2003 Sportsman 500 will not go in reverse. Unhooked linkage on the front top of transmission and shifter moves back and forth on the rear linkage. When in forward I am unable to move the bike.I have to crank it in order to move it forward. Any help I would appreciate it. Thanks , Allen

Check the battery terminals for connection. Check the fuse box to see if power is getting to the fuses. Check to see if the starter is getting power from the ignition switch. Make sure the shifter is in N. Move the shifter back and forth while having the key in the start position.

check the shifter linkage, might have broken

Rodney, rock back and forth while disengaging.
Check the attached links,Manuals and guides, Good luck with your Bike
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hard to shift gears - Polaris ATV Forum

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Ranger Problems & Solutions [Archive] - PRC Polaris

My 2005 Polaris ATP 500 requires I depress the right foot brake while shifting into reverse or down into low range. Perhaps some adjustment on the foot brake to make this work. Also check linkage to make sure it is not binding. Others say if the idle speed is too high, you may not be able to shift. Try shifting with the engine off to see if it goes into the gears, using the foot brake. If yes, try again while at low idle speed.

If it is stuck, try to rock it back and forth while attempting to shift. This has worked for me in the past. It sounds like oil wasn't replaced after going through mud / water before storing.

sounds like the connecting rod on the crankshaft.
i would inspect the primary clutch first before an engine teardown. Sometimes the engine shifts on the engine mounts and the clutch hits the cover, also check to make sure belt is not slapping around in cover.

remember on early models there was a safety pin that had to be held to switch to reverse,,,your 500 does this automatically so check for safety pin hookup. Could be brush or
grass jammed in where it moves.

With the engine NOT running, have a friend ROCK the bike forward and backward while you sit on the bike applying pressure to the shifter

Solution#1 worked perfectly. It only took about 15 minutes all together.
the side panel removes easily. It just slides out of the other panel. Once you have removed the handle (Shifter) and the other two bracket bolts, just place it back into the shifter housing and move it around. I was amazed at how easy this was to repair. I also turned the ignition to the on position to see if it was changing gears and it was.
Solution #1 repost originally posted by Jpach
I tried this today and it worked. Pull the sideplate from the ATV so that you have access to the gear shifter assembly. Unbolt the gearshift assembly from the mounting bracket. There are two bolts at the rear near the two rods that exit the assembly and three on the bottom. When the bolts are out, remove the assembly from the mounting bracket. Hold it in your hand and move the shift lever through all of the positions. This won't actually shift the transmission, but it should free up the rods in the assembly. Remount the assembly with the five bolts and it should now be able to shift out of reverse.