Hi,

I am new to the site, just have to say it is great.

Im looking into a new Polaris, I currently have a 00 Magnum 325 2+4.
I like it okay but I need a 4 wheel drive I do alot of creek riding and find alot of mud. Ive narrowed it down to a Scrambler 500 4+4 or a Sportsman 500. Like the sporty and more race like style of the Scrambler but I do alot of hunting so the heavier Sportsman with the racks would do me good to. So what is your guys input I am leanning towards the Scrambler.

Thanks in advance

 

With the Scrambler you cant pull anything. I would think that the sportsman would get you into and out of deeper mud and steeper cliffs. The Scrambler would be faster and handle jumps better.

 

With the Scrambler, you can pull - just not much. I think the Polaris hitch I got for mine is rated for 850 lbs. Where I hunt, that's a pretty big Whitetail! Polaris also makes racks for the Scrambler, which aren't rated for much either but do come in handy. I put front and rear racks on mine and then stood on both of them. They had no problem supporting 185 lbs. even though they're rated for less than 100 lbs. each. You're in the same boat I was. I couldn't decide between a utility or a sport quad. I finally figured out that 80% of my riding was for fun and 20% was for hunting and light work. The Scrambler fits the bill perfectly. Now, if you plan on hauling heavier loads and using your quad for more work than play, the Sportsman would probably be the way to go. As far as mud, I don't think there would be much of a difference. My Scrambler goes through anything that my friend does with his Grizzly.

 

the sportsman would be designed more for off roading or would it not

 

I would say go for the Scrambler, get a hitch on it, get a rear rack on it (or both front + rear) and go have fun. The Scramblers can still tow, just not as good as the Sportsman. I tow stuff now and then (mostly buddies out of the mud). It will be just fine for hunting if you ask me.

 

does a Scrambler have Low Range?
if not, and you wish to do a lot of mud riding, then i'd suggest the Sportsman. i think if i kept it in high range all the time while mudding, my belt would fry in no time.
'creek riding'- what's that?
also, shaft drive + mud = FUN
chain drive + mud = MAINTENANCE
if you like a plush seat, plush ride, excellent ground clearance, and don't want to always wear the mud your riding in, then you'd better go SP500.
that's my 3 cents!
-MT

 

<< With the Scrambler you cant pull anything. I would think that the sportsman would get you into and out of deeper mud and steeper cliffs. The Scrambler would be faster and handle jumps better. >>



Regarding Pulling...I would have thought the same thing until about a month ago at the ATV pulls I went to. A Scrambler X was there and I couldn't believe how great that thing pulled. He pulled all the way up through to the Open class and did well in each class. I think one of the most impressive finishes he had was 3rd out of 7 quads in the 700 2x4 class.

Anyway, enough with the details...They aren't setup for pulling like the Sportsman is, but if needed they aren't too bad. Of course in the ATV pulls they let you weight the quads down...In real life the Scramblers lighter weight wouldn't help it pulling wise.

Just wanted to throw that in.

-Josh

 

Have you considered a Grizzly?

 

If you want the machine for off raoding then the Scrambler will NOT be the best choice. The Sportsman 500 HO will go through twice as much as the Scrambler.