Tempest: Glad to see you didn't think I was conducting a post for all out war fair. I am also glad to see for once Polaris and Honda people communitcating on the topic of a poorly written article, not the normal my quad is better than yours. I also agree with you tempest that like i said before the SP500HO deserved to win this type of shootout. To be honest I really don't know if the results would of been any different in another type either. However it would be nice to have people that know more about Utility quads doing the shootout than those yahoo's. One thing also when you mentioned towing and rack weight, Honestly, has Honda ever rated their racks as high as others? They do that for liability reasons, ask any dealer. But maybe the others do to, just think it is odd that Hondas are always lower than everyone elses, but no one has ever prooved they couldn't handle as much as any other (in my experiences anyway). But maybe seriously, anyone have an explaination on the conservative rating Honda gives their machines? Or is it not for liability reasons? However that is the answer i got here from Honda stores. Thanks for any info on that subject.

 

HEY RANCHER328 YOU DONT LIVE ON THE ROAD WHERE THEY BUILT THE FIELD OF DREAMS. GIVE ME A HOLLER SOMETIME MAYBE WE CAN GET SOME PEOPLE UP FOR A RIDE. SEE YOU LATER MAYBE WILL BE RIDING TOGETHER SOON.

 

You are correct. The ratings on towing and rack capacity are almost always a liability thing. I am positive the SP and Ruby could pull much more then thay are rated at. And they could probably pull about the same amount each. But there again, in the shootout, they had to go with the supplied ratings.
And I agree that the shootout should be conducted by people more familier with utility quads. I mean heck, how often to you see people riding thier utility quads with MX boots and full jerseys and pants like they did?
For utility quads only, check out ATV Magazine. I find they to be one of the best for this style machine.

 

DW did metion some utility stuff like the SP higher load and tow rating.A more horse power machine is a advantage when doing work with a utiltity bike.Just because they are utility bikes the should not have the suspension and ride of a hay wagon at the price they want fo them.I was amazed DW still thinks the Honda has 10" of ground clearace can't they read a tape?The diff. housing is where the ground clearance should be measured from it's what will get hung up first.

 

Yep, I live just down the road from Durwoods Field of Dreams. I live out in the large field with the Sheriff Dept. car parked in front.
oops..........maybe I should't have mentioned that

 

To all,

I thought that this shootout was for sport/utility machines. All of the quads tested fall into that category, don't they? Also, if top speed didn't matter, how many of us would be disappointed if DW didn't compare the quads in this category? I'm not in support of DW, but I enjoy the magazine. They often have typos, misinformation, and parts of their articles that aren't right. Even their grammar is off at times. I think they really need to proof-read their articles more carefully. Regardless, I think that if the sp500 won the shootout, it most likely deserved it. Polaris has had reliability issues in the past, but is making improvements to their products and in quality control every year. As far as honda being reliable goes, I believe their reputation is fading some. I know of too many problems with different 450S's. I also had a grizzly, and it hasn't held up as good as the 2 polaris's I've owned. I like Honda's trick transmission, but feel it has way too many things(sensors) that can fail with the environment it is subjected to. If the cpu goes on it, you are just SOL. Anyway, each of us just has to find what we're convinced is the best and stick with that until we change our mind.

 

Tim1: Trying to make this into a IRS vs solid axle post again? I won't even go there, happy you are happy with your SP500. I will simply refer you to Lurches post (which he agrees rack and towing wieghts are more to do with liability than ability of the quad). But your intitled to your opinion, happy atving.

 

I think that more and more quads will start getting computers. Not saying this is good or bad, but that is the trend that cars went through and it will come to quads eventually wether we want it to or not.

 

MadMXSkills: You should send a application into DW. Your sure to get hirrreddd!!!! Just kidding, glad you think the SP500 is so far ahead of everyone.

 

I personally wouldn't pick either the Sportsman or the Rubicon for my ride, but after reading the DW article, I would have definitely picked the Rubicon. IF I were in the market for that type of four wheeler.