I have the 500 HO. It does really well, and a riding buddy has an AC. Both do equally well on the hills. The one thing I like on his AC over my Polaris is the reciever hitch. The AC has a 2" reciever slot, where the Polaris uses the smaller size slot. The Polaris has much more storage with the front rack over the AC. I also believe in my opion that the Polaris has a slightly better ride. One thing I have noticed from watching some videos, is the AC is a little more tippy than Polaris. We have not ran into an hills yet that either can not tackle. One thing I would get if I got the Polaris is the EFI model, if it was new. The 08 EFI model comes with Active Decent Control, and EBS standard. The stock PXT tires on my Polaris are some of the best OEM tires I have ever used. They are not perfect, but do an awsome job for me.

 

HOT D_MN! We got us a fire fight! It's all good. I'm used to them.

Lemme first address Buckaroo. I most certainly value your opinion as you have given me plenty of real time data to consider. AC has been good to you. I can't fault a man for being proud of that. Like Jayblazer pointed out, it is much like Ford vs Chevy. Each have their own perks and downfalls. It is a matter of personal preference and experence. And that is where I have a short coming. I could give information on a proffesional level about a lot of things but Quads is not one of them. I also don't have a multitude of friends who ride ATV's. I know a few but they get on them to get cows in the barn or even just take it to hunting camp and ride it to the stand. Nothing more. Hence I joined this forum to talk with people who obviously have a passion for riding whether it be flying down a trail to hit the jump and do some other things that I wouldn't dream of or the guy who has owned a brand his whole life and has done nothing but haul cords of firewood with it.

I would never base a $7,000 investment on statements such as 02huntingquads' but just the same, that's what was on his mind. I wasn't offended by his comments. I can't hold that against him. The man (I assume) likes polaris quads. Roger got it. But again, as an NCO in the United States Army, I am not rich. Not even close, so when I make an investment I want it to be the right investment for my needs.

Buck has given me plenty of comarison notes that could possibly kill both the Yamaha option and the Polaris option. You see, while the Y's and the P's are great looking machines and have tremedous followings, I am not a man that follows the crowd. Buck described an ATV that might work equally as hard as it plays. I have lost most of my testostirone (can't even spell it) filled, death evading desires to jump and ride super fast. It's amazing what a mortar and a stray bullet will do for those desires. You start to focus on more important things. Like waking up to your family in the morning. I'm not chicken _hit and I will guide each of you safely through any combat zone, but I will not race you nor will jump my ATV farther than you.

So. While I appreciate ALL comments here I have not seen anyone provide information to contradict what buck is saying about the AC. Ya'll go ahead and keep the comments going. I truly enjoy your passions, respect your opinions, and value your input.

Sorry for the "book" here. I felt like I needed to express how I felt since you all responded to my question(s). Thanks for doing so.

 

Forgot to mention that pictures are good. All brands do a horrible job at giving web site viewers a good picture of their products.


James, thanks for the input. Better ride? How so? Softer or better handling? And "tippy" buck claims that is just a feeling not a threat?

 

IMO go out and ride all the quads you are interested in. If you spend all your time reading Buckaroo's short stories, you'll never have time to actually ride. Try them all out and buy the one you like, not what someone else likes. I did and bought a Polaris and another friend rode them all and then bought a Can-Am so to each their own

 

Wish I could ride them Scrammytodd, but I'm kinda stuck in Iraq right now and the ATV dealers are preetty hard to find. So you see, I'm getting all of the leg work done now and when I go home on leave I might buy the one that wins over all. I can't get a proven field record from a test ride, but I do understand that will have a HUGE impact on my final decision. So far I'm getting some really good feed back from people like buck and for now...that has to be my test ride.

Thanks for the post and keep em coming. They give me something else to dream about over here (besides my family, beer, and real food).

 

Battlegun, first I thank you for what you are doing. Helping to keep us all safe so we can argue about all this inane "mines better than your's" crap.

IMO, just get a Jeep Cherokee when you get home. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] You could drag any of these quads thru the mud, sand, and up ANY hill with it.[img]i/expressions/beer.gif[/img]

Be safe!

 

Amazingly enough 00XJ I am a jeep fan. My first vehicle was a CJ7. Lift, w/ 33 10-50s, full roll cage, three tone paint completely custom interior and a complete fun magnet. I have also owned a Jeep wrangler but can't remember what size tires where on it...dang how my memory fails me. It did have larger tires than stock and wide 5 star rims. Soft top that never saw action except in the winter months. It too was one of my favorites.

Unfortunately, buying land, saving for a house, and still living too, I can't have a jeep and a quad. I have weighed my options and the quad can be justified with the work it will do. The jeep would be just too big for what I needed. When the really big jobs come along I'll hit it with the Tractor. LMAO...thanks for the post though...still LMAO. I do miss the jeep crowd!

 

Read it , know it , become one with it. Grizzly 450 vs 500 SP

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TLC

Read it , know it , become one with it. Grizzly 450 vs 500 SP</end quote></div>

Quit beating around the bush, just tell us what you mean.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I personnally would say the grizz 450 would be better for me, I weigh over 200 as well( I own the 450 in a wolverine body and love it) I dont care much for polaris myself (due to past experiences(crappy product, worse dealer ie... no support and overpriced)).