I think Polaris should keep a close eye on the the new Traxter XT and not the Rubicon. What Polaris has done in the 90's it could be Bombardiers turn for 2000. The reviews on the XT and the DS 650 have been very impresive. Just a thought...

 

I hate to point this out to the Honda Riders in this thread that feel that the hondas are better suited for water and mud. I have a sp 500 and it is snorkeled but even before it was snorkeled it would go deeper than a foreman. About a month ago we were crossing the Duck Pond at Fun Wheeler and the only ATVs to make it without snorkels were sp 500s and sp335s. Deep water is the only place the foremans have a fair chance. All the other trails at Fun Wheeler are deep rutted out muddy trails and the Hondas stay high centered. A stock sp500 out performs even the most highly modified Honda Foreman. The ground clearance makes all the difference. This is a fact that the Honda owners can't deny so they will keep hoping that someones sp500 will brake down.

Greg

 

I would like to say that my Y2K SP500 is fantastic on Spirited trail rides. As I have said elsewhere in this forum, we ride 50-60 miles on a good average day, 4-5 hours including stops,
hitting up to 40 mph on mountain trails, old mining roads and sand washes here in the mountains of southwest New Mexico. The great suspension allows me to drive right thru rocks and ruts that guys with solid axles have to slow down for. The anti-Sway bar is matched to the suspension to allow smooth cornering, powerslides,
and a comfortable amount of oversteer(a little tweak of the handlebars, a little gas and voila'!)
The IRS on the SP is beautifully engineered.
The ANTI-Sway Bar is a torsion bar used to prevent body roll. It is not the same as torsion bar suspension, same principle, different application.
True independent suspension usually has an anti-sway bar (they are all torsion bars) whether they have spring suspension, leaf or coil, or true torsion bar suspension. My 92 Chevy
4x4 has front independent torsion bar suspension
with a torsion bar anti-sway bar.
If one were particualarly
inclined to climb, or traverse, say some really
large rocks or something you could dissconnect one end of the anti-sway bar to enhance the independent suspension. Trucks with Independent
front suspension will do this for the Rubicon Trail, for instance.
My ArcticCat500 Auto has semi-independent rear suspension. It has basically the same setup as a Ford Pickup. A live axle, straight axle with differential, connected to the frame by 4 trailing "links" and two shocks with coil springs.
One side could move independently of the other but not without affecting the other, as they are connected thru a solid axle housing including the
differential.
This could be an okay set-up but there are two problems. First, it does not have the advantage of lowered unsprung weight that true independent suspension has. The lower the unsprung weight (mass) the easier it is for the
tire to reciprocate, follow terrain, keep traction, get the power to the ground, maintain control, thereby improving handling and performance.
The other problem could be easily remedied.
There is no anti-sway bar, and body roll was intolerable, which is why I'm selling it.
The only problem with the SP is that it is too heavy, and that is academic, because it handles great, has lots of power, has a great ride.
I wish it had Electronic Fuel Injection so I could more easily change altitude, I ride from 4,000 to 9,000 feet, it would improve performance and fuel economy and range. I wish we had steel belted radial tires, cause sticks can get you.
Silly Later, Fourlix

SP500,425EXP,325Mag AutoCat For Sale
Fat chance of anybody here buying that kitty!

 

Also ...latest issue had a traxter ahead of Polaris ...that also placed my 450es Last
Well this lemming isn't quite ready to leap off the cliff yet!! Remember ..magazines sell by starting controversial debates using standards most riders seldom incounter or use.Bigger isn't always better , and spending over $7000 doesn't mean you"ll have THAT MUCH more FUN !!
If we keep going larger and spending more $$$ ..we"ll end up with JEEPS !!