 70 |
| RZR Trail 570 | 70 |
As you can see, the Polaris Ranger models varies in top speed. The top speed of the Rangers is factory set, but there are several things you can do to boost your engine. You can read more about this later in this blog.
Also read: 6 Most Common Polaris Ranger 500 Problems!
8 Ways to Boost the Engine
By ramping up the engine and engine related parts, the Polaris Ranger 500 will definitely reach a higher top speed. However, keep in mind that the UTV is not designed for this, which can cause more wear and tear, resulting in more frequent maintenance.
If you still have factory warranty on your Ranger 500, I advise against ramping it up. Making changes to your Polaris could void the warranty, meaning if you run into any major issues, you’ll likely have to pay for those yourself. So, first check your warranty before you make the alterations.
There are many ways to enhance your Polaris Ranger 500 engine power (but remember, this is at your own risk), including:
1. Reducing Weight and Using the Appropriate Tires
The lighter your Ranger is, the more power it will have and the faster it will move. Thus, high-speed applications benefit more from lightweight Polaris Ranger tires. If you have big Polaris Ranger mud tires, your side-by-side top speed will be limited. So, if you ride your Polaris Ranger on paved roads and want to improve its top speed, smooth radial tires made for on-road riding are your best bet.
You can also lessen the weight burden on your UTV by keeping less fuel in the gas tank and removing the Polaris Ranger accessories that you hardly ever use.
2. Tuning the Engine Control Module
The Polaris Range 500 engine control unit (ECU) decides how fast the UTV can go. An ECU tune-up is a fantastic method to increase the performance of your Ranger 500. It is inexpensive and substantially speeds up your rig. Thus, reflashing or remapping the ECU can increase the RPM, the power, and the speed.
With an aftermarket ECU flash, you can also disable the speed limits. As a result, you may increase the speed of your Range 500 by installing an ECU tuner so that you can make the required adjustments or by having the ECU tuned by professionals. You can also modify features like speed restriction and rpm restriction by connecting an ECU tuner to the electrical system of your UTV.
Many Ranger owners change the radiator fan’s temperature setting to on/off to keep the engine temperature low. To control the amount of fuel delivered at certain RPMs and advance the timing, you may also change the fuel curve and ignition timing. It can significantly enhance acceleration and throttle responsiveness.
There are many hazards involved in an ECU tune-up. Because the installation requires experience, you should employ a professional to avoid harming your Polaris Range 500. A professional tune-up might cost around $400.
3. Upgrading the Clutch Kit
The first aftermarket improvement many Polaris Ranger owners make to their rig is a clutch kit. The kits are so good that most Ranger owners prioritize them over additions like windshields, winches, and roofs. So, fitting an aftermarket clutch assembly is the best way to boost your Polaris Ranger’s performance and get faster acceleration.
Using a clutch kit is a great method to improve the engine performance of your Polaris UTV. By adjusting your RPM curve, a clutch kit allows you to maximize your power when you press the accelerator. Thus, the proper clutch arrangement will increase your maximum speed and acceleration. For the Polaris Ranger, suppliers like Gilomen Innovations, High Lifter, RVS Performance, and SuperATV offer the best clutch replacement parts, clutch rebuild kits, and clutch improvement kits.
These clutch kits, tuners, parts, and aftermarket Polaris Ranger belts will allow you to accelerate more quickly and travel at higher speeds. Additionally, owners of Polaris Ranger vehicles with track systems or large tires frequently replace their clutches to return the performance of their rigs to practically factory speed levels. Moreover, it raises the UTV’s overall torque and enhances shifting engagements. You can get Ranger 500 Clutch kits for $289.99.
4. Upgrading the Intake
Regularly inspecting and cleaning your air filter is crucial. A dirty or blocked air filter will constrain the amount of air that can enter the engine chamber. If the air filter is dirty, your rig’s engine will choke or suffocate while you are moving. The most straightforward method for boosting your machine’s performance is to upgrade the air intake.
It boosts the engine power by increasing the amount of air and fuel that can enter the combustion chamber. So, consider installing a high-flow air filter to increase your Ranger 500 engine airflow. K&N has had a remarkable run over the years and makes some of the best air filters for use in Powersports and automotive applications. The prices for K&N high-flow air filters begin at around $39.99.
5. Installing an Aftermarket Exhaust
You can upgrade the exhaust of your Ranger 500 to boost its performance. The engine can draw in more air because it can expel more air. So, it can generate more power by bringing in more fuel mixture and releasing more exhaust gas. The system works best when coupled with an air intake arrangement that delivers a high flow rate.
A full-performance exhaust system is designed for maximum performance and gives you the highest power output. Yet, a performance slip-on exhaust is an excellent substitute if you are unable to replace the full exhaust system, starting with the headers. The slip-on muffler is the most popular method because it allows you to swap out your factory muffler for a typically lighter one. Additionally, these systems feature cores that offer much higher exhaust flow rates than the heavily baffled stock systems.
You can think about combining the slip-on or full systems with a high-flow intake system for a more powerful performance. Performance exhaust systems typically resemble cones and steadily increase in size or diameter over stock exhaust systems. It allows more air to pass through the engine. The richer air-fuel mixture results in an increase in both power and speed. Slip-on mufflers for the Polaris Ranger 500 are available for an average price of $254.94.
6. Adjusting the Valves
You can extend the time of the valve opening to increase power and achieve higher RPM if you adjust them to a narrower clearance within the range suggested by the manufacturer. The increased clearance allows the engine to produce more power at lower RPMs.
7. Customizing the Electronic Fuel Injection
To maximize the performance of your engine, you should improve the fuel delivery after improving the intake, exhaust, or both. You require specialized programmers to enhance your fuel system and fuel injection systems. Dynojet was the first to develop fuel injection systems. The popular Dynojet Power Commander V will fit into the wire harness that currently runs through your UTV.
It can help you to precisely regulate the fuel delivered to your engine so that it produces the maximum amount of power. The Polaris Ranger 500 Power Commander V tuner costs $451.99.
8. Fitting a Big Bore Kit
A Big bore kit may significantly boost your engine performance and increase the acceleration and the top speed. The fundamental idea behind the Big Bore is to provide a larger piston surface than the original. This surface’s size will affect the area of the piston exposed to engine combustion pressure, which will impact how much force is transmitted to the piston rod and engine crankshaft when the piston is moving.
In essence, you are increasing your engine’s cubic capacity. Typically, when using big bore kits, you will need to swap out the piston and cylinder for larger diameters. Your Polaris Ranger 500 will perform better since the combustion chamber will receive more air, fuel, and mixture. Big bore cylinder kits for Polaris Ranger are available for $500 and above.
Images: Polaris ORV Media
