I know this topic has probably been discussed several times but I could not find a good discussion using the search.

I own a Honda 300 4x4 and a Kaw Bayou 4x2 and like them both. However, I am tired of getting beat to death by the suspension and like the idea of auto trans. From a budgeting standpoint, the Sportsman 335 fits nicely but I am concerned about its lack of power. I am not a speed demon but rather a climber, hunter and mudder. However, I like to run it fast on occassion.

I understand the biggest difference between the Sportman and Mag is the IRS (i think that is the only difference) but was wondering how big of a deal that is in terms of ride. Is the IRS really that much better?

Also, I know this might aggrevate some of the Polaris owners but I know older models do not have as good a reputation for reliability. I think newer models have addressed this issue. If this is true, at what point (year) do they appear to have turned the corner.

Thanks for the help.

 

The Sportsman has more ground clearance. I would go with the 400 Sportsman instead of a 335. The 400 gives you the extra power you will need. I'm not a speed demon either but it will run over 40 but I have ran out of room on the trail and it is still pulling.

The Magnum weighs less but steers a little harder. A guy in our riding group has one and it is not as smooth to steer as the Sportsmans our.

Either one will be a good choice for you. I think the 500 Magnum is a little cheaper.

 

Tealboy:
Your needs for a new machine sound much like mine did back when I was shopping. My top three choices were the SP500, the AC 500 Auto, and the Honda 450ES. I went with the 'Cat, and have had absolutely no regrets what so ever. It's an awesome machine. The rear swing axle is very smooth, and it's a pure worker to say the least. If speed was your thing, I wouldn't even recommend it, as it's not known for speed, and the SP500 would kill it in flat out runs. For work though, such as hunting, it is my first choice. Price was great too, much cheaper than the rest.

Now, as your question deals with the difference between the SP, and the Mag, my own opinion would be for the Magnum if you plan to work much, or plan to haul much during hunting season. The IRS is very smooth, argueably the best ride around, yet for work, that strait axle can't be beat. You won't loose near as much ground clearance (when hauling heavy loads) either with the strait axle as you would with the IRS, which could very well come into play on those tight off-camber muddy trails to or from your stand. If work is of no consideration, only occassional hauling will be done, I'd probably end up going with the SP, or SPHO for a little more "kick".

As for the reliability issues, I can't give you a date as to when they started getting better-the real Pol. guys would be much more knowledgeable about that issue. However, I do know a couple guys with '99 models that have not had a single problem to date, as well as one guy with a '94 that has been in the shop more times than he can count. Basically if you plan to buy new, I don't think you can go wrong. All manufacturers have their own "lemons" every now and then, and when you consider the numbers-as to how many of what particular brand are sold each year, naturally the one who sells the most will have the most repairs. For instance, my 'Cat dealer doesn't get many repairs at all for any of the atv's he sells. But, he also doesn't sell near as many machines as the local Honda or Polaris dealer, which consequently have way more repairs to be done, most of the time a long waiting list in fact.

Anyhow, best of luck with the choice, I don't believe you could go wrong with either.

Mike

 

Last year, I was ready to buy a magnum 325 brand new. It would be a good first machine and I didnt think I needed a top of the line machine. After much consideration I bought a '99 sportsman 500 in mint condition. It is the greatest ATV I've ever ridden. It is very similar to the magnum but the IRS makes a VERY noticable change in the smoothness of the ride. I can ride over very uneven trails that are almost unbearable on other machines I ride. The magnum is a great machine. If you can hack the extra money,though, I would get the Sportsman. It has lots of power, speed, and is a great handling machine for a big quad. If you can't get a atleast a 400 (preferably a 500), get the magnum because the 325 and 335 engines really lack the power. The 335 had a problem of overheating its first year because the frame was built for a 500. The 325 is consistant but it gets left behind on the trails.
I agree with you on the reliablility. Polaris honestly had a very bad reputation because they had many problems. This started to change in '95. Polaris started reacting to this problem and their reputation quickly changed. My buddy has a '96 Polaris and it didn't have any problems. I also know a guy with a '98 sportsman with the same story. My '99 sportsman runs better than when I got it. So if you get one made in the last 5 years i wouldnt worry about it falling apart. This is good on the point that Polaris machines are very hard to work on. I didn't have a fun time removing the starter on my '99 scrambler to fix.

Good luck in picking a great machine


'99 sportsman 500
'99 scrambler 400 4x4
'00 trailblazer

 

95 AND 96 WHERE PRETTY BIG TURNING POINTS IN POLARIS QUALITY. I BOUGHT A 97 SPORTSMAN 500 WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL, I THEN TRADED IT FOR A DUCKS UNLIM HO MODEL (PLUS MY MODS) AND WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS ONE EITHER, MY SISTER HAS ONE SERIOUSLY MODDED(55HP)2001 400 SCRAMBLER AND AGAIN NO PROBLEMS. BACK 10 YEARS AGO I SWORE I WOULD NEVER OWN ONE NOW I DO AND SO DOES MY SISTER,MOTHER, AND FATHER. AS FOR THE SPORTSMAN OR MAGNUM. I LOVE MY SP THE RIDE IS AWESOME, AND I HAVE A FOUR WHEELED TRAILER TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HITCH SAGGING THE IRS, PLUS YOU SHOULDN'T OVER LOAD A STRAIGHT AXLE EITHER AS YOU COULD BEND YOUR AXLE AND YOU ARE KILLING YOUR BEARINGS, THE FOUR WHEEL LAWN TRAILER ELINATES ALL WIEGHT ON THE REAR SO THE MACHINE RIDES LIKE NOTHING IS ATTACHED. A FEMALE FRIEND OF MINE BOUGHT A MAGNUM BECAUSE SHE LOVES MY SP BUT WANTED SOMETHING LIGHTER FOR HER TO MOVE AROUND. BY GOING WITH THE MAGNUM YOU GET A LIGHT WIEGHT CHAIN INSTEAD OF MULTIPLE SHAFTS AND HEAVY CONTROL ARMS PLUS YOU DON'T HAVE THE HUGE CASE FILLED WITH GEARS AND CHAINS WEDGED INTO THE REAR END. SO THE CHOICE IS YOURS REALLY I WOULD GO SP BUT FOR MY FRIEND THE LIGHTER AND LESS EXPENSIVE MAGNUM FIT PERFECT.

 

The previous post was mistaken on one small point; all the Magnum 500s since '99 are totally shaft driven (I'm not sure about the 335s).

I own two '99 Magnum 500s (bought new), and I almost wish I'd bought one Sportsman and one Magnum, since I've often wondered which is REALLY the better bike. I've ridden a few Sportsmans since, and I've come to the conclusion that there really isn't enough difference to warrant losing any sleep over. You can't go wrong with either. The Mag is a LITTLE quicker, marginally less complex, has a smaller gas tank, rides a LITTLE rougher over the uneven stuff, and is generally less fancy than the Sportsman. Other things you might consider would be that the Mag is cheaper, a little lighter, and the rear suspension has a pre-load adjustment that actually seems somewhat useful (to me, anyway).

I have nothing against the Sportsman, I've actually considered trading one of the Mags in for a Sportsman, but I just can't see the expense. We bought the Mags because the dealer had more than he wanted to stock, and we got a better deal for the pair. My dad rode my uncle's Sportsman 500 once, and immediately said that it rode better than the Mag. Maybe if you're an older guy, you'll like a Sportsman better

Just kidding, dad!

 

Polaris has made big strides in the last few years, no one I know with a 96 or newer has had a single break down. I have 2000 miles on my 2000 SP 500 with zero problems. I am not a huge fan of used you never know how hard it was beat, everyone when selling them tend to always say oh we only putted around the back yard. They are both great the Sp rides better but that is about the only difference, the Mag 500 is cheaper though not by allot. either way you win.