If cost were not an issue, can anyone offer any insight as to why an individual would buy a Sportsman 500 HO over the Honda Rubicon.

I already know the SP500 HO has a better ride. Anything else?

I have a 2000 SP500 and a friend of mine is facing this decision... Please let me know...

 

well for what its worth i just sold my 99sp for a HO and i love it!!! it has GOBS of power and i only have 10 miles on it!! this is my 3rd sp500 and i think this one is goin to be the best one yet!! I would go with the HO. just my 2cents.

 

according to the mags the SP is faster rides better has more power, it beat it in most every category, but to be honest you could not go wrong with either. they are both good machines. the only things you would notice right off the bat is the difference in ride and the 4x4 system is better than the Ruby.
personally i think the HO is better looking than the Rubicon, seeing them side by side the SP is meaner looking.

 

Does the honda shop no how to service them yet most from what i understand don,t. And don,t expext to have many upgrades on the honda they generaly take mor time with the changes like a decade or two.polaris changes stuff all the time trying to give the custemor what they want .

 

There aren't many upgrages on a machine that is very good to begin with. I like the ride of my SP335 and I know the HO has even more power than the 500 but I'd still get the Ruby if I had choose. The belt slipping has happened to me, to many times. And going to to low range is not as nearly as neccessary on the Ruby as it is the SP335.

 

Only reason I can see is the IRS on the sp500. Other than that the Rubicon and the non-HO SP500 are very comparable. I have yet to see a HO version though, so I dont have any idea of what the power is like. Both are great machines. Ride them both and get which ever one fits you.

 

I faced the same decision 2 weeks ago, and ended up getting the HO for all the reasons everyone else has mentioned. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the turning radius. The rubicon is narrrower, yet supposedly has a 26" bigger turning radius. That was a big item with me when I was shopping.

Anyway, I LOVE my HO, but If I would have bought the Rubie, I think I would LOVE it also.

Good Luck~

Dave

 

As TexMud said, IRS is the name of the game.Belt slipping is not the issue. I love IRS. It is gentle on your back and a ride is just fantastic.
Its your call.
Joe