I, too, remember some pre-production Rubicon bashing--such as, the hydrostatic transmission will likely produce too much heat to be manageable; will probably become hopelessly contaminated (even though sealed within the cases), & etc. I do not recall bogus information published as genuine, like, in the Kawasaki 650 case, "full-time four-wheel drive, 'three-wheel' drive, weighs more than a Sportsman," and so on; even claims a solid rear axle won't broadslide like IRS.

The advent of a new ATV somehow angers, threatens, and intimidates some, justifying their pre-production criticism; don't know why--I personally welcome new innovations from all ATV manufacturers--even the new Polaris 700 (if any), no matter how "superior" it may be, does not diminish the capabilities of other machines, all offering fun, enjoyment, and service to their riders, in my opinion.

Tree Farmer

 

Boss,
Dude,what cha been smokin?My info tells me the new Kaw IS switchable 2wd-4wd.It also tells me that the Kaw has a locker.And you know im hardly ever WROooonng? lol
Bill

 

sqooze,
I noticed your comment about the heavier machine making it hard to handle on tight trails. You should take the time to ride a SP500. It will be very enlightening. I have been to wolfpen on a modified Wolverine. Even though it is lighter, it is squirely feeling compared with the SP500. The SP500 corners much better and jumps much better due to the design of the suspension. I am not going to say that no one on a wolverine can hang with my SP500 on tight trails, but they would have to be very experienced on a race modified bike to stay close. I have ridden both bikes extensively, so don't take this as a bash. This is just my opinion from personal experience. I would also like to point out that at the last FWP competition, The SP500s came in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the utility barrel races, and there were Wolverines in the competition. (I was 1st BTH)

Greg

 

Greg,
No offence taken.
I would jump at the chance to take a sportsman for a ride (especially the new H.O)(my experience on the sportsman is limited to test drives in a field).
My only real experience on larger machines has been on a Honda 450s and a Magnum 500. I thought both were great machines, but I didn't think either own handled anywhere near as good as my wolverine. I will concede that I have more time in the saddle on the wolverine than on the other machines, so the familiarity I have with the wolverine may be influencing my opinion. I realize that neither the 450s or magnum has an independent rear suspension like the sportsman, so like you suggested I will hold back on commenting on the sportsman until I am able to throw one around on a trail.

Dan

 

from my experience in the woods I can outrun a Wolverine quite easily. They are nice but the big SP's suspension will take stuff so easily that the wolverine is bottoming out and bouding all over the trail like a ping pong ball. but that doens not make it bad several machines i have ridden with that followed me suffered the same way. As for handling i think the Wolverine is better it is lighter and easier to toss around, but when it comes to a suspension vs suspension trail there is not much that can beat the SP. The Ruby turned out fine , as most of the machines do i love the battles alreayd brewing over the 650 twin even though no one had driven one

 

I know when the 650 and the 700 twins do get out there, they will sound great. The sound of that engine accelerating is pretty impressive.

 

Of course, none of this will matter when the new 2002 Rubicon 900 comes out. Four cylinders, 125hp, and....what, Elvis, the flying saucer is here? Okay, I'll be there in a second, just remember to tell Hoffa, he takes forever to get packed.

 

On my way back from a Big Foot sighting,I came across a Sportsman 700.

 

I was thinking of buying a polaris, but after reading all of these forums,yami,honda bomb,etc. You polaris people are way to defensive about your machines. You think they are the best think since sliced bread. They do have some good ideas manufacted into them. That is why i was thinking of getting one. I do not ride extremly hard so i didn't think reliabilty would be a problem,but 50 percent of you act no older than 11 years of age,therefore you should be riding the 90 cc and littler machines. The Kawi 650 is coming and the rest of you are still dreaming of a 700SP. Your cousins dream of the 650 ex. Sorry to be the one to have to wake you up. Maybe your dreams will come true, but not this year. GOODNIGHT.

 

I was thinking of buying a polaris, but after reading all of these forums,yami,honda bomb,etc. You polaris people are way to defensive about your machines. You think they are the best think since sliced bread. They do have some good ideas manufacted into them. That is why i was thinking of getting one. I do not ride extremly hard so i didn't think reliabilty would be a problem,but 50 percent of you act no older than 11 years of age,therefore you should be riding the 90 cc and littler machines. The Kawi 650 is coming and the rest of you are still dreaming of a 700SP. Your cousins dream of the 650 ex. Sorry to be the one to have to wake you up. Maybe your dreams will come true, but not this year. GOODNIGHT.