The Sportsman's suspension is far superior. Changing a drive belt is easier(actually can do it on the trail too) than fixing the Ruby's tranny IF something should go wrong. Sportsman's disc brakes. Sportsman's better looking in my opinion. Switchable 4WD on the Sportsman. I picked the Sportsman 500.

 

I purchased the Rubicon after riding both. Both are fine atvs. For me the tranny on the Rubicon cannot be beat. Its always in the right place at the right time. Engine breaking excellent and it seems I hardly use the brakes. Rode last weekend with a stock Sportsman. Both managed to get stuck and pull each other out. Rubicon did better in some places and Sportsman in others. I do miss the 2wd/4wd selector. You must balance rumored polaris reliability against Hondas unknown tranny.

 

The Sportsman, is faster, rides better , has a better 4x4 system. It is not hard to take care of . Buy a good grease gun with a flexible hose, and once you see were the zerks are it takes 20 minutes a couple times a season to grease it. And other than that it is the same as any other machine, change the oil and clean the air filter.Though to be honest you could not go wrong with either of them, really they both are top notch machines. But the Sportsman will ride better and go through more, the 4x4 system of Polaris is second to none. It weighs under 700 lbs.

 

I could spend all day on this post...

rdarins, the key for you is to ride both for a while and see which one suits YOUR needs...not the ones of people on this forum.

To comment on some things here:

Brakes - Discs are easier to maintain and will provide good stopping power, but this is at a cost. Discs wear out fast and need replacement.

2wd option - I still have never found a need for 2wd. I bought a 4x4 quad to play in the mud, not ride in sand dunes.

4wd - The sp500 wins here hands down with all 4 tires spinning. Do some research in the Polaris forums on possible engagement problems. I have seen a lot of posts there.

Weight - The sp500 is 697 and the Rubicon is 600. They feel like the is a 200 lbs difference due to different center of gravities.

Cooling - Both are liquid cooled so if you ride water be prepared for water pump seals to go bad and LOTS of radiator cleaning.

Misc - SP500 belt can be changed in 30 minutes. The SP500 has both metric and inch sockets so you need to carry both sets on the trail...seems like a hassle. The screws that came off on the shifter for the Rubicon can be fixed with lock-tite. All engines should be given ample time to warm up before use (even your lawn mower and weed whacker)!

Ride - They have COMPLETELY different ergonomics. Since I ride the Rubicon weekly I am not comfortable at all on the SP500, but that would be the other way around if I owned the SP500. It will take time to get used to a quad.

Bottom line - Both are top notch quads that will provide years of fun. Find some people in your area or friends that have them and ride them both. I dont mean around a parking lot, I mean on the trails. After riding them both make your decision on what suits YOUR needs.

 

I also noticed that you get much wetter/muddier on the HO. The rubi will keep you drier. I know thats not much of a selling point but when its 40 degrees (at least here in MN) it makes a huge difference. If you buy the HO wear rain boots cus when you hit water at any speed with the HO water shoots out the motor compartment and on to your feet like a flood.

 

That reply by TEXMud was one of the best I've ever seen (or read). I endorse his comments. If I wasn't riding a Rubicon, I would probably be on a Sportsman. If you do the maintenance, the Sportsman will last forever. The Rubicon, like most Honda's, can be more forgiving about maintenance issues. But you still most do the maintenance. The biggest focus item on a Rubicon, for me at least, has become the radiator. Any riding involving mud, however minor, will require you to clean the mesh on the front bumper, and then clean the screen behind it (unedr the plastic). It's best to remove it by removing the 6 plastics body pins that hold it on. Then, take a low pressure spray, and clean the mud/dirt from the radiator and oil cooler. Otherwise, sure as $&*@, you will eventually start to overheat. Also, make sure you keep your fluids filled up, and buy the special Rubicon sparkplug ($13) before you need it, so your ride isn't ruined because no one has one in stock. Including your dealer! And for a quad over $6000, letting it warm up a bit before riding is a good thing.
I love my Ruby, and would buy it again. Even would still pick it over the Sportsman. Hey, it works for me. But I admire, and respect, the Sportsman, and if not for the Ruby, I would have one. But I don't trash the Sportsman or their riders, but love to ride with them! It's kinda a Porsche vs. Ferrari thing: bothe extremely good at what they do. One may be better at all out performance, the other is built with some thought toward longevity and ownership without constant maintenance, but each owner is passionate about what they drive. And those that don't have one, will usually desire at least one if them, if not both.
Ride both, and get the one that works best for you. Never let another person tell you what you want. Ask their opinion, get their feedback, but go with what makes you happy!

 

Tex,

I have an off subject question for you, or anyone else with a warn 2500lb winch. I just got my Rubi Saturday. i got the warn winch today. my question is, did you have to go with a higher cranking amp battery to support the larger 2500lb winch?

 

A very positive, informative Polaris vs Honda thread... I like it...

 

Let's see high maintenance belt drive eg seals bearings water in the belt, 20 grease zirks, 4wheel drive that works great, WHEN it's working
Ride that is somewhat exagerated many eletrical sensors that do go wrong. over 700lbs DRY I think the choice is very clear HONDA.............

 

Your from Canada right? the Xtra $2000 for the Rubicon just makes it a no deal compared to the smoother more powerful H.O.