Polaris ATV's

burgundyz71 · February 26, 2003

Might get a Sportsman 500 and just wondering if anyone has one and the price you got it for.

Wardster · February 28, 2003

Might get a Sportsman 500 and just wondering if anyone has one and the price you got it for.

I have a 2000 XPlorer 4x4 that I am selling for $2,850 if you are interested in something a little smaller. If not, I know that several places are selling left over 2002 models for about a thousand dollars less than the 2003 models. (I bought a 2002 Honda Foreman ES for $5,300 a couple of months ago)

-Wardster

burgundyz71 · February 28, 2003

After talking to some former Polaris owners I may also go Honda or Yamaha.

cowboy02 · February 28, 2003

I have a 2000 XPlorer 4x4 that I am selling for $2,850 if you are interested in something a little smaller.

I might be interested do you have any pics? How much has it been used? What Kind've condition and were do you live at? Not sure what it would cost to ship........

Thanks.

Worktruck · February 28, 2003

I have three Polaris atv's. Never have had troulbe with any. My opinion is if you take care of them they'll take care of you. All the people I know with atv's that break down put absolutely no maintanace into them. Just my $.02.

cowboy02 · February 28, 2003

I agree with you Worktruck that is very true except for 1.....

YAMAHA.......

My dad has a old yamaha that he has on the farm that he's done nothing but beat the living cr*p out of. Never done any maint. Last year during farming season he reset the trip to 0 at the end of the season it had rolled over for the 2nd time. That's close to 2,000 miles on that 4 wheeler in one season with nothing done to it but fill up the tank... It was new in 89 and still runs like a top today..... Saw another one the other day that was the same year, make, model and color and was still running like a champ, seat had more ductape on it then you could shake a stick at

But all in all........ If you take care of anything it will take care of you........ :thumb:

SilveradoWV · March 1, 2003

I have been riding since I was about 5 years old, and have had Yamaha's, Honda's, and Kawasaki's (currently). No matter what ATV you get they are all pretty equal if you are comparing models of the same class. What disadvantages some manufacturers have are the other manufacturers advantages, if that makes any sense. Just small differences between all the top manufacturers lead people into buying a certain one. I also have 2 Honda 250's utility model, one is an '85 and the other is an '86 which looks brand new, I cant same the same about the 85 but it still runs great. Right now I have an '01 Kawasaki Prairie 300. I would say you would be satisfied with either the polaris, honda, or yamaha but the best thing is to go test drive all 3 and get a good feel for what you want. Only reason I got away from Honda is the ride quality, they seem to have a stiffer suspension than everyone else, thats great if youre going to use it as a worker, but its not great at all after a 70 miles trail ride if you know what I mean!

HillHound · March 1, 2003

The main reason I don't care alot for Polaris atvs is that they seem to weigh alot more than similar machines from Honda or Yamaha.

For example, my '00 Yamaha Kodiak 400 4x4 has a dry weight of 545lbs.

An '03 Polaris Sportsman 400 4x4 has a dry weight of 697lbs! What the h*ll do they do to make that thing weigh so much more??

The Polaris Sportsman 700 4x4 weighs a wopping 740lbs! Add gas and fluids and it's easily over 800lbs I only weigh about 165lbs and I don't enjoy steering all that dead weight around on a 50mile ride over rough trails. You don't handle a 800lb atv on tight trails, it handles you!

I can pick my Yamaha up by it's racks and move the front/back around if it's in a tight spot like a garage or trailer, even set it upright once when it rolled. I've high centered it a few times and been able to shove it enough by myself to get moving again. I like atvs that are light and easy to steer. Less weight the better.

SilveradoWV · March 1, 2003

I am just the opposite, I like them the heavier the better, especially in the front. As far as hardness to steer, the hardest ATV to steer I have EVER ridden was a Honda Foreman 4x4 S, and I have riddent quite a few. I rode a buddys Foreman 4x4 S one trail ride and my arms were so sore I couldnt hardly move them, but now they make ATVs with selectable 2wd/4wd and 2wd makes steering a little better. The Honda 250's we have are light and I dont like it because they flip in a second, and the next thing you know youre on your back and its ridin you down a hill.

TxDoc · March 3, 2003

Stand by for News.....In July Polaris will release the 800cc with EFI! The 780 sled engine with new plastic. Talk was going on about possibly using the Visco-Lok, a' la Bombardier, but at this time, that appears a no go.

Z71GUY · March 3, 2003

I know, these quad wars are like the big 3 diesel wars. I keep wondering, how many cc's are enough & how much torque is enough. Great time to be alive!

I personally ride a 2000 Honda 400EX with a boat-load of mod's. I enjoy the quick, snappy power and handling of a 'vette (under 400lbs) Anything happens, I can just pick it up and throw it around. Either way, doesnt matter what you ride...just the fact that you ride! We need to keep our sport growing in a positive way.

Wardster · March 3, 2003

I might be interested do you have any pics? How much has it been used? What Kind've condition and were do you live at? Not sure what it would cost to ship........

Thanks.

I used it quite a bit when I first got it, but it has not been "used" for over a year. I removed the stock guards on the front end and added something a little beefier to protect it from the elements of trail riding. Mechanically it runs like a top. I will post a few pics later in the week.

-Wardster

P.S. I live in Circleville, Ohio (30min south of Columbus)

Roofer · March 3, 2003

The 400 Xplorers are a great machine. It will easily out do any Sportsman in almost every aspect, except ride quality being the Sp's have IRS. The 400 2-stroke motor is almost bullet proof as is the 500 engine, but the Xplorer is 100 lbs. lighter and it makes a big difference.

As for maintenance, you have to keep an eye on the belt and the rear chain. These are critical, but easy maintenance once you played with it a bit. It just becomes routine after every ride. Clean, oil, and tighten chain as needed. One thing I found out is not to get too big of mud tires on a Xplorer. It has lots of power, but it can't handle too big of tires with no mods to the clutch. I've ridden with lots of Sportsmans and one thing is for sure....Get at least a 2000 lb winch for them heavy pigs. A Xplorer it is not as necessary. They are much easier to move around.

nonstop · March 3, 2003

I'm currently shopping for a new ATV, and have considered just about everything out there. No Bomb, or Cats. Please.

For me it, it has to be reliable, tough, and sporty, and be at least a 500cc 4x4, and anything other than a Honda would be a plus, cause everyone and there dog has a Honda.

Polaris rides nice, but man that is one heavy bike, no sportyness, and there seems to be allot of questions on reliability.

Kawi, I just didn't like the ergonomics, not too sporty.

Yamaha, these guys have great bikes, old styling, but great bikes all round.

So I'm down to two bikes, the Suzuki Vinson, and the Honda Rincon.

The Rincon has IRS, which for me is NOT a plus, the 650cc sure is nice, but I hear it has no low end grunt.

I'm presently leaning hard to the Suzuki, for me it just screams that it aint no Honda, also has everything I want while being a grand or so less then the Honda.

Just my $.02