Quads / ATV

Muleys 24/7

Veteran member
Jan 12, 2012
1,406
12
The Golden State
As I've been researching atv's more and more, on a few atv forums, I've heard alot about polaris's being in the shop? CC, I think you got a good one. I was going to look at polaris, but all the shop commets are steering me away? That would be the worst thing ever........taking a brand new $8000+ atv into the shop for repairs.
 

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
8,327
4,712
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Dolores, Colorado
One of the reasons I went with Polaris is that I volunteer in our local state park (Lone Mesa). I spend several days a week in the summer there and do a lot of work on fences, brush clearing and doing what is called Arbor Glyph research. The park was a 15,000+ acre cattle ranch that the state bought. (it is open to limited elk & deer hunting) The state has Polaris machinary exclusively. They get the crap beat out of them and seem to last pretty good. The one thing you have to watch out for is remembering to down shift to a lower gear instead of lugging them down, as the drive belt burns up. Overall I'm happy with mine.
 

Muleys 24/7

Veteran member
Jan 12, 2012
1,406
12
The Golden State
Hey CC, the more I've been looking into the sportsmans, I think that's what I'm going to go with now. I like how the 4 wheel drive works vs the other makes. I think I can do with out the EPS and save about a grand. The 550 is probly what I'm leaning towards.I thought the 550 was the XP but it dosn't say that. Trying to figure out why the 550 coasts more than the 800?
 
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Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
8,327
4,712
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Dolores, Colorado
What do you mean down shift when the tranny is auto? the new ones have a really good "down hill desent"
My Polaris has a low and drive. It also has the automatic downhill and "slow down" braking feature. What I was talking about is when the unit is loaded up (like with me and an elk on the back!) and you have to climb a hill, downshift to Low so you don't start lugging everything and buildup a bunch of heat.
 

HuntWYODon

Very Active Member
Dec 19, 2011
806
0
Kalifornia
Hey CC, the more I've been looking into the sportsmans, I think that's what I'm going to go with now. I like how the 4 wheel drive works vs the other makes. I think I can do with out the EPS and save about a grand. The 550 is probly what I'm leaning towards.I thought the 550 was the XP but it dosn't say that. Trying to figure out why the 550 coasts more than the 800?
You already know how I feel. Go Polaris. I beat the hell out of my 2004 Sportsman 700 for 5 yrs. in 4 states and never a problem. A friend bought the exact same and went everywhere with me and his never had a problem either. I rolled it down a mtn. in Wy. 2008 and totaled it. I bought a 2009 Polaris Razor side by side. Not a problem with it yet either. They will all do the same thing. I wouldn't factor cost into the reason I would buy one. It's how they are made an last. I think Can Am's are great too and would be me 1st or
2nd choice as far as quads, not side by sides. I've driven a friend's Can Am 800 Outlander. I liked it a lot.
 

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
8,327
4,712
83
Dolores, Colorado
Hey CC, the more I've been looking into the sportsmans, I think that's what I'm going to go with now. I like how the 4 wheel drive works vs the other makes. I think I can do with out the EPS and save about a grand. The 550 is probly what I'm leaning towards.I thought the 550 was the XP but it dosn't say that. Trying to figure out why the 550 coasts more than the 800?
Don't know about the price of the 800 as I've only really looked at the 550 for my wife. She sure don't need anything any bigger. The 550 has power steering, that the reason she wants it.
 

bigshot

Very Active Member
Apr 14, 2011
538
1
Crestline, CA.
Do Artic Cat's have Suzuki engines ?
Yea Artic Cats are a souped up Suzuki. (Hey Don thanks for the info on San Diego pigs). I've had my Yamaha Griz for a season now and really like it so far. I bought the 550CC and it has plenty of power. Thinking about buying a Razer or a second quad for next year.
 

Montana

Veteran member
Nov 3, 2011
1,104
400
Bitterroot Valley, MT.
I miss mine... I switched over to a Ranger and wish I hadn't. The kids love it, so like many other things, I'll sacrifice for them:) As soon as they are older, which by just saying this I realize its going to be a LONG time, I'll go back to a quad.
 

shootbrownelk

Veteran member
Apr 11, 2011
1,535
196
Wyoming
A couple of friends have Polaris 500HO's and have had nothing but problems with them. I bought a used Yamaha grizzly 660 and rode it for 5 years without a problem. I just traded it off to my son-in-law and bought a 2008 Rhino SE, and same as the grizzly...no problems. Yamaha is known for reliability.