Bombardier Rotax High Output 800 ATV or a Polaris Sportsman 500?

[OilPatch197]

Both are early 2000's, and used in decent shape. Which one should I get?

What are the opinions on these two ATV's? Any advantages to the Polaris?

 

[Toms01PSD]

Honda...Foreman or Rancher

 

[brendank]

Personally, I would never buy anything Polaris. It just seems like everything they make is junk. I don't know - I try to give them a chance every year, but all of their stuff is just so unimpressive. A buddy once had an older(early 90's) Scrambler, and that fricken' thing was in the shop more than it was in the dirt. Went like hell through damn near anything, but it was a real POS.

Bombardier makes a good quad. Out of these two, the Bombardier is better, hands down.

If you don't mind looking around, I would suggest trying to find an Arctic Cat. I've ran a total of 5 of them, from early 2000's to basically brand new, and I've never had any significant problems with any of them. Mechanically, they just can't be beat.

Honda's are pretty damn reliable as well. They're not my cup of tea, though -> The cat's have some advantages that make them more appealing to me.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

my son has an 07 sportsman,been beat like a government mule.............never been in the shop.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

My friend has had a few Polarises and they seem like c**p too me especially for the price uggg. They have brought their sportsman in so many times its not funny... and the 6 wheeler, well it caught fire on a trail due to electrical problems. I have an 06 Yamaha Grizzly 660 but that only sees plowing most of the time, a 98 Yamaha Bear Tracker 250 that I beat the piss out of and it still runs great, and a little 125 Yamaha Breeze sooo fun and only weighs like 300lbs.

I would go for the bombarder, or if you look around a Honda wouldn't be bad either.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Personally, I would never buy anything Polaris. It just seems like everything they make is junk. I don't know - I try to give them a chance every year, but all of their stuff is just so unimpressive. A buddy once had an older(early 90's) Scrambler, and that fricken' thing was in the shop more than it was in the dirt. Went like hell through damn near anything, but it was a real POS.

Bombardier makes a good quad. Out of these two, the Bombardier is better, hands down.

If you don't mind looking around, I would suggest trying to find an Arctic Cat. I've ran a total of 5 of them, from early 2000's to basically brand new, and I've never had any significant problems with any of them. Mechanically, they just can't be beat.

Honda's are pretty damn reliable as well. They're not my cup of tea, though -> The cat's have some advantages that make them more appealing to me.

The only thing that stopped me from getting an artic cat was the belt drive system they use. Junk Honda's the only one who doesn't use them.

 

[goldxlt]

i run a polaris and i have not had any problems, my uncle has a polaris magnum 500 and a kawasaki 660 4x4, i like the polaris better, however i would think an 800 would be better then the 500 as long as the price is comparable. i have never used a bombardier but i knew a kid that got the new can-am renegade 800 and that thing was impressive, i am sure the motor must be similar.

 

[dburton07]

I've ridden the Can Am Outlander 650 and that thing hauls ass and went through anything I put in front of it, granted it was only for a day but still.... I could only imagine what the 800 would do.

 

[Toms01PSD]

What's the point in spending that much for an engine that size? I have an 06 Honda Rancher ES 350 2wd. My buddy has a Zuki Eiger 4x4 on ITP mudlites, snorkled, the works...I go thourgh the same chit as him and mines got bald tires on the front and Duro tires on the rear. It just takes me a little longer, thats all

 

[kamps989]

Old Polaris is pretty good but the newer stuff is crap. My uncle just bought one 2 years ago and has brought it in twice for service. Our Honda is a 2000 and has not needed anything other than an oil change. I would shop for a Honda

 

[brendank]

The only thing that stopped me from getting an artic cat was the belt drive system they use. Junk Honda's the only one who doesn't use them.

Actually, that was my first impression as well. When we switched from the manuals to the automatics, I thought it was the stupidest thing ever. Now I find it annoying to drive anything but an automatic. It just sucks to lose all momentum in the deep stuff when you power out and have to manually shift down.

If you take that clutch system, and throw on an aftermarket kit, you'll see a huge improvement. We use Bikeman kits on both of our 650 H1's.

I also though that the clutch would inevitably get wet and slip with the way I drive it. As it turns out, you can water wheelie for as pretty much as long as you want. Unless you park the quad in the river and submerse the whole thing, and the leave it there, you're not going to get the clutch wet.

 

[sbsumerix]

we just had the same problem my dad was looking at a can am outlander 400 and a polaris. we ended up with the can am it was a better deal and we never owned one but have own a scrambler and a trail boss they do have problems never been in a shop but have torn them down at home for some repairs mostly trans related

 

[mn_smokeater]

get an arctic cat!

 

[devster]

I would go with the Bombardier. Solid quad top to bottom for pretty much any type of riding. I have always been impressed with the power and comfort of the Bombardier's in comparison to any Cat, Polaris, or Honda I've ridden. A few buddies of mine have owned Sportsman 500's and I was never excited by the power or quality. They are scrap in my opinion.

My personal preference is Arctic Cat, have had them since day one, both manual and auto. Great for mudding, towing, or just pissing around.

By the way Toms994x4,

02 AC 500 Belt Drive

 

[RedRanger888]

Honda...Foreman or Rancher

I'd go with a Honda if I could afford one. All the ranchers back home (Nebraska) swear by 'em, including Dad. He bought his first Fourtrax back in the early '90's and is still beatin on it. He now has another Fourtrax and a 4x4 Rancher. They just keep going!