How are the Sportsman 500's? (or 400's) are they dependable? Do they ride nice? ARe they tippy, esp going up steep hills?)

Been looking at one ....04's are much cheaper but 05's look nice...26" tires, extra travel in suspension

I'm not looking for high speed thrills or winning any races.....just wanna get there in comfort and not get stuck too many times....going through mostly trails, some rough, a bit of mild mud and a bit of bad mud, muskeg, some rough hilly terrain, wanna pull the occasional log out of bush.

Stuck between getting one of following

Suzuki Vinson..........no locker though but only one Ive had out on trail ride
Sportsman 400/500 2004 or 2005
2005 Kodiak 450 with IRS......nice ride, lacks a little on get up and go though

Also Brute Force 650's are selling for a little less than price of 05 Vinsons, Sportsmans and Kodiaks, but they are new...and hear a lot about belt problems with VTwin Kawis and I assume they use alot of gas too

 

I think the sp 500 would suit you fine. It's not tippy at all. It's not as stiff as a sold axle though. It's an all around nice machine. Ride one first to be sure you like the feel.

I'g get the 500 over the 400 if you want to spend the extra money. The power is much nicer. Not needed, but much nicer.

 

Hi. As far as the sportsman 400 vs 500 , the 500 is the way to go. The kodiak 450 is said to be very rugged and dependable , The Vinson is the fastest of the group from what I have read. Out of all the wheelers you have mentioned I have only ever rode the sportsman's...you need to go to the dealers and sit on them and drive them all around a little...


Good luck.


PINKMOON

 

I have a 400 and ride with a 500 ho (04) and sometimes a 600 [03].Unless we are on the open road I keep up all the time no problem. On the open road they both get up to speed a little quicker but I can still get up to 55 mph so I've never been left behind. The 400 and 500 are the exact same machine excpet for the motors. We also ride with a few other machines ,rubicon , and a eiger , and both are faster than me but In the rough or in the soup I leave em behind .You can not beat the ride of the Sportsman, period! Nothing comes near , the extra wieght or the heavier polaris makes it ride like a heavy caddilac , smooth ,smooth,smooth. Also in the soup ,loose sand and clay, you cant beat the Polaris awd system.Period! IMHO

 

ok ive rode the kodiac 450 the polaris 400 vinson 500 and of course the 500HO of all the atvs i bought the 500HO. the 450 is a little slow of the line and the polaris 400 lacks mid range power. i went from there i rode a vinson and a polaris 500. vinson is about a half to 1 bike length slower off the line then a polaris until i hit 60 mph then it will slowely pass me so really its not much faster the the sportsman.. the 500HO smooth ride is like nothing else and the 4x4 system hardly leaves me stuck in the mud... this is why i bought the 500.