02 h.o 500
Apr 4, 2002 | 08:24 PM
#2
Pro Rider
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
At the risk of being suckered into a never ending debate over what is best that often migrates into arguments between personalities along with a challenge to each person integrity including references to each parties respective mothers personal life, - I would say, It depends.
OK - so we are not talking sport quads here so the Banshee and Raptor drivers can relax while I offer my 2 cents.
If you want the most dependable low maintenance high quality long lasting machinge - Go Honda.
If you want top shelf power, speed, ground clearance, 2nd to best dependability and maintenance etc etc and lots of dealers with parts and repair - Go Polaris. I have a 500HO. From mud swamps to mountain tops it has been in the front of the pack. The on-demand 4 wheel drive makes it one of the more comfortable to steer 4x4's but some are afraid of the heller clutch systems used in the hubs. I'm not. (some don't know what that is) The value of independant suspension is obvious after riding it.
A friend works at Polaris and claims that a survey of warranty repairs puts the Honda at half the ratio of Polaris. That could come from many factors but to deny the facts is simply being afraid. There are 7 Polaris shops within 20 miles of me. 2 Honda. Whos got parts?
I like the size of the seat on the Polaris. My wife and I ride two up more frequently then she rides her own bike. She likes to talk.... And there are hundreds of available accessories, options and add-ons that the other manufactures just simply havn't got.
The Rubicon isnt exactly 4 wheel drive. And the other and numerous advantages go to Polaris when they are measured side by side. If you want to compare big dogs to big dogs - the 650 Yamaha and the 700 Polaris can bark to the front of the pack. The Honda transmission is pretty cool and not as problem prone as I suspected it might be.
Another rub - I would have gone Honda if I knew I needed 2 less inches of width with 2 bikes side by side in the Tailgator. A factor as simple as width could have changed my purchase decision. Remember that hind-sight = 20/20. And even the Arctic Cat machine could have won out.... (not)
Good Luck
OK - so we are not talking sport quads here so the Banshee and Raptor drivers can relax while I offer my 2 cents.
If you want the most dependable low maintenance high quality long lasting machinge - Go Honda.
If you want top shelf power, speed, ground clearance, 2nd to best dependability and maintenance etc etc and lots of dealers with parts and repair - Go Polaris. I have a 500HO. From mud swamps to mountain tops it has been in the front of the pack. The on-demand 4 wheel drive makes it one of the more comfortable to steer 4x4's but some are afraid of the heller clutch systems used in the hubs. I'm not. (some don't know what that is) The value of independant suspension is obvious after riding it.
A friend works at Polaris and claims that a survey of warranty repairs puts the Honda at half the ratio of Polaris. That could come from many factors but to deny the facts is simply being afraid. There are 7 Polaris shops within 20 miles of me. 2 Honda. Whos got parts?
I like the size of the seat on the Polaris. My wife and I ride two up more frequently then she rides her own bike. She likes to talk.... And there are hundreds of available accessories, options and add-ons that the other manufactures just simply havn't got.
The Rubicon isnt exactly 4 wheel drive. And the other and numerous advantages go to Polaris when they are measured side by side. If you want to compare big dogs to big dogs - the 650 Yamaha and the 700 Polaris can bark to the front of the pack. The Honda transmission is pretty cool and not as problem prone as I suspected it might be.
Another rub - I would have gone Honda if I knew I needed 2 less inches of width with 2 bikes side by side in the Tailgator. A factor as simple as width could have changed my purchase decision. Remember that hind-sight = 20/20. And even the Arctic Cat machine could have won out.... (not)
Good Luck
Apr 4, 2002 | 08:54 PM
#3
Pro Rider
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Mudman,
Depends on what you want to do. In looking at your signature it looks as though you like sportier bikes. If that were the case the Prairie 650 is the bike for you. I thought I needed IRS but the powerful VTWIN proved me wrong there. Oh sure its not as smooth riding as the IRS bikes but its still better than average. It gets through almost anything with stocker tires. I use it for hunting, hauling, trails, snow, mud, and yard work.
But I really like the Polaris SP500 HO. Its tested and proven. If you are a pure utility man or mudrunner; then this is the ATV for you. You cannot go wrong with it. It has more power than one ever needs. For trail riding it will suffice but not be as sporty as a 650. Just my opinions here since I considered both. I acquired the ATV that met my needs better but you certainly would not go wrong with the 500 HO.
Daryn
Depends on what you want to do. In looking at your signature it looks as though you like sportier bikes. If that were the case the Prairie 650 is the bike for you. I thought I needed IRS but the powerful VTWIN proved me wrong there. Oh sure its not as smooth riding as the IRS bikes but its still better than average. It gets through almost anything with stocker tires. I use it for hunting, hauling, trails, snow, mud, and yard work.
But I really like the Polaris SP500 HO. Its tested and proven. If you are a pure utility man or mudrunner; then this is the ATV for you. You cannot go wrong with it. It has more power than one ever needs. For trail riding it will suffice but not be as sporty as a 650. Just my opinions here since I considered both. I acquired the ATV that met my needs better but you certainly would not go wrong with the 500 HO.
Daryn