Off Roading Polaris 500 EFI?

[Gary - K7GLD]

Anyone here with significant first-hand experience with the Polaris 500 EFI ATV's?



My brother in law and I are interested in the possibility of doing some knocking around the back woods fire trails here in eastern Oregon - he's had substantial experience with Hondas, and we both respect their reputation - but the only dealers within the local area for sales and service ate either Arctic Cat and Polaris - and of those 2, the Polaris SEEMS to be better built...



Any help?

 

[Red Stroke]

Why do you think the Polaris is better built. My freind rides a cat with the 650 v twin, its the same motor that the kawasaki prarie uses and the suzuki twin peeks. Motor is pretty snappy and the chassis seems to be built pretty tough with decent sized drive shafts. (also fully independant) These can also be chipped if more power is needed, (chip makes it a wheelie machine) This quad isnt little he has a hard time shutting the tail gate on a short box. From my experience the 4x4 mechanism in the polaris seems to be a week point if you actually use the quad hard with big tires. Also the power isnt there compared to other quads in there cc range.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Why do you think the Polaris is better built. "

WELL, actually, I've had so little exposure to ATV's, it's hard to come up with meaningful info or conclusions with ANY of them - it gets a lot like asking which brand TRUCK is best in a mixed crowd!



Everyone is an "expert", and pushing THEIR favorite brand - which is OK, I guess, if you can get enough specific info to base your OWN selection upon.



As to why I think the Polaris might be better built, is that as I understand it, Kawasaki makes the engines for them, and I have lots of respect for that brand in the bikes - and the rear differential on the Polaris 500 seems LOTS beefier than the equivalent Arctic Cat - as well as some of the undercarriage.



Other than that, I'm dumb as a post on specific random points on ANY of the brands... :-laf

 

[IEdwall]

Been riding a 700 Polaris for awhile, goes like h... and is dead reliable... uses gas though, has independent rear and front suspension, it's a 2001 model and has had some use. would recommend the Polaris although not familiar with other models except for the Yamaha 660 single, it also goes real well but uses lots of gas.

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04. 5 CRD rokktech 2 deg/muffler AEM cap rails etc.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

One problem in my seach for Polaris info, is that the 500 EFI hasn't been out very long - so not much track record (I think!)

 

[Dl5treez]

Today's Polaris' (1999-newer) are light years better in terms of product quality than their predecessors.



Most of the Polaris ATV engines are designed and produced by Subaru/Robin (Fuji Heavy Industries) in Japan. The engines are sent in pieces to the U. S. and are assembled in-house at Polaris plants in Osceola, Wisconsin and Spirit Lake, Iowa. The larger 700/800 twin powerplants are designed & built in-house by Polaris in Osceola, Wisconsin. Many of the twin parts are made under contract by Subaru/Robin in Japan.



The 2006 Polaris 500 EFI is built on the same "Generation 6" platform as the 450,500 HO (carb), 700 Twin (carb), 700 EFI, and 800 EFI that was introduced in 2005. Many of the parts interchange. (however the 800 is 2" wider than the rest of the group. )



The engine of the 500 EFI is essentially the same as the long-standing icon of Polaris' ATV fleet, the 500 HO. Aside from the electronics for the fuel injection system, camshaft, etc many of the old internals interchange.



One note of caution--the 500 EFI has had some teething problems thus far during it's initial introduction; all of which are related to the electronic fuel injection and cooling fan systems. Not all units are affected but it's a large enough issue to be talked about around the industry.



If I was buying a Polaris ATV today, I'd would steer clear of the 500 EFI at least for the time being.



If you don't mind the idiosyncrasies of carb'd vehicles (choke, cold weather/high altitude operation) I would highly recommend the 500 HO. Unless you don't mind paying a premium for larger engines, which in that case a 700 EFI or even the 800 EFI would be my recommendation.



Dan-

 

[tx_fireman1525]

Ive got a Yamaha Grizzly 660, i chose it over a polaris, compared side by side, the yamaha is just better built that the polaris

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Thanks for the info Dan - VERY helpful!



Guess I got bum info on the Kawasaki engine bit - and I was unaware of any EFI issues on the 500. The 500 EFI is particularly attractive because of the physical size of the ATV, and the significant changes in elevation in this area - carb rejetting, or a poor running engine can take lots of fun outta the ATV experience!



Looks like I've got lots more digging to do as to ATV info!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Ive got a Yamaha Grizzly 660, i chose it over a polaris, compared side by side, the yamaha is just better built that the polaris

Unfortunately, the nearest Yamaha ATV dealer/service is 250 miles round trip from here...

 

[RKerner]

If you need more specific 500 EFI info, PM me and I will answer any questions you may have. The one thing that the Sportsman has over any fully independent quad is ride quality. The others are catching up fast but the Poo still has a great ride.

 

[Dl5treez]

Thanks for the info Dan - VERY helpful!



Guess I got bum info on the Kawasaki engine bit - and I was unaware of any EFI issues on the 500. The 500 EFI is particularly attractive because of the physical size of the ATV, and the significant changes in elevation in this area - carb rejetting, or a poor running engine can take lots of fun outta the ATV experience!



Looks like I've got lots more digging to do as to ATV info!

I have owned a few Hondas (Foretrax 300, Recon, and Foreman Rubicon), a Kawasaki (Prairie 700), and 2 Polaris' (a '96 Magnum 425 and my current '06 800 EFI. ) Judging off my past ownership experiences:



From a build quality standpoint, my vote goes to the Hondas. They were also stone reliable, although the drum brakes are a pain in the butt in wet/muddy conditions.



For performance my vote goes to the '06 800 EFI. My '96 Magnum was the biggest piece of junk I've *ever* owned..... hated it so much it soured me to the Polaris brand for a long, long time. It only took one ride on a 800 EFI to convince me Polaris has turned things around. Is it built to the same fit & finish standards as a Honda? Not in my opinion, but it is much better than anything I've seen from Polaris thus far. The new Polaris' also have an integral storage compartment under the front rack that really comes in handy for ropes, gloves, etc. Plus, their new "LOCK & RIDE" quick disconnect accessory system is the cat's meow--you can put on a front cargo box, rear cargo box, windshield, snow plow, and gun scabbard & be all done in less than 5 minutes.



I really liked my Kawasaki & only sold it for financial reasons. Compared to the Hondas it wasn't as reliable, and compared to my 800 EFI it wasn't as much fun to ride, so it falls somewhere in the middle. Definitely a very good ATV, though.



I totally agree on the merits of EFI--it was -3 deg F here & with the EFI you can just turn the key and *poof* we're at a nice even idle. Let it warm up a bit and you're off! No more start & die, choke, start & sputter & die, 1/2 choke, start & feather throttle, babysit the idle, etc... ...

 

[CLamb]

Can't recall the exact model but I have had some seat time on a friends artic cat. Have been using it to tow cars back from the end of the track, 3000lb car and no problems. Even was having to hustle several cars and it never flinched. I was doubting the belt drive or whatever they have but works great.

 

[Dl5treez]

The 500 EFI, and 700/800 twins are identical in overall dimensions (length/width/height) for 2006. I mistakenly mentioned earlier that the 800 was 2" wider--it was for 2005 because the 800 EFI was the first new style ATV, whereas the others were carryovers from '04. For '06 all the Sportsmans are the new style--except for the X2 and the 6x6..... ok now that we're all confused. :-laf



So anyways, the 500 EFI and the 700 EFI are the same size--but the 500 has a slightly sharper turning circle.



Not trying to sway you towards the larger ATV but with it's better resale, better power (only if needed it's a very user-friendly engine) and overall better reputation, it could end up being a better long-term buy. Plus, everyone I know with a 700 EFI (going on about 12 units now) absolutely loves it!

 

[tractorseller]

I had a Polaris 500 HO Scrambler. It was junk. I spent way too much money on repairs. Friends of mine who have had Polaris all got away from them too because of reliability problems. They're all riding Yamahas and Hondas now. Maybe they've improved their quality. I don't know. I'd love to buy "American", but they need to get with the program.



I have a Yamaha Grizzly 660 and I ride it mostly in Tucson (2,400 ft), New Mexico (7,800 ft) and Yuma (100 ft). I've never had a problem with the carb, never adjusted it. You have to choke it in the mountains when it's cold and let it warm up, but never an issue. I just start it and let it idle for about 5 minutes. I suppose it must lose some power at high eleveations, but it's still a rocket. Terrific machine. When Yamaha comes out with an EFI I'll buy one. I'm not convinced that Polaris is worthy of me spending $7,000 or $8,000 on a new machine. One other thing I'd consider is to make sure you get independent rear suspension. There is a world of difference in ride quality when you get in the rough stuff .

 

[CO Lineman]

I have a polaris 700 efi. . Used to have an arctic cat and rode it to death but had some problems and didn't like the three wheel drive on the machine... I know people that have been riding quads for awhile and swear by polaris... I think EFI is the only way to go and bigger isn't always better but sure is fun... . Need some more info go to www.atvquadsquad.com hope that helps...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Thanks for all the varied and excellent points - lots of recent improvements and added features on the later stuff sure makes comparisons, even in the same brands difficult. Add to that the different terrain, degree of aggressiveness of the rider, etc. , and opinions sure do vary. No real decision yet - probably would get either a Honda or Suzuki if a dealer was local - but so far, lean to the Polaris - but ALL the above comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated - thanks!