Hello,
I currently have a 1995 Warrior 350 and I have came to the conclusion that I need a 4x4 machine because of the conditions, I plan on riding in some bush country of alberta and it will be mountainous muddy cut lines for the most part.
I need a machine that will have have a ton of power (I want to have power in the range of my dad's grizzly) but yet be able to keep up to my ride buds 2000 SE kodiak and 99 Wolverine. Also it would be nice to be able to whoop them in the mud and technical stuff.
I have came to the conclusion that a new yellow 500HO may be the machine for me but I have a few questions about it:
1-My dads griz has 4400km's on it and hasn't broke anything except for new bearings and those were hard km's of ridin can I expect that kind of durability out of the 500HO??
2-Will the added weight of the 500HO be noticeable during fast trail riding and will it hurt this machine in the mud??
3-What is the best price anyone has seen for a new 500HO in canada (in alberta better yet, but also I'm curious as to how much they are in other provinces too) the best I can find is $9299, but I think I might have seen one before for $7999

Thanks
BUBBA

 

The ho rides alot better than the Grizzly. I ride with a Grizzly. We embarass him in the mud, due to his only pulling with 3 wheels.. But there have been cases, where we went through a hole in 2wd, and he didn't make in 4wd,(or 3wd actually)
Can't help with the prices in Canada..

 

The HO Sportsman will kill all the others you mentioned, at everything. I've ridden with all of them, and my Sportsman rules all.

You'll also love the IRS. You'll be able to take off cambers that will send the Grizz and Kodiak tumbling. I've never raced a Grizz, but the Wolverine and Kodiak can't even come close. And I weigh 280 pounds.

Dave

 

I have 1800 miles on my Sportsman and all I have done is replace a torn CV boot. The Sportsman is the best riding machine there is. Plenty of power, I have ridden double through mud holes that other people cannot make it through. It truly is a remarkable ATV. When riding with other 4x4's you will never get left behind if anything you will be leading the way. It is insane what this machine will go through, in 1800 miles I got stuck once. I ride wit hother 4x4's that need a tow every ride we go on. Of course when I got stuck it took a 425 Mag 4x4 and a 400 Xpress to get me out LOL

 

I don't own a Sportsman, nor have I even driven one. However, my friend has a new Magnum 500 (the Sp's little brother) and I can't say a bad thing about that machine. It rides like a dream, and I love the fact that you can shift in and out of 4x4. I was most suprised when I punched the throttle though. That thing really does get up and go. The last 4x4 I drove was an '88 Honda TRX350 Forman so I wasn't expecting to feel all that power. I currently own a '98 Sport 400L which has better take-off than a stock Banshee and I don't think that the Magnum would be too far behind either. I would imagine that the Sportsman is even more impressive. I really would like to try one out. I don't think that you could go wrong by getting one of them. Just my thoughts. Good luck with whatever you do.

-Josh

 

I also used to ride a warrior and was sceptical
when I bought my first sportsman.I am now on my third one and wouldn't even bat an eye at anything else.I am in Manitoba and paid $8150 for my ho in january(with winch),but I believe the price went up to $8400 recently.You should be able to find a hell of a lot better deal than your getting.Hope this helps.

 

wow from the sounds of things as soon as I sell my warrior I'm gonna get one of those beasts.

Thanks for all the response I will stay tuned on the polaris forum to keep readin up on these machines to make sure it is for me.
BUBBA
1995 Warrior

 

I love my new Sportsman you can't go wrong with the choice. But since your getting rid of a sports machine have you considered the Polaris Scrambler 500H.O. It maybe another ride for you to look into.