I am in the market for a new ATV and I have narrowed my choices down to these two models. I am looking for some feedback and opinions. The Polaris seems like it is more rugged but also looks heavy and hard to manuver in the woods.

 

Where do you live, what kind of area do you ride in? Do you do a lot of pulling? Will you plow snow? Do you trail ride? Go thorugh deep mud? Take it though water? Can you turn a wrench? Do you want to go fast? Are you small & light or big & heavy?

Welcome!

 

I live in the Southeast US and want to ride in deep mud, water and trails. I can turn a wrench but don't want to be working on the thing all the time. I am moderate size but my wife and kids will be riding it as well.

 

Test ride them both and see which one fits you the best. I would personally go with the Rancher AT if you plan on playing in a bunch of water. I know that Polaris has come a long way with their belts but it would still concern me to take it in deep water and have the belt start slipping.

I have a buddy with a Rancher and a buddy with a Sportsman. No problems with the Rancher yet. The Sportsman did have a problem one day when we were riding some deep creek beds. The belt got wet and slipped so bad that we had to pull him out of the water. Once he got the water out and the belt dried, it was fine.

I think that they are both good machines but you need to ride them both and see which one feels better to you.

Good luck!

Cirviver

 

I have ridden the Polaris and didn't like it much. Ergonomics weren't great, the weight is kind of high in the frame, and you sit kind of high and upright.

I have not ridden the AT, but I have two 350's. I like the Rancher package! Word is that the AT is down on low end power.

 

I would go with the 400 sportsman the ride is great (IRS) and will do all the things you want to do.

 

North 7726
WE have a Honda Rancher AT and a Polaris 500HO.
Here are the things we like about each....

Polaris
Good comfortable ride.
Plenty of power
Will go thru mud with the stock radials

Honda
Good thru mud now that we have Mud Bugs on them ( I was always getting pulled out before we got the mud tires.)
Very reliable. (All we have done is change the oil)

Dislikes on the Honda
The ride is rough on trails.


The Honda is a good intrductory machine. Our next machine will be another Polaris, or a Yamaha Grizzly or Kodak. The Polaris and Yamaha are better on long rides. That is what my wife and I ride mostly.

 

i think of polaris as just pretty much a work rig they are built like tanks but you cant really ride them like they are a trail bike. i would go with the honda i know thats about as clear as mud but its late and im tired