Now you also got to think about the maintance of you'r polaris'es, my dealer will not trade them in for a honda because they are to hard to work on

Man all that maintenance greasing zerks and hard to work on...well I tell you what add a couple inches of ground clearance, some disc brakes, a 2 to 4 wd button, a smooth IRS suspension, a bigger seat, true 4 wheel drive, a larger gas tank and I will be waiting at the local Honda Dealer the next morning before they open to trade for a Rubic but until then my vote goes for the Sportsman...

 

Defenitly the rubicon no questions asked.

 

I aways thought the Sportsman was more machine with it's IRS,selectable true 4wd,disks brakes and ground clearance but now that polaris added a Hight Output engine the Sportsman is just put way over the top to the others.

 

LIke those Honda drum brakes, really I like being able to control front & rear seperately. I don't like the one hand braking for the quad like on the Polaris models.

 

Yes, if you buy a Polaris, be ready to do some maintanence. But as for it being hard to work on, well I doubt that. Unless you find using a grease gun hard. Other then that they have the same amount as any other ATV. Well, you might have to do a belt change as well now and then. But this is few and far between. Plus, it is so easy to do, you can do it on the trail in 15 minutes if need be. My step dads 1992 Polaris 350L is still on the original belt, so unless you do not use it correctly, you can not argue that point.

 

I cannot believe that I actually read this thread!!!!

 

So exactly what is your point lovinhonda ?
I just traded my 2000 Honda 450ES for a Sportsman500. I could have easily had a Rubicon, and yes I did ride both, I couldnt see paying $900 more than I did for my Sportsman and having a bike that is not any better than the Sportsman.

Im not sure about anyone else, but I know if I am paying top dollar to ride a mfg top bike, I would at least like everyone to know it by having the bike look a little different than the other bikes in the lineup. From 15ft you would be hard pressed to tell the Rubicon from a 450ES. And most people cant tell from 2ft away. I think Honda blew it on this account. The Rubicon is a fine machine, but I obviously would take the Sportsman 500.

 

i would defently pick a rubicon over a SP500
the sp is so heavy it weighs 640. Thats more then a grizzly.

 

My friend, you must have a 97 brochure. The sportsman is even heavier than that. Try 697 lbs. But that being said. My AC500 weighs that much if you count the two bumpers, winch, and brush guards. I have never noticed the weight on it either. Performs no differently with all of the heavy accessories than it did before when it weight 645 lbs.

 

honestly- how many people who own honda here said "Rubicon" and how many that own Polaris said "Sportsman"? I own AC and I said Polaris, though I also said the Rubicon was close.

Its pretty obvious what will get the most votes. What forum is this? Put it in the general forum and see if it changes. Just depends on how many honda owners reply compared to how many Polaris owners reply.