The Japanese models? I was looking at the Grizzly 700 and if I remember right it was almost 150# lighter. I know the dealer make the comments of Polaris being the heavy weight of all 4x4's!
Thanks
Bruce

 

Just look at how Polaris is made.Compare the size of Drive Shafts and components.This along with better stock tires are just a few reasons they weight in heavier

 

Because.Well there really is no logical explanation.Polaris is known for making heavy,high horsepower machines.It's what there known for.Most machines today can't beat the towing power of a sportsman in low range.

 

they over kill their parts and frame work for added strengh and having a good ride. so it all adds more weight. if they were lighter weight they would be a faster 4x4 for sure. imo.

 

<----agrees with the past comments.....they are built strong, can tow heavy crap, and are the smoothest riding machines made!!! I love mine and wouldnt trade it for any japanese machine. Besides i live in MN where polaris is made and i would like to keep the money and jobs here.

 

The "imported" machines are lighter because over 600 #'s the have to pay a higher tariff.

 

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

&lt;----agrees with the past comments.....they are built strong, can tow heavy crap, and are the smoothest riding machines made!!! I love mine and wouldnt trade it for any japanese machine. Besides i live in MN where polaris is made and i would like to keep the money and jobs here.</end quote></div>


Thats the main reason I bought the Touring Polaris, made here and I need to stimulate the economy here!

 

The new Polaris models are lighter though, with the new Sportsman 400 style class for mid-range.

R'

 

I have heard thru a good source that the Tarifs are the main reason that they are light and the cost as well for shipping, Imagine a 500 polaris that was 60 pounds lighter would probally kill a grizzly 700

 

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

The "imported" machines are lighter because over 600 #'s the have to pay a higher tariff.</end quote></div>

You're right. That's all there is to it.

When two of my friends bought Grizly 660s they had less tread on the tires brand new than my Sportsman with over 4,000 miles. They had aluminum wheels that didn't take long to get bent and mine were steel. The plastic on the body is thinner on their quads too. Everything about them from the frame up is lighter and seems kind of flimsy compared to mine. Out of all my friends with Yamahas, all of them have bent rear wheels except one. When I ride behind all the rest I can see one wheel wobble. The next time you're behind a Japanese quad see if they do that.

Some ATVs have plastic skid plates while ours is solid steel built right into the frame. Depending on which Japanese brand you look at, some have almost pencil-thin driveshafts and axles. Polaris doesn't have to make things lightweight to meet 600 pounds so they can beef up the whole machine.