Hope you don't mind.... I posted this in another forum last night trying to get as much feedback as popssible in a short amount of time. I'm looking for any help I can get in helping me decide.

Tonight I was at the same dealer that I bought my Raptor from. He seems to be the only one that wants to deal with me, not that that's a bad thing... but it is definitely going to be between these two; An '08 Grizzly 700 (the basic model) and an '07 Polaris Sportsman 800 Limited Edition (which I can't seem to find on Polaris' website?). Anyway, definitely the '08 Griz model.... he needs to put some together first to see one up close, which is telling me they must really be selling them. No '07s in stock. He's got both power steering models and non, but the Polaris just seems to good to pass up even for a different model (smaller cc) Polaris. This one has a winch, tires & wheels that won't need switched out immediately, rear light, NICE black paintjob, which if you've ever seen my bike, you know would draw me to the Polaris right off the bat , a real bumper on the front, but I want to make a smart decision and not one based on looks alone.
Hopefully I'll get to ride them tomorrow after they get a Griz together, but by all accounts, the 800 seems to be a bit of a gas hog, which is more of an inconvenience than anything, but something I need to consider. I don't like having to run and get gas for my current quad as it is.

So, like I said in another post, I'm just looking for something to putz around on. Take out year round, tear it up a little, a little trail riding, a little here to there riding, more pleasure than work.
Comfort is important, which I read the Polaris has. Maybe the smaller Griz would physically be more comfortable to operate though. Even without seeing them side by side I can just see this 800cc monster is a beast. Having a pretty fast sport quad though, I don't want to sell myself short on speed for when I hit the roads or buzz alongside the tracks to get somewhere, which is one reason I am ruling out smaller utes. And I did read the Grizzly, while rating pretty much up there across the board, seems to lack in power somewhat.

So what do you guys think? Comapring these two models, because like I said, this Polaris just seems to come with so much that would add up $ if I modded it like this myself... it seems too good to pass up unless there is some really bad fault with it.

 

Sounds to me like your decision is weighing heavily on the test drives. Polaris does make some pretty quads... but outside of a more powerful engine, (and those extras that they're tossing in,) the grizzly is the better all around quad. Be sure to ride them both around in 4wd... Lemme know which one is easier and feels better to steer. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I'll definitely post which one I end up with.
The "test ride" will just be to get a feel for them. The dealer doesn't have trails or anything, so with Polaris' AWD setup I don't think the front drive will engage at all just taking it up and down the road. Well.... not unless I spin the rears ;^) And I may just opt to save 500 bucks and get the Griz without the EPS..... hard to say.
I've read nothing but good things about the Griz and a lot of reviews on the Stealth (I guess it's called) whose owners just love it. Either one is overkill for what I need, so who knows... that's why I need input (lol).

 

I'd trust the Yamaha to be a more reliable, more well-rounded machine. My $0.02

 

Besides being more well rounded, which I think it would be too with the reviews I've read on it, the dealer just told me that they hold their value better, too. That's certainly something to consider.

 

Having an '02 Grizzly 660 which is still holding up well to a lot of abuse and an '07 Grizzly 700 (I tend to use the 660 more for work now and the 700 for mostly play) I can tell you the $500 more that you would spend on the power assisted steering (EPS) model is well worth it. The '07 is quieter, smoother, a little more comfortable, handles better and has a little more power than my '02. It is hands down a better machine.

That EPS option though is the best feature of all (what really stands out the most). Steering is easy and has a consistant / predictable feel to it no matter what the terrain and whether you are in 2WD or limited slip 4WD. Even better is how well the EPS helps to reduce bump steer for keeping you going in your intended direction on a rough trail with less effort (less stress on your wrists too). $500 may sound like a lot but look at the long term picture. Once you try the EPS in a variety of conditions (especially if you had a non-EPS unit to compare it with) you will see what I mean and will be so glad you got that feature (my former play machine was an '05 750 Brute Force and there was a huge difference in steering feel).

Both machines that you are considering have electronic fuel injection so that is not a deciding factor. As for storage, if you want more storage than what comes stock with the Grizzly, I'd highly recommend one of the hard boxes from Tamarack to put on the front rack. They aren't really big but would give you plenty of space and are easy to get into it without getting off your ATV. It also keeps things dry (unlike the integrated storage system on the Sportsman) even during power washing.

When comparing these two models (the Sportsman and the Grizzly) I actually prefer the independent brake controls of the Grizzly over the linked single lever system on the Polaris. I also prefer the manual 4WD controls on the Grizzly too which keeps you in 4WD until you disengage it and that helps on steep descents, especially when in low range as the engine braking effect on the Grizzly is excellent. To it's credit though I think I have heard that the new Sportsman has some sort of descent control now as well.

As for power, the Grizzly is well equipped but is no match for a Can-AM 650 or 800. It is on par with a stock Suzuki King Quad 700 with the Grizzly having a slight acceleration advantage (but the Suzuki has a slightly higher top speed)...

 

This is a really, really tough call. They're both outstanding machines and truthfully you couldn't go wrong with either one.

The Grizzly - Get the power steering. It is fantastic. One of the best parts of the machine. One of those things you really don't appreciate until you actually use it. As for the rest of the machine, the suspension is really good and it handles great. The engine is fine. Nothing more and nothing less in my opinion. It is adequate and snappy. There have been problems with the EFI in regards to cold starting and some other issues which as far as I know have never really been addressed other than diddling with the mixture settings. Still a good ATV.

The Sportsman 800- First of it isn't an 800. Polaris is lying. It is a 760 cc engine they call an 800. It's a good engine though with plenty of power especially he 2008. Speaking of 2008s you want to make sure you get the 2008 models with ADC-Automatic Decent Control which is the Polaris 4 wheel engine braking. Their old system, EBS, sucked. Hard. The new ADC is as good s anything else out there. The Sportsmans doesn't handle quite as good as the Grizzly in my opinion, it is a bit "heavier" feeling but it rides better. The Sportsman rides better than anything esle I've ridden. It has a great, comfortable ride.

The Polaris 4x4 system is pretty much seamless. The Yamaha is straightforward and you can't go wrong with their system either so it's a wash there.

The Polaris has linked front and rear brakes which I think suck but some people like.

I didn't think I liked the Polaris racks at first but the more I've seen of them I think they work quite well. The ones on the Yamaha looked ok though if a bit on the thin side. They have a bunch of attachments for them available form Yammy.

In the end you're going to have to get your butt on the seat and ride them. The bad part is you probably won't be able to ride them in their intended operating environment but you'll have to do the best you can. Get as much seat time on each one as you possibly can in conditions that replicate your riding conditions as closely as you can. Make your choice from there. You can take comfort in the fact that you really can't go wrong with either one though.

 

I think I posted on your original thread and have posted several threads on my own comparing my stealth 800 to my new grizz 700. Now that I have ridden both and have had a chance to let it sink in, I have to put my vote on the stealth and that is based on how much plusher the ride is. I also like the massive feel of the 800 which to some people is a draw back but it inspires confidence when you are in the twisties. I do however have to say the grizz feels very light and nimble due to the fact that it is only a one jug over the 800's two. It weighs a lot less too. As far as power goes, I have not completely broken mine (actually it's my wife's new ride) in but I have seen several threads that say the grizz will do well into the 60's which would tend to make me believe it's holeshot could be lacking. That of course is purely conjecture on my part.

Long story short, get your butt in the seat and see how the layout of each machine feels to you. I have a decked out Harley Roadking and the polaris ride is remeniscent of that feel to me. The grizz didn't feel much different than my sons wolvy 450. As other posts have alluded to, definately get the eps if you go with the grizz. It is very slick.

 

They're going to have them all set up to ride today and I'm heading out there at 12:30. Gonna be a long half day.

Captain, the Stealth is an '07. Does that cross it off the short list since I don't think it will have the ADC? I have read nothing but bad things on the Sportsman's engine breaking, also. Something about the rear end sliding out on you? Which I guess can be overcome by adding a little throttle and using the brake.
Still, not having an independent front brake is going to be weird... especially if there's a hill I don't make it up. I'm used to grabbing for the front brake so I don't flip. Although there probably aren't too many hills I'll encounter that either of these quads won't make it up..... without spilling my coffee even ;^) Mostly the quads will just be used for fairly flat traversing with some mud along the way.

Mud, Not taking into account the winch, since the Yamaha comes with one for 69 bucks more (still, that's 69 bucks), do you think the Stealth at just $300 more than the Griz EPS is just too good a deal to pass up? Even without ADC? I keep coming back to that picture in my mind of the aftermarket bumper, tires & wheels, the headlight on the bars (which seems like a good idea)..... it just seems like a lot more quad for not that much more. You have both and I believe you mentioned having to get some better rubber on the Griz or something like that in your thread. There really isn't a whole lot I think I would need to do to the Polaris. I think that by getting the Stealth that I won't have to put much money into modding it.
But then there's the smallish gas tank, the reputation for drinking gas like water, an extra 200 lbs weight, something about Sportsman's exhaust burning plastic....

Man I hope this test ride pulls me one way or the other.

 

Well that didn't go very well..... I still don't know which one I want.

First ride was the Grizzly; Easy steering, bit of a lag in the hole, very upright feeling position, but not incomfortable. OK, nothing grabbed me there.

Then the Sportsman; surprisingly easy steering, VERY surprising since I'm not used to utes. Great out of the hole, MUCH more powerful feeling and I had room to go after 60 mph, whereas the Grizzly felt used up to where I didn't want to keep the throttle to it any more.

Then back to the Grizz, OK I notice the EPS now, especially when playing around a little washed out area, but for a while there it was almost too loose feeling, maybe that's because when I got back on the Sportsman and did the same thing I had more weight on the front end? The Sportsman just felt more in control. But I can see the advantage to the EPS now.

The Yamaha; you really need to undo some plastic to get at anything. Which might be a good thing. The battery and elestrics is up nice and high.
The Polaris; much easier access to the plugs, battery.... it looked much easier to service.
But I love the looks of the Grizz. The way the cowl dives into the seat gives it a very aggressive, sporty look. And I just can't get used to not having a tubular rack. I don't like the tabletop plastic system of the Polaris at all, but I like the way I seem to sit in the Polaris rather than on the Yamaha. I have to give the looks to the Yamaha, but the overall feel to Polaris.

Now, remember this is an '07 Polaris compared to an '08 Yamaha. The Grizz lists for $8199. An '07 Sportsman 800 lists for $8399. AND this is the Stealth model with the winch ($69 extra on the Grizz) fancy wheels, more aggressive tires, front bumper.....
The bottom line is I would be spending 3 dollars less per month for the Sportsman! So the Polaris is definitely the better buy between the two, but, it's a calendar year older.

Some things that were running through my head as I was looking at them is the AWD system of the Polaris. I imagine I would get stuck less often because I could keep the AWD on and as soon as I find myself spinning the AWD kicks in and locks them all up if needed. Whereas if I'm out cruising in 2WD on the Grizz and start spinning I have to think quick and get the 4WD locked in while I still have momentum. Just a thought. Don't like not having a standalone front brake though. The Polaris' handlebar lever applies more front brake I was told, just in case I find myself sliding down a hill backwards. And the foot control is rear only, so I can still steer when going downhill in the right direction, but it still seems weird.

Conclusion? I have no idea. I'm finding good and bad with both of them and even the monthly payments didn't make up my mind for me, which I was honestly hoping they would. I'm putting my rappy on the trailer and coming home with one of them tonight. Which one I don't know yet, but I'll be sure to let y'all know.