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| new - Polaris - ATVs - Can-Am Headquarters ...Aurora Wheelers ATV Forum | ||||||||||||||||
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sharkman Member
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Hey-I'm brand new to this forum. I'm going to be purchasing a new wheeler within the next 30 days, but I'm not totally sure what I want. Looking for a 400-450cc machine, 4x4, preferably auto. Right now I have narrowed it down to the Polaris Sportsman 450, Can-Am Outy 400, and the newly revised Honda Rancher 420cc. I have rode them all at dealerships, and all have their good points, as well as some not so good. As of now, the Po is at the top of my list, but what do you Po owners think of your machines, and are there any issues with them that I should be aware of? I know I'm in the Po forum, but please be honest and unbiased because this will be a $6,000 investment, and I don't want to buy something, and with I had went with another make. Also...wheeler will mostly be used in wooded areas for hunting, cutting timber, mud, and not a great deal of high speed runs, but a good 4x4 system is a must. I've owned several Hondas, 1 Kaw, and never had a Bomb or a Polaris. One major concern of mine is maintenance. Hondas have always been bullet proof for me, but there are a lot of things I like about the Po and the Outy. Need some good advise here. Thanks in advance!
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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Circa2000 Member 
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That's a tough one. They are all great choices for what you want to do with it.. Of course the honda's are bulletproof They do well in the mud with the right set of tires. Of course the po is the only one of the bikes with a full locker. bomb has the visco lok which works awsome as well. If it were me. I would go with the bomb. But I think I would be happy with all of the choices.
____________________ Current: 2007 Outty 650XT - Loaded Before: 2005 Honda 450 Foreman **MY 2007 OUTTY 650XT PICS** |
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sharkman Member
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I have never owned a PO, but I have ridden a friend's Sportsman 500 for several hours. It would go through mud holes that my Honda wouldn't even think about, so I am familiar with those 2 systems, and I believe that the PO is far superior to Honda in that respect, but I'm not convinced on the Bomb's Visco-lock system. I have not ridden one in mud. I have buddies that have Bombs, and claim that the Visco-lock is superior, but even with the way it works by transferring traction, I just don't see how it could be nearly as effective as the PO's system in the deeper mud. I also have concerns about the CVT cover leaking problems that I have read about on several forums. The Honda's link rear suspension is far out-classes by the PO and the Bomb...I wish Honda would change that. I also heard that Can-Am is going to go from a 400 to a 450 this year and EFI. Is this true??? I would like to have EFI!!! The new Rancher is EFI, but the PO is not, so I'm taking this into consideration also. Why does Polaris make a 450 and a 500??? They are only 44ccs appart. The only differences are the tires, 44ccs, fuel injection, and $700. Are they going to quit making one of the models?
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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hoopie Member
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You may want to consider the kingquad 450 efi also. It has everything your looking for. Of those choices for your use I would get the polaris or kingquad since you want efi. If EFI wasnt an issue for your use I would suggest the arctic cat 500. Its built for hunting, working, farming and great 4x4 system.
____________________ 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Ricochette Skids 26in mudlight XTRs Yamaha front\rear bumpers cargo box Gorilla 3000 Winch 2006 650 Can-Am Outlander Max XT Works Pro G Series Shocks Ricochette Skid 25in BigHorn 3000lb gorilla winch Quad Boss storage 2005 Polaris Predator LE Twin air clam on filter with Pure Polaris exhaust Pro Armor full skid |
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Circa2000 Member
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Just give in and get the bomb 500 :P
____________________ Current: 2007 Outty 650XT - Loaded Before: 2005 Honda 450 Foreman **MY 2007 OUTTY 650XT PICS** |
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sharkman Member
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I've test rode the Arctic Cats. I'm not impressed with the handling. They seem too top heavy. I'm not planning on running 60mph, but they just seem unstable. Bomb 500 is probably not an option...another $1000 over the 400 is a good chunk fo change. Are they going to replace the 400 with a 450 or go to EFI any time soon on the 400? As far as power goes, the Bomb rocks! But, the Po 450 I believe would hang real close with it on power from what little I have ridden them. I have read a lot about problems with the Bombs, and I really want to know how reliable the POs and Bombs are compared to Honda.
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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madfabricator 
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thats a tough choice, I am not real familier with the bomb, but I am with the polaris, and for what you are going to do, I would at least go with the 500 if you are going with polaris. The king quad is also a good choice, but I dont think they are as rugged built as the po's. For working and sheer durability, Ithink the po's the choice I would make.
____________________ 02 Polaris Sportsman 700 01 quadcab dodge ram When in doubt, STAND ON IT! 10 feet tall and BULLETPROOF! |
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sharkman Member
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That's how I'm leaning right now...toward the Po. Is the 500 much more of a machine than the 450? Right now the Po dealer has several '06 450s left, and if he still has them left, I will be able to buy one for $5,400 with the rebates. With the 500, it will be an '07, and is going to run me about $6,700-$6,800. I just don't know if I could justify the extra $1,300-1,500 for the 500 just to get 44ccs and fuel injection. Is it worth it? If the '06 450s are gone in 30 days, and I have to get an '07, then the difference would only be about $700.
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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sharkman Member
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Sorry for the tripple reply. My computer has issues today  *edited by Circa2000* I fixed it up for ya :P
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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hoopie Member
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at that price difference it would be hard to say it is worth it. EFI is real nice though. Were are you located at? I have seen 500's go for that price of the 450 also.
____________________ 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Ricochette Skids 26in mudlight XTRs Yamaha front\rear bumpers cargo box Gorilla 3000 Winch 2006 650 Can-Am Outlander Max XT Works Pro G Series Shocks Ricochette Skid 25in BigHorn 3000lb gorilla winch Quad Boss storage 2005 Polaris Predator LE Twin air clam on filter with Pure Polaris exhaust Pro Armor full skid |
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GOTTOYS 
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Shop around if you can for a better price. I've seen 450 Sportsmans advertised for under $5k and 500s in the 5300-5400 range. Should be a few 06's left at the dealers. Either one is a good choice...Good luck!.....GOTT
____________________ 2005 Sportsman 700 "full-dresser" "Strong like Bull, Smart like Tractor" |
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sharkman Member
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The dealer closest to me has been out of the '06 500s for a month, and told me that all the dealers in the area have already got the '07 500s, but that they all have '06 450s left. hoopie - I live in SW Indiana. Every dealer near here seems to be in about the same price range, but the dealership I'm talking to now is about 15 miles from my house, and I like them, so that's probably where I will buy it, even if it would cost me a couple hundred more. When I looked at the Can-Ams, the dealer is located in my town, 1/2 mile from my house, which is about population 5000, and the next closest dealer is 50 miles away. They've been out of '06s since Thanksgiving, and already have '07s. It's normally doesn't get real cold here, but sometimes it can, and the weather varies wildly, so fuel injection would be nice, but I've always lived without it before, so it's not a requirement for me, just a preference. I test rode the carburated 450 when it was about 30 degrees, and it fired up immediately, and warmed up very quick.
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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hoopie Member
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If your willing to travel a bit im sure you will get it much cheaper at other places or a big bore for the same price. I purchased a few quads from this place here because they are way below everyone else an no hassles. Notice the cost of sp 700 and 800 is close to the 500 they are quoting you for. Also a couple places in TN sells them real cheap. http://www.hondaeasttoledo.com/miscpage_002.asp
____________________ 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Ricochette Skids 26in mudlight XTRs Yamaha front\rear bumpers cargo box Gorilla 3000 Winch 2006 650 Can-Am Outlander Max XT Works Pro G Series Shocks Ricochette Skid 25in BigHorn 3000lb gorilla winch Quad Boss storage 2005 Polaris Predator LE Twin air clam on filter with Pure Polaris exhaust Pro Armor full skid |
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sharkman Member
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Those are good prices!!!
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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hoopie Member
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is the drive worth saving a grand? thats your call. For me one day of travel and gas to get a sp800 for the same price of a 500 would be worth every penny and second.
____________________ 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Ricochette Skids 26in mudlight XTRs Yamaha front\rear bumpers cargo box Gorilla 3000 Winch 2006 650 Can-Am Outlander Max XT Works Pro G Series Shocks Ricochette Skid 25in BigHorn 3000lb gorilla winch Quad Boss storage 2005 Polaris Predator LE Twin air clam on filter with Pure Polaris exhaust Pro Armor full skid |
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silverado4x4 Member
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Sharkman, Your comment about the A/C's I agree I own three , and the worst handling one is the 05 500. It's top heavy and hard to handle.Far as starting I have had no problems. My next one woll be an Outty 800 xt. Furthermore for the money your saying you can get one for you can't touch an A/C, at least not in my area. I say go with the Outty. That sounds like a real good price. Wish I could get one for that.
____________________ 05 A/C 500 Lime Green 01 A/C 500 Red 00 A/C 250 Red 05 Silverado 4x4 |
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sharkman Member
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I'm hearing a lot of people saying go with the Bomb, and a couple say go with the Po. If I could be convinced on the reliability of the bomb, and that the Visco lock is as good as Polaris's 4x4 system, I would consider buying one. The dealer here is 1/2 mile from my house. Aslo...Cam-Am's warranty smokes everyone else's. What about Richochet skids for one? If I buy a Bomb do I really need the skids? Is the undergarriage weaker than the Po's? Just from me crawling under them, the Po does look much more substantial underneath. Does anyone still ride Honda anymore? I haven't heard anyone say anything about them. I know they're down on power compared to pretty much everything else, but I also know how reliable they are. There are 4 Honda dealerships within 40 miles of my house, so they are very competative on prices here, and the best dealer around is in the town I work in. IF I were going to consider something other than Po and Bomb, it would be a Honda. Give me some advise here...I know they are behind on technology, power and suspension, but I also know how good my Hondas have been in the past.
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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hoopie Member
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Honda reliabilty and trail manners are great. No doubt about it but some dont have the features of IRS, EFI, and none have locking Diff for a good 4x4 system. They are a very good trail quad though. The polaris 4x4 system is better than Can-ams but still dont have a manually controlled diff lock. Neither polaris or can am does. yes you must get ricochette skids and yes the polaris is more solid built stock and will way more because of this. This has good and bad benifits. The skid plate for can am will take care of the structure underneath though. The can am will ride more sporty than the polaris but polaris will be a better work machine for hunting and such with there quick attachements. They are both very comfortable to ride. You have to decide what features are more important to you including warranty. As far as arctic cats stability, its greatly improved with new tires and even more with different rims with the offset making it wider. Daryl Rath won the utility racing series with arctic cat so they do perform and handle.
____________________ 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Ricochette Skids 26in mudlight XTRs Yamaha front\rear bumpers cargo box Gorilla 3000 Winch 2006 650 Can-Am Outlander Max XT Works Pro G Series Shocks Ricochette Skid 25in BigHorn 3000lb gorilla winch Quad Boss storage 2005 Polaris Predator LE Twin air clam on filter with Pure Polaris exhaust Pro Armor full skid |
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sharkman Member
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It still sound like the Po is at the top of my list because of the durability and 4x4 system. I also like the the lock and ride system on the racks, and the storage on the front. I also like that it has a reciever hitch already on the machine. With everyone else but the AC, it is an accessory. I would say that if the local dealer still has a yellow '06 450 Po at the end of the month, I will probably own it. If no '06s left, I'll go with a green '07, and with the incentives gone, I may end up spending the extra and get the 500 if I have to buy an '07. I like the yellow on any machine, and yellow will not be a color option of the '07 Pos. I do want to go to the Honda dealership and ride the new Rancher with EFI, and check it out, but I think that will just confirm that I want the Po, but we'll see. Thanks for the input...I'll keep you posted on my purchase. I will own something before the end of January!
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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sharkman Member
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OK guys, now I'm really undecided. Now that I've learned more, and test ridden more machines, I'm just getting more confused about what I really want. I looked at some ACs this weekend, and really looked them over good, and rode a couple. Honestly, I think as far a being durably built, they are second to none! Their rack system is far superior or anyone-hands down! I know they are top heavy, but I still liked them a lot. The 400 is air cooled, which I don't like. The 650 H1 is an awesome machine for what I want(hunting, farm, woods, etc.) but it is quite a bit more money than I would really like to spend...so I don't know. The 500 is enought $ that you might as well get the 650. How dependable is the H1 650 motor that is actually built by AC? I've read about a lot of guys that love them. I love that you can engange 4x4, and ALSO lock the front diff if you want on the ACs!!! I talked to a buddy of mine at work, who now has a Bomb 800 MAX XT, and he has owned many(9 or 10) wheelers in the past, including Po, Honda, and Yamaha, and he's is telling me from his experience to get the bomb, and that they are superior to anything out there. But, by looking at them, I think that their frame and suspension components just look weak to me, and I don't know if the Bombs are suited for what I need. He also told me that the Po sucks in the snow because the AWD kicks in and out because of gaining and loosing traction causes the system to engage and disengage - I don't like the thought of that at all. I also don't want to have to but a skid plate and receiver hitch after spending that kind of money! Also rode the new Honda Rancher 420, which is fuel injected and liquid cooled. Machine seemed too narrow, and suspension and ground clearance sucked, but seemed like a vert good solid machine. I did not ride the Rancher AT, which is still air cooled and only 397ccs. Simple basic machine, but I know how dependable it would be. Still like the Po, but now not sure about the AWD system in the snow(if we ever freaking get any here this year). Some guys love 'em, others hate them...go figure. I guess I still need some more input. If money were not an issue, I would but an AC H! 650 I think, even though I said last week that I didn't care for them. Po 450, Can-Am 400, Honda Rancher 420, AC 400, or AC 650 H!? Obviously I'm not a impulse buyer, and like to make an informed decision, but this is driving me crazy! I'm now thinking about buying my new wheeler most of my awake hours, but I need to decide what the He*@ I'm going to do soon! Purchase will be made soon! Help!
____________________ If you're going to be stupid, then you better be tough! |
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madfabricator
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Sorry about not getting back sooner,I have been haveing computer problems, but to answer your question about is the difference between the 450 and the 500 worth it, I would say yes! I prefer the 500 H.O to the 450, and EFI is something I wish I had, and I think its worth the extra cash.
____________________ 02 Polaris Sportsman 700 01 quadcab dodge ram When in doubt, STAND ON IT! 10 feet tall and BULLETPROOF! |
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hoopie Member
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The AC650 motor is very dependable. The AC 500 is the most reliable of the bunch though and enough power to do whatever you need it do and hops up nicely with more power for cheap if you want it. As far a built tuff, nothing beats the cat. If you just want a trail quad get the outlander but if you want a quad that can work, hunt, and trail ride get the cat. I mentioned this earlier to you though. Everyone laughs when you recomend a Cat but then when they go check them out and ride them they start thinking. You should be able to get a 500cat for around 6k so keep looking.
____________________ 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Ricochette Skids 26in mudlight XTRs Yamaha front\rear bumpers cargo box Gorilla 3000 Winch 2006 650 Can-Am Outlander Max XT Works Pro G Series Shocks Ricochette Skid 25in BigHorn 3000lb gorilla winch Quad Boss storage 2005 Polaris Predator LE Twin air clam on filter with Pure Polaris exhaust Pro Armor full skid |
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