I think polaris will eventually out sell honda. They have not been making atvs for very long but they are already the #2 manufacture. They tapped into a whole new market with there easy to operate machines. Now some other manufacturers are releasing machines with these same feature(but higher prices) hoping to get some of the polaris market. I think polaris sales wlll continue to rise until they are #1. As for dealers they will tell you whatever it takes to make a sale, when I bought my 400ex the dealer told me polaris was getting out of the atv business all together, I just smiled and said "oh really"(I was already sold on the 400ex before I walked in the door I didn't want to listen to his sale pitch).-----nice post lurch to the frame and model expert------

 

I dont know about this but around me I know of 4 quads within a 400 yd. area and all of them are different. Theres is a king quad, a lakota, a foremen 400, and a 300 timberwolfe

 

could it be maybe he is bais toward polaris and wants you to buy a polaris

 

If Polaris ever makes a true sports quad like the 400EX or Raptor, then they problaly will pass Honda as the number 1 manufacturer in the US.

 

I agree if they did make a true sport quad they would be number 1, I think that with there much improved quality control and there huge amount of models and add the only segment of atv they don't really compete i the true sport atv, they would easily take over number 1. I don't think in all honesty the Scrambler/Sport atv line was really supposed to be a direct competitor to the true sports quad but a unique model all in its own. Like a hybrid of sorts. They know how to make a great utility quad for sure.

 

If polaris did make a full-on sport machine it couldn't have the belt (can't handle the stress of big jumps, and the hesitation off the start isn't good for racing). And as some of you said that a big selling point for polaris is the auto, I don't really see why it would sell very well other than made in us and brand loyalty.

 

250
Some good points,but I would think with the stick that they have now it wouldn't be any big deal to make sport with the standard shift.With all the rumors of the 700 coming out,really makes you wonder "MAYBE". CM

 

I agree, Rampage, you do bring up some good points. But I do wonder what you mean by the belt not handling the stress of big jumps? I do see snow cross sleds doing big jumps every winter, and they have belt drives.
I do agree with the delay in belt engagement though. But, if it is going to be a full performance machine, then it would have, without a doubt, a manual tranny. Polaris does have experience with this, with the Victory motorcycle line. And with the recent addition of the auto clutch manual tranny on the Xpeditions, it should not be that hard to do.

 

HOT SEAT has the answer to the discussion.CM
http://atvnews.rivals.com/default.as...85]MEAN RASCAL

 

Polaris, has some smart marketing people working for them. I am not pro-Polaris, but look at the facts.

1.They offer more models than any other manufacturer. Thus any size or experience rider can find something for them.

2.Polaris had to know Honda was going to release the Rubicon for 2001 so what do they do? Update there SP500 giving it more power & performance, thus stealing the show from Honda.

3.Last year they released the Expedition 425 which has the smoothest shifting auto clutch transmission in the industry. This from the magazines not me.

4.It appears that a new sport(?) quad, a twin cylinder 700cc is one its way, will it be enough to beat the Yamaha Raptor?

In my opinion, Polaris is agressively coming out with new products and pushing the envelope. Honda seems to be more conservative or content in making minor changes.

Polaris has been working hard on their quality problems, Honda's overall still have a better quality/reliable product, but the gap between the two is much smaller now.

Honda needs to wake up, only the Rancher & Recon are still best in their class. The Rubicon was beat by the SP500 HO. The 450 & 400 beat by the Kodiak. Soon, the Raptor will dethrone the 400ex.
I think Honda will wake up since number 2 is not a position they like to be in.

just my 2 cents worth