I've had some minor problems with my SP500 but I wouldn't trade it for anything else out there right now. You can't beat the ride and power. I've owned other brands and had some problems also. Any brand can give you problems !! Great conversation starter Offrder15.

 

That would have to be the 2000 Sportsman 500 6x6. I own one and it is just about the best machine they make. It goes wherever I stear it and does whatever I make it do. I also own a 1996 Sportsman 400L, And the machine hauls A**. The 96 has done me well but I'm selling it this summer. These dang Polaris machines just go anywhere

 

I dont know what is the ultimate quad? I see that each type of quad has one advantage above the others. As a polaris xpedition 425 cc 5 speed owner. We also have some very nice things. Like, shaft drive. I think that is the wave of the future. Trouble free and smooth and power full. The 5 speed has some disadvantages but one advantage is that I can go down a steep hill safely in say, 2nd. gear and with the breaks and the engine compression, it is a safe trip down the
hill. Now that I have 26 inch mudbug tires with itp magnum billet aluminum rims, my quad looks sharp and has real good ability in the mud. All the things I was looking for. I can understand the
people that own the sport quads and want to travel
fast. There quad is super for them. There quads look sharp too. For us that like the utility/sport
type of atv. The xplorer, magnum 500, sp500, and xpedition 425 are hard to beat.

rangerchet polaris xpedition 425 cc 5-speed.

 

I think Rangerchet was eluding to my thoughts here. The ultimate quad is certainly going to be different things to different people. The sport and utilitiy riders will certainly be split on this one.

KevinM has a very good point. There are many, many satisfied (and trouble free) Polaris riders out there. The people having trouble, and I do believe they are few, we do hear from. They are the ones looking for advice and help in solving their problems, so we hear from them more. The same applies to any forum. Just switch over to the Honda forum for proof. The topics tend to cover problems people are having. Again, the few with problems dominate. We are here to help, discuss and advise, if we can, so bring on the problems.

For me, and the riding I do, the Sportsman 500 is my choice. The physical size, ride, power, traction, and auto-tranny with EBS is the best. The SP with EBS is every bit as good as my manual Honda Four-Trax at decending hills. My current ride is a '98 that has been trouble free. I had a 2000 on order but have decided to keep the old one. It has been an excellent machine and the dealer I like has sold the business.

DJ

 

Well that explains why Polaris is not offering the xplorer next year.

 

No shaft drive is not the wave of the future. It's just that Polaris has finally woke up and got rid of more of their chain drive quads. There were shaft drives offered in three wheelers years ago.

 

Sledder

I think the Polaris bitter cup has runneth dry. It is time to sell your dreaded sportsman and buy another brand so you can go to there website an complain about their product. As for me, Polaris is the only ATV I will own. End of discussion

 

I would have to say a Scrambler 4X4 with a huge 1200 2-stroke in it. You wouldn't be stopped with this beast.

 

Thanks Magnum that settled that.

 

I am with you 450sheavy those Honda 300,s pound for pound,penny for penny go any where my sp 500 go.but got no style.sp 500 rule