After months and months of research on ATV's I have finally decided on a Polaris. One problem is that I have decided on three!!! Of the above mentioned quads I am referring to the 425 and 500 models. I need your help to narrow it down to one. I know the Sportsman has a nice ride with its I.R.S, and that the Magnum just the won the auto shootout, but what about the Xpedition?

 

well i have an XPEDITION 425 i like it because it has a shaft drive and i dont have a belt to worry about slipping off. i have not got it stuck yet.

u will like it

 

To get better info.... post on what u will be using it for and how much work it will be doing.

In my situation the magnum in perfect for me. The belt automatic is a beautiful thing! When it comes to hills, mud and just plain trail riding there is nothing better. The exrat power that comes from the 500 is excellent, and if you don't rock climb all day I would say it makes a lot more sense than a sp. The magnum is lighter than the sp also and seems to be a lot less prone to mechanical problems....
I have had water up to my racks on sever occasions and have had no problems with belts slippping.
It will all come down to what you do with the machine..... post here about your plans.

 

when i was buying my polaris they told me that the Xpedition 425 is good for riding hills becuse of the clutch. i have when throw mud hills every thing u can thing of no problem.

 

Hey vikesguy,haven't you been over to Larson's Cycle yet to check out the Hondas,Yamahas,and Arctic Cats?Which polaris dealer are you planning on going with if you don't go over to Larsons and buy?

 

I have looked at Larson's Cycle and really like some of the Yamaha's. The Polaris dealer is Northstar Sports in Isanti. Although I found better prices at Heinen-Mason in Osseo. I have spent so much time looking into which quad to buy(waiting on the wife) that I have almost become more confused. There are so many good quads out there. I really want something fairly fast and one that can handle some mud.

 

I have a Expedition 425. I love my bike. One reason I did not consider either 500cc bikes, is cause I am not a big fan of belt drive. I would imagine that the 500c bikes are faster, and probably the Sportsman would be the best mudder. If you ride a lot of deep water, you might want to consider the Expedition--no belt to slip. I have seen some Polaris's belts slip with very little water, and some never slip even in deep water.

 

I bought my expedition 425 cc 5 speed at heinen @ mason in osseo. At this moment, they do not have an expedition 425 cc 5 speed put together. They have a few, maybe 2 in boxes. They can put it together pretty fast. They do have a expedition 325 on show if no one has bought it yet. They did have sales on about 2 weeks ago. I dont know if still on or not. I think all 3 of those polaris atv's are just fine. Each one has one kind of advantage over the other. Probably the safest no-nonsense polaris is probably the magnum. The sp 500 is pretty big. My expedition 425 cc is for people that dont mind or like to shift. The sp has the best ground clearance I think. The expediton the least I think. Thats why im buying 26 inch mud bugs. Im going to get along with out a lift kit, at least for now.

rangerchet polaris expedition 425 cc 5 speed.

 

Does price matter or not?If so,whats the going rate on the magnum?I know Larsons wants 5599 for the Kodiak and 5999 for the 600 Grizzly.The Grizzly probably isn't as good in the mud as the polaris,but it is a very reliable machine,and a little faster,but not much more than the magnum or sportsman.I still question the reliability of polaris machines,more now that I've read alot of different problems on these forums,as well as previously owning one myself and also a couple friends wheelers.I think polaris has gotten better with their newer quads,but still see 2000 models on this forum having troubles.I own a Grizzly myself,and have had good luck with it.I ride it hard,and haven't broke anything yet,other than ripping off the rear differential guard on many small trees I've ran over repeatedly.I just bent it back into shape and put it back on.How soon are you gonna buy?The mud season is upon us,and it sure is fun seeing what you can and can't go through(thank God for my warn winch)The swamps are full of all the good stuff,if you like water and muck to play in.

 

I really do like the Kodiak and the Grizzly(my brother has one) but I quess from the posts staying away from a auto may be a better choice. I currently own a 99' Kawasaki Bayou 220 2WD. It is fun for a beginner(got it last summer from my brother) but to start really enjoying the mud and some higher speeds I'm gonna need to upgrade. The price doesn't matter to me as much because for about $500 more a top of the line Griz or Sportsman could be had. As far as a time frame to get one the wife says I already have one. Need to work her over a little more. She actually enjoys the Bayou. She doesn't understand that bigger is better!!!
Looks like when the time comes it will be a Xpedition 425. Thanks!!!