tell me about polaris atv

hatchet jack · Post by **hatchet jack** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:40 pm

my son is think about buying a 2008 polaris sportsman 500 ho 4x4 ,,how do they compare to other brands.

h.j.

GREY OWL · Post by **GREY OWL** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:01 pm

Their not a bad ATV, all brands are fairly close to one another, even Kymco (Chinese make) are coming up the back end. Polaris is known for their ride, and handling, and from what i hear can go through alot of mud and snow. Their a very heavy machine, they can heat up in the engine compartment, sometimes melting the plastic side covers. The engines did have a funny noise coming from the engine, driving operators crazy, for some reason the back racks would also rattle. Polaris's come in my mind, fully equipped, good bumpers for brush, aggressive tires, eliminating the need to upgrade like most other Japanese quads. Two wheel, four wheel, and lock-up diffs. are a positive feature, I believe they also have EFI, high ground clearance.
But they are plagued sometimes with nagging little problems, even getting a lemon or Friday bike.

If you want the best riding bike, get a Polaris or Bombardier, if you want reliability, Honda, Suzuki, Yammy, if you want high ground clearance and brute force, Artic Cat, Polaris, ( a tie), but they will be tippy on off camber terrain, or hills. Kawasaki has the brute force which is very powerful, Bombardier has the engines with the most horsepower per cc, but louder in decibels.

If I was to buy another Quad, I'd get the 450 King Quad by Suzuki, EFI, fully independant, 2, 4 and fully locked Diffs., no grease zerks, high ground clearance, factory installed winch. The only complaint is that you need to up-grade the front bumpers, and tires.

These are just my opinion on Quads, other fellows may have a slightly different view.

For all Canadians, prices are coming down this summer and fall for ATV's and Snowmobiles, because of the high Cdn. dollar.

Grey Owl

Grizzly Adam · Post by **Grizzly Adam** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:51 pm

I have two all-terrain vehicles, and they can go places that none of the currently manufactured ATVs can go.

Mine are 1965 models ... still original equipment. Snow, mud, water, hills, swamps ... they go through it all ... even go down in caves and up in trees. Only problem is finding tires for them, since I wear size 12 EEEEE.

Someday they'll get too old to give me the traction I need, and I'll have to get a four-wheeler too!

GREY OWL · Post by **GREY OWL** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:27 pm

HEHEHE good one Grizz.

Yip, my 1959 model is a reliable machine, and my wife likes riding it. She says the motor is starting to smoke a little, slightly cracked head, some bad CV joints, often needs a kick start on a cold morning, she's even treatened to trade it in for a newer model.

Grey Owl

tuskntine · Post by **tuskntine** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:59 am

I owned a Po;aris 500 H/O 4x4 and it was a great machine. Thought I was going to have to quit hunting so I sold it . BAD MOVE ( 2004 model I think )
I now on a 2007 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4 , WISH I HAD BOUGHT ANOTHER POLARIS !
The Big Bear 400 is a good machine but I don't like the shifting . It doesn't shift like a motorcycle does . You can't just rock your toe back and shift , you have to LIFT your whole leg up with toe under shifter . This may not seem like a big deal but it is hard to get used to and easy to miss a shift .
If it wasn't so new I would trade it for a Polaris in a heart beat . I also like the REAL 4x4 capability (all 4 pulling) . The LOCKER on the big Bear works but it's another button you have to push .
IMO , buy the Polaris !

Farmer · Post by **Farmer** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:55 am

I have a friend that owns a 500 polaris and you would not believe the abuse he puts it thru . He will try just about any situation going thru the bush , no mud whole is to deep or wide . His favorite saying ? " I think I can make it !! " The polaris has made it thru 95% of them . He has also been aptly nick named Captain Nemo

Duey · Post by **Duey** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:29 pm

I have a 660 Yamaha grizzly and it will go anywhere you want to go. Go look at several makes and then make up your mind as whick one to purchase.

Duey

DropTine · Post by **DropTine** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:18 pm

Can't go wrong with a Honda or Yammy

hatchet jack · Post by **hatchet jack** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:10 am

thanks for the info ,going to make a desision soon

h.j

hawg hunter · Post by **hawg hunter** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:16 pm

I've had one Polaris and won.t have another. To hard to get parts and that oil injection sucks. Go with a good brand with a parts supply togo anywhere if you need them. Honda,Yamaha,or Bombadier. IMO.

JRS · Post by **JRS** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:19 pm

Personally, I'd buy any Japanese make before a Polaris. I think you get more bang for the buck with the Jap machines. I currently ride a 700 Suzuki, and have also owned Yamaha and Honda machines. I do know some guys that love their Polaris' though.

tuskntine · Post by **tuskntine** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:33 am

Who has been in the business longer (ATV/SNOWMOBILE) Japan or Polaris?
Hard to find parts for ? A GOOD dealer will fix you right up . IMO

GREY OWL · Post by **GREY OWL** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:00 pm

tuskntine wrote:Who has been in the business longer (ATV/SNOWMOBILE) Japan or Polaris?
Hard to find parts for ? A GOOD dealer will fix you right up . IMO

Well.... Honda built the first trike, and Suzuki built the first 4 wheeler, (Quad). Polaris has a much bigger variety in sheer numbers.

Grey Owl

Bow Life · Post by **Bow Life** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:26 pm

I know a guy who owns a dealership that sells both Polaris and Honda. His exact words to me "Polaris will get you in, Honda will get you out" He said if you wantt o buy a polaris cause there slightly cheaper make sure you get the extended warenty and then sell it before it runs out.

We own a honda and i have never seen a machine go through as much, and take the repeated beatings that this one does. Its lighter and more durable. Maybe not quite as fast but id rather have reliability when im out on the trail. But agian thats just my opinion.

Partikle · Post by **Partikle** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:02 pm

Bow Life wrote:I know a guy who owns a dealership that sells both Polaris and Honda. His exact words to me "Polaris will get you in, Honda will get you out" He said if you wantt o buy a polaris cause there slightly cheaper make sure you get the extended warenty and then sell it before it runs out.

We own a honda and i have never seen a machine go through as much, and take the repeated beatings that this one does. Its lighter and more durable. Maybe not quite as fast but id rather have reliability when im out on the trail. But agian thats just my opinion.

I knew a dealer that sold both Honda and Bombardier and he said almost same thing. He said the Honda needed gas and an oil change now and then and it would run forever.