I plan on buying an atv within the next 2 months. I am looking at the Sportsman 700 or the 500H.O. or am I better off with a Honda Rubicon(500 4x4). I currently have an Xplorer 400 and it is time to upgrade.If you have advice please write it.

 

This is kind of an interesting question that you are asking. It is kind of hard for some that doesn't know you or your particular type of riding to answer what is best for you. I think that it is a question that you must decide for yourself. I personally have a Sportsman 700 and I love it. A buddy of mine has the Rubicon and I wouldn't trade mine for it, but that is my personal prefrence. I just like how smooth the ride is on the sportsman model and there is no comparison in power between the 700 and the rubicon. After saying this I do not in anyway think that the rubicon is not a capable ATV, because it is. You should test drive all of them and then decide what you like. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Steve Lehman

 

what is this Honda that you mentioned? Is this a new brand or something? It's certainly not anything I have come across out on the trails. My club (non-denominational, 2400 members) is about 70% Polaris', the rest are Kawasakis and Yamahas. I bet the Hondas make up the smallest percentage except maybe for Artie-craps. Is anybody really buying Hondas anymore???

 

At my dealer the 700 is only $400.00 more than the 500 for 20% more HP and 25% more torque. No comparison. Get the Polaris over the Honda for the ride, 2/4 wheel drive selectability, power advantage, and it's made in America. The japs have enough of our cash for the auto market and our boys need to keep working.

 

This is NOT the place to ask whether or not to consider a Honda {POLARIS Forum} But like Steve Lehman said, ride them all and decide for yourself. IMHO if you have to have the most powerful, smoothest riding ATV, go for the SP700, If you need a utility quad for farm work, the Honda may be a better choice, but for an all around great machine, go for the SP500...... I am biased !!!! If its true that you can buy th 700 for only $400.00 more, I would have to go with the 700 - more bang for the buck !!!!!

Are you confused yet ??????????

 

Polarisguy>>>
Let me ask this>> Do you like the ride of the Xplorer and the handling of it?
If you do, I wouldn't opt for neither. If you want something that has a nice ride and power, you could go for either one, the 500 HO saving you about $1000.
If you like the response of the solid axle, I would go for a Kawi 650. I have riden an HO and didn't care for the IRS, so I myself am getting a 650. I like the weight you save and the handling of the straight axle. It is more predictable. Just my opinion.

 

I had a SP500HO, and now, I have a SP700. Buy a 700, it's a fanstastic machine. I personnaly think Rubicon is not in the same class of ATV. Not the same power and not the same feeling of power. And no IRS, etc...
If it's really 400$ more than a SP500HO, buy a SP700, guy, I'll never regret. Just be carreful to put the Warn A2500 winch in it, not the 2000.
Today, I was in deep snow with my friend (with a 600 Grizzly) and I needed to pull him !
With my 700, in very deep snow, in HI position, I was flying on snow, incredible ! This ATV is plenty of power.
Have fun guy !

 

jbourrette,

why do you say buy the 2500 instead of the 2000? I wouldn't think there is that much difference between the two.

Personally, I plan on putting a Superwinch X1 on my sp700 as soon as I can buy or fab a mount. Right now the mount is only available as a combo with the overpriced Warn. The X1 is heavy duty, built for extended periods of use, and the line speed is awesome! It's a 2000 lb winch, the stall is up over 2500, and my machine is well under 1000 with me on it. If the mud suction or angle increases the load, then I use a snatchblock to double the line pull. The 2500 Warn is no way worth all that money. People are buying a lot more winch than they need. I used to use a T1000 when I had two 500 lb 4 wheelers, and it worked great.

northstar

 

The harder the winch has to work the shorter it's lifespan will be. I hold this theory for all things mechanical. That's why I now drive a V10 truck. The 318 in my last one was rated to do the job, but it had to work too hard to do it. At 30,000 the tranny went and at 60,000 it was burning a quart of oil every 1000 and I never went over the factory recommended towing limits. The V10 tows with ease so it will last. While a 1000 lb winch would probibly work fine, a 2500 will last much longer because it's just not working nearly as hard to do the same job. A little more now saves buying another in the future. I wish my truck was a V10 the first time around. I would still own it and have a lot more to spend on toys...........

 

polarisguy, i've owned a few 500's since '99. the only thing i really disliked over the years is the grind when i shift into foward or reverse. i don't know if the new 700 shifts the same though. in fact, sometimes it pops out of gear unless i really slam the lever foward/reverse. i've had a Sportsman each model year, and they've been pretty much the same. i'm ready for something different, so i'll recomend you get the 700! if it is only $400 more in your state, there really is no choice! LOL
my friend has a Rubi and we swapped once, it's very nice, refined and conservative. drive each and decide!
MT