Hi everyone, I am new to the board and just started shopping for an ATV.
I have been looking at Polaris and Arctic Cats.

I want something with the cargo/dump box on the back and found the the ATP 500 H.O. is what I would get the most use out of, although I would have liked a 650.

Im wondering though if the suspension would be okay for trail riding. Im not going to be climbing huge rocks! Someone had told me that I should get one with independent suspension. This model has on the front, Macpherson strut with 6.7"/17 cm travel. On the rear, Swing arm with 6"/15.2cm travel.

Also, is the model okay for plowing snow?

Does anyone out there have one of these? If so, what are your likes/dislikes about them?

Thank you very much in advance!

 

Pixin,

I bought one about 5 weeks ago and we rode it over 200 miles in 3 1/2 days in the Ozark National Forest in Arkansas. We like it a lot. It rides smooth enough and has plenty of power.

About the only thing I don't like is the small gas tank. It is only a little over 3 gallons.

I wouldn't know about plowing snow. We don't get much of the white stuff down here in South Texas.

You might want to look at the new Sportsman X2 as well.

HTH.

David

 

Welcome to the boards!

The ATP should be fine for trailriding. The solid rear axle reduces your ground clearance, but that will only really be a problem if you are really into the mud thing (like I am).

The ATP500 weighs 738 lbs, around 20# more than a sportsman. So plowing it should do quite well (again, the SRA will hang you up in deep snow a bit, but plowing should be fine). Plus, with that box, you should be able to load it with a ton of weight. With that and chains, you'll be unstoppable.

Halffast is right, though, you may want to wait for a Sportsman X2. They look really nice.

ty

 

weve had the 500 atp for a year now and love it. it plows great. its a little big for tight trails but still gets around fine. iwould hold out for the x2. same load capacity but with irs. let alone the two up riding would be cool

 

they've stopped makeing the ATP for 06, but the sportsman X2 has aprantly replaced it with the dump box, but now it has IRS, and a longer wheel base, AND a 500 H.O. EFI motor, so maybe look into that