After looking at everything that's out there on the market, for some reason I feel that the Polaris is a high quality piece of equipment. I'm not out looking for mud and bogs, I'm strictly needing a tough utility vehicle for my wife and myself to get around the ranch on. I think that a 2wd model would be sufficient, and the Magnum 325 2x4 is looking pretty good to me. Our land does have creeks and hills on it. Am I right in thinking that a 2 wheel drive is all I need? I might tie a chain around a log and pull it out of the creek - it can handle this, can't it ? I do have a tractor to do most of the heavy stuff on, but with the wooded areas being as thick as they are, we need a smaller vehicle like this to get to the hard to reach places. I can get a 2000 model for 3800 dollars plus taxes right now, but my main concern is I want a machine to be reliable. Do these Polarises stay out of the shop, or are they temperamental. I don't want finicky. Thanks for your help.

Houndog

 

The 325 Magnum is one of Polaris most reliable machines, I know a couple people that have them and they go great. Shaft drive is a great feature. Actually just put a good set of rear tires on it, and you will be able to go most anywhere. The Stock tires are good but the people i know that upgraded made a big diffrence in traction. I just hit 1400 miles on my Sportsman today and it has only needed a couple oil changes and some grease.

 

As someone who has made the mistake of buying a 2WD ATV and regretting it from the very first ride, (check my signature) I find it very difficult to recommend a 2WD machine. Not that it won't go almost any place you want to go, it probably will. But if you get stuck out in the back fourty by yourself, you'll wish you'd spent the extra money, which is not that much more considering the investment.

Anyone who says they can take a 2WD anywhere a 4WD goes, is not challenging themselves or the machine. Simply not true. Yea, yea, yea, I know, it's all in the riders ability. BULL ! Skills do account for a good deal, but all machines have thier limitations.

The first place you will wish you had 4x4, will be crossing that creek to pull the logs out.

I'm not trying to tell you how to spend your' money, but I've been there. Just knowing that the AWD is available at the push of a button is probably worth the cost even if you don't use it. And it will resale better than 2WD.

As for reliability, Chopper Bill says that they are the most trouble free machine that his dealership sells.

Good luck,
Dave

 

Go with a 4X4. You'll be surprised where a 2X can go, then again, you'll be surprised where a 2X will get stuck.

 

You guys are so right,4wd all the way.The first time your stuck or hung up in a 2wd,you'll be cursing from ear to ear.====Bill

 

If you are set on Polaris, then you might as well get a 4x4. They have the 2wd option so you don't have the hassle of turning a 4wd all the time as full time 4wd quads do. If you ever find yourself in need of it, then just push the button. One thing to consider, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Many people buy a 2wd and later regret not going ahead and getting a 4wd. Not really advice, just a point of view to consider.

 

I guess it really depends on were you ride on whether or not you need 4 wheel drive. Personally I would have my primary atv be anything but 4 wheel drive, but then you could get into , the motor size, I found the Xplorer 250 4x4 while 4 wheel drive it just did not have the power I needed either. So I traded it in on the SP500 and loved it ever since. Up here 4 wheel drive machines resell much better than 2 wheel drive. And to be honest I think it is easier on the machine to have 4 wheel drive. By a winch for it or get a come along. I guess it really boils down to how much money you want to spend on the ATV?

 

2wd is adequate for general farm use/puttering around. It will go likely anywhere you really need to go. A 4wd will usually go anyware you WANT to go, and likely a few places you wouldn't even try. You know your uses best, but if I have only one avt on the farm, it will be 4wd. I think the first time you try pulling a log out of a creek, you will be glad you have it, or sorry if you don't. A 2wd makes a great secondary machine or is great for simplicity/running around, but no one I know who ever had a 4wd replaced it with a 2wd. I really like the Polaris 4wd system. Can be turned off & when you need it BOTH wheels pull with full power. If one spins, they both spin. No experience with the 325 - yet - but my 400 has been a dream. I am good with maintanence and have about 3200 miles now with no repairs and am still on the original chain. The Honda has been a reliable machine, is all but maintanence free, and seems put together really well, but is slower, rides rougher, less rack capacity, and requires shifting. Never thought it would matter, but once I got that auto, I wouldn't be without it.
Farmr

 

Thanks to you all for your responses. Do any of you have any experience with the 325 4x4? If I pony up for the 4x4 in the Magnum 325, will it have enough power, or do I now need to jump to the bigger engine now ? I would still like to hang on to the shaft drive.

Houndog

 

My advise is if you can afford it go with the Sportsman 500. Otherwize I believe the Magnum would be a good choice.