I am looking at the two models and would like imput on both of them. Most of the riding is going to be trail riding and will be using for plowing.

 

This should be good especially in the "Yamaha" section.

My money would be on the Yamaha, but I'm extremely biased.

I rode with a guy with way more riding experience than me on a Sportsman and I walked all over him in the swampy stuff and we both had stock tires. His winch was his only friend.

He called me the next week and asked me how much I paid for my 450. I didn't ask him why but I think he was considering changing quads.

 

I think you'd probably be happy with either... but remember the 450 is about 593lbs dry and the 500 is either 728 or 773lbs depending on which one ya get... that's just too heavy IMO...