Damn that is one angry artic cat owner...a little defensive I see. I have owned both a sportsman 500 and a Kodiak 450. The Polaris is faster, more stable in off cambers, better in the mud, and a lot smoother of a ride. I put 3000 miles on my Polaris and only relaced the rear wheel bearings! The only reason I got rid of it was to get an 800 polairs which I also love. All the artic cats I have ridden are very tippy but very good in the mud.

 

Have you looked at the Can-Am Outlanders???

 

I have Yamaha, Honda and a Polaris. The Sportsman 500 has followed anyone anywhere and I even have had to back off sometimes trying to not make some people with AC or a Grizzly 660 feel bad. The Grizzly 660 my brother has will go faster on top end but who wants to go over 40 on a 800 to 1000 pound machine??

 

I bought an 08 sportsman 500 HO EFI and it's StELLAR.

The guy talking all the AC stuff, im surprised your even in a popo forum.. considering you dont own one.

Not to say polaris is the best, but your pushing AC's HARDDDD.. I test drove an AC yamie and popo and the polaris got my 9000$. I've taken it on some rough trails and mud and it's performed to my expectations on ALL the above.

Test drive and watch some youtube videos and decide for yourself.

 

Hey! Battlegun, For what it's worth Dept. I have an 03 Sportsman 400 4x4 and I weigh 252 lbs.It pulls me just fine.I've been up muddy logging trails that were at least a 35 degree incline and in 4 wheel drive it just walks up the incline like it was level..no problems.This is my first ATV so I can't speak for any others but from what I've been able to learn Iwould buy either a Polaris or an Arctic Cat next time...probably a Polaris

 

 

If it starts and runs, I'll ride it. To each his own I guess, can't we all get along. Lots of good reading in this thread, right along with alot of crap. Doc

 

Have had just about every atv 5 H onda broke all off them snapped chases one was 500 suzuki. Don't go there artic cat 500 lasted 6m was taken off farm in trailer front off atv fell off friend told me to get sportsman lasted 1year engine broke electronic panels broke e drive yamaha grizzly now have 450 and two550 both have esp do 10 000 miles on each off them have no problems with them thay really are the best atvs in the world trust me

 

Guys- he already decided on a Yamaha. Read the thread.. Hes happy with his purchase and thats all that matters