2008 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI! Great condition!

It has some cracked plastic that it looked like he had repaired (not a perfect job, but it appears that he took his time and did the best he could).
He said some water got in the the recoil housing and burnt out the stator, which caused him to replace the stator, starter, and battery. Had some rust on the muffler, but it is a 7 year old machine, so that is to be expected, I suppose?
It started right up, and rode well. Very good handling, and FAST. Speed doesn't concern me, because I use it for hunting, but I want something that has quick response. That independent rear suspension helped the handling quite a bit.
The seller just bought a jeep, hence the sale of the ATV.
734 miles, 103.5hours. He bought the Polaris a year and a half ago from the original owner.

I really like the bike...automatic, 4wd, and independent rear suspension. Ticks all the boxes.
That being said, I'm also seriously considering this guy. Honda ranchers have a good reputation for reliability. Plus, it's a little smaller for maneuvering through the woods. Everyone is trying to talk me into a rancher. Not fully auto, but has electric shift, 2wd, but it's super clean and rides nice.
2010 HONDA 420 RANCHER 2WD


I can't decide!!!

 

Test em both if you have the chance. You may not like having to shift,plus you may need awd unless you travel with a group that can pull you out or you have a good winch. Plus the comfort factor of irs (think the Rancher is a sra,may be wrong) if I'm right has around 6 inches of rear travel versus the Polaris.. Just my Plus here's comparison chart on the two. 2010 Honda FourTrax® Rancher® (TRX®420TM) ATVs

 

If ride comfort is a must go with the Polaris. Their 500 is a pretty bulletproof engine. Had a 2006 that was great. One minor issue and some overheating because I didn't clean the radiator out that well. Never left me stranded. Also if you want 4wd the Polaris system is easy to use. Put it in AWD and when it senses the slightest difference in spin between the rear tires and the front it locks the front end in. Seamless. It's so fast to engage most never notice the difference until it's pulling them up a scary steep rock face. AWD is also better if you think you'll encounter snow, or mud, or need to go slow up, or through a boulder lined trail. Polaris also has great on board storage. I miss it.

The Honda does have a slight nod in reliability.

There aren't really many trails that the Honda can't get in that the Polaris can't. The Honda would be a bit lighter handling but more punishing overall.

 

The Sportsman has almost 5 inches more ground clearance, longer suspension travel front and back, and 2 inch taller radial tires. 4 wheel drive and all that ground clearance will get you through a lot of mud, snow, and rocks that would stop the Honda. The 500 has a lot more power than the 420 too. They aren't even in the same class.

 

I appreciate all your input. The guys on the Honda brand discussions were tearing me apart over wanting an electric shift Honda.

i don't ride ATV's as a hobby. I do it mainly before and during hunting season. Last year I started and ran my 4 wheeler 1x a month for a few min until November rolled around. Once hunting season ended in January, it went back in the garage, and I didn't use it until November, except for running it a few times around my neighbirhood to make sure it got some use. I guess it's because my yamaha bruin had some reliability issues (electrical and fuel), so I never took it out for fear of it leaving me stranded (like it did the day after I bought it used...turned out to be a basket case). I think I got all the bugs worked out, but I want fuel injection and something that rides better. If I had something that I had more confidence in, I'd get out more and play.
Comfort is important, but I don't need to feel like I'm riding a Cadillac. I don't ride through much mud or water, (if it do hit mud, it's a couple inches deep, max). I ride through places where there aren't any trails, so I have logs, branches, etc that I have to ride over. That's about as intense as it gets for me. I know the Rancher would suit me fine, but I've had a love affair with the polaris sportsman ever since my uncle bought one when I was in college in 1997.

 

Was this on the Hondaatvforums site? There are a few decent mechanics on there but those guys are pretty set in their antiquated ways. Most of them drive Honda 250s, 300s or 350s from the late 80s or early 90s and assume that any new feature is going to leave you stranded. There is nothing wrong with ES. The worst that happens is a angle sensor fails which won't leave you stranded. The bike goes into limp mode which will allow you to get back, only at a slower speed. Not nearly as common as some suggest. It's about a 100 dollar sensor and takes around the same time it does to change out a fuse. I'd avoid letting any forum decide what you buy. They usually consist of biased opinions and false "facts". Do your own research on each machine and buy the atv YOU want. You seem to have a pretty good idea of what you need.

 

No, there was some negative feedback here on the Honda brand discussions, but alot of it on the Honda Ranchers group on Facebook.

 

Really the two are not in the same class . Even when the SP500 goes up against the more expensive 500 Foreman or Rubicon it beats it in every category. Here is one of many 4x4 ATVs Comparison Test Report - What's the Best 500 Utility ATV?

The 420 is considered a Budget ATV here it is in a shootout. ATV Comparison - Budget 4x4 ATVs Reviewed. and even then its not top dog.

Never understood the advantage E.S thumb shift over foot shift since you have to shift them both anyways ,so what's the difference.

Here is another 500 4x4 shootout in case you thought the first was a fluke. http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...ew.asp?code=85 again the 420 is not even included unlike the 421 Grizzly, but the last place Foreman is.

 

The ES is a little bit more versatile but it really all comes down to personal preference.

When going thru the mud or water in ES, you can keep your feet up. It also shifts a little bit quicker. Other Than that, I agree - there isn't really much of a difference.

I wouldn't put much stock into a comparison test though, especially when buying used. They say nothing about the overall reliability or the working capabilities. Of course the 35HP IRS sportsman is going to be smoother riding and faster but the hondas in general are more maneuverable, built to to work all day and are more reliable. It all comes down to what's more important to you.

 

I think the es shifter motor itself sometimes eventually goes out. Its basically about the same size as a starter. I checked to see how much one for my 350 cost, its about $80 on amazon, not a big expense.