The suspension on the SP is so much Superior to the Rubicons that I doubt you would feel the extra 60 lbs. I barely feel a 150lb passenger on the back.

 

I'd pay the extra $2000 for the Honda for the piece of mind---I still like gears better. But that's just me....

 

That 150 pound passeger makes a Sportsman squat like a girl.

Everyone has different priorities.

Keep your smooth ride and true 4-wd, dependability is the real way out.

 

The thing with hondas compared to a polaris is really the build quality.. Honda machines are always so much tighter feeling and sturdy. Polaris after some miles everything seems to just wear out like the bushings they use are crappy or something.. and all that tranny clunking and I see people tryin to put them in gear and such having to jam them hard and they grind and stuff even when still kinda new. I've seen a couple last a while most of them all get traded in before they ever get any real miles on them.

 

Belts are too much like a snowmobile. But, I guess some guys do like 'em over gears, since you DON'T have to shift. Personally, I like being able to shift my quad---besides, it's fun!

 

I Bought the HD Springs along time ago, there softest settings is like the OEM spring stiffest setting. On the stiffest settings it like the pivot points on the IRS are welded.

We load them heavy on our fishing trips. We have to bring our gear in on ATVs because the 4wd trucks can not make it on the trails to these fly in lakes.
IRS is not just about more Ground clearnce,it about a much more comfortable ride over rough ground, at what time is a comfy ride a bad thing? Mud or no Mud fishing or just trail riding its nice to have.

 

I picked up the Rubi today and have to say I am happy with my choice. I have had 3 500 Foremans in the past but this Rubi is in a class all by its self. The tranny on these things is like no other. The low range is great and the the shifting is fast and easy between low/high and reverse. It has good power and feel its faster off the line then my 08 Polaris 500EFI. I still like the Polaris 500 very much. When the wife and I go ride together we take the Polaris, its got the best ride of any other atv I have been on. The Polaris is much larger then the Honda, have them next to each other in the garage and the Honda looks like a kids quad. I plan to keep both for a long time and feel either would be a good choice.

 

Nice choice, you will not be disappointed.

I will agree about the Polaris having the best ride. My uncle used to have a Polaris 500 and that rode so much smoother than anything I have been on.

 

Each brand of ATV is going to have it's pluses and minuses. I've heard that Suzuki has the smoothest running engines of any of the manufacturers....

 

Wanted to update the post;

I now have 30miles on my new Rubi. Went and hit the trails with a few friends and no one should ever say the Rubicon is not good on the trails, they are very nimble. I put mud lites all around and this made a big difference in handling. I love the tranny and how smooth it works. Power is good but only took it up to 40mph, still doing break in. Have also installed a Warn 2500lb winch. Overall I made the right choice for me. This thing should last me 10yrs or more.