Im stuck between a Sportsman 500 RSE and a Scrambler 500 4x4. Now I know that there two totally different models. But my problem is that I like speed but Im gonna be on the trails alot to cause I hunt and things like that. Now I know that the Scrambler will do just fine on the trails. But what happends when i get of the trails into the deep woods where its really thick? Another thing with me being in the woods will not having indpendinet shocks make a big differce because I know the Sportsman 500 does? But I really like speed to and the Sportsman 500 is preety fast for its size but the Scrambler is faster. So what would you guys recomend?

 

Off road in the woods you will need LOW range for tree hopping and pulling game out. The Sportsman can be made to handle as well as the Scrambler with stiffer springs. The top speed on both is about the same the Scrambler will acclerate faster. The Scrambler has a higher rpm clutch engaement so woods cruising slower than 10mph will be difficult and hard on the belt.

The HORSE is the one I would buy.

 

Both will work fine, but I must say, I don't think the Scrambler engages any higher than a 500 RSE. Mine would start moving right off idle with no slippage before I changed the spring. In fact, from what I've seen, all Polaris' use the stock blue spring.
That being said, if you want to cross logs, and do serious sporting things, the Sportman is the king here. While you can add racks to the scrambler, you can add power to the SP.

 

Just go test ride a Kawasaki 650. Its the best of both worlds between a Scambler and 500HO. I am not against Polaris as their ATV's in my opinion have the best lineup for 2002. But the 650 meets a niche that no others really have. The Griz and SP700 are close and have their strengths. But the 650 will be sportier but have strong utility aspects. It will rival or beat a Scrambler out of the hole. The front diff. lockers will pull you through anything. And the Vtwin power offsets the advantage or IRS with the exception of rock hopping. The ride is smooth, quiet, fast, nimble, and powerful. Its great on hard trails, mud, snow, and pavement. It rates best in class for hill acents and descents. It has awesome brakes and let's you choose rear only braking for hill descending.

If you lean towards the hunting and utility then a 500 HO is for you. But add trail riding and speed to the mix and the 650 is the best all around.

Daryn

 

Back to original question...kawasucki sucks.....
My friend and I ride a scram 500 and a sportsman 500...(i ride the sportsman)....only prob with scram is tough springs in front(your arms will be tired every ride)...only prob with sportsman is its a little slower. I now ride the 700 sportsman and can finally keep up with my buddies 500 scram...
my buddy did put mudding tires and rims on his scram and its much better in the mud. and one other thing about the scram is that he is always tightning chain.

polaris is only quad with real 4 wheel drive. NO other quad has true(real) 4 wheel drive....don't let the bozo who posted about kawascuki try to tell you that his 650 has true 4 wheel drive. (you have to hit aspecial button for the front hubs to lock in temporarily)
good luck with your polaris!

 

Hey Ghost, your totally wrong about the 4x4 thing you just mentioned, but whatever. As an owner of a 1998 scrambler 500 I must say that this quad will wheelie on demand, however I found myself regreting the purchase every time that I went in the woods where ground clearance and torqe was important. My current ride is a Grizzly 660, and considered the SP500 as my next choice. Think of them as mini hummers!

 

pheelyourcrackin....
Hey Ghost, your totally wrong about the 4x4 thing you just mentioned, but whatever. ....What are you talking about???? Can you prove different???

-------------------------

 

Hey Ghost,

Let's try to be objective here and offer multiple solutions to people deciding on ATV's. As a rider of Polaris and Kawasaki I was offering my opinion. Not a judgement based on a notion of not liking a particular brand name. So grow up! I think that the SP700 can be a great ATV once the bugs get worked out. Look at the Polaris posts regarding breakdown issues and inconvenient things that are happening right now the 700. The look at the 650 posts. There are a lot less 650 issues than the 700 issues but you don't here me going around saying Polaris sucks. If you have not ridden a 650 for a period of time then don't make a brand name comment. I rode both and made opinions based on my observations.

You can open a can of worms about true 4X4. I did not comment on the 650 having true 4X4 so don't say I did. I made the comment that the locked differential pulls one through almost anything. It has an advantage over the Polaris just as the Polaris has an advantage of the Kawi. If you know anything about ATV's then I don't have to explain those advantages. So who is the bozo here?

Grow up and be objective. I did not write here to sell Kawi. Just helping a guy make a decision based on his particular riding style. The SP500 HO is a great ATV. It just may not what he needs if you look at his questions and what he already owns.

Daryn

 

Ghost, do like you name says and disappear. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I test drove a 650 and just was not overly impressed. It did not seem that fast. They were going to cough it up for $1000 under MSRP. Unheard of 'round here.
It was quiet and I do like the idea oa a V twin in anything, but it still should like a 325. What's up with that?

 

Topic was 500 sportsman vs scrambler 500.
You said "I was totally wrong about true 4 wheel drive" and I said
"prove me wrong".....now your retracting what you said????
My opinion that kawasucki sucks...is just my opinion... Don't take it personally...
Back to what I originally said....Polaris is the only quad with true 4 wheel drive.