$1000 less? C'mon. My dealer quoted me for a Rubicon $6954.94 "Out the Door"
Are you trying to tell me you can pick up a new SPortsman 500 for $6000 or less?
Possible I suppose, but I cant see that.

 

What's the deal man, You asked people's opinions and then you criticize them. Now I'm not going to give you my opinion. That is rediculous. And yes, you can get a Sportsman for that price, My friend got his 2001 with 20 miles on it for as much as a scrambler. So next time, if you ask someone a question, don't give them hell when they answer it, it's not very smart in this forum.

 

Rubi has a slower top end than the sportsman. 55 compared to 65 so if your looking for top speed go with the sportsman. Depends on your riding style. Going 40 or so on a trail is nail biting at lease for me.

 

If you read the post I stated that the Polaris dealers deal and the Honda dealers do not. They do not need to around here - some one will buy it at MSRP if they wait.

I do not think that either is a bad quad, but I think for the money the Sportsman has the edge. It is faster, better 4wd, disc brakes and IRS. The IRS comes with more maintenence, but the 20 minutes it takes to grease it make it worthwhile.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Six months ago I would have bought a Rubicon. The reason for this is that I was afraid of reliability issues with the Polaris. After reading things on the forums I decided to purchase what I thought was the better quad for me. This does not mean that it is best for you. Drive both and buy what is best for you.

 

I have two Honda dealers in my area. One were dinks and wouldnt deal. The other (20 miles out of my way) I didnt even have to ask. They were 6300 right off the bat. All depends on the dealer.

 

I have both. I even conducted my own shoot out on another forum. I have had them both now for almost a year. Both are fine bikes. But before I tell you my opinion let it be known that I am not brand loyal whatever machine does the best job for my application is the bike I ride. Hands down winner for me is my Polaris 500 HO. The 4-wheel drive is the best. I know because I own both and have hung both of them up. It does suck when you go down hill because it sometimes kicks out of 4-Wheel. But in all other conditions the 4-wheel drive is better plus you can switch into 2 wheel. The handling and suspension is far better. If you don't believe me buy both then pick out a trail go down one on the Polaris and then get on the Honda and go down the same trail, that's what I did. The 500Ho is also faster. Something to think about when you get hung up on the Rubicon is the reverse is geared so low the wheel speed is very low and when your trying to get your momentum going to get unstuck that is a problem. The Polaris can go just as fast in reverse as forward. The Honda is an excellent bike however. The Transmission is great and quick. The display is great but the seat is not near as plush as the Polaris. For Farm use I would definitely apt for the Honda with the tranny and full time four-wheel drive. As far as that reliability thing you always hear about Polaris breaking and Hondas running forever has not applied to my machines. My Honda came from the factory with the Front-end way out of line, an extremely loud loose exhaust bracket and a choke problem that caused it to fail on me last winter. All of these problems were minor and easily fixed but they were problems that I have not had on my Polaris 500HO. I also ride with guys who have the SP500 and Rubicons. My views as does theirs run hand and hand with this response. For all around use and sport riding the Polaris is the best in my opinion out of the two machines I can't say about the Prairie or the Grizzly as that is not your question and I don't own or know anyone with those bikes, but I do own both of the bikes in question. You can take my advice or listen to hear say from people who don't own both and only speculate. You really can't go wrong with either but if I had to sell one it would be my Honda.

 

One thing I forgot to mention and is very important the brakes on the Honda are bad compared to the Polaris 500HO. All of those who own a Rubicon and disagree find a big hill go half way up, stop and set your brake and get off. I will do the same on Polaris. After about two minutes I'll get back on my Polaris and ride down to the bottom of the hill to help you turn the Rubicon back over. NO JOKE! Why they put brakes like that on a fine machine is beyond me and don’t say they stay clean better. The drum brakes on the Rubicon are weak!!!!! Be Safe.

 

The IRS is nice. Look at the Yamaha Griz also. Polaris and Yamaha have winch deals now with the purchase of a machine.

 

To Polarisman:
I wasnt trying to put anyone down for their responses, sometimes you misunderstand people in these forums, its not like talking face to face. I am allowed to state my opinion as well, and my opinion was that I didnt think you could get a Sportsman for that price, thats all. It seems that I was wrong, and I do not have a problem admiting when I am wrong. If I offended you I am sorry, not here to make enemies.
From the posts I have read, it seems that the trend is towards the Polaris. I was leaning toward the Honda at first and now I may be changing my mind.
"and the beat goes on...."

 

I rode a Ruby last week. It ran fine and the trans is smooth. It rode stiffer than the Polaris and the brakes are just okay. I'd worry about long term reliability with the complex trans. It has 6 sensors and a computer. What about 5 years from now when the electronics start going bad. At least with a belt, you could change it on the trail if you really had to. I also prefer the composite racks on the Polaris.