Looking at the 500 utility class for a hunting ATV (Logging roads mainly) Only thing scares me is rumors on Polaris reliablity. A recent Quad magazine didn't have anything good to say like the radiators clog with mud, to small and overheat, wiring has fusiable links and not fuses to replace if one burns out, axles are better than they were but still not as stout as their Japenese counterparts.

I like the Yamaha but the Kodiak feels a little small for me (6'1" 225lbs) Don't really want to go over the 500cc as I don't need a race utility, just a comfortable all day driver. Are the Polaris's quiet? Is the exhaust all Stainless? Thanks in advance for your experience with the Sportsman line.

 

Don't know where you got the information from, The SP500 does not use fusable links, they use self reseting circuit breakers, no need to replace fuses anymore. I've had my 500 in mud up to the headlights several times, never had an overheat, and the rad is in no worse place then other bikes. My nephew has a Yamy 700 and I can tell you my axles are at least 2x the diameter of his, and his are exposed. The drive shaft is also MUCH larger and heaver duty then my friends honda 350, he was amazed at the bulk of the SP500. The other day we were out to the camp and my friends Ford Ranger got stuck (2wd), His Honda could not get any traction, but the Polaris pulled him out slick as can be. I would not hesitate on getting a SP500, but everybody has their stories.

Good Luck.

 

just picked up an 06 carb sp500 got about 40/50 miles on it now and rides like a caddy/lack coming off a bruin

 

Thanks for the feedback on the 500, This is what I was looking for as I have a bruin right now and plan on keeping it for the Wife and older kids to ride.

 

Many people around here call the SP500EFI the "North Shore Cadi". Have fun.If it is a new one, make sure you break it in right, if you break it in too soft, you will have to live with it.

 

My SP500 EFI just spent 2 weeks in Montana on an elk hunting trip. I gave it a true field test. Through rivers, rutted forest service roads, snow, clay mud, -4 degree starts.... And the entire time I had my old man sitting on the rear rack behind me.

I didn't have brakes for the last few days. (The calipers had frozen open from being submerged in the river and then frozen over night.) Its good engine braking was a godsend.... I basically turned my machine into a muddy ice block while I was out there. Never once did it give me a problem or concern.

 

Read it know it become one with it.

500 shoot out

Or go here ATV Owner reviews

Type in any year make or model, I personally read the older model because those guys have the highest miles.
I don,t want to read how someones 06 with 150 miles on it is running fine. Don,t be discouraged if you read the odd hard luck story because if you go to the Jap owner reviews also they have sad stories of there own.

This site made me get a low mileage used Sportsman because it general people like them and are repeat buyers plus my dad has a 97 SP 500 with 6000 miles on it.

 

I've had absolutely no problems with my 500 EFI and I ride the living hell out of it. Highly recommended!!