hmm.. on paper it says that the AC H1 has 12 inches and the Sportsman 11.75.. thats not really enough to make a difference..
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2004 Polaris Sportsman 700 (Green)
'27 ITP 589 M/S Tires
3000 lb. Warn Winch
3-Way Headlight Mod
High Lifter Lift Kit

2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 Mossy Oak - STOLEN
2001 Honda Rancher ES 350
Winch
Sold

 

Your right but it still has more. The AC gets alot of its power to the ground with almost no slippage. The polaris has tons of belt slippage so power is lost. So the Ac is more efficient with its power. The more power you can get to the tires the better. At the mudbogs the polaris did great in the pits but when it got deep you can tell the power of the ac kept the tires spinning faster while the rpm's of the polaris was steady the tires would loose momentum and the belt would slip under a big load.

 

Well this isnt the same models but I will say for arugments sake that a AC400I will not pull through mud comparied to my SP 500 HO, Even with 1 inch more clearence it has on mine. My friend has the AC and it just won't pull through mud holes like mine. Im not running the cat down, I think its a good quad in some ways but nothing like the Sportsman.

 

2manytoys, are you talking like at Mud competitions and stuff? or high lifter mudnationals? because at events like that, your lucky to find a stock quad... so these were my arguing points back to my friend.. well The Polaris has a better ride, it has TONS of more storage, it has (IMO) a more effective 4wd System, and comes with more agressive PXT Tires, and its more powerful, and pretty much all he did was smile and say "its all about the ground clearance" which kindof pissed me off, but yea, i was thinking of getting an '06 500 Manual, but since he's gotten me so bad, im thinking about the '06 Sportsman 800 hmmm...
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2004 Polaris Sportsman 700 (Green)
'27 ITP 589 M/S Tires
3000 lb. Warn Winch
3-Way Headlight Mod
High Lifter Lift Kit

2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 Mossy Oak - STOLEN
2001 Honda Rancher ES 350
Winch
Sold

 

It would come down to rider skill if the tires are the same.

Stock vs stock i would take the 800 with the AWD, the best IMO!

The AC has better clearance and articulation at each corner but like i said its all about the rider, and momentum. Too close to call really.

Jim

 

My cousin has a 06 AC650v The ride is terrible compared to my sportsman. There is a power difference. I will say there both good in mud, belt slippage, that's a new one on me ,I haven't had that problem. I don't think you could go wrong with either one. I prefer the sportsman over the AC and the outty. I don't like the 4 wheel system on the AC other than that it not a bad machine. I have went the same places the Ac went even a little better, The sportsman has better tires more aggressive.

 

Hi all, I have both a H1 and a 800 and for power I have to give it to the 800 as for being a mud slinging fool the H1 will pound the 800 the ground clearance in the front of the cat is far greater than the sportsman in the back looking at them they look about the same but looking from the front the cat really sits high, they boat have great power and I have not had problem one with either one.