I have been on here quit a bit lurking about, before I joined. I think that I would like to get a Polaris. Would someone on here tell me some honest field tested strong points. Are the bushings that much better that they don't need grease?

 

what direction are you going, utility? sport?

 

Definately utility, I love the idea of eating through mud holes. I see the big quads with the radiator relocated, and I just love it!

 

I have and older Polaris and a newer Honda. For going slow through the woods and work around the house, the Honda is great, but I am not happy with it after riding a friends new 2006 Sportsman 500 EFI.

We just went for a ride this weekend and here are my personal unbiased thoughts.

There were 4 machines in our group: 2006 500 EFI, 2006 500EFI X2, 1997 Sportsman 400L, and my 2005 Honda Foreman 500ES.

The Honda and older Polaris are not worth a hill of beans for all day cruising on the trail. My Honda bump steers like cray and darts around on the trails, it's a very scary experience at speeds over 25mph. The newer Polaris machines are the best riding/handing machines I have been on. I didn't want to get back on my machine after riding the Polaris. They shouldn't even produce machines with swing arm rear suspensions, I had no idea IRs would be that good.

The 500 X2 was a good handling machine and was planted in the trail better than the shorter wheelbase 500EFI, but had a harsher ride to it. For all day riding, the standard Polaris Sportsman is the ticket.

I'd have to say the 500's are lacking power though with the CVT, there is really no low end snap to them, like the ES Honda has. I'd go for a 700 or 800 Polaris.

Hopefully the Honda will be out of my future and new Polaris in it.

 

I couldnt agree more!

 

if iwas you i would stay away from belt drive and get gear driven, belt slip i see it all the time, here in PA, they slip going up shear rock face trails and raging river, you might wanna check into a eiger with a gorilla winch. you will leave the competition far behind.

hoyt

 

interesting thing to say since you own a cvt transmission. theres no question that gears are stronger then a belt system, how ever ive never had a problem trying to shift when they run out of gear in a mud hole or winding the **** out of the engine because they cant shift becuase of lost of momentum. not to mention ive seen alot of cvt trans. clean house in the atv pulls.

 

I will give it careful consideration! Thanks for the info!

 

Heh heh heh..

 

it wa a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! trying to save motomouth from posting no need to explain to me yes i have a belt drive and am happy.

it was a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hoyt