Ok cool, thanks! I haven't ridden anything other than my 200 (which honestly, I still love and it runs great for a 21 year old machine but it just can't do what we need utility-wise ow) except for test drives in the parking lot on these new machines.

Hoping to have this decision wrapped up tonite.

 

A test ride in the parking lot the 500 and 800 will feel about the same. When you open them up at speed is where you'll notice a big differance.

 

Wanted to throw my 2 cents in here, I understand the problem of attempting to not spend too much but get a little more than you need. We ride trails all the time as a family of five with two other families. Our kids are getting somewhat older so we"ve gone to larger ATVs like 300 or 400 cc. The 500 will work just fine as you describe, my wife and I started on a Polaris 325, worked great. The big thing for us is having a 4X4, we love mud and some water so the trial tend to rut out. Getting high center is our biggest issue, but if you don't get stuck once in a while there's no picture oppertunities (sp). We rarley go over 15 MPH so we want some power with the bigger bikes to pull out the smaller 2 wheel drives that high center. We have recently gone to wenches that work great for control pulls.
The deal seems good but not great, the 500 will work just fine, go for it and ride the trails. The only thing I would change is go for the Honda, but I'm partical. Have fun

 

Can't go Honda the japs don't build 2 up atvs.

 

OK you lost me on that reply, I'm old so It went right over my head, kinda of slow. I owne both brands so I like Polaris but my Honds seems much better to me. Granted the polaries is 325 cc and the honda 680 EFI so the comparison is not equeal. My concern is polaris lack of seal for the belt, otherwise great riding machine. Please explaine, you got me curious. Aslo if I could type and spell I would be dangerlkncvkjnetvkjbn.

 

I'd vote for a Honda anyday. I love the company and the reliability of a Honda. That being said, there are a lot of people who love Polaris so you really can' go wrong.

 

Trust me, I tried to go Honda, not even thinking about the 2-up. I have an 86 200SX Honday that still runs faithfully and it completely stock. I've had it since day one when I started riding. We went to Honda and tried to find something but the utility of the X2 with that dump body really grabbed us. PLUS it had the 2-up option which made it even better. I would have loved to have gone Honda, but unfortunately, the utility ease we need it for just isn't there.

Re: the belt slippage when wet, I've asked all dealers about that as well as read some things on these boards. Apparently they've gone from a 5 screw to a 9 screw sealing system and the dealers said they understand my concerns but be assured it is a much more improved system over what they used to be. Basically, I've been told I can put it in water up to the snorkle which is tank height and it should be fine. I have NO intention of getting into water that deep but it's good to know.

 

This last weekend I bought a new leftover 2007 sportsman 800 x2 (not deluxe) upgraded with the 2008 aluminum wheels/tires and a 36mo warranty for $7200.
That was the best price I could find with about three weeks of shopping

 

wats the x2 mean?

well heres what id say....
it really doesnt matter how much power.
your not going to make it so touchy that u smash into a tree or something.
if it were me id get the bigger atv