Hi everyone, 1st post but reader of many...

I'm looking at picking up a 2nd bike... I have a Sportsman 800 with the 14" rims / mudlite tires etc and I really like it...
We want to pick up a 2nd bike for the wife and kids since two brother in laws have 2 bikes each, father has 1 etc so it's looking to be a good way to spend family time together and what not.

I currently ride with the following bikes (2) 800 polaris, (1) 750 Suzuki, (1) 700 Suzuki, (1) 600 Polaris, (1) 500 Polaris, and the odd time (2) more 800 Polaris / (1) Honda 650....

My question is :
1. Would I be making a mistake by purchasing a 500 EFI x2 riding with the above bikes for the wife and kids or should I seriously consider getting another 800 like I have but the x2 model instead?

2. Not to bash bikes but I really like my polaris and haven't been over impressed on the suzuki for stearing quality as well as overall power on the king quad... am i missing something with it? I'm pretty much set on a 2nd polaris for sure though but toss that out there to make sure i'm not making a mistake... I'm thinking a 500 EFI x2 would keep up in every way with the (2) 700 Suzuki's from what i've seen.

3. Recommendation on a good dual trailer.. (I'm from Saskatchewan and want to pick one up for under $2000.00) Currently looking at a couple from canadian tire etc but want to know if there are better options out there and what not.

Last question... I'm interested in getting that Polaris Armor Guard (Brushguard)... anyone have / use that and is it quite nice with good protection on the radiator etc?
I'm thinking of putting the front and rear bumper on with the fender guards / racks at a later date... or would you just put a different type altogether?

Thanks alot guys and gals!
Vince

 

1 Why get a 500 for the wife when you ride a 800, don't you want her to keep up?

2 nothing wrong with Polaris

3 Mustang makes some nice atv trailers

 

Hey Rick,

I should clarify Initially we were only going to get a 500 but we made a good buy on the 800 we got now.
Now that we are purchasing a 2nd bike I think we 'should' be looking at the 800 x2 instead of the 500 but she says we only need a 500... It's only $1200 different so i'm thinking we should take the 800 x2 instead <lol>

 

unless your doing 60 + mph all the time the 500 would keep up fine on the ttrails. my wife has had a trail blazer,sportsman 450 and now a 08' 400 and she keeps up fine w/ my 800 in the trails. yes from a dead stop or hammering it i can loose her but in the trails the 500 would be more then enough. imo.

 

The last thing I would want is for my wife to try to keep up with me and my friends with my kid on the back with her, 800 or 500. I said that just to try to make a point, but in reality, we always ride to the limits of the slowest/ least skilled rider. Part of being in a group of riders with varied skills means that some will be above the curve and others will be below. The higher skilled riders just have to sacrifice speed and such for the safety of the others.

Objectively speaking, I'd say the 500 would be fine for wife and kid. I wouldn't want my wife on an 800, but she's a fairly timid rider. If your wife can handle it, get the 800 if she wants it.

 

I have two 500's. I was really wanting the 800 for me, but after rethinking and evaluating my type of riding I relized the 500 which I had been riding for years was plenty. From what I have heard the 500 does get a whole lot better gas milage, something to think about. You also should look at the "Touring" model. If you don't need this one for hauling, the ride and seat on the Touring is great. That was my reason for picking the touring, mine aren't working quads, and I have four grandkids I'm introducing to our sport.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>1 Why get a 500 for the wife when you ride a 800, don't you want her to keep up? </end quote></div>


Where do you ride on paved streets? On the trails around here you lucky if you ever hit 20 mph and even on the odd smooth long logging road the top end of a SP500 is uncomfortably fast when the machine starts to drift.

I ride with a 660 Grizzly and we run out of nerve before throttle,and no one can leave the other behind.


Goes for sled also,I just came from a 100 mile groomed trail ride and I think 40 mph was our fastest top speed all day long and only on a few sections.

 

In my opinion if the bike is going to be for her then get what she wants. You got your 800 so if she feels better on the 500 so be it. I know there isnt much difference in size but she might feel safer w/ the kids. Its all a big head game w/ women. I learned that the hard way, I got my wife a Scrambler 500 for the 4wd and sold her trailblazer 250. Now she likes the Scrambler but she loved the Trailblazer and I hear about it all the time. I've come to the conclusion that she just felt safer on the TB. I think youll be further ahead by gettin what she wants

 

My point was the guys always think they need a 800 and the wife can only handle a 400! I quess she only drives the minivan and never the vette!

A 500 is enough for anyone unless you are racing! The 800 will walk away from a 500 on a fast trail ride, yes thru the woods and on the straights. 500 will get almost twice the mpg!

 

We bought a x2 500 deluxe 2007 for my wife...and I love it so much, I sold my OUTLANDER MAX 650 and I bought a second one for myself.......for the trail riding is very FUN. [img]i/expressions/beer.gif[/img]