Hoping ya'll can help make up my mind. I just sold my foreman s 01, someone wanted it more than me. Looking at a RSE sportsman 500ho 01 and was wondering if it would be a good decision. I would use it to duck hunt. We go in on four wheelers until the boat will float enough for us, water usually up around to of stock tires. Should I be worried about belt slippage with machine setting in water for hours, how does the 4x4 work on it. Really want the automatic and IRS but got to have a dependable machine, no problems with 450s but really do like the sportsman. Thanks for the help. Much obliged.

 

The suspension and 4wd is excellent on the Polaris,But if you expect it to compare to the 450 for reliability and maintainence you will be disappointed ? Just my 2 cents worth !!!

 

The 500 HO is an excellent machine and it is top notch oof road. The 4X4 is one of the best out there. With true four wheel drive and independant suspension it will go thrugh more mud and slop than 99% of the 4x4s out there. I really like mine and highly recomend the machine.

 

Any other info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

I'm an ex-Honda owner myself. I have had my 04 600 since June of this year and have had no problems(300+miles). I know Honda's are supposed to be the most reliable on Earth but that was not my experience. I can't tell you how many brake jobs I did on my 300 4x4. And yes,,, I replaced the "Triple seals" on the drums several times but they constantly had water in them. Of the 11 other riders I normally ride with, all but four ride Polaris's and I can honestly say that they have been very reliable machines. They are not all new either. I think the oldest one is a 98 model. My experience with Honda was not good, but I will not say "Honda's are junk" because I know better, but I was not going to take other peoples word when they said "Polaris's are junk" either. If you've never ridden a Polaris for an extended amount of time, you are in for a pleasant surprise. The ride and handling are awesome. You can ride all day long and not be fatigued, unlike my tank-like Honda. My 600 steers better and easier than my 300 Honda did. One of my friends has a 2000 Sportsman 500 and his steering is very tough,even in 2x4. I think it was in 2001, Polaris started using needle bearings in their steering column and got away from the bushings. The bearings make them steer like a dream. I've had mine in water up to the bottom of the seat and have yet to get my belt wet.

Hope this helps....

 

i have a ho 500 02' and wouldn't trade it for ride and traction. if you plan on putting this wheeler in water for long periods of time,you will get water on the belt. this is not a sealed unit. it's more the fine silt in the water that does the damage then the water. I put a drain plug in the bottem on my cove for fast draining when i swamp it.