Since ATV world is all but dead right now, I'm putting this here:

Those of you that mightr have polaris ATVs...do you like them? How are they for power? Good 4x4? I am exploring the option of buying an ATV, and there seem to be alot of polaris bikes for sale around.

I know that Honda makes a good quad, but there just arent any for sale.

My friend drives a 2000 500 sportsman, and believe me he DRIVES that sportsman. His has over like 13000 k on it and still running strong. Excellent 4x4, and very power ful. also, if you are looking for ride that sportsman rides 10 x better than my foreman. All around it is a decent bike, but go either sp 500, or mag 500. DO NOT GO ANY SMALLER unless you go 2 stroke, their smaller 4 strokes suck. The neighbor has a 335 sp and it blows goats, my cousin has a mag 300 and it is a severly unpowerful, slow peice of garbage, and my friends have expiditions, i don't think that they are having the best of luck with them.

Hope this helps ya


Matthew

What is an sp? mag??

My dad has an older Polaris 4x4, a 350 magnum 2 stroke, I think he bought it in 92... anyways, it has been put to work and punished like a redheaded stepchild from day one, and has been made to do things that no sane person should do with a 4 wheeler, and it is just like a timex watch... takes a lickin and keeps on tickin... He wants to buy a new polaris 4 stroke, but keeps saying he will do so when the old goat kicks the bucket... he is still waiting for it to cash in, but it keeps going and going and going.....

He works it hard but keeps up on the routine maintenance, and it runs like a champ.

sp=Sportsman
mag=Magnum

Difference=Sportsman IRS (Independant Rear Suspension) and Magnum just a straight axel rear suspension. I would also look into getting an older Sportsman 400 two stroke. FAST, FAST, FAST Machines. My friend owns one, and it does well over 70 mph. I think that you are the kinda guy who likes to go seeing that you drove a faster sled.

PS. Forgot to tell you that the only real problem my friend had on his 500 was CV boots. This is because of the big amount of an angle on the boots they just wore out. Once they figured out how to change them themselves, they could have them swapped out and ready to role in about 20 min fairly easy.

Any more Q's just ask.

Rocketman....your a bombardier kind of guy, go for the trophy....DS650 Baja or the Quest™ 650.

Other than how are you?? We bought a new SUV. Bought a 98 Chevy Suburban loaded to the gills with stuff that a 2 year old just may break. Michelle doing well w/the pregnacy and Justin is a handful but a blast. Had his first snowmobile ride 2nd weekend of Jan. He did great! Talk to you later

Do the Doo

I used to own a Polaris Mag. and now I ride a Yamaha 450 Kodiak. If you want to know why I switched you can pm me.

Bombardier kinda of guy....yeah ;) In fact, the Outlander caught my eye. only a 400HO engine, but seems to be loaded with cool engineering and good features...going to go see if I can test drive one ;)

i got an 01 xpedition and have had really no problems, the only problems i had was the clutch got a little out of adjustment(warrenty) and the reverse sensor thingie...there was a recall/bulletin put out and that got replaced...i put a 2500lb winch on it...go about anywhere, use in the early spring on our farm to check tile lines and the 4x4 is 2nd to none in my opnion there are only a few other models(honda, suzki maybe) that have the true 4x4. try and stick with a sportmans tho if you can, with the independant suspension gives a nice ride, more power, and sometimes im a little partial to the automatic tranny, shifting sometimes is a hassel in certain situations....bauer what type of problems did ur friends have???? -INDY :thumbsup:

My family and friends are full of Sportsmans and everyone is super happy with them.

1999 Sportsman 500HO
2002 Sportsman 500HO
2002 Sportsman 700

Best ride in the industry and power that makes the Honda's cry. I don't think you can go wrong with the Sportsman 500HO.

I've had a few experiances with the Polaris ATV's. They have IMO the best 4 wheel drive system out there. I personally fell in love with the xpedition 425. Great 4 wheel drive system with a real shifter. No belts for me. They work great on my sled but not when you're pullin a 1000 lb moose out of the bush. Oh ya and if you do buy one purchase a winch immediately. Take my word on it.

ANd how about Polais winning all these awards for there new 600 Twin 4x4??? Check it out also.

We used to have 3 hondas for our farm and now we're down to 1. We bought a Polaris 500 Magnum and it was great, had better clearance and could go through more then the Honda. It has already proven more reliable then our Honda was and we have stuck less into parts so far. The Magnum was so good we traded off another Honda on one. We're down to one Honda and that'll probably go pretty soon too! :D

I have a 01 Magnum 500 and work the crap out of it, I use it to mow, plow, skid logs, you name it. All I've done in almost 3 years is keep the fluids checked and change the oil. It's never even been in to the dealer for anything. Also, unlike the Honda, when you're in 4wd it's 4wd all 4 tires pull the same. Just go to your local ATV pull, the polaris machines are almost always top in class for the 4x4s.

Rocketman, I have heard good things about the Outlander 400 h.o's. Since you are a Bombardier guy, I would think you would love this Quad. Also, they are supposed to slap the sportsman 400's and run right with the sportsman 500 h.o's. If you are going to buy a sportsmans, buy a 500h.o not the regular 500 because there is a large powerdifference.

A family member has a sportsman 400 and has worked well for them. However, I was wondering why no other atv companies have been brought up. I know the Yamaha quads are ok. My friend and I have used them for a while and they were working great. But then Bombardier came out with the ds 650 and I had to have one. That quad works very well, it's almost as good as sleding. I would just consider all makes, unless your brand loyal to polaris. I drove them all and would never get ride of my DS, unless they made a faster DS.

I have nothing but bad things to say about the Bombi 650 Quest....... That ride really sucks when it comes to the water. My buddy has one and the belt system on his gets wet and he's screwed when we run thru water over the foot holds...... NOT GOOD!
All ATV's are pretty equal in terms of being realiable but some ride much more smoother than others.
Depends on what you want it for, but I would stay away from the 2 stroke quads unless your looking to race, which then you would probably want a 2 wheel drive.

Get a predator 500 that thing is awesome.

if it aint a doo its a poo...well in ATV words Bombardier :hallo1:

i'm not a big polaris fan, but i have been riding suzuki atvs since i was 8, i've been around them all my life, i've never experience any problems with them what so ever other than a few broken lights, cracked plastic ,all of which were my fault.

I drove the outlander today....it is a nice ride...no body roll on turns...seems to accellerate very well, but it was hard to tell as I was on ice.

The only way I can see the belt getting wet is if you ride through water over the fenders...the venting on the Outlander belt comes up under the seat and handlebars (2 vents).

Seems to be a great package.

BTW,..it is a different body style than the Quest.

I wouldn't go with bomb for an atv. I just don't like them, but that is me. I think that if you were going for a new or slightly used machine, go Sportsman 500, or Foreman 450. Believe me, these quads can take a beating. I mean my honda has like 9000 km of a 200+ pound person, and it is still rolling like new. If you buy a quad, get a winch like some one mentioned here before, and if you go honda INVEST IN A LOCKER from highlifter.com. You won't be sorry.

Also, does any one know the prices on the machines such as the bomb, poo, and honda??

I know my foreman was 8200 $ and they have went up in the past 3 years.

Matthew

can u say kawi 650 Vtwin

PROS

-best power to weight ratio of any sport ute
-lowest centre of gravity
- unlimited service life rear brakes
-front diff lock
-4hi and 4lo
-start in any gear
-override for full power in reverse
-top of the line front brakes ( no prob stoppies)
-crushes all the other big bores in holeshots
- Wheelies on command in any range

CONS

Cheap worthless stock dunlop tires
belt life will be reduced unless u use low range in speeds under 55kmh

I forgot to mention that one thing i didnt like was that there was front body roll in tight corners this can easily be solved by adding the stiffer front springs that are available or by getting rid of the 2 ply dunlops for a tire that actually has a side wall.
The kawi also comes with a remote resovoir clicker shock that is super plush even on big jumps.
For high speed running down logging type roads the IRS cannot touch the solid rear axel for safe solid cornering. Just ask the ones that try they always end up in the rubarb :0: :p

rocketman dont get anything with a belt. ive seen to many in a mud/water hole sitting there not moving as there belt was wet. some off these were the first time out and they still did it. i would never buy anything with a belt

Cooley...belt drive is being embraced by all brands now, except Honda, as they have their hydrostatic system. The clutches are in a sealed case, with two vents that go up as high as the air intake. If you get water in the clutches, you got water in the engine.

Also, I don't know about other brands, but the Outlander has a drain bolt in the bottom of the clutch case should you sink it. If you think they just slapped a belt drive in without testing in the actual conditions that the machine will be ridden in, you are sadly mistaken.

I have only seen a belt slip twice on my friends sportsman. 1: We were in a mud hole and my friend was riding and hit a log, and it climbed over with the front, and then whent he rear hit it slipped. I walked in, and just pushed him, it grabbed and went. And another time he hit a 1 1/2 foot deep water hole at like 45 mph and splash, just the way the water came up and through the body drenched every thing, air filter, breather, belt, etc. All we did was take out the filter and hung it on the handle bar, and pulled 2 screws off of the bottom of the belt case and pried it apart with a screw driver to drain it, put it in neutral, revved it up for about 4 min at a lower rev, and let it sit for 20 min. Ran like new. THe first time i don't know what the heck happened, and the second, was his fault. We do ALOT of mud/water riding also. I believe they are manufactured very well. But i am still a honda man, honda is GOD!!!! LOL :sly:

Matthew