Hi all. I've been lurking around here for some time and decided to go ahead an join and learn something from all the knowledgable people here.

I am about to purchase a new 2012 ATV, its use will be hunting and trail riding. I am seriously torn between the newly re-designed Honda Foreman 500 (EFI) and a Sportsman 500 HO (carb).

An automatic transmission is not a must for me, but I do not care for any of the electronic shift programms offered by Honda or others. In the past I have owned:

1. 2004 Honda Foreman 4x4 manual shift (excellent machine, used it only for hunting, no recreational riding)

2. 2007 Honda Rancher 420 4x2 manual shift (a bit small, body and frame-wise for my taste, small racks on it compared to the 500, but throttle response was great compared to the carb on the foreman, used it for trail riding)

3. 2008 Honda Rincon 680 Automatic (awesome atv, smooth riding, liked the hondamatic tranny)

4. Polaris Ranger 800XP EFI (nice UTV, perfect machine for hunting, fast, rode well, hated the "lag" when starting off from a stop, which I have been told is how it works with the belt-driven CVT that Polaris uses on all their Sportsman atv's and ranger utv's, it made all sorts of noise when slowing down from any decent speed)

This ATV will not be used as a submarine at any time, will not have a lift or snorkel and will be thoroughly washed and dried after every ride. I enjoy these sorts of toys when I'm on them, but I do take care of them-they're not cheap!

My concerns are this: I can get the 500 HO for $450 cheaper than the new foreman. With that, I would get IRS, automatic, more ground clearance and NO EFI. I have not had a non-efi machine in several years and do not want to be standing in the dark when it's 25 outside wishing my atv would start so I can get to the woods before it's light. I also don't want to have to have that same atv towed out of the woods for something stupid, as I can assure you either brand would not ever be abused or pushed to their limits by me.

I'd like some UNBIASED opinions from those of you who have had experiences with the 500 HO, especially 2010-2012 models. I mentioned above that I really disliked the "lag" before the cvt would engage on the Ranger I had-is the 500 going to be the same way?
If there's anyone on here with a new '12 foreman, please chime in. Let's face it, Honda is probably the most reliable brand of atv made over the long term, but they are behind in the suspension and engine performance areas. At the same time, Polaris might just have the best riding atv's around, but does that really matter if when their little 6mo warranty is up, the thing is not operable half the time?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.....