I've been beeting around for a while now choosing a 500cc class ATV, I have narrowed it down to 2 and i will most likely be driving the Rubi home. But before i do, i would just like to know if you guys are pleased with what you bought, and do you think you made the right decision. Thankyou.
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2004 Polaris Sportsman 700
'27 ITP 589 M/S
3000 Warn Winch (just added)

2001 Honda Rancher ES
2500 Warn Winch
(FOR SALE)

 

Depends what you will buy it for. Help me out here........

 

Are you keeping the 700?

 

Yes, im keeping the SP 700, selling the 350 Rancher ES. Redgoblin, i will be buying it simply just for the sake of having a second quad that can go through or keep up with my Sportsman. My rancher cannot. My friend is always riding with me when we go to our Hunting Club, and if i get a Rubi, he will be on either the Rubi or the Sportsman. The Rubi will be mainly a trail quad, and also used in the mud/water quite a bit. Not too much. Thanks.

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2004 Polaris Sportsman 700
'27 ITP 589 M/S
3000 Warn Winch (just added)

2001 Honda Rancher ES
2500 Warn Winch
(FOR SALE)

 

my rubicon is nice and is a work horse in play and mud......only draw back is the liquid cooled engine....if I had it to do over I would have the 2005 air cooled foreman 500

 

if your looking to keep up with the 700 the rubicon is not the best choice. lack of ground clearance and locker and speed will all be a hindrance depending on what your doing. straight trail riding not alot of mud or snow or 50 plus mph the rubicon would do fine and most likely run longer than your 700 beore it has a mechanical failure.

 

It will not keep up with the 700 in speed. Period. They're not made for speed. However, it will most certainly outlast the Sportsman. Even though they do not have a locker, they are great in the mud, especially after a set of aggressive tires have been installed. Because of the drum brakes, water, mud and sand will take it's toll after a long time if you ride in these conditions frequently and do not maintain the equipment. However, if taken care of, you will find the drums will last a very long time as opposed to the discs that have become standard on most other utilities today. Transmission: best in the world of utility ATVs......ever. You'll see what I mean the minute you begin a test ride. If you enjoy aggressive trail riding, you may want to look into having a Warn 424 installed, maybe even straight from the dealership. This allows you to "unlock" the otherwise full-time 4x4 of the 2004 and older models. If you are purchasing a 2005, this does not apply. If you need anymore help or have any questions about this machine, feel free to pm me.

 

Yea, I can really see how a locker and ground clearance would be a "hindrance" to keeping up. lmao

 

Thanks for the replys. Yeah i understand that the Rubi will not keep up in speed, and since i live in AL i wont be bothered by snow. Since i will be working at a Honda dealer for the next 3 months i will get a discount, and will also but a Tire/Wheel combo and Winch before i even take it out of the showroom, which is nice because i get everything for factory price (not bragging). So after a while, and i earn more money, i will most likely get a Detroit G Locker (if it is safe to do so??? thats a whole another story) and most likely a 2" lift. It will be mainly a trail quad, but i can see me and my friend now, me/him going through a nasty spot on the SP, and the other on the Rubi, and we'll see if the Rubi can make it through also. So it will get its fair share of mud and water. AND I CANT GET OVER THE TRANSMISSION. Thats the MAIN reason im buying the Rubi. Auto and ESP ( i love ESP [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] ). Any more help is greatly appreciated. Im looking at the '05s but if i find a deal on an '04 ill get it. Thanks.

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2004 Polaris Sportsman 700
'27 ITP 589 M/S
3000 Warn Winch (just added)

2001 Honda Rancher ES
2500 Warn Winch
(FOR SALE)

 

I have yet to run into a critical situation that the lesser Rubicon G/C has been more of a hindrance than the weight, size, and comparatively top-heavy tendencies of my friends Arctic Cat with 12" of G/C. There may be that occasional rock in the middle of the trail that he clears easily, but I just drive around it. We are really only talking about an inch or two from the skid difference. On paper it's more, but that's the rear diff, which doesn't matter when you are going over lateral hazards.

I am only disappointed that I didn't wait for the 05 (or when I start to believe some of the bull I read on these forums). I would buy the 05 Rubicon. I would not install a lift or any tire over 26" either as the dependability of the CVs will suffer.