Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O.
Retail price: $6699; Camo, $6999
Engine
Type: Four-stroke
Displacement: 499cc
Cooling: Liquid-cooled
Carburetion: Mikuni CV 40mm
Lubrication: Dry sump
Starting: Electric with auxiliary recoil
Drivetrain
Drive system: Shaft, 2x4/4x4
Transmission: Automatic PVT with high/low range, reverse, engine-braking
Suspension (Type/Travel)
Front: MacPherson strut/8.2 in.
Rear: Dual A-arms, independent with sway bar/9.5 in.
Tires
Front: 26x8-12; rear: 26x11-12
Brakes
Front: Hydraulic disc; rear: hydraulic disc
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 51.0 in.
Claimed dry weight: 715 lb
Ground clearance: 11.25 in.
Length/width/height: 81.0/46.0/47.0 in.
Seat height: 34.0 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.75 gal.
Electrical
Taillight: Yes
Headlight: 60-watt high beam and two 37-watt low beam
Instrumentation: Fuel gauge, speedometer, odometer, hourmeter, tripmeter; high beam, neutral/reverse, high-temperature indicators
Colors: Sonic blue/black, Sportsman green/black, red/black; Mossy Oak Camouflage
Rausch Creek offered scenic...
Rausch Creek offered scenic and varied terrain.
Polaris' shifter and floorboards...
Polaris' shifter and floorboards were preferred.
Lots of storage awaits behind...
Lots of storage awaits behind the bumper of the 500 H.O.
Both front and rear racks...
Both front and rear racks feature Polaris' Lock & Ride system.
IRS and more than 11 inches...
IRS and more than 11 inches of ground clearance!
Front storage can be accessed...
Front storage can be accessed while gear is still strapped on.
The seat is wide and comfortable,...
The seat is wide and comfortable, even for aggressive stints.
The 500 H.O. saw lots of abuse...
The 500 H.O. saw lots of abuse over the test and later, at our 12-Hour.
The speedometer is easy to...
The speedometer is easy to read and includes a handy gear indicator and tripmeter.
Water crossings and mud couldn't...
Water crossings and mud couldn't stop our 500 H.O.
The CVT is typical Polaris...
The CVT is typical Polaris smooth and responsive, harnessing the most from the motor.
Suzuki Vinson 500 4x4 Automatic
Retail price: $6399; Camo, $6699; Limited Edition, $6699
Engine
Type: Single-cylinder, four-stroke, four-valve SOHC
Displacement: 493cc
Cooling: Liquid-cooled
Carburetion: Keihin CVK 36mm
Lubrication: Wet sump
Starting: Electric with auxiliary recoil
Drivetrain
Drive system: Shaft, 2x4/4x4
Transmission: Automatic CVT with high/low range, reverse, engine-braking
Suspension (Type/Travel)
Front: Dual A-arms, independent/7.09 in.
Rear: Swingarm/7.87 in.
Tires
Front: 25x8-12; rear: 25x10-12
Brakes
Front: Dual hydraulic discs; rear: hydraulic disc
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 50.0 in.
Claimed dry weight: 604 lb
Ground clearance: 9.8 in.
Length/width/height: 82.5/46.1/48.6 in.
Seat height: 33.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
Electrical
Taillight: Yes
Headlight: Dual 30-watt high/low beam with 40-watt auxiliary
Instrumentation: Fuel gauge, speedometer, odometer, hourmeter, clock, dual tripmeters; high beam, neutral/reverse, high-temperature indicators
Colors: Green, red, yellow; Advantage Max-4 HD Camouflage; Limited Edition Black
The Suzuki has aggressive...
The Suzuki has aggressive styling wrapped around a rev-happy motor.
Woods-maestro Len Nelson puts...
Woods-maestro Len Nelson puts the Vinson to the task.
The floorboards were universally...
The floorboards were universally panned for their slipperiness. The Vinson's bouncy ride lost it points among the sporty set.
The Vinson is at a storage...
The Vinson is at a storage disadvantage.
A solid axle and almost 10...
A solid axle and almost 10 inches of ground clearance.
The front rack is standar...
The front rack is standard.
The rear rack belies the Vinson's...
The rear rack belies the Vinson's budget focus.