Rancheres, good post, you spelled everything right. How did I do this time?

 

thank you!

O.K. perhaps I was lacking in the creativity department the day I ripped on your gramatical skills. And for that I apologize.

 

The Ground clearance of the new xt model is 9.6 inches. The sp 500 is 11 inches. stock. I assume then that since the bomb. xt comes in 26 inch stock tire and the sp 500 is 25 inch. when you buy
your own 26 inch tires your clearance should be 11 & 1/2 inches for the sp and 9.6 the xt with the same size tires. The xt looks ok. I have noticed that in the last year or so, several of the non polaris brands are making atv's with there own version of polaris technology. if you read about the xt it sounds allot like a sp500 with a few exceptions. polaris gave us what we wanted, now the other brands are catching up. rangerchet

 

There is a cycle here that Rangerchet eludes to. One manufacturer gets innovative, the others watch, immitate, and improve. This applies to all the manufacturers. If manufacturers produced the same models year after year, there would be no incentive for the other manufacturers to improve and try to gain market share. In the end , as consumers, we win. We WANT to see our favorite machine (whatever it is) upstaged. It will make our favorite manufacturer (whoever that is), wake up and get designing!

DJ

 

We can go back and forth on the pros/cons of both machines. Don't forget I'VE OWNED POLARIS. Have you owned BomB? How objective can someone be on a machine if they've only driven by or sat on one at a dealer. Drive 'em both. The sportsman maybe faster. The sportsman may have more ground clearance.I've smoked belts(literally)dragging trees i know the traxter will have no problem with The traxter is built more like a tractor. The traxter will drag the sportsman all over town without even grunting hard. I can load ALOT more on my racks and continue over rough terrain. How much ground clearance would a SP500 have with 2 men and 2 dear loaded? See what I mean? pros/cons can go on forever....
If you like the sportsman buy it. I bought the machine i felt was the best choice for me. I've done the true comparison. You should try it sometime. Let me know how your sportsman is holding up in a few years....;-)
John C

 

Where does the $900 come from? I'm not comparing the XT...I'm on the 'regular' traxter. I bought the traxter CHEAPER than i could have bought the sportsman. Ground clearance (unloaded) definately goes to the sportsman. let's put 2 250lb men and 2 150 lb deer on the racks and lets see what happens to the ground clearance. Quick? well again the sportsman may be quicker. Lets chain up the two and see who drags who. Quality...there is no comparison. Looks...I don't like the composite racks. If you damage the composite you are buyinf more racks. Damage the steel racks on the traxter and weld 'em back up.
The cheesy pod on the handlebars is awful. There maybe other quads with a pod, but none are as cheesy as the polaris.
Ergos - both are comfortable...the SP500 has a better ride but I think the Bomb will have better durability. I'll sacrifice ride for durability.
gas mileage - the bomb will take this just because of the smaller carb.
Storage - don't ask
morale of the story - drive 'em all...buy what you like. Isn't that what it is all about?

JC

 

Rancheres,yes,my Sportsman did spend ALOT of time in the shop for repairs.The purchasing dealer knew SQUAT about ATV repairs.And I also abused the quad somewhat myself.As soon as I took the Sportsman to another dealership for repairs last yr and received it back in Dec of 99,there has not been a single problem with it related to defects from the quad.I dont know of anyone else besides myself that has had any serious problems with their Sportsmans,and I know alot of folks that ride them to.

Why did I sell my Sportsman?I found it to be too heavy for my style of riding.I also desired more throttle response and a more nimble 4x4 quad.

My new 00 4X4 Xplorer is 110 lbs lighter,more manageable in tighter situations,more throttle response,and is just plain more fun to me for my type of riding.

I have not driven a Traxter,nor do I ever care if I do.I simple dont like the step thru style quad.I also think it is way over priced for todays market.====BILL

 

You have to respect polaris owners,even though they own a piece of ****, they still stand by it and defend it.

 

SLEDDER offer still open no answer yet,I'll meet you in MOAB with with my piece of S%$# polaris and let's RIDE.I see reference to "ground clearance" don't make any difference,that was why I took some of the pictures that I took in MOAB.Hey if it makes no difference why aren't these quads about 2inches off the ground so they would be more stable.CM

 

Well chickenchoker,I never said ground clearance was worthless.What I did say was,polaris only has an inch or so more ground clearance on the competition,and that isn't enough to earn it the title of king. weren't you on here spewing some sort of BS about riding with a foreman at moab and also being towed.If you want to pay for fuel,lodging at a good motel and food,I'll come down to moab and spank your a$$.