Ok, I have made up my mind. I am either going to get a Honda Rubicon or a Polaris Sportsman 500! I realize this is a Honda forum, but does anyone have both? I want the pros and cons of each...Everything, Honest opinion, no "Honda is better because thats what I have" or "Polaris is better because thats what I have". I believe that each of these are excellent choices, but in a side by side comparison what are the pros and cons of each? Where does one outshine the other? Also, to throw in a "what-if"...what if Polaris offers a Sportsman 700, is there anything on the horizon for Honda in that catagory? Does Honda plan on offering independent suspension soon? Is independent suspension that much better on a ATV or do you really notice much difference? Is a straight axle better suited for certain situations?
Also if a 700 does come out, what might be some downfalls of it that may keep people from buying it anyway, things that come to mind are:
1. Weight (although they can probably keep it down)
2. Will a bigger machine, even if the overall dimensions are the same, but bigger engine
really help you much, trail-riding and general ATV utility work over the current 500's?
3. How about heat coming off the engine? I have ridden a Sportsman, and have noticed that
alot of heat comes off the right hand side. I would think a even larger displacement
engine would give off even more.
4. Opinions on power and speed. With a larger engine, you can only get so much power to
the ground...spinning your tires doesnt help you much. Would a larger ATV have more
low end grunt, or higher top speed, or both?
5. And of course COST. Predictions on what a 700 might cost?

I have always been a Honda fan, but I do like the Polaris also. When it comes to spending
upwards of $7000, I wont ride a Honda or a Polaris just for the name, I want what suits me best. (I know, I know, only "I" can make that final decision, just looking for some honest input)
Also what holds a better resale value? And lastly, are there any performance mods that can be made to the current machines?
Ok, mabe that wasnt the last thing, I do ride alot on gravel roads, whats a good cruising speed on the Rubicon, a speed that it can run at for long periods of time, not feeling like you are stressing the engine or drivetrain. On a Sportsman 500 (not HO) I feel that 40mph is a decent cruising speed, I wonder about the Rubicon.

Thanks Everyone!!!

 

Why not consider the prairie 650 or the grizzly 660? They are all in the same price range.

 

<thinks to himself>...."I thought I said I made up my mind either a Rubicon or Sportsman?...Maybe I was mistaken."
Just personal preference...I have narrowed it down to those two. Nothing against any Kaw owners, I have just never liked them as well, although I am sure they are probably a fully worthy machine.
I grew up <man I am old at 32> in the 80's on a 250R Honda 3-wheeler, when Honda ruled the atv market, and the race track and its hard going to anything different. ALthough I do have several friends with Sportsman 500's, so I have grown to like Polaris also.
Its kinda like Ford guys and Chevy guys. Although some do change, most are loyal to one make or the other. <now dont get off on talking trucks here, I want to know between these atv's>

 

Get the Honda Rubicon. The Polaris only has 4 wheels pulling for brief periods when the back wheels are spinning. When the back wheels stop spinning the front wheels unlock and you are back to a 2 wheel drive. The Rubicon has 4 wheel drive 99% of the time and the Polaris is a 2 wheel drive 99% of the time. The Rubicon also has auto or manual shifting and no belt drive. They are both fine machines but the Rubicon is in a quality class by itself so far.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Steve

 

Rubicon! LOL Great Machine

 

I've rode them both many times but I do not own either one, I ride a Prairie 650 but I will not go into that because you said you didn't want to hear it so here is my 2cents.
The only reasons I would buy a Polaris sportsman over the Rubicon is if I had to have the 2wd option (which I do) and I was a good mechanic (which I am) and their were no other 2wd/4wd options out there(which there is).
I would buy the Rubicon, it's quick, reliable, not overly heavy, and fun to ride.
The sportsman on the other hand is quick, and fun to ride.

Ride Safe, All
Prairie 650

 

The Sportsman does weigh in at around 730 pounds... but it is still quick. just extremely heavy

 

Hey Slyfox,
I dont own a Polaris, but my father does. So I have experience in both.
The IRS is a nice feature. I found out first hand with rocks on the trail. youch! IRS is nice in bumpy trails. I wasnt looking for a limo though, so I didnt care much. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
The 4wd is different on both. The rubi is full time 4wd the polaris has a button you push to enable it. The rubi is more like a 3x4, it has only one wheel in front that is active. The front dif does a good job of switching to the tire that needs grip. The Polaris is locked 4wd. Once the button is pushed it takes 1/5th a turn to engage the front wheels. Once you gain traction back they unengage, so you are back to 2wd. When the back tires go faster than the front it will engage again. THis is an issue with engine braking. You only have two wheels going down a hill with engine breaking. There is a way to trick it to work 4wd that I read somewhere though.
Tranny is very cool on a Rubi, smooth, no wait time. Polaris "had" trouble with their belts a bit ago, but from what I hear that has been taken care of. Alot of people freak about the belt. It was a major factor in me getting the Rubi, but after reading alot about it that feeling has changed. Still would have bought the Rubi. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
People say that the Rubi's tranny is expensive. You cant replace anything in it. Partially true. Part of it you can. THe hydrolic part is the part that cant be, but the sub tranny can be worked on. I have only heard of one real issue with the tranny and that was with a sensor "outside" the tranny that is called something like the plate position sensor.
Both machines are great quads. You just have to wieght the features.
Good luck in your choice.

 

Nice Responses! How does the Rubicon compare to the Sportsman speed wise? Acceleration and top speed. Not that this is why you buy one of these machine...but if I do end up with a Rubicon, I dont want to be blown away by my buddies on Sportsmans!

 

I faced the same decision when I was buying my new machine. I chose the Polaris for a few reasons: Disc brakes, 2/4 wd option and the IRS. I did not think it would make that much of a difference but it does. There are a few things that I do not like with the polaris but they are minor: 1 handle for the brakes, front suspension is a little soft and the weight. I do not think that you notice the weight on the trails - but I can tell the difference on the trailer when compared to my old Rancher. If speed is your thing then the Sportsman is the way to go. IS is very quick and the IRS allows you to ride faster. The Polaris dealers will deal around here and the Honda dealers will not so I got my Sportsman for about $1000 less than the Rubicon and that included a winch.