Need a new ATV. Help me decide!

HCJtractor · Sep 17, 2011

I had a 2008 Polaris 500 EFI X2 Limited Edition camo model until some lowrent stole it last week. Luckily, I have insurance and hopefully will not get beaten up too badly. I use it on the farm and hunting lease, not into speed. I liked the two seater option and the rear tilt down bed, but the excessive turning radius was the drawback. I sometimes ride a buddy to his stand, but mostly ride solo. So I may not get the X2 option this time, as the standard ATV seems to have a big enough seat for the occasional passenger. And it will fit into my truck better.

I am considering a Polaris Sportsman 550 EPS and the Can-Am 500 Outlander XT. I like the new power steering on both.

I like the comfort of the Polaris, but never have been too happy with the plastic front and rear platforms. When I have to haul something like a stand or deer, it is hard to find tiedown points to hook straps to. THe heavy steel tubular racks on the Can-Am seem much more beefy and strong.

THe Can-Am comes with a winch and nice grill guard, whereas I would have to add these to the polaris.

What do you guys think??

WilliamBos · Sep 17, 2011

The 2012 Can AM 1000/800R (All new design.) now has a plastic racking system. But the rest of the 2012 line up is still the same Can Am metal racks. The new models have a bigger cooling systems.

Have you looked at Yamaha Grizzly??

HCJtractor · Sep 18, 2011

no, don't know much about Yamahas, but I have driven both the Can-Am 500 and the Polaris 550. Both were very nice (at least driving around the parking lot of the dealership) I know the Grizzlies are well thought off.

toddbailey · Sep 18, 2011

honda! IMHO are the best ATV'S

Storm56 · Sep 18, 2011

Hard to go wrong with any ATV mfgr today. It all boils down to dealer, features and price. The one with the best combination of that for you is the one to buy.

Ridgewalker · Sep 18, 2011

I have always had really good luck with Kawasaki. I am still using my '99 Prairie.

Their Brute Force is a great bike. It has metal tie down racks and lot's o storage. (They should pay me a commission!) I think one of the Teryx units would be fun.

2012 Brute Force® 750 4x4i EPS Sport Utility - Kawasaki.com

RollingsFarms · Sep 18, 2011

I'll NEVER buy another atv in my lifetime due to having two stolen in less then 2 years. enough was enough for me to know that it wasnt just coincidence. my insurance company gave me a decent price for both BUT i got taken to the woodshed with all the upgrades i had made to them(tires, back rack basket, winch, etc). I was out $1,500 when all was said and done. even when i submitted them a printout of the costs of the upgrades they refused to cover them. i think i'm gonna get a side by side next. if they steal that then ill just walk.

Redbug · Sep 18, 2011

I have a lot of atv's over the years. Remember the 3 wheelers?...I had an 185s, Big Red and 250sx way back when. Different brands of 4 wheelers, too.

My preference is Honda.

George2615 · Sep 18, 2011

I have a 2010 Polaris 550 EFI w/o power steering. I looked at many brands and found Polaris to be the only one to have enough foot room (for my size 14 Lacrosse) when I'm wearing my hunting boots. The others were a very tight fit. Other than that all brands seem to be quality built. At the time I bought mine Polaris had a special where a new one (2011) came with a winch and a plow. I really didn't need them so I bought a 2010 leftover plus I thought the dash display was easier to read.

WilliamBos · Sep 18, 2011

George2615 said:
I have a 2010 Polaris 550 EFI w/o power steering. I looked at many brands and found Polaris to be the only one to have enough foot room (for my size 14 Lacrosse) when I'm wearing my hunting boots. The others were a very tight fit. Other than that all brands seem to be quality built. At the time I bought mine Polaris had a special where a new one (2011) came with a winch and a plow. I really didn't need them so I bought a 2010 leftover plus I thought the dash display was easier to read.

Thanks. I wear a 13, so I will make sure I am comfy with the foot rests.

Lineman North Florida · Sep 18, 2011

There is a group of guys around here that go weekend trail and woods riding about once a month and they are rough on ATV's, they say the Polaris's rarely make the whole weekend but the Honda's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's and Kawasaki's give little trouble according to them, again they are rough on stuff. On a personal note I have a 1987 Honda TRX 250 4-wheeler and it has never been back to the shop.

jmanatee2 · Sep 19, 2011

We have 3 all utility atv's all used for work and play

500 Arctic Cat (mine)
500 Polaris sportsman (wifes)
300 Polaris Hawkeye (sons)

I personally like the Arctic Cat best I think they make one **** of a good machine.

Gordon Gould · Sep 19, 2011

I am pretty partial to Polaris but all are good. I have no trouble carrying stuff on mine, including deer. I have a metal rack on the back that was on my 95 Sportsman 400. When I got the 07 Sportsman 500 efi I put it on that. I built a box for the front. My wife rides in back all the time especially when we go berry picking and she doesn't complain for lack of room.

bullbreaker · Sep 19, 2011

HCJtractor said:
What do you guys think??

If it were me.
2011 HONDA RUBICON
GREEN, CAMO, OR RED
for the farm.

Boone

the fat kid · Sep 19, 2011

Grizzly!!! I can't possibly say much more. You WON'T be disappointed. Whatever you choose have fun, enjoy, and be safe!!

whiskywizard · Sep 19, 2011

I've only been into ATVing for a couple of years now. After doing my research I bought 2 CanAm Outlander Max XTs; a 500 and a 650.

The trails I ride are remote and tough. If a quad lets you down, it creates a problem for everybody out there in the group. The guys I ride with (much more experienced than I am) have a rule. If you ride an Arctic Cat or Polaris you must have somebody else agree they will tow you out, before you start.

The Suzukis seem to be the most reliable, with CanAm, Honda, and Yamaha being very close runners-up. The CanAms out-perform all the others and are best for 2-up riding. But with the longer wheelbase they have a larger turning radius and that can hurt them on the tighter trails.

Not many Kawasakis around here.

archerynut · Sep 19, 2011

I have a 550 EFI w/ power steering and I really enjoy it. Bought it last year and it has been flawless. I also looked at the can am when I was in the market but the price difference and dealer location made the decision for me ($2000) I think the can am was superior in power but the Polaris power steering was better. I also liked the metal racks better on the can am but I have frown used to the plastic ones.

archerynut · Sep 19, 2011

Also I have a more difficult time tying down the Polaris in the back of the pickup because of the plastic racks.

studor · Sep 19, 2011

I too started on 50cc Honda minibikes, then trikes, then ATVs. I currently have a Traxter that does not see much use since I bought a four wheel drive tractor

I do still use it on fishing trips where if it breaks ,it is a long walk home
The two brands I have always been told by fellow ATVers and mechanics to stay away from are Polaris and Suzuki. Honda, Can Am and Yamaha have all been recommended , probably in that order. The suspension and power steering on new ones make for a pretty spectacular to ride. -- JMHO

AMR · Sep 20, 2011

I have a 2005 Polaris Sportsman HO, I have to say that I love it. I picked it up used with 20 hours on it for $3,500 with many upgrades. I read many forums and there are lovers and haters of Polaris but for the price I couldn't resist. I have about 300 hours on it now and haven't had any trouble at all.

Now my father just bought a Can-Am with power steering, etc., etc. wow, what an awesome machine, it is way nicer than my Polaris, however, he paid over $10 K for it. Comparing all the new machines I don't know that you could go wrong with any of them. If $ were no object I could get a Can-Am but $ are an object so I love my 2005 Polaris.