I am in the process of purchasing my first ATV and have narrowed it down to Yamaha Grizz, and the Polaris 500. Polaris guys tell me that the 500 eats the 660 up. Yamaha tells me that the griz is a much better machine all around. Who to believe? I will mainly be using it for hunting purposes, elk and deer. Any advice on what to look for, what to ask about specifically, or any other comments would be helpful. Thanks.

 

I like polaris and i like yamaha. I owned each. But if i were you, i would buy the Grizzly 660. They are nice, fast when you want the speed, lots of power, and enjoyable. i don't care what anybody says, but the 500 polaris will not take the 660. I seen both and the grizzly is by far better.

 

Well, I don't know who told you the 500 Sportsman will eat up the 660 Grizzly, I mean come on, it has more power, ground clearance, lighter, and sometimes even a better price tag! I would go with the 660 Grizzly, Polaris has improved in many ways but still aren't known to be the most reliable at times, It would suck to be pulling a Elk/Deer and something mess up would it not?

 

It's not really far to compare a 500 to a 660. Put that 660 up to a 600 or 700 and then you have something. But if you want a ATV that will last for ever go for the 500 no doudt!

 

A Griz is not cheaper than a SP500....at least not MSRP-wise ($7100 griz vs $6600 sp500)...maybe a SP700 ($7500) is more expensive, and the Griz doesn't have that much difference in ground clearance than an SP500 (11.8"griz vs 11.25"sp500)

I've rode both an 02 Griz and an03 SP500....as far as seat of the pants power----Griz hands down.

I can't comment on comfort since I didn't ride either for an extended period....both seem comfy.

The older Grizzly's had a fuel boil problem but I think that was fixed with the 04 model

You can turn an sp500 in 82"---a griz in 126" (the sp700 is even shorter!!)

For any purchase make sure you have 4wd, preferably not full-time 4wd as that makes a quad a bit tougher to steer....make sure it's either a lockable 4wd system or like the Polaris has with an "auto-engage/disengage" feature....some sort of engine braking system for those downhill trips. See what the weith limits are for the racks and what kind of towing weights are allowed (1225lbs sp500 vs 1212lbs griz)

See what kind of goodies you can get...like a winch (2500lb minumum), maybe a helmet and/or gun scabbard, rack extenders....that sort of thing....most dealers will bargain around with you if they feel you are a serious potential buyer.

Go here and compare them :

Grizzly

SP500

 

I have a 04.5 Sportsman 500HO with Vision Aluminum wheels and 26" Bugs all around. If speed is the priority, go with the Grizz. I have ridden both and they are both great atv's. I can't really say which is the best, but I like my Sportsman just fine. I have friends with Grizzly's and it seems that they are always getting pulled out of the mud by my Polaris. They claim it's my tires,which is probably true,but the 4X4 system on the Polaris is far better in my eyes. I ride in Alaska, where getting from point A to B can be extremely challenging at times. Speed in the places I ride is rarely necessary.

04.5 500 HO
Vision polished alum wheels
26" Mudbugs
2500lb warn
2000 Yamaha Big Bear
85&86 Honda fourtrax 250's
85 Honda 200X threewheeler

 

Go for the Sportsman 600. You won't be disappointed. Look up the post titled "Sportsman 600 vs Grizz 660 drag", and check out my post comparing the two. For what you will be doing: hunting and so forth, the Polaris would be better. It tows more, carries more on the racks, and it is much quieter.