If they measured the ground clearance from the bottom of the handle bars they could get even more ground clearance than 12".Usually they measure ground clearance from the lowest part of the quad that will hit a object that is driven over, usually that's the diff skid plate.It is like the Rubicons 10" claim which in the real world turned out to be 8".

 

Dont forget that yamaha started that when they came out with the wolverine,so honda had to follow are they would look low compared to the others,They measure at the frame where the foot peg is,not at the reat diff..

 

Or maybe its like Polaris claiming 20% extra power on the HO when it really isn't!

In all these cases is these marketing guys being a little aggressive!

 

In the April issue of Dirt wheels they did an interview with the product manager for the Prairie. No new info. The real question is the release date, they didn't mention it in the article.

 

The only thing every magazine shootout has in common is that the heavy Sportsman 500 H.O can out accelerate any other 500 utility .If the HO does not have 20% more power than what is it? Or can the non-HO models also do this?

Ground clearance is easier to determine by just bringing a meassuring tape to the show room.

 

Opps Double post.

 

You tell me what the HO power is?

Will a HO blow the doors off of your 97 Sportsman? NO. You think it would since it has "20%" more power?

I think the power was probably in the 12% range.

There is no doubt the HO is the fastest in high range, but its not in low. My response was "agressive" marketing people "enhancing" their numbers. But you missed that didn't you.

 

Tim1, You are right that there is no way any solid axle quad with 25" tires on it has 12" of ground clearance under the rear-end at it's lowest point. I don't know why the manufacturers aren't forced to take their measurements at the same place. Some would argue that with an independant suspension it is also misleading though because with a load the ground clearance diminishes as the axles raise and the tires flatten, but with a solid axle only the tires flatten. There is no doubt though that with a light load the Sportsman is the king of ground clearance. When my friend and his wife are both on his Sportsman, its a different story. Actually it looks quite funny because the rear tires have quite a bit of negative camber and the ground clearance is no better than most other quads. They aren't the lightest people I know. Its too bad the shock springs can't be easily stiffened in the field when you need it. That would help a lot on the Sportsman. They all have their drawbacks.

 

i have been looking at the 650 for quite some time and i have yet to see a hitch. will it have one or not??

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