Hello everyone, this is my first post on this site and I'm
looking for advice. I’m really into dirtbikes/dualsports. Currently have 4 bikes. I’ve been doing this for years, and I do all the work myself.

I just sold a bike and I’ve been playing around with the idea of buying an atv. So being totally new I don’t really have any brand preferences etc. The bike I sold got me 2500, so I’m looking to keep my purchase around that figure. I’d like to bring the atv on some trails (with a chainsaw mainly for maintenance for the bikes) and possibly do some plowing with it. No deep mud/swamps, hardcore rock crawling etc.

Even not being part of the atv world, I know the sportsman 500 is considered one of the best quads produced. With that being said, I do like the established Japanese brands from my dirtbike experience. So I’m looking at sportsman’s and I’ve also found a mint 98 grizzly 600 in my area. Both are the same price, Grizz has 1k miles, with plow and extras, sportsman has 1.7k miles no extras.

So my questions are:
Air-cooled vs Water-cooled? I have bikes in both configurations so I assume the same pros and cons apply?

Solid rear axle vs independent? No experience here, talking about maintenance, pros and cons etc.

Polaris reliability? I have lots of experience with Yamaha, Honda etc. but nothing with Polaris.

Any other ATVs I should focus on at a 2500 price point?

Thank you in advance.

 

Hello, I currently ride Polaris, however I bought it new. I have had used Yamaha Kodiaks and Grizzlys in the past and really liked them. I would stay in early 2000 era so you will have selectable 4 wheel drive and even front diff lock. I would recommend a 450. I have heard way too many issues with used Polaris machines. I do like my Polaris but like I said I bought it brand new.

 

Thanks for the input, I actually just bought a Polaris a few days ago off Craigslist. I ended up with a 2006 700 efi with about 1100 miles on it. It seems well taken care of an runs great. Best part is I got it for not much more than a carbed 500.