Hey TennesseeTider thanks for the input. I still would rather have something that I can control. I want the authority to say 4wd not my spinning tire?

I'm def. at the point where I need to start driving these machines so I can see just the heck everyone's talking about. No luck there though. It will be several months before I can do that...and that's if I get a chance then. It could very well be next summer before I can get the time to go test em out.

Thanks TT and colt2245p as well.

 

I own a 2000 Polaris 500 (non HO), so I may be a bit biased. I rode a Griz 700 just the ohter day. My observations were...

I liked the power, I did not like the dual brake levers, tippiness, 4 wheel drive engagment, size or HEAT.

That said, I have spent countless hours on my Polaris less than three on the Griz. The Yamaha ran very hot, the fuel cap was hissing for most of the ride, the engine would cut out at very bad times. The size of the 700 or is it 750 seamed 8" wider at each corner even though it was not. Very big and top heavy compared to my 500.

Only other quad I have ridden is a 250 AC. It was a lot of fun, but not in the same class.

Steve

 

sorry guess the link didn't work the way I thought it would, [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] here it is; Click Here For Can Am Challenge and see why there is no other like it, then click on Handling or Power. I've watched the Polaris challenge videos, and I've watched the Yamaha Grizzly challenge video, but they just don't tell the story like Can Am does. As for the Outlander being a work horse, believe whatever you want. I've put my Renegade in low range and in 4wd it will crawl and pull anything other machines can't.

 

4WD Review

This should clear a few things up. The Polaris system has total control. You read that you must spin a tire, but in reality, its seamless. I have not rode a Grizz, but I have owned Polaris for 16 years now. I thought about switching to a 700 King Quad, but when my newphew got his, I hated the thought of buying a quad that comes from the factory with plastic skid plates. They tore off on the second ride. It has a good ride and good power, but too flimsy.

 

FYI the new 2008 Visco lock system on the Can Am's will actuate a full six turns earlier then previous years very similar to Polaris models. If Polaris loses a hundred lbs, improves the responsiveness of their steering, and they improve the center of gravity then and only then will I consider the quality of a Polaris to be in the same league as a Can Am. They managed to improve the horsepower and the engine braking this year. Maybe in five more years Sportsman's will be more competitive.

 

The engagement of the AWD is so fast you WILL NOT know it.

 

A few comments to make regarding a workhorse;

i'm not knocking canam here, but keep in mind there isn't a skidplate on the can-am machine. The chassis is about 6-7" wide and everything bolts up from there. Imagine a u-shaped chassis with the "U" turned 90 deg to the left-- if you dent the chassis on a rock or stump, then do this a few times, you will start to have misaslignment issues with the engine & transmission and eventually suspension points. This will not be evident until you have used/abused it some. Clutch misalignment can lead to strange problems and belt burning issues. Can-am is an excellent performance machine, but the suzuki has better skid protection with plastic than can-am has with none. I do think you can buy an aftermarket skidplate, but then you add 40lbs (for a decent one). This puts it very c lose to the weight of a polaris.

I weighed an outlander 500efi XT a couple months ago (wet) and it was at 780lbs. It is still a bit lighter than the Polaris, but just keep in mind dry weights are published by the manufacturer. I disagree about the outlander steering-- it is very darty and tends to take the handlebars away.

Cooling capacity-- the polaris will go much longer without overheating in work conditions (note, not mud riding). It's cooling capacity is much higher than can-am's mini-radiator. Hook up a heavy sled (ie 1200lbs) and load the racks to capacity-- I put money on the sportsman 500 all day.

Suspension: The polaris' sway bar is effective, but it will lean more because it has a closer to life independant rear. The sway bar is 1/2 x 1/2 square tubing that will flex. The can-am has a 1" solid steel sway bar mounted where the suspension pivots, making it act much like a single rear axle and "squatting" more in turns.

I do admit that the can-am is better on performance in this class-- it is faster, it is lighter... but the issues I listed above prevent me from buying it over a Polaris.

 

Everyone keeps talking speed and handling. Let's talk low end torque. I'm not afraid to navigate the woods alone. I never leave the house on an expidition without a map, compass, and gps (and side arm). If my buddies leave me then they'll all go hungry because my slow *** will have all the food, beer, and camp gear so they can ride like idiots.

I have mentioned that I am not a risk taker anymore. (Funny how I can say that in the middle of a combat zone???)

I agree that the popo and the can-am are very tempting rides, but I am still looking at what i will do most with the machine. low end torque is key. I want to choose when the 4wd is in or out, and speed is a secondary lux that I will sacrifice (slightly) for the previous. Someone hit the nail on the head when they said that the awd kicks in when the tire slips 1/5 and then disengauges when you let off. That is exactly the lack of control I don't want. Besides, I find it hard to believe that if everyone had the same riding capabilities, that the can-am, poloris, yamaha, suzuki, ac, or honda would leave anyone in the dust (well ok, maybe the canam would in a race condition, but I would still want to see it to believe it). I think all of these machines (in the same class) will perform closely. I mean common. You think the polaris would pull away from the y, ac, or zuki like a race horse from a donkey? Let's be fair.

I'm dangling the chain...who wants to back up their pride? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Just kiddin...ya'll keep em going. I keep learning more and more each time someone posts. Thanks!

 

I bellieve the new ADC on EFI Polaris's do not disengage the 4wd when the right conditions are met. When its on, you do not need brakes, it will almost flip the bike over forward. It almost works too good. As far as low end torque, it is not a wheelie poper, but it will drag a race horse and donkey to the end of the road. But either way, you will enjoy what you buy, no matter what brand.

 

Duffus; Well put in a respectful manner, but I have to disagree with you about the durability of the SST frame. The only difference is it's one larger wider frame design than compared to the smaller square tube design of the Polaris. Everything is bolted on to the Polaris's frame too. In all honesty I'm clueless about the Radiator size so I can't argue that, and the skid plate is lacking but is only necessary if you really plan on riding in extrmely rocky areas whereas if you live in the southern states I understand that's not an issue. Even then it's only necessary to keep the bottom from getting banged up. I'm not saying I don't think it should have one standard, but some may not care or need one. As for weight, the claimed dry weight on mine is 597lbs, an 800 Polaris is 765bs. My skid plate is about 20 some lbs I think, maybe 25. Even if it's forty lbs, that only brings it to 640lbs vs the Polaris 765lbs. 125lbs is a big deal to me. There are some things about the Polaris that I like though. The ample amount of closeable storage, and how well it smooths out the roughest terrain are among a few things. The steering is however awful in my book, and the engine braking scared the hell out of me. Not to mention how it feels going down a steep decent, the brakes seem to only make the rear wheels skid and slide because the front wheels didn't seem to brake at all unless their under power. Maybe it just felt that way because of the lack of engine braking and was completely dependant on the conventional brakes to slow it down causing the rear to skid and slide. It just made me nervous. Whereas on my Renegade I felt like I had complete control going down the some slippery hills whether in 4wd or not. Between the poor engine braking, the extra weight and wishy washy steering, I can't think of as many things I like about it. It does seem to be built tough too though. If work is about the only thing you're going to use it for except for an occassional ride now and then, and you like it, great. I'm sure power steering will be offered in both Polaris's and Can Am's in the near future. No matter what you get, every machine has a few pros and cons, just depends what's tolerable and what's necessary to your needs.