If you're looking to give your machine some extra ground clearance, picking out a polaris 570 lift kit is probably the first big upgrade you're thinking about. It makes sense, really. The Sportsman 570 is a workhorse, and it's arguably one of the most popular ATVs ever built, but it's not exactly a monster truck from the factory. If you've ever felt that dreaded "thud" of a rock hitting your skid plate or got hung up in a deep rut that your buddies sailed right through, you know exactly why a little extra height goes a long way.
Deciding to lift your quad is the easy part. The harder part is figuring out which kit is right for your riding style without turning your smooth-riding Polaris into a stiff, tippy mess. Let's break down what you need to know before you start bolting parts onto your front and rear suspension.
Why Even Bother With a Lift?
The obvious answer is clearance. Most people install a polaris 570 lift kit because they want to run bigger tires. From the factory, the 570 is usually happy with 25-inch or maybe 26-inch tires. But once you start looking at those aggressive 28-inch mud tires, you're going to run into rubbing issues, especially when you're turning hard or the suspension compresses. A 2-inch lift gives you just enough room to clear those beefier tires without needing to cut up your plastics.
But it's not just about the tires. Even if you keep your stock wheels, a lift kit helps you clear obstacles. It changes the approach and departure angles, meaning you can climb over logs or out of creek beds without dragging the belly of the machine. Honestly, it also just looks way cooler. A lifted Sportsman has a much more aggressive stance that makes the stock setup look a bit "tame" by comparison.
Understanding the Different Types of Kits
Not all lifts are created equal. When you start shopping around, you'll see prices ranging from fifty bucks to several hundred, and there's a reason for that.
Bracket Lifts
This is the most common type of polaris 570 lift kit you'll see. These are usually made of heavy-duty steel brackets that relocate the top of your shocks. By moving the mounting point, the bracket pushes the entire suspension arm down, which jacks up the frame.
The beauty of a bracket lift is that it's usually pretty affordable and relatively easy to install. They're great for trail riders who just want a bit more height. However, they do change the angle of your CV axles (the bars that connect your transmission to your wheels), which is something you have to keep an eye on.
Spring Spacers
These are even simpler. A spring spacer is basically a thick ring (often made of aluminum or high-density plastic) that sits on top of your shock spring. It compresses the spring more than usual, which prevents the suspension from sagging and holds the bike higher.
While these are cheap, they tend to make the ride a lot stiffer. If you like the "plush" feel that Polaris is famous for, spring spacers might make you a little grumpy on long rides. They're best if you have a heavy plow or a big cargo box on the back and need to stop the suspension from bottoming out.
How Much Lift is Too Much?
You might be tempted to go for a 4-inch or 6-inch lift, but for a 570, the "sweet spot" is almost always 2 inches.
Why? Because of the CV axles. Your axles are designed to run at a certain angle. When you lift the bike, that angle gets steeper. If you go too high, the CV joints will be under constant stress, and they'll eventually overheat or snap. Replacing an axle on the trail is no fun, and it gets expensive if you're doing it every other weekend.
A 2-inch polaris 570 lift kit is generally considered "safe" for stock axles. It gives you the clearance you need for 28-inch tires but doesn't put so much strain on the drivetrain that you're constantly breaking things. If you go higher than two inches, you should really look into buying "long travel" or aftermarket heavy-duty axles to handle the stress.
Impact on Handling and Stability
Here's the thing no one tells you: when you go up, you lose a bit of stability. It's basic physics. By raising the center of gravity, the machine is naturally going to feel a bit more "tippy" in the corners.
If you're a fast trail rider who likes to drift around corners, you'll notice this immediately. To counter this, a lot of guys who install a polaris 570 lift kit also install wheel spacers. By pushing the wheels out an inch or two on each side, you widen the footprint of the ATV. This offsets the height increase and helps the bike feel planted again. Plus, it gives it that wide, mean look that everyone loves.
The Installation Process: Can You Do It Yourself?
If you've got a decent set of sockets, a jack, and a Saturday afternoon, you can absolutely install a polaris 570 lift kit yourself. Most kits are "bolt-on," meaning you don't have to cut or weld anything on your frame.
- Safety First: Get the bike up on a solid jack or blocks. Don't trust a cheap scissor jack when you're yanking on suspension bolts.
- Remove the Wheels: Give yourself some room to work.
- Support the Arms: Use a second jack or a bungee cord to hold up the A-arms so they don't just flop down and pull on your brake lines when you disconnect the shocks.
- Follow the Instructions: Every kit is slightly different. Some require you to flip a bolt or trim a tiny piece of a heat shield.
- Check Your Clearances: Once it's all bolted up, turn the handlebars all the way to the left and right. Make sure your brake lines aren't being pulled tight and that your tires aren't hitting the frame.
Pro tip: Use some blue Loctite on the bolts. ATVs vibrate like crazy, and the last thing you want is a suspension bolt backing out while you're five miles deep in the woods.
Maintenance After the Lift
Once your polaris 570 lift kit is on, your job isn't quite done. You've changed the geometry of the machine, so you need to keep a closer eye on a few things:
- CV Boots: Since the axles are at a steeper angle, the rubber boots that protect the joints are going to be pinched a bit more. Check them regularly for tears or cracks. If mud gets inside a torn boot, your axle is toasted.
- Bushings: The extra leverage of a lift can wear out your A-arm bushings a little faster. If you start hearing a "squeak-squeak" every time you hit a bump, it's probably time for some grease or new bushings.
- Wheel Alignment: Lifting the front end can sometimes "toe-in" or "toe-out" your front tires. If you notice your tires are wearing unevenly or the steering feels twitchy, you might need to adjust your tie rods to get the alignment back to straight.
Is It Worth the Money?
Honestly, for the price of a couple of steak dinners, a polaris 570 lift kit is one of the best "bang for your buck" upgrades you can buy. It changes the entire capability of the machine. You'll find yourself taking lines through the mud that you used to avoid, and you won't be the guy everyone has to winch out because you got high-centered on a stump.
Just remember to be realistic. If you just use your Sportsman for spraying weeds in the pasture or checking fences, you probably don't need a lift. But if you're heading to the off-road park or exploring mountain trails where the ruts are deep and the rocks are sharp, it's a total game-changer.
Take your time choosing the right kit, don't go overboard with the height unless you're prepared to buy new axles, and definitely consider some wheel spacers to keep things stable. Once you see your 570 sitting tall on some fresh tread, you'll wonder why you didn't do it the day you brought it home from the dealership. It's a simple change that makes an already great ATV even better.