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 and varied terrain. | 
Polaris' shifter and floorboards were preferred. | 
Lots of storage awaits behind the bumper of the 500 H.O. |
Both front and rear racks feature Polaris' Lock & Ride system. | 
IRS and more than 11 inches of ground clearance! | 
Front storage can be accessed while gear is still strapped on. |
The seat is wide and comfortable, even for aggressive stints. | 
The 500 H.O. saw lots of abuse over the test and later, at our 12-Hour. | 
The speedometer is easy to read and includes a handy gear indicator and tripmeter. |
Water crossings and mud couldn't stop our 500 H.O. | 
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 styling wrapped around a rev-happy motor. | 
Woods-maestro Len Nelson puts the Vinson to the task. | 
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 disadvantage. | 
A solid axle and almost 10 inches of ground clearance. | 
The front rack is standard. |
The rear rack belies the Vinson's budget focus. |  |  |
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