I rode with the kawi 650 last weekend,
If I had to choose between the 650 or the 500HO,
I would go with the 650.
Even with the solid axle and crappy *** tires.
It's a bad machinefrom what I saw
Then Polaris comes out with the 700.
I had every intention of getting one but I believe they left to much room for the 700HO within a year...so I'm waiting

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Honda Rubicon, I'm going through the same thoughts everyone has when choosing a new quad, Rubicon is light, the transmission is unmatched, when it comes to Driver's options there are lots, but if you do a lot of high speeding I'd go with the Grizzly.

 

as an owner of a Honda and a polaris I have to say that the "big" polaris rides better than the Honda. I don't know which is faster but the Polaris would probably win because I could never hang on to the honda at least on the trails! With 1600 miles and 7 years of trouble free service I have to give Polaris good marks, time will tell if the Honda matches up. Any of the other machines now out all offer about the same features and much to the ire of Honda, Suzuki, Kaw and Yammy owners I have to say they are all following the lead of Polaris. I have heard many good things about the Griz but I suppose you balance it all with what you like. As for me if I had it to do over I would have got the 500 HO Polaris..

02 Foreman 450 4x4 w/warn
02 Rancher es 2x4
95 Polaris 425 Magnun 4x4

 

deebee
Just had to tell ya that that magnum is the best quad polaris ever put out.
Dont get me wrong the HO is (IMO) the best 500(up to 600)class machine there is.
I guess its bulletproof because it's RED,....do ya get it...Honda,RED,bulletproof [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] maybe I'll paint my 500 red,yeah my truck to. I'm only kidding guys,dont get all huffy [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
Magnum is a great bike

 

Choices! Choices!

My 68 y.o. father has a 95 Polaris 400 4x4. Never had a problem except the steering is kinda loose but it is strickly a work horse. My wild younger brother has the 660 Grizz and he loves it, matches his riding style well. I like how smooth it is on the rough trails with the IRS compared to my 650. The difference is noticeable but the Kawi is not uncomfortable. The Griz does steer easier than the 650.

Personally, I prefer a solid rear axle for sportier sliding and off camber trails. It also makes a big difference when towing weight is on the ATV. Weight is not carried by the suspension. That is very important for me when using it for working in the woods.

If I only rode trails I would get the Grizz or a SP500HO for their nice ride. But for a utility that works hard and smokes the fast trails the 650 is hard to beat.

It would be hard to be dissapointed with today's big bore ATV's.

Happy riding!

 

I'll chime in here. I've owned 4 new polaris ATV's and about 10 total ATV's in my life. I've never killed a Honda in my life. I've never kill a suzuki in my life. But I've killed a Polaris or two!

My Trailblazer 250 was a solid ATV, I put that thing though hell and back and it never failed me. I never had to take it in for repairs.

Xplorer 300 - underpowered, didn't like it. It lasted about 6 months

Sportsman 500 - Loved it, a little heavy but I had over 3000 miles on that ATV in 1.5 years. I went everywhere with that thing. 1 repair, a hub in the front needed to be replaced.

Xplorer 400 - Ugh.... New Frame, New engine, tierod ends are shot 600 miles. This last ATV has kinda ruined my love for Polaris. Everything was covered under warranty but I don't need to tell you boys how hard it is to be missing your ATV for months at a time.


My next ATV if there will be one, most likey will be a Honda. After years of riding the Clutch systems I miss the days of shifting the lighter ATV's. 4x4 is a must for me so I will have to see what Honda has to offer for when I am ready to buy again. Honda ATV's are slower then Polaris and lack certian features.

 

I rode a friend's Rubicon a couple of months ago. Engine ran great, Steering was very light, and the transmission was smooth as silk. Really great machine. If you ride a lot of rough trails, you might want to test ride one though. The Rubicon rides very rough.

 

I ride my SP ho nearly every day here in the mountains and I'm really happy, EBS works well and helps a lot onto steep hills descending, grizz has a better engine but as far a stability and breaking the sportman is far superior....and most of the times is more important stability than a few hp more. go for it ! or if u can , wait for the 700 ho i a year's time





Sp 500 HO 2001[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

I currently have a SP500HO and its a wonderful machine - reasonably quick and thus far trouble free (1400 miles). But in the never ending quest for power/speed, I am considering a Grizzly and giving SP500HO to my wife. The SP700 is just to damn FAT for my tastes, We'll see next year - may change my mind and go for the fatty anyway !!!!

 

Okay guys, I was given some good news and some bad news today. The good news is my wife and I are having a baby!! The bad news is, she said no to a bigger 4-wheeler. This is fine with me because a child is going to be much more fun anyway! I appreciate all the help you have given on this subject and plan on asking for more on my Scrambler since I am keeping it.

Thanks
Scott [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]