I have been considering the Sportsman 500 as a second quad. The reason I have been considering this quad is because of the softer ride of the IRS. I was very very impressed. The ride is heaven! I didn't want to get off.

I checked stability by doing some tests traversing some hills off camber. I did the same tests I do with my prairie 650. For the tests I did, I found that the sp500 seems as stable as my p650. I found the steering to be tighter than my p650 at low speeds. I was surprised at this. I had heard the steering was very easy on the sp500. As far as cornering, I didn't do much testing but the p650 corners more to my liking.

As I have ridden many different quads over the last few years I find that certain quads seem to focus on certain features. As an example, to compare the sp500ho to the p650 in speed and power would make no sense since the p650 is made for power and speed and I think the sp500ho was made to be an all around versatile quad that does many things well. The sp500 has plenty of power for what it needs to do.

As far as the 4 wheel drive system is concerned, I did only a few tests. If I get a sp500 I think I will need to adjust my technique as I approach an obstacle/hill/etc. I think I will need to keep more momentum as I approach an obstacle, because in the tests I did, I lost a little momentum before the front wheels kicked in. With the p650 I can approach the obstacle locked and execute differently. I haven't had enough seat time to make an opinion about which is preferable.

The quad I drove was a 2001. If I buy a sp500ho it will most likely be a 2003. I just saw a post on another topic that someone sold their 2001 and bought a 2003 and though that it rode more stiff,
("The ride seems firm- I like it- I think the suspension might be set firmer for the winch weight- and again,
maybe the different tires-.... ").
Could this be the tires or something else? There also was a comment that the seat seemed firmer.
If the 2003 rides stiffer then I would like to know since a soft ride is my main buying criterion. Have any of you rode both? If so, let me know what you think. I wasn't aware if Polaris changed the suspension for 2003.

Thanks

 

I rode a '03 H.O. recently. It has the same great suspension, and many improvements to reduce maintenance and increase reliability. (Although from my experience since 1997 I have always found these machines to be very reliable.)

I have found that a new machine is somewhat stiffer. I have had to adjust the rear springs up a little after break-in on both my machines, especially for riding double.

But there is no doubt, the Sportsman is all about ride quality. It's also not a bad utility!

 

I have had quite a bit of experience with my brother's and my own Polaris'. They always seem stiff at first and then soften up after a few days riding. The Sportsman 500 has always been the best ride in its class and that wouldn't be something Polaris would change.

 

i HAVE OWNED BOTH A 2001 WITH TRACKER P TIRES AND A 2002 WITH RAWHIDE TIRES. THE MACHINES WITH THE RAWHIDE TIRES DO RIDE A LITTLE (VERY LITTLE) STIFFER. THE 2001s ALL CAME WITH TRACKER P TIRES BY GOODYEAR. THE RAWHIDES, ALSO MADE BY GOODYEAR, (WHICH ARE ON SOME 2002s AND ALL THE 2003s) ARE A MORE RIGID (TOUGHER) TIRE THAN THE TRACKER Ps. I AGREE ABOUT THE GREAT RIDE OF THE SPORTSMAN..IT IS TOP-NOTCH.