Hello,

Next month I will be in the market for a new ATV, and was considering the following brands:

Kawasaki Brute Force 750
Yamaha Grizzly 700

Yesterday, I was at a mud run event and a Polaris dealer was there. The guys in the club were saying 'Take the Polaris for a ride', before the ride, I was NOT even considering a Polaris, but after I got off of the 2008 Polaris Sportsman 800, man was I grinning ear to ear. This quad is incredible, and the ride is magnificent.

My last machine was a Kawasaki Prairie 650 and that was powerful, but just the takeoff on the machine was amazing.

I've heard that the 2009 model has many changes, and people were telling me to wait for the 2009. The newer model to me looks better, the radiator has been moved up as well as a host of other changes.

Now, can you please give me your likes and dislikes about your machines, and please be non-biased.

Also, where is a good dealer to purchase this ATV in New England for a great price?

Thank you for your answers...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Pete

 

If you live in a high-crime area don't get a Polaris. Get some piece of crap that no one wants to steal. Other than that I've had good luck with mine. I just wish I could keep one long enough to see how long it takes to wear one out. The highest mileage I ever had on one was only 3 or 4 thousand.

 

Polaris builds a quality machine and depending on how you are going to use it it works great for most people. Everything about it is easy to use basicly get on it and go and go they will! But with that said there are some drawbacks depending on how you look at it the biggest issue is the weight they are by far the heavyiest machine on the market. Yes they run good indespite but a sport machine they are not if you like to ride fast and need a nimble machine don't look at a Sportsman,
if you need a machine to move mountains than the Sportsman is your answer! I use mine for hunting and plowing snow and I could not think of a better machine for those purposes but when it comes time for a trade I will be looking at a Grizz as I feel they are a better well rounded pkg!

 

Hey IronBear

I picked up a 2008 Sportsman 800 touring about 5 months ago. I had an issue with the fan not working all the time but the dealer repaired that under warranty no issues.
Other than that I love my machine!! It has plenty of power. The ride is extremely comfortable and you can ride it all day and not have a sore back.
Stock tires are pretty good. The 4x4 system is second to none. Just flip the switch and she is good to go.
The front cargo box doesn't seal up that good. I find mine always seems to get wet, but if you are aware of that its no big deal. Oh my one and only pet peave with this atv is that the exhaust gets hot, ya can't really wear shorts when riding the right side gets hot. But all in all a GREAT atv.

 

I've had a 500 Sportsman for about 4 years now. I use it for working, as much fun as plowing snow is ,it's still work. I do all sorts of other chores with it and it has yet to fail me in a task. In my opinion the heavier the better for not breaking traction.The only thing I would change in the design of mine is it would be better to be able to shift from high range to low range on the fly. That one thing is kind of a pain to come to a stop to shift. 95% of my time is in low range.
Maybe the newer quads are shift on the fly. I couldn't say.
Good luck, I've been happy so far. When I do buy again I will do exactly the same thing you are doing. Ride em all and ride them as you will use them. If the dealer won't go for that then I guess you have an answer.
Polaris factory warranty/support SUUUUUUCKS.
Most dealers are stuck as far as what they charge for parts but two of my local dealers have different prices so it pays to shop around. The one has lost my business over the price of the cost of a quart synthetic oil. The other dealer is $5.50 /quart less.
Deerkiller

 

What part of New England are you from? I live in Billerica, MA and use Rt. 3A Motors in Chelmsford, MA. They are fair. There is also Plaistow Powersports in Plaistow, NH. Other than them I don't know of any dealer's reputations. As far as the new machine goes there are some really good features that the 2008s don't have. As you said the radiator is higher. Also, the XP gets power steering and dual A-arm front suspension for a sportier ride. The area between the knees is narrower, so, if you are a smaller rider, will be more comfortable. The last difference that I can see that I like is the ability to stay in Low range up to 39MPH!!! I can tell you from riding in VT and NH that you have to shift between high and low quite a bit when low is winding out at 15mph.

 

That low range speed would be great. I'd never need to use high range.

 

Same here. I rarely find places to open it up.

 

Just put on 30 miles on my new 08 800 last Saturday and was like a little boy in a candy store!! I've driven most of them, don't listen to those who say the Sportsman isn't sporty, it seems plenty sporty to me, is fast, has excellent power and the ride is unbeleivable. The Sportsman is heavier due to larger stock tires/wheels and a heavier frame and stock steel skid plates. Almost bought Can-am but glad I didn't, rode over a couple of fallen trees on the trail that would've dented the Can-am hollow tube spar. The weight also helps give better ballast/traction as well as adds to the cadillac ride. Would you notice the difference between 620 and 770 pound quads? Barely, I ride snowmobiles under 500 pounds and anything over 600 is considered an overweight pig (aka Yamaha), they're ALL heavy, and NONE will be pulled out of a mud hole by hand. Add bigger tires, decent skid plates and a winch to the lighter quad and they'll all be close. Power output is similar to the Brute Force and more than the Grizzly. Stock tires, wheels and skid plates are better than Yamaha or Kawi. If you get stuck in 2 wheel drive on the Kawi, you won't get it into 4x4 as the wheels need to roll forward a couple feet to engage it. Not bashing, this was the result of extensive research and test drives before making a decision. The new 09 Sportsmans look good, but much better deals can be had right now on the 08's. Good luck!

 

The deals are so great it's almost a steal.