Polaris Sportsman 500 Comparison

Polaris defined the 500 class with the introduction of the innovative Sportsman. Today there are a lot of 500 machines trying to imitate the Sportsman, but there's only one Sportsman.
For more information visit: www.polarissale...

[@diversedad7954]

I've always been a Honda fan. I bought a 2006 sportsman 500 with 5,500hrs of hard farm use and 1,000hrs for really cheap. I was so impressed with the plush ride, easy steering, storage, and awd system. I turned around and sold it for $1,100 more than I paid for it and found another 2006 with only 90hrs and 340 miles on it yesterday. It's almost like a time capsule. I'm loving it. All that said, I do find it funny how out of all of these tests the Polaris happened to win every single one lol.

[@kaigereid7960]

Don't get me wrong I am a POLARIS fan but it really depends on the driver during that race

[@canadaeast8358]

Exactly I’ll beat that rider on a big red lol

[@TheBalling56]

I'll never understand why people hate on polaris so much. They're just as good as any other brand if not better than some. I love my 500 more than any Honda I've ever rode

[@abeklassen6733]

TheBalling56 plastic, belt burners is why

[@frankyalvarez7160]

Abe Klassen I can immediately tell you’ve never had a Polaris.

[@abeklassen6733]

Franky Alvarez never have haha i rode a Sportsman 570 and it was super fun. I looked in to getting a 570 for a while but it the build quality was not good enough... but I’m a Honda guy and the POS laris can’t hold a candle to the Hondas I’ve owned. To me it looks like they’re built for short term and not long term. Just my two cents.

[@frankyalvarez7160]

Abe Klassen yeah I can see that, I have a Polaris predator now after owning multiple utility atvs. I’ve never had a belt burn on any Polaris I’ve had. Factory belt lasted a long while. Everything on this bike is very intuitive and easy to fix and even easier to maintain. I’ve had Honda’s as well, mine burnt 4th and 5th clutch packs and it’s an automatic transmission. I guess I had a lemon.

[@linkinpiatak6669]

because of the build quality a honda will last longer and take everything you throw at it

[@brandonryall2315]

Notice how arctic cat wasn't in the bumby part

[@mickbedor289]

It is because Arctic Cat is the best

[@jordandavidson4796]

mick bedor How old are you? just wondering, because I do agree with you, arctic cat is the best

[@mickbedor289]

15

[@jordandavidson4796]

mick bedor Your parents raised you well

[@brandonryall2315]

i got an arctic cat

[@nathanyechout1563]

I like Polaris better then the rest, but it seems like the rider was much more aggressive on the sportsman

[@419FabLLC]

NEVER going back to polaris, axle broke while going down the road! Honda is my lover now!

[@lmCIoudz]

snffypuff lol no power

[@TheBombcontrol]

+snffypuff same....im fixing it tho

[@TheBombcontrol]

I now have a 1999 Big Bear 350 4x4

[@buckharvesters44]

i wonder why you didnt show the arctic cat in the bump section....looks like the sportsman did'nt match up with the cat on that one.

[@mesmerian762]

The driver of the polaris is completely sending it while the other drivers are not even flooring it

[@burning_hd_billboard]

Wrong, this test is opinion based, and the Vinson is best in my opinion. I've had one for at least 5 years and it's done perfectly fine for all of these things. Polaris is fast, and are built to look tough, but are not as durable as Suzuki and Honda.

[@BarackObama-yc1ey]

Amen!

[@xmaster10777]

I agree

[@hunterkrawchuk6696]

On the stutter bumps u guys didn't show the arctic cat or the Honda rubicon Forman

[@AlgomaOutdoors]

Wheres the yamaha or canam?

[@Will-gk8je]

How many polaris's do u think they used making this

[@Michael-zp6zq]

doit I'd guess 7

[@treyfarley4728]

I have a vinson and it never slows down without me putting on the breaks my friemd has a sportsman and says he likes my vinson way better

[@jonny5662]

Just keep that camo sportsman out of the sun or it will turn purple in a handful of years!

[@850xp3]

Or red it will turn pink lol literally

[@Kinovwperformance]

Yeah I have a purple camo. Haha

[@88chevysilverado28]

Makes me love Polaris even more than I already did

[@dylanhuben1025]

Me 2

[@garyleonard8690]

I've pulled many Honda's out of the mud, up hills etc... with my Sportsman 500. Honda's may have owned the 90's. But not the 2000's. Straight axles, no engine breaking, 3 wheel drive, get in into reverse is stupid, lowest industry ground clearance, weak engines. And people still say they're the best? Idiots!

[@garyleonard8690]

There's no way to tell which one last longest. There's as many or more older Polaris's for sale as it is anything. What people don't realize, Polaris is a rich company that has more engineers, marketing, r&d, etc... for example :Polaris invented irs, engine braking, 1st for fuel injection, power steering. Look at how far ahead they are in accessories for sxs & atvs. Nobody's even close. In other words, they innovate, others play catch up

[@justinlynch3]

1) You left out Arctic Cat on the bumps challenge. So I'm going to assume you didn't show it because the Cats suspension rivals if not beats the Polaris. 2) No Yamaha Grizzy or Kodiac?

[@shawncordeiroTerraceBC]

no 500cc

[@cdawg4391]

Amen; for me it's either the suzuki or the arctic cat - or, in the case of my AC 400, it's both (lol). Polaris has no 4 wheel engine braking and they are famous for spending a lot of time in the shop.

[@Dakotadairyfarm]

Now what one of these ATVs are going to be kicking strong in 35 years?HONDA I own a Honda atv that was made in 1985 and it is still kicking great

[@descustoms4086]

This has to be the most bias atv comparison on KZbin

[@robfidell]

In my opinion, I want to decide what drive mode I want to be in. I don't need a computer deciding what traction I need.

[@jeffmclearen229]

‘If you have one of the rest, you might as well burn it’😂

[@the_wisewilmen_yg6504]

Just bought a polaris sportsman 500 ho, because of the shape you can easily toss on around while riding, helps if you go mudding lol

[@brysonellis227]

Honda will last 10x longer than any other bike they have the years and reliability I have A 1999 Honda foreman es 450 the previous owner rolled it down a hill and let it sit there in almost 7 feet of snow when I got it it they said the wireing harness was burnt and couldn't get it to work at it was the battery the only other thing wrong with it was the front rubber boots. I also have a 2015 325 sportsman theirs nothing wrong with it but the only thing I find is that the front axle snaps when there is the Smallest piece of ice snap off the axle

[@ZaganStoanes]

My Suzuki will outlast your Honda. I have a 1986 185 Suzuki quad runner start's and goes 1st pull every time in 2018

[@Hammerjockeyrepair]

theyre both fine. The one machine I make the most money repairing is polaris because theyre trash. I only change oil and filters on hondas and suzukis!

[@forreststump11]

bull. I work at an independant powersports center. we fix more hondas than any other make of atv. just like automobiles. honda, yamaha, polaris, chevy, ford, toyota...same shit, different pile.

[@leeallenbeal]

I got 2006 Polaris sportsman 500 4x4 it last Honda

[@christophe_gallant]

Arctic Cat's 500 is actually 443cc. Also, a locking differential is what you want when offroading, anyone who wheels will tell you this. All wheel drive systems are for soccer mom SUV's.

[@regmanzer7336]

This was uploaded in 2010, so where was the Yamaha Grizzly 550 (or even the 450) and why did they use an older Suzuki, when they could have used the KingQuad 500 with IRS since both of these bikes were available in 2010. It is hard to trust a manufacturer who doesn't provide a fair test and excludes machines that should have been in this so-called "Comparison".

[@cdawg4391]

if it's so avanced, then how come, even in 4wd, engine braking only goes to the rear wheels?

[@skidoorox555]

this test is so biased xD

[@greenknightt]

I’m a Polaris rider and agree witchu

[@rydertodd8425]

Me too

[@Dakidfrfr]

Your just mad

[@nickcarey3429]

Ya now let's see which one lasts the longest (Honda) and which one you have to do the least amount of work to (Honda) than how about we look at price

[@bamper42069]

@sveinungj the newer ones arent to bad but the older ones did have a few issues i own a 96 and after reading about no spark its quite common for the exciter coil to fail, but i got a hell of a deal on it so i can deal wtih it. So far i havn't found a machine that rides smoother then a polaris or has better brakes.

[@Kostelnick]

im a polaris fan and most likely getting one of these but why no outlander 500

[@rideskisallday]

You guys should have done the first course on each quad like 5 times and averaged out their time and compared them with that.

[@q_clips6765]

Why don't you do a better comparison video then ?

[@2424Goldie]

I love the way that the can-am is not even in it since the Polaris would be in its smoke!!!

[@BeardedDadMetalworks]

FYI, Polaris switched the Sportsman 500 back to carburated. I was disappointed to find that out the hard way after buying my 2012 Sportsman 500.

[@AlexTrain5249]

on Top Gear, Hammond said these exact words about the Polaris,"That one has even got the 4wd system as a Lamborgini Murcielago." Yes he said that.

[@tomasfjellstad6843]

+Alex Paumen thats not a good thing on a off-roading vehicle.

[@monkeybananaTV]

to fix the no difflock issue hold in the front brake btw that isn't a foreman es notice how he is shifting with his foot

[@keagin1]

I am a huge polaris fan but why not compare the renegade 500 to the polaris to?

[@hawker800FO]

you mean outlander?

[@hurstshiftin9873]

What year polaris is that im looking at a 2005 h.o.

[@adrian-pm3dt]

Where was can am? With the rotax? I have three sportsman quads but I’ve herd so much about can am.

[@91ws6formula]

Wait, it has IRS in back, so why then does the right rear tire leave the ground at 3:19?

[@pkbaker100]

if this was a comparison why does the trailer have a polaris banner on it

[@sveinungj]

@hud935 depends all about what you are using it for.... can ams are waaay more built for roads than polaris's.

[@chevyguy98]

Polaris is the way to go

[@aaron29794]

i love my polaris sportsman !

[@denimrichardson4792]

I love how the Arctic Cat comes to a dead stop when it's goes over the log but every other four wheeler went over it fast it's because the Arctic Cat can easily get over that log the fastest but you can't trust these types of commercials because they're trying to promote their product so they'll be half throttle on all the other four wheelers but we'll go Full Throttle on the Polaris

[@TheLegoair]

the honda rubicon is a 499 and a honda forman is a 475. They are two seperate machines

[@ML-vk8ev]

What about a 2009 500 Scrambler?

[@keeganhoward5850]

I own a 2005 rubicon and its getting close to 9000 miles and i can still outdo any sportsman 500 any day i do it almost every ride i go on

[@slipknotisboss9]

( flips switch on the AC ) "and thats so many buttons to press"wow just wow

[@mattbabineau7986]

What year are the bikes?

[@IHmattIHmontana]

@beastgrizz no not all sportsmans are efi and no not all of them have the fly shift

[@quadride100]

the first quad handelbars u show for diff lock part.... is a Yamaha!!!

[@Ekriptonite]

how does canam and yamaha compeate in this class?

[@rylensmith1009]

I have 2008 Honda 420 and haven’t had a problem ever has always started

[@MyDjyash]

I want to buy polaris 500 0r 400 which is better?

[@THAmadMAVERICK]

Could it be more obvious which one they was riding harder

[@rubenrodriguez5188]

They should do this testing the atvs with other people not people that work for that company cause in that case all brands talk mess about the others

[@xotiicstorm-yt2781]

I Love Polaris

[@mattr4306]

Wheres the grizzly oh yeah you wont compare them because they are 10 times better Yamahas and Hondas are a lot better than Polaris.

[@monkeybananaTV]

finally someone that has sense

[@unclekato]

Tell me why Yamaha atv's have to stop everytime to shift into 4wd or 4wd lock? You lose the momentum when you have to do that. The AWD makes more sense.

[@mattr4306]

I have a Yamaha wolverine 450 and I can be flying down the trail and put it into 4wd I don't know what your talking about its on command 4x4

[@unclekato]

Matt R The manual is saying to stop the ATV for shifting between 4WD and 2WD and Diff Lock. I swear that I heard that this was fine. Is this just a nanny warning or is there some technical merit to this? Surprised that I didn't get any good hits on my search. I did search. Stick to shifting at stop or barely moving while taking load off the drive train. Shifting at speed or under load will wear out the splined coupler in the front diff. When moving and under load the coupler splines are trying to engage and just grind on each other until it slows enough and/or load is light enough to allow engagement. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should do it! Follow the manual to prevent inadvertent (expensive to fix) damage to the front diff. __________________ 08 Camo 700EPS, 26" BH OGs on Blk 108's, 1" frnt whl spcrs, Elka Stg 2, RDC 2" lift , EHS Bullet Box & lid mod w/K&N, Dyna FS, HMF Swamp Exh, Coop45 sheave, greaseless wts, purple spring, Yami US HD frt bumper, Bison Hunter rear bumper, ViperMax 3500 w/syn line, ATVrocks skids & Rock Sliders, Rox risers & Solex tapered quad bars, Roto Pax, PIAA Intense White H4's, Plano 1510 rear box.

[@unclekato]

Matt R Look in your owners manual. It does not recommend shifting on the fly. Damage may occur. The above statement came from a Yamaha forum.

[@achieshel9074]

I love how it says polaris on that cart

[@Molie400]

It's mostly in the tires/diff lock

[@KyleJohnstoneBMX]

ok so, i own a honda, and i know its not the best, but i love it and i do wish it had the power of a can am, and i do wish it had irs and i do wish i was faster, but i am thankful for what i have and its fun, and lets see what bike lasts longer, i bet the honda is the most dependable

[@eric9305]

You didn't put every 4 wheeler in every test and notice how the tires are way better on the polaris than any other one if you do this test again with the same 4 wheelers have the tires be the same

[@alejandrozapatavaldes700]

suzuki is better than polaris

[@slipknotisboss9]

notice the arttic kitty was not inth e bump test

[@drewprater8789]

On Honda if u pull the front break just a little it gives dif lock.

[@anthonyg6221]

Take all of these same machines and review them today. Poalris (And Arctic Cat) would probably be in the JY or selling for $1,000 while the Japanese machines are still running and bringing 2-3X as much as the equal Polaris.

[@gumper5242]

Great video .

[@nicholaspalka7427]

I have a 06 Suzuki Vinson 500, that thing is BULLETPROOF, it's been 11 years and it still is yet to let me down. All of those atv's ( Yamaha and can-am 2) are better than a poLaris, mainly just based on reliability, up here in Canada, you need something that you can trust, that's why no one here ( or very rarely) does anyone drive a Polaris, and those things are shit in the cold. I must've been on 15 quad trips this summer through my province of Alberta, and I shit you not I only ever saw 1 Polaris on the trails, 1!!!. There's a reason for that ;)

[@hondahillbillies2083]

Can am 500?

[@breezy0037]

I love how these tests are completely biased and you can plainly see the rider not trying as hard with the machines that are "inferior". You go and watch any video where someone is trying to talk up something and it's amazing how everything else sucks when the propaganda is twisted right.

[@Hammerjockeyrepair]

that and theyve got no idea how limited slip works, If you hold the brakes, the axle will typically lock up and all 4 tires will turn

[@AdrenalinePitStop]

Great video thank you for making it.

[@aaronleblanc540]

People are screaming about something made many years ago that's an AD. It's not made to be a full comparison

[@MitchellHubert]

This thing is a piece, had one for a year, snapped more drive shafts than I can count, water always got into belt and the single cylinder sucks.

[@davidrostron4038]

My 99 quadmaster 500 has out preformed the Polaris 570 so

[@PurpleNinja-vn4hv]

Ya I have a 97 sportsman 500, and have found its pretty reliable and has lasted us going on 20 years. Only work done on it was a tire replacement and an the usual oil change. Only one problem: The drive belts are absolute shit. On average I go through 3 a year

[@robtankbuster5215]

Sounds like your transmission pulleys are not aligned, get a belt alignment tool.

[@Ethan_LeBlanc]

Nigga you just gotta switch between low and high gear accordingly

[@PurpleNinja-vn4hv]

@@Ethan_LeBlanc Bro this comment is 5 years old lol. Funny you should say that tho, we had to get rid of that thing about 3 years ago since we were dumb enough to let our little cousins ride on it and they managed to destroy the transmission by slamming the shifter all the time while in motion. We also never used the low gear all that much so you were probably right on that.

[@Ethan_LeBlanc]

@@PurpleNinja-vn4hv sorry for your loss

[@MrMrNoober]

But for the price of the Can am or Yamaha. I'll take the Polaris.

[@allthatstuff35]

the polaris and the arctic cat pulled the same length, not 10 foot difference. count the cones

[@makaveli087]

Jeez. This is like deciding which fat chick to marry but they've all got wealthy Fathers so 1 is infinitely better than none. We know the Polaris *actually* has a fairly bulletproof power plant but nearly everything bolted to it will look like it's fallen out an 3rd story window within about 4 Years of normal riding (not just driving from the shed & back, Pappy). The Honda is *literally* bulletproof assuming the enemy is only shooting bullets. Keep in mind that Life at a blazing 45mph tops WILL ADD TO the ATV's longevity. The Arctic Cat 500 & Vinson are probably the same quad but I don't care enough to remember if so (or not so) BUT the Vinson 500 is pound-for-pound the best one of the lot. Put the Polaris 500 EFI in the Suzuki Vinson Chassis & you're nearly up to par with a Mid Range Yamaha - Who were *oddly* not available for this little shootout. Polaris was like "Let's get a Arctic Cat!" "oh, Yes! Brilliant!" loooooooooool So off to the local Farm & Feed Store they went.

[@Xxstewie177xX]

someone told me that a polaris sportsman 500 is faster than a polaris sportsman 700 is this true??????

[@Mati12ful]

witch atv is best the new polaris sportsman touring or can am outlander max 1000 ?

[@frozengamingsvenskaspelvid8373]

As a true fan of polaris. i think the polaris will be better maybe not in mud but overall its better i think,maybe not in power.but 570cc is enough i can say i got a 500 and that is my first atv and its working so good.

[@frozengamingsvenskaspelvid8373]

Do you have a Can am?

[@frozengamingsvenskaspelvid8373]

A video doesnt say if its better or not

[@frozengamingsvenskaspelvid8373]

You tried i got a polaris and a can am and from my point the polaris is much better atleast in pulling and climbing

[@frozengamingsvenskaspelvid8373]

no i said as a true fan of polaris i the polaris is better thats how i think.....

[@NewHartfordLocals]

my sportsman rips all over those quads my friends all have those models and i got the sportsman. it rules

[@leeallenbeal]

I've one 2

[@RichValentine1972]

I do agree that Polaris definitely has the best suspension and true four-wheel-drive but I also believe this is a very biased comparison after all it was made by Polaris. I owned a Suzuki Vincent 500 and the biggest weed with them were tug-of-war and every other machine on this test I pulled backwards all day long.. speed test there wasn’t a quad in the 500 class they could touch my Vincent, and the steering on the Vincent is clearly better in most conditions

[@wesleygarrison6248]

I like Polaris side by sides way more than their quads

[@edjackson4389]

I owned a new Polaris 500 in 2005. Loved the smooth ride and power, but it had belt slipping problems in water crossings, and was pretty unreliable. Repairs were expensive also. Sold it and bought a used 2003 Honda Rubicon. Still own it today, and its never been in the shop (except for oil changes and brakes). Crosses the same small creeks without a problem. Not as fast on dry ground though.

[@anthonyg6221]

Yea, if they had a comparison for long term reliability Polaris and Arctic Cat would be a close race for last place. Nothing Polaris or Arctic Cat builds will outlast a Japanese machine with all things being equal. And I'm a Fan of Arctic Cat sleds, but only the ones with the Suzuki motors.

[@TheProgressionbmx]

i love honda for a work machine but for mudding id take a polaris because its awd i love all the wheels turning makes it easier not getting stuck but for anything other than mudding honda all the way

[@jkjcluff]

Yo what about canam

[@sveinungj]

@SneakyGoomba bullshit.... ive owned a polaris 500 2009 mod for exactly 2 years now.... ive been driving 16 000 km... mostly on road because i got the lisence... but ive been driving alot in snow,mountains and everything... and i have never had a single problem.... it has always been ready to drive whenever i want and always started up at once....Now tell me more about : polaris breaks too easy ?? please

[@hunterbink]

Why isnt Can Am out here or Artic Cat.I own a Polaris and i love it but i mean shouldnt it be put up against a Can Am or Artic Cat.I personaly agree with pcmr57.Any bike will do as long as your happy with what you got and your pleased with how it performs.Not every one uses there bikes for the same thinks so some people may want something a little different depending on what they are doing.

[@tomasfjellstad6843]

Try compering it to the Yamaha Grizzly 550 ESP, the polaris wouldn't have a change.

[@realchrisplayz]

2019 anyone

[@gradenkarl1166]

RealChrisPlayz 2020

[@realchrisplayz]

Christian Miller yep here in 2020 were the corona virus is:(

[@johnk7093]

I am a Polaris fan... have 3 of them... love them and put them to the test everytime I ride, and never lets me down...... BUT, who paid for this test... ohh, thats right..... Polaris. just a 10 min 52 sec commercial.

[@xanderbrown8913]

I totally agree with brad Medline the wheel gets taken from your hand on the polaris I say arctic cat wins

[@collinwillie]

Funny how people talk about palaris breaking And I have a 1997 sportsman 500 4x4 and it runs so good and doesn't have a problem with it

[@clarkn8307]

riding a Honda is like riding a covered wagon

[@BetweentheCheeks00]

why is it a "covered" wagon? why not just a wagon?

[@japan1091]

compared that to a outlander !! now thats a real test

[@joshhulboy9832]

BIAS!

[@quintonshipley8747]

It is but its all true

[@k5lover95]

@4x4grizzly450 that because yamaha can am and polaris are at the top of the food chain and i dont see the need to bash on all the guys riding different machines i had an 87 honda that i beat the hell out of and it still ran good when it was destroyed my polaris is a 2001 and i have 7736 hours on it and it still runs great

[@Penx100]

Notice how they didn't show the arctic cats suspention

[@jacobmosier9880]

I don't know about you, but I don't speed race- Like 2 seconds even makes a difference.. and I pull heavy things and plow snow all the time and have no problem, while there are other videos here on youtube where polaris struggles. It may offend some, but just about any other atv brand you name is better than Polaris. Their build quality is terrible! 99% plastic.

[@4x4grizzly450]

notice how they didnt compare to yamaha and can am

[@josephthomas9735]

And there was no can am......I wonder why