I would like to know how the Magnum 500 rides compared to the Sportsman 500. In the recent test of the Magnum 500 in the ATV Connection, they said it was the best riding big bore machine they've ever ridden. And they had a test of the Sportsman earlier, so I'm just curious how it rides.

 

Rooster; Honestly the ride is comparable to but not quiet as good as the Sportsman 500 it has a little firmer feel to it than the sportsman. It is a good ride. I had to ride another make sunday while a friend rode mine and I was certainly proud to get my Magnum back when I did after riding the other Quad mine felt like a Caddilac.

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Kevin Gowdy aka Kagey 1999 Polaris Magnum 500

 

I just don't believe you can beat the Sportsman 500 and 335's independent rear suspension. It's just too smoooth.
BushHog
'99 Sportsman 335

 

Kagey, and what make did your friend have? I'll bet it was a Honda 450?

 

In the past several weeks I’ve had a few opportunities to trade rides with my wife (my SP 500 for her Mag 500) and in my opinion the IRS on the Sportsman offers a far superior ride. Of course, my opinion is somewhat tainted. Like most of us I’m more comfortable on what I’m most accustomed to. But honestly, in the rocky rough stuff, mine bounces me around far less. Now handling, turns, cornering at speed, etc., is something I really can’t comment on yet except to say that with Kenda Bear Claws (12.5 wide rear and 8 wide front) her Mag steers with far less effort than my SP with Mud Runners.

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FloodRunner, on the Wisconsin River

 

Rooster you were close, It was a 97 400 Foreman.

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Kevin Gowdy aka Kagey 1999 Polaris Magnum 500

 

I rode a SP 335 and 500 before I bought my Magnum 500, giong fast down a big rocky road, the sportsman wins hands down--the independent suspension really works.

But, when the stuff comes up that is extreme angle, and difficulty going up --off camber sort of stuff that is steep with logs crossing it(the kind where most of the time a front wheel comes off the ground a ways)
I like the performance of a solid rear axle--so I know where and when the axle will move and the tires will shift, and i can control it with my body weight. On the sportsmans I tried this with, the IRS wanted to do the work for you, (sort of unpredictable at times) I could never produce the same results with a sportsman in the repeated runs through the same spots. I think the Magnum is a itty bit more responsive on the throttle, probably due to the 50 lbs. or so less wieght.

My only complaint is the air intake for the belt housing, not the exhaust--the intake. On the Sportsmans they have it up toward the top of the seat--on the Magnum it comes up about your knee level. Its not that I cross rivers with it, but when I am traveling ditches, you run into spots where you have to go through water that is about rack high--I never go in water deeper than that, but rack high is right inline with your knee almost--so that is my only complaint, if anybody has a way to re-route that please let me know, I couldnt see any good place to run the line other than where its at (although I havent put a lot of thought into it yet).

but anyway thats the tall and short of it, its a very good bike, it should do what you want and last a long time.


Have fun,

Billy Eldred

'99 Magnum 500, Vamped--of course.

 

I ride a 99 mag 500. I ride on a regular basis with two sp 500s. When we ride in the rockiest stuff the sp does seem slightly smoother.The mag however seems to corner better and put it's power to the ground a little better resulting in better acceleration.I have owned 3 polarises and a Yamaha wolverine,the mag is my favorite hands down.In addition I know the lead mech. at the largest polaris dealer in our state. I asked him which bike had been the most trouble free in terms of service. He said that the 500 mag was far and away the most trouble free bike he had seen in his 8 year affiliation with polaris. They are both good vehicles just depends on your riding style and area I suppose. satisfied mag500 owner

 

I love the ride on my 500sp,I think the IRS is second to none but as you say there are times that straight axle will be best.My old 95 425 sure seems peppier than the 500,haven't rode them side by side.Would definately rate the ride on 500 better but thats 4 years of engineering to.COB