My wife and I age getting ATV's with in the next month or two.
We have narrowed it down to Polaris 400/500 and the Yamaha Grizz 450.

What advice can you give me?

TIA

 

Are you talking polaris sportsman? If so i would go with the polaris 500, itll have more power than the Grizz. And they are easier to ride. In my opinion

 

The Grizzly 450 may lack in power compared to the Popo.... but the 4x4 system alone is worth it. The Sportsman 500 is almost 100 lbs heavier than the Grizz 450. It is longer, wider and taller too! Where as the Sportsman 400 is only 10 lbs or so. Also the Sportsman 400 doesn't have a Low range.

I am quite pleased with my Grizzly 450 - plenty of power for me.. it is the right size and easy to handle on the trails and I ride technical stuff.. I didn't buy it for a speed demon.. if I wanted speed I would have kept my dirtbike..

Also the Grizzly 450 is very easy to ride.. Sit down - pop it into High and go for it. The Yamaha also has much better engine braking over the popo's as well..

I guess it really depends on what type of riding you are going to do... just cruising the trails, no 4x4 stuff.. I'd get the Yamaha Grizzly 400 or even the Big Bear 400.. I am a Yamaha Fan ... as you can tell.. I looked at them all when I bought my Grizzly 450 and it was the best suited machine for me. I have over 700 trouble free miles... (well a few troubles caused by me - ripped CV boot! otherwise mint

 

DEPENDING ON HOW THE MACHINE WOULD BE USED I'D GO WITH THE POPO 500 W/ EFI IN MY OPINION IT HAS THE BEST FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM OUT THERE AND IS THE EASYIEST AND MOST COMFORTABLE BIKE TO RIDE OUT OF ALL OF THE 4X4'S. I HAVE A 600 THAT IS USED TO PLOW AND WORK AND IT HAS 5000 TROUBLE FREE MILES AND THE ONLY THING I WOULD CHANGE ON IT IS ADDING EFI!

 

450 kodiak one of he most reliable atv 's around. does everthing very well.

 

having just had a sportsman 700 and no experience with the yamaha I can only give my nod towards the popo. mine had 1700 miles on it and still ran great. the polaris 4x4 system is one of the best out there. my friend has a 500 sportsman. he's around 5'8", 225 lbs and it has plenty of power for him.