I would love to get an automatic but how reliable are the Polaris's. I wanted a foremen but I don't like limited slip. I'd like a Polaris but I hear about all these probs they have. Electrical etc.I'm confused on what to buy. Please don't tell me it's what you like I just want a descent machine to have fun and not spend more time in the shop than me riding it. Your help is much appreciated.

 

I think that as long as you take care of any quad it should be reliable. The SP500 seems to be a fine machine.

 

Welcome to the place where you debate considering trading a manual transmission for true 4wd. I am a charter member.

If you considered a 450, then you might look into the Expedition. Manual shift and true 4wd. Good combo. I wish it had the frogs head space pod (headlight/ speedo housing), but thats just me. The expedition lost out by a cats hair to the 450 in last years shootout by dirtwheels. I think it might be a good prospect though. I veered away because I want IRS also, but many have been totally happy with their expeditions.

 

mine is a 2000 sp 500 and has 1600 miles on it, not a trouble at all, best machine i have ever owned, better than my Honda 300 4x4 or the Yamaha warrior. in my opinion there is no better than the SP.

 

Ditto what xepathfider says

Hugh

 

If you want to spend no money at all buy the Honda, ubeatable reliability...if you want something with all the goodys...2 to 4 wheel drive switch, disc brakes, IRS, true 4 wheel drive, buy the Polaris but it does need more maintenance and after 1200 miles mine needs brakes now and the front tires didn't last long whiched I was going to replace the stock tires anyway...If you don't want to do maintenance on a bike buy the Honda...If you want a bike with true 4 wheel drive and all the goodies get the Polaris.

 

You will read some posts about Polaris
quads needing more maintenance and being less
reliable than Honda blah blah blah.
All I can tell you is I rode my Magnum 425
hard and fast through rain, dust, mud, and
crap with out a single problem. I did regular
oil change and stuff. Nothing special. It was used
hard in all kinds of stuff. I never had one
instance where it did not GET ME HOME.
It was way over loaded, lugged by new riders
and other wised abused. NEVER BROKE!
Buy a new SP 500! You will be happy with
the ride and the quality.

 

My experience with Polaris was bad. I must have had a lemon. I now own Hondas and will never look back. It's not that I didn't maintain my equipment either. I'm extremely picky when it comes to regular service and maintenance schedule. I only use original parts and factory recommend oil. If you'd like a list of repairs that were preformed under warranty and out of warranty I'd be more than happy to e-mail you.


My suggestion is choose what ever appeals to you best.

 

my Honda and Yamaha both needed way more frequent visits to the shop than my SP(so far my SP has not seen the shop only for oil changes). Trust me if it was less reliable or more to maintain it would be gone. Grease it every 100 miles or so depending on how you ride and that is all you will need to do. Some people have to replace brake pads prematurely but it is no the norm at least were I come from.And seems to be happening only to the heavy mudders. up here it is not uncommon to see SPs with 3000 miles and the original pads. My pads are not even half worn and 1600 miles. but even if they needed to be replaced every 1000 miles i would not care, they work great and are stopping a huge powerful kick butt 4x4. It would be a very small price top pay for the privilege of owning the awesome SP 500
If you want a terrible ride and a terrible 4x3 system than buy a Honda. I have had both and would not go back. it is Polaris's biggest seller.

 

Basically it comes down to this. If Polaris didn't have their Awd system, then they would just be ordinary quads and would sell about the same as Yamaha. But... They do have that, and that feature alone sways people many times and drastically improves their sales. Its a Polaris exclusive that for reasons unknown, nobody tries to match. That and the fact that any Polaris rides better than just about anything in its category. Those are the main factors for people choosing Polaris quads.