I'm in the process of buying my first Uty. The first stage of course is determing which ride is best for me. I've joined this forum in hopes of getting some honest feed back on some of my choices. Two quads that have made my "final cut" are the Sportsman 500 H.O. and the Grizzly 450. I have others that I'm considering but want some real time feed back on these jewels.

(see topic "bombs in baghdad" in Utility ATV's forums)

So far my research has concluded that the Polaris is a better ride, but may come with more mechanical problems. Other than the obvious difference in engine size, there isn't that much difference in towing capacity in the two. The Polaris seems to offer more bang for the buck as well.

I'm 225, 5'11", fit, and need a work horse that will "giddy-up" when I sink in my spurs. I have an equal share of work and trails for these machines just need to figure which one I want.

(FYI: I'm posting the same message on the Yamaha side of the house.)

 

I know you have narrowed it down to two, however you may want to double check Arctic Cat. You may find that they are as good if not a better workhorse. And the reliability would be right up there also. The physical size is also a factor, they are also bigger and heavier and stronger. If you check 'latest topics' it also appears that AC has many less issues, if complaint through post are any indication of problems.
I only work mine on occasion to help a friend pull wood out of the forest but I ride with many other brands as I do guiding for out-of-state riders. So I have seen just about everything in the real world so to speak - you see what I ride - guess I don't need to say much more.
Towing is measured by how SAFELY a machine will tow.

 

the Sportsman 500 will out perform just about any 500 class machine. they are VERY reliable ATVs mine has never (knock on wood) been in the shop. it has 3395 miles on it. i just do the normal oil changes, and ride normal and it treats me great. i've owned a lot of machines in the past and the sp 500 so far has been my fav.

 

Buckaroo50,

Outstanding feedback. Take note that in my 1st post "bombs in baghdad" located in the Utility ATV section lists my complete lists of considered ATV's. Artic Cat has two spots on my lists. Numbers have driven the train for me up until the point I discovered this forum site. I was hoping to spark some debates with the Polaris and Yamaha guys in order to get a better feel what they really have to offer and then compare them across the board. So far I haven't received that kind of feed back. But I have been urged to seek other brands three times now. This alone says to me that I must be doing one of two things wrong. 1) Considering the wrong ATV's or 2) asking the wrong questions.

In my research on AC, I have found that they do have a lot to offer. And now that you mention it, they (much like Zuki's) have very few problems posted in comparison to the other ATV's. I have to wonder if it's because of the ratio of ownership or is because they have less problems. I have only been up close to one AC. It was a 500 and it was a big ole thing. I like big. Big is good.

How would you say the AC does on power and how do you feel after a day on the trail? Anything you would like to improve? If yours has 4wd does it lock? If so, any problems there? Do you perform regular maintanence? And for the sake of argument, the AC lists its towig cap at 1050 lbs for the 2008 500 auto 4wd while yamaha quotes it's 2008 Grizzly 450 at 1102 lb.

I could go on and on with this. I'd better stop for now.

 

i'd really say just go drive them both. because you need to see which machine fits you better.

 

polaris5610,

Thanks for the feedback. I was beging to wonder if I was alone in considering the Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. Do you think it'll haul me around w/ no probs as I am about 225 lbs and gaining....I tend to lift a lot of weights over here in Iraq.

 

Yeah...I realize the test ride will be very deciding, but it will be several months still before I can even think about riding one as I'm serving in Iraq right now. So, in the meantime...I'm just picking peoples heads for information. I might well be an ATV subject matter expert (in terms of talking) by the time I get to sit on one!

 

oh yea i see. i love my 500, it has great power, rides very smooth, does well in pulling, and mudding. it just is flat out comfortable and fun to drive, and doesn't feel tippy at all. i've heard the AC's are top heavy and that don't do well with me. i like for my atv to feel soild and planted when i'm riding, it makes me feel i can ride it that much harder....

 

First I've heard anything really "negative" about an AC. Solid is good. I live in the foothills of the Appalchian Mtns and all of the trails are in the mountians and all of the land I own is hilly.

 

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How would you say the AC does on power and how do you feel after a day on the trail? Anything you would like to improve? If yours has 4wd does it lock? If so, any problems there? Do you perform regular maintanence? And for the sake of argument, the AC lists its towig cap at 1050 lbs for the auto 4wd while yamaha quotes it's 2008 Grizzly 450 at 1102 lb.

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When you own and are loyal to a product it sometimes is hard to be fair. However AC does have 10" of wheel travel (my personal machine has over 11.5), this is very good for articulate riding (you can maneuver over things that others can't), plus with the long travel and heavy machine (about 100lbs heavier by class) it probably will be less fatiguing at the end of the ride. Also you don't have to dodge a lot of bumps as other brands may - less time steering. The AC has just about the best front locker in the industry - mechanical where you control when it is locked or not. Mud and really hard going is where the AC's seem to really shine. Some of this is attributed to the 12+ inches of stock ground clearance (if your belly pan is grounded, you are stuck).

On the down side - AC's, by class are slow in a drag race (they will still have about same top speed), it could be because of the weight etc. (Weight is not a bad thing - it is good from several stand points - you know that they are not made of tin cans and plastic, weight fosters pulling effort, weight fosters smooth ride, weight fosters better traction). Another down side - the handling characteristics tend to give a sensation of tippy - with the industry leading ground clearance (12" - my personal machine has 13+ with stock size tires) this is understandable. - Two things - 1) AC was tops in the static roll test (meaning they were able to have a higher degree of off camber before they rolled on to their side). 2) with some attention to suspension tuning (adjustments only) they can handle with the best. I did a post in the AC forum on 'How to make the AC handle better'. My 400 IRS will keep up with an Eiger SRA in the corners - pretty hard to beat the Eiger at it's own game so to speak.

Tow rating (1050 vs 1102) - this may come down to stock tires having a little higher rating (4ply vs 6ply) etc. Not to bash other products but my 400 will pull more than my friends 500 Honda (I help him pull trees out of the forest). There is a post in the AC forum of a 650 AC in a pull off with a 700 Grizzly - not only did the AC just drive off pulling the Griz behind it, but the Griz sustained severe damage (broken axles, blown differential etc - $1100 worth of damage).

When riding trails at 5-10 mph it doesn't matter if you are on a 400, 500, 600, 700 or 800. 5-10 mph is still 5-10 mph and they will all do that speed. If you want to look at it this way the AC's are geared more toward Utility and really hard difficult terrain while the competetors are geared more toward the Sport ride and faster smoother trails.

With respect to engines most of the AC engines are Suzuki (tough and bullet proof). Their own offerings follow the same path. Because Suzuki owns close to 35% of AC and have technical, engenering input.

We find that competitors have to do several modifications just to measure up to a stock AC. The most done modification being - taller tires to gain ground clearance. This will change gearing and put extra strain on drive components and low gear is gone forever (try to pull something or get the needed power starting off in 3rd as apposed to 1st - see what I mean). Because of the bigger tires (harder to turn) we find power modifications to the engine and clutches and exhaust. If after the tire mod if there still isn't enough ground clearance then we see suspension modifications with lift kits - this changes the angle of the CV joints and axles and the results are more strain and more breakage. Point being - total investment is close to twice the amount just to measure up to a stock AC. Put the same amount of money in an AC and you have a really 'BAD BOY'.... lol...

I don't drag race on trails and I arrive at the same time as every one else, actually I arrive first. I can travel bumpy trails at a little faster pace, I don't get stuck as often and generally if I can't make it through a section unlikely anyone else can either. (and it doesn't matter how big their engine is). My 400 will also get 24+ mpg.

I have tried to as fair as I can - well, you know it is hard to be totally impartial. When something works really good and you like it, it is hard to speak badly of it.
I have many stories about beating others in almost all situations and towing others out of the trails because of breakdowns, but I am not here to bash. I do guide out of state riders so I have seen many many brands and setups.

Almost forgot - maintenance, I guess AC's philosophy is the same as mine, KISS. They are very easy to work on if need be. But basically - put gas in, change oil, clean the air filter and ride. Doesn't get much better than that. I might add - when I turn the key it starts.

But you need to decide what is best for you. That is why they make different products with different features etc. AC is best for me.