Gentlemen, show some respect here. If you are happy with YOUR atv that is all that matters. If someone has a problem with you driving one brand over another, then maybe they should BUY you a different one. We each have our own money and work hard to earn it.

On a side note, there is nothing wrong with a 400 size ATV, not too many years ago it would be the biggest on the market.

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So anyway bulldog, what are you leaning towards? I think you've got to at least give the King a test run.

 

Catterman I agree with you but this happens all the time. Atleast kodiak put up some kind of proof, wayout seems to mouth of and try to push polaris a little to much. Everybody likes their OWN brand of atv, thats why there are different companies. It's all about opinion. And I've seen a three wheeler go where a four wheeler could not in snow.

 

Bulldog,
It seems you have started a real food fight. After wading through all the posts, and if I understand correctly, your question was about lockers and you were leaning towards the Polaris 800.

I've got two ACs, a 03 500, and an 06 650V2. I've just sold the 500 and will be replacing it with a Bomb 800 Max. A very good friend has a Polaris 800 - it's in my garage right now - over winter stoarge. I've got quite a few miles on it, and Honda's too.

Only you can decide what machine is best for you. A lot depends on how you intend to use the machine; flat hatting it around on trails, mudding, hauling, etc, and what type of ground will you be mainly on. Please allow my 02 cents worth (make that 75 cents). I feel qualified to comment on AC and Polaris.

The Polaris is very, very comfortable on the trail and handles very nicely too. almost like power steering. Gobs of real "feel good" power. I don't like their plastic racks and they sure could have done a lot better with the rack/box configuration, making it more useable. Just as Kodiak said, Polaris does not have a true 4x4 system, it's AWD. The rears must slip before the fronts engage. I can't speak to side to side engagement with the fronts, but it doesn't have a manual locker. In snow or mud, AWD isn't a problem, but snow is not likely where you live. The real downside of Polaris' AWD is crossing logs, and/or large verticals, like big rocks. A true 4x4 system will use the front wheels to "crawl" over obstacles , the Polaris system will tend to "pop" over them because the rear wheels have to slip before front engagement. This can be dangerous if you are on a non-slippery surface and are not expecting it. Going down hills the mechanicals will clunk like crazy in trailing throttle because the AWD has difficulty with front wheel engagement when you do that. At 5.3 gallons or so, the gas tank is small and 800 is a gas hog.

The AC is a true "utility" machine. A work horse. As a result it is not as comfortable, steers harder, and certaily not as quick as the others. But, it has more ground clearance, the racks are very sturdy, can carry a lot, and it can pull like crazy, particularly the 650 H1. The H1s Duramatic transmission is almost indestructable. The V2s is less so, but still okay if you tweek it after purchase. At 6.5 gallons, the fuel tank is large and my 650 gets better MPG than my 500, which is also a gas hog. The H1 and V2 both have a true 4x4, shiftable on the fly. 4x4, like most 4x4 machines, is really 3-wheel drive. You have to stop to select the "locker" position which locks the fronts side to side, and you'll know it immediately - it steers like an old Army truck, but you have four wheels pulling. And pull it does. There is more articulation in the IRS also (the Polaris has a rear sway (or torsion bar?)).

There is a particularly technical route I ride and in one area the side-slope is significant. The trail turns up the slope with the outside front wheel climbing over a large rock. The AC makes this turn with no fuss and all four wheels remain on the ground, the Polaris will raise it's inside front wheel off the ground to the point it scares me to watch, everytime I think he's going over backwards. Scares my friend too and it normally takes him at least a couple of tries to get through and yeah, it's an operator issue. A result of the sway bar.

So there you have my long-winded post. Not meant to flame anyone, but those are my experiences and I hope they are of help in making your decision. Whichever, you've done enough research to get the machine correct for you. I'm sure you'll enjoy the heck out of it, as you should.

 

Thats caused because the polaris uses a sway bar just like every other manufacturer except arctic cat... You can remove the sway bar on any four wheeler but it does have some high speed ill effects.

 

no I'm not trying to push Polaris, he said that he could pull a sp 800 around in the deep snow that your tires don't even touch the ground with a rancher 350,i don't know if that's possible with any kind of ATV, you can't do that, it's impossible, anybody that has ridden in deep snow knows you're lucky to go anywhere on your own, pulling a 800 lb. ATV also with a 350 engine, if anybody believes that,then i don't think much of any of you guys, proof you say, what proof, i don't mouth off, just state facts the best i can;he was saying Polaris's had to be pushed because they got stuck because the way the awd worked on Polaris's;; the ATV world regonizes Polaris's awd system as one of the best made, go back and read the posts, i also see why you're defending him, you are a member of the Honda cult as well, i don't understand you guys with these hondas you all would whether die than admit Honda has one downfall;; as for Polaris they have some good qualities and some bad, I've owned Suzuki, and Polaris, to be honest, i don't think i would ever own another polaris,this makes two I've owned, the first was a 500 in 2000, good atv,but the one i have now stays in the shop more than i can ride it, Polaris's quality has went down hill big time..maybe I'll buy a Honda and join the cult,and get brain washed,haha,,so read before you past judgement.. wayout, out..............

 

wayout her, very well put jimja i agree with about 99% of that post, i'm thinking of ac for my next atv,500 maybe?? wayout, out..........

 

Wayout, you got me wrong. I'm not a Honda cultist like the west virginans on here are. Look at my sig and you will see I own a kawi. There were a few reasons why my new wheeler was not a honda. So before you pass judgement read up. The new Hondas are JUNK compared to the ol' 300 fourtrax in my yard. Which has prob anywhere from 6000-8000 miles and still plows the driveway! (The odometer says 6034, but I had for a half year before the odometer.) And a friends has 10000 miles!! Well actually 9892. But he hasn't had the odometer on for all of its ownership either. My friend rick has a 98 foreman with almost 8000 miles on it. I could name a bunch more. If I'm to be deemed a Honda cultist make it an older model cultist. Because all the newer Hondas have more problems IMO.

 

Hondas have downfalls. Their auto trannys are junk IMO. Trying to get all fancy with the tranny. Why? I think a cvt gets the job done a lot cheaper? See there is a downfall. IMO of course.

 

oh, now why do the knuckleheads have to start picking on Honda, particularly those that live in glass houses. As far as second-rate performing simplistic CVTs go, its common knowledge Kawasaki has the worst performing belt drive of the bunch. Settling for that I can understand that you wouldn't get it. Oh the horror stories he tells about Hondas (of someone he knew blah blah blah). I can replace my tranny and still make as much off of resale as your Kawi (depreciation really takes a toll on a brand like Kawasaki). And what's with the cultist label, if someone happens to own a Honda they are a cultist? I thought it was an American brand that was a cult? There are some hard-headed Honda owners in this forum, but for the most part I think I see more from another brand. The streak seems to run with 'big bore' owners as well, buy a big quad and think they are an authority. Most of the Honda owners I see are the experienced riders with an open mind.

I don't think Kodiak660s example has anything to do with brand. Any dummy should know it has a whole lot more to do with weight, tires, and technique. Heavy quads suck in the snow, regardless of brand or type of 4wd, but Polaris is not TRUE 4wd unless you are in the Polaris marketing department or a sucker. All that weight and not being locked in 4x4 and you are going to get stuck sooner than others. I know - I have to be careful not having a locker, but we got 21" of snow yesterday and I was able to get around. The snow was up past my floorboards. No locker.

your life story? (or is that our V.P.?), clueless