ATV television is about the worst rater of ATV's I have seen.. Look at one of the magazine's, they do a good job of giving the facts in my opinion.. Maybe if ATV TV would get off there Rancher kick, it would point them in a more reputable direction. Rating the rancher over the P-360, or Yamaha Kodiak give me a break!!! Rancher's a good bike BUT VERY OUTDATED...

 

 

suzuki has come out with some great qauds and the vinson is by far the best 500 class 4x4 out there right now. Highlifter has come out with or is coming out with a front diff lock for it. As far as I can see they are hte fastest 500 4x4 on the market and i hate autos, thats why i have a red manual shift on the way it should be here in a week or so.

 

if you buy a 500, get the sportsman. just think about it, before anything bigger, this was the 4x4 to have. it still is. my friends tried to talk me out of buying the sportsman cause' of some bad wrap that somehow cought on. i have had had 1 problem with mine. a brass bushing in the front a-arm cracked while under warranty! just over 2k miles later, it performs like a top. this quad won atv of the year for many years straight. if your concerned about gettin' true 4x4 no matter what, & a quad that will take more than you could ever throw at it, then it must be a sportsman! take a look at utility quads now vs. 10 yrs. ago, every manufacturer has baisicly copyied the sportsman. many manufactures think that a quad should weigh no more than 600 lbs. tell that to polaris, if you can weigh up to 200 lbs. more & still beat the competition, big deal! you will not have to buy an aftermarket locker. (polaris uses a spool). try to find aftermarket skidplates for a sportsman, there aren't any cause' its the best protected quad money can buy straight from the factory. i could go on & on. oh yea, those friends of mine stopped talkin' trash long ago & some now own polaris. go to all the dealers w/ an open mind & make your choice. i'll say this, i really don't think that there's any such thing as a "bad" atv manufacturer, you just got to make up your mind whats most important to ya!

 

Polaris Protection? Carver???? Look down between the left floorboard & frame, there IS a gapping hole for the first stick that comes along to knock your tranny cover right off.

 

ok then genius, tell me about your real world experiences! not saying that i have rode through more than anyone, but, only flexible things (or breakable) have ever came through that small void. nothing that could ever ever think about causing real damage, not only to me but my sportsman, have ever emerged. the point that i made is that the underbelly protection of any sportsman is not only genorous, but very strong pure steel! superior to anything that ive yet seen.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i think Suzuki has made a come back in the ATV Industry with the Eiger, Vinson, and Z400. I think they have made great ATVs for 400-500cc. BUT i dont get it, they made the first indep suspension and diff lock and now they dont have it on none of there ATVS now!!!!!!I think the King Quad is gone and it was the best ATV Suzuki Made. I hope Suzuki has some Ideas coming up soon to make a bad *** Big Bore and i think its coming soon.

 

I thought on this for a while then bought a rubicon.The main selling points for me were the real automatic transmission(no belt drive) and the reliability of my past hondas and friends hondas.Speed was not a factor for me as my quad will be used mainly for hunting and hauling out game and gear and not much for trail riding.For a workhorse I think the rubicon is a great choice although I might choose different if my machine was to be used mainly for trail riding.

 

I to would buy a Rubicon, it isn't the smoothest ride in town but without question, it has the greatest transmission of any ATV. And Hellfish, I am surprised you didn't make the same recommendation.

If I was going to buy a Polaris I would buy a new 500 HO since they don't make the Magnums any more. I do believe Polaris has addressed alot of their maint problems.

I would most deffinatly consider a Kodiak 450 and a 400 Outlander. If I got an Outlander I am sure I would be very happy with it from all the reviews, but I would get tired of aways wearing a mask.

I would most likely look at both the Yamahas and the Outlander before the Polaris. Does Yamaha make any red ATVs?

 

yes