I know this question is asked often but all the posts I read were just bashing. Can you please give me an honest answer? A lot of the posts that came up in my search were old and I want opinions on the new versions of each. I am going to buy one or the other this weekend.

I am looking at a 2004 Sportsman 500 or a 2003 Grizzly.

I want to know if the Grizzly really is tippy?
Is the extra 100 lbs. of a sportsman that noticeable?
Should the fact that the sportsman has much better tires be a factor?
What about the Grizz being so narrow?
Is water still a problem for the Grizz in 2003?

Any other info would be appreciated.

Please don't tell me to buy a Honda or a Prarie. I only want to know about these two machines. And please don't let this become a brand-bashing session.

Thank you all very much for taking the time to read this and post your opinion.

Cheers,
INKMAN

 

yeah, id def go with the sportsman 500ho... put a clutch kit in that baby and your set... and yes the tires is def sumthin to look at... and sportsman's are true mudder's. And they haul like a friggen Chevy silverado 3500 deisel pick ups. so if your looking for a quad with amazing power, torque, good speed, and even awesome looks, go with the sportsman. Hey... y not go for the 700twin, and youll be bashin the hell outta every grizzley u come across..hahahah[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]


MuDsLiCa

 

I'd highly recommend the Sportsman. We have 3 500's. Great in the mud, the snow, and the steep rocky hills of Windrock down in Tennessee.

No reliability issues after the first 15 months of owning them either.

Scott

 

Ride them both and make the call.
They both are great bikes.
You are talking about the 660 arent ya?
If your looking for a mudder,the tires wont matter
because youll be changing them anyway.
Neverheard of the 660 being tippy.
I myself would go with the polaris
But thats because thats all I'v ever had....Brand loyal[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

buy the sportsman, you'll never ever be sorry

 

fo shizzle...def go for the sportsman... if i were in your position..id get the 700twin..its a step above the rest

 

Thanks guys, I was leaning toward the Sporty anyway. But you guys wouldn't be biased being in the Polaris forum would you?lol I am going to borrow my buddies 500 H.O. this weekend and I am going to ride with a couple of Grizzlys so I will be able to do a side by side comparison on the exact same terrain. Thanks for all you help and keep the info coming because I decided to wait one more week to make my purchase.

I would love to buy a 700 but $$$$$

Cheers,
INKMAN

 

This a Polaris forum so you can expect some biased opinions. The fact is the grizzly is an outstanding overall package. After riding them back-to-back, I was impressed by the Grizzly's torquey motor, slick shifting, and plush suspension compared to my Sportsman 500 HO. It's definately not tippy compared to the high Sportsman. If you can get the Grizzly for a good price just add some decent rubber right away and you'll be very pleased with the machine.

 

I have an old 99 sp500 and a 2002 grizzly.
sure the grizz has more power but polaris is still the best in riding comfort.
especially when speeding over bumpy trails and through wholes. my polaris keeps in line.
at any speed I can engage 4WD, not so with all the japanese.
the grizz gear-lever is not nice to shift with zig-zag. the engine is rough, not as smooth as polaris.
reliability is not an issue. me and 3 more guys are happy with polaris apart from minor things.
we all haul trailer with wood and I use a snow plow too. so in any way we are happy although I donīt spend much time to maintain my sportsman.
and soon we all buy the 700 twin model 2004.
I also tested bombardier 650 xlt and prairie but they shake your bones loose.
what I dislike with polaris is the unease access to maintain carburator or the electronic. not well engineered.
only with trucks I prefer the japanese as they have better suspension.
bye

 

Hi test ride both and get the one that feels the best to you. I own a 2003 Sportsman 500 and a 2003 Yamaha Grizzly I love both machines. Don't let anyone tell you one is better then the other. The main thing is both have IRS something I love riding trails here in Arizona But what everone you get i'm sure you will love it. Chuck (Cottonwood,AZ.)