My buddy changed his mind about getting the Xpedition and is thinking about the Mag 500. It looks like a nice quad with auto trans, water cooled, disc brake and a weight of 647 lbs dry. He is a new manager of a Polaris dealership and the sportsman is too big. What are some opinions on this bike...any info appreciated.

2000 kodiac/ stock and swear'in by it.

 

isn't the mag500 the samw physical size as the sp500 without IRS and a smaller gas tank????

 

JHAM
Cartman is correct in that the Magnum is basically the same machine minus the independent rear suspension and the smaller gas tank. I own a 98 Magnum 425 which is essentially the same as the 500 except they replaced the 425 with the 500, replaced the chain drive with the shaft drive, and replaced the metal racks with the composite racks. Here is the pros of a Magnum

1. The Magnum will be cheaper than the Sportsman.

2. The Magnum will tow a little more do to the straight axle confirguration.

3. I think the Magnum is a little lighter, but not much.

Cons

1. The ride will not be as nice as the independent rear suspension.

2. Smaller gas tank

Either way, both machines will make him an excellent quad. Pick which one you want, and then find a way to pay for it$$$.

 

Actually it may not be bigger but it seems to sit higher off the ground or a higher center of gravity, (on the sportsman). That was his main reason for leaning to the Mag and that also the sportsman seems to have a stiff suspension. He only weighs about 185. Although I did see a 80 lb kid riding a brand new sportsman in the woods the other day.

 

The Sportsman has the highest groung clearance of any bike made which is a big bonus out on the trail.Kids have a easier time running a SP with gas and brakes used by each hand and there feet doing nothing than say a small 250 that needs gas and front brake with there hands and both feet to operate the shifter and back brakes.

 

Ground clearance is nice but it can be unnerving in WV mountains when the trail is on a slant looking down a 2-300 yard steep mountain-side. It seems the Mag has a little lower center of gravity yet decent clearance.

 

Jham, Why did your friend decide against the xpedition? It seems to me that it is a very good atv for mountain climbing. rangerchet

 

He said he was concerned that the transmission was located within the engine itself and not separate as in some quads. I'm not quite sure what he meant by that. They have the chestnut metallic color on the Xpedition and I think it looks good. My Kodiak is just a little lighter color and it doesn't show scratches as bad as the dark green and it's good for hunting as well. He may just want the 500cc and auto trans of the mag. He probably likes that he'll have a 100cc advantage over my y2kodiak. He said the mag was just $200.00 more than the Xpedition also. I have to say that I think the new Polaris's look good. Currently I am completely satisfied with my new Yamaha in every way. However, if my bike ever got stolen or totaled, I would consider one if my friend has good luck with his. Plus he is the manager of the shop and would get good service.