Hey guys,

Just wondering if you had some reasons I shouldn't get a Sportsman500. I'm pretty set on it, plus it just plain looks better. I appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance!

Well based upon your name you should probably get the Polaris…

It not that the SP is necessarily a bad quad. It’s not. But if you don’t mind doing required maintenance after each ride, then go for it.

In years past Polaris has been known for poor quality quads. It’s not necessarily true now, but I’m still leery after my past experiences with them. As far as I can tell from the Polaris Quads I ride with still. Most still have problems with water finding it way to the belt causing it to slip and burn. Most people on this forum will argue with me about that subject but I can only report on what I’ve seen.

What Honda offers is not the best for everyone. They offer reliable, quality and innovative machines that have a resale value second to none.

Polaris offers disc brakes, great GC, a powerhouse motor, IRS and a big fat seat. With a weight that’s the heaviest on the market.

Looks alone should not be the factor in which you base your decision. That should be the last consideration. But if that’s most important to you get the Polaris. I’d still ride with you.

The heaviest quads on the market are actually the taxters. Part of the reason the sp is so heavy is the independant rear suspension. Polaris's reliablility problems seem to be a thing of the past, especially in the 01 lineup. I would go with the sp, you wont find a better ride or mudder anywhere.

99 blaster

The only thing I really dislike about my SP335 is the lack of power. The 500 has that. It does sit a lot higher than the Honda Rubicon or Foreman, but unless you are doing some radical hill climbing and extreme technical riding, you will never notice the difference in heighth. What you will notice is the smoothest ride available. Get one.

I test-drove a '01 SP500HO before I bought my Rubicon two weeks ago. I tried the Honda a day before the Polaris and I guess the transmission spoiled me. It was smooth as silk and completely unnoticeable when compare to the Polaris. I couldn't get over the jerk accompanying any throttle input at take-off with the Sportsman. It also sat too high for me. I’m already tall and I didn’t feel as confident riding around the track on it. But it definitely has a hot engine and a smooth ride. Try ‘em both and then decide. That’s what I did.

I agree 100 % with Sapo (except the part about buying the Rubicon :)). Get out there and test ride them both... they each have their strengths and weaknesses as do their competitiors like the Grizzly, QuadMaster, Traxter, or AC500. My wife and I test rode each in this class (except the Grizzly... dealer didn't allow test rides) and we bought the best one... for us. Ride them all and it will probably become pretty apparent which is best... for you. I was so glad to be getting one, I would have been happy with any of them. Good luck.

Read the 500cc shoot-outs in DirtWheels, 4-Wheel ATV Action, and ATV magazine. Feb-March-Apr issues I think. Should help you decide, unless "looks" is all you care about with your $7000.

Unless you just have got to have one right now, I would wait to see what the 2002 line up brings. The Kaw 650 looks awful nice and the rumors of a SP700 would probably kill the decision to buy a SP500 if the rumors are true.

you will not need to maintain the Sportsman afer every ride every so often you got to grease the zerks, takes about 20 minutes once you know were they all are. I personally have my dealer do it, drop it off before work and pick it up after. 40 bucks oil, filter and greasing the zerks. but I also have a grease gun for when i do some serious mudding i like to give them a squirt. The Sp has the best ride out there. Mine is a 2000 , with 1800 miles and not a problem. The 2001's are simply the best atv's Polaris has ever produced.
you might want to check out the new Kawasaki 650, way before a Rubicon if you are not going with the Sportsman, the best right now is the Sportsman it is the best all around utility machine, best ride, best 4x4 system. It is a silky smooth machine, people rave about the ride and you might say how good can it really be? yeah let me tell you there is nothing else like it right now in the atv world.