500-Class Shootout: Honda VS Polaris

Agree or disagree with our Shootout? Let us know in the comments down below!

Dirt Trax’ Shootout returns as Luke compares two highly popular ATVs in the 500-class: the 2017 Polaris Sportsman 570 SP VS the 2017 Honda Foreman Rubicon 500. Find out which ATV we would recommend to you in this highly competitive segment.

For more information and specs on the 2017 Polaris Sportsman 570 SP, click this link:

Click here for more specific information on the 2017 Honda Foreman Rubicon 500:

For more video and editorial from your friends at Dirt Trax Television, click here:

[goshnodo]

I live in Alaska oh, my wife and I have written a 2005 and 2006 Polaris Sportsman 500 and 450 for years. Granted I am really big on routine maintenance, we have never ever had a malfunction or a problem ever. Polaris makes a great machine, Honda makes a great machine, Yamaha and Suzuki makes a great machine. They're all good it's just how you maintain them. Even the best can die if it's left to rot.

[cjr]

when will we see a "shoot out" that involves more than specs and trail rides? drag some trees around, load the racks, climb some hills, tow a trailer loaded with wood, pull some implements and see which one over heats first, drown them out and see which one costs more to get back running. that to me is a utility atv shoot out. which one rides softer and is faster is not the way to measure utility atv's.

it seems like none of these shows test the utility aspect of atv's. they are all about how "sporty" the bikes are. that doesn't mean squat to me.

[ozarkhayandcattle]

I was looking to purchase a 500 class machine when this video came out. I am a long time Honda owner. I test drove this machine & a Honda Rubicon IRS EPS. The Polaris had a better ride quality, better power & was around $500 cheaper. I decided to give the Polaris a shot. I am 4 months into owning the Polaris 570 SP. It immediately began to not start correctly. I would turn the key & it would click like a dead battery or bad solenoid. Turn the key again, It might fire right up or it might not. After I had to walk home once I got more serious about getting this fixed. 4 months later the dealer has replaced battery, solenoid, key switch, break switch, starter and now the voltage regulator...possibly the power steering unit next. They have had the bike 1 month of my 4 month ownership. I really like this ATV when it is running. But, it is not dependable. I called the Polaris customer service line about maybe getting the bike replaced or declared a lemon. They told me I would have to work that out with the dealership & that Polaris does not have a buy back or compensation program. The dealer is not the problem they are doing everything they can to help. Poor Polaris quality and poor customer service is why I chose to write this.
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[Will-gkje]

Polaris might be better new but the honda will outlast it

[silverback]

I rode my honda 300 4x4 at our hunting property for 21 yrs. Everyone else had Polaris. All of us are older men and never abused our machines. Almost all polarises had some sort of problems. Never had one issue with my honda in 21 yrs. One of the other hunters even mentioned that my honda never had an issue. I gave it to my adult son. It is now 30 yrs old and the starter finally went bad. I saw him hit the decompression lever and push the kickstart with his hand and it starts first kick. Amazing machine,

[moaski]

You missed the most important category of them all... RELIABILITY!!! That's why people buy Hondas. Initial cost may be higher, but factor in maintenance, parts and durability over the life of the machine and the Honda will cost much less. Also, I wonder why Polaris's cheap, bullshit plastic brush guard and racks weren't mentioned?

[msky]

Honda has a reputation for solid, long lasting, and reliable engines. That is the marketing appeal and reason for more expensive price. They will also hold their value longer (like Toyota trucks over Ford as example)
Riding fast and hard is may be fun if you do tricks or racing but as an investment for long term considerations you should think about the engine too. That's my 2 cents

[jasonmeyer]

I keep hearing about Polaris not being as good, but honestly, I bought a new polaris 500 H.O. in 2011 and have put that thing through hell the past 8 years and not 1 thing has gone wrong. 3 oil changes and 2 battery changes have been done since 2011. The thing just doesn't die or break.

[salvor]

you don't mention reliability. -the MOST IMPORTANT.

[Seveneleven]

Polaris makes nice stuff.

BUT years of reliability and toughness surround Honda.

[cmathis]

Hondas are basically bullet proof tho. And they start up easily

[ZacksRides]

I work at a Honda/Yamaha dealership and we sell many Polaris quads too. Those Polaris machines are of course used trade ins but normally only a couple years old. Now I am biased towards Honda but I agree 100% with the reliability argument. Honda had a couple poor transmission designs in the past but this dual clutch setup has been bullet proof for us. Polaris is not the same junk it was in the 90's, heck I own a Rzr900, but I still think Honda has better build quality especially long term. I do wish Honda would take more chances and build sportier machines to compete with Polaris, can am, and Yamaha. "Cool" products are the reason Polaris does so well, aka scrambler 1000, rzr turbo, etc. they are probably not top sellers overall but they are statement machines that keep the name out front but when it comes to overall quality Honda for the win.

[erichemmelgarn]

My parents have three different Honda foreman’s that have 12, 000 Miles+ on them and their fourth one is a 13 and has 9, 000. You’ll never see that out of a Polaris. Honda all day!

[russhendrix]

Polaris is more fun, but Honda is better quality.

[klink]

Bought a new 2018 Rubicon and love it. Wish I could have got the 2020 with the new 517 engine.

[shannoncasper]

Over time nothing lasts like the Honda. Also the shaft drive on a Honda is way better than any belt drive.

[WasatchTrax]

The real shootout totals should read:
Honda 5
Polaris 2

Power & Delivery – Polaris Wins – I completely agree with Dirtrax - with 44 HP there is no denying that Polaris handily wins this category.

Braking – Honda Wins – Again I agree with Dirtrax - with better front-rear breaking and engine braking the Honda wins this category.

Ride Quality – Polaris Wins – Again, I agree with Dirtax – Polaris has a softer ride.

Handling – Honda Wins – Sorry Dirtrax you got this wrong. Honda has superior handling, you guys said it, there is more body roll on the Polaris which is dangerous on the trails and outweighs the additional feedback through the handlebars. I don't think the EPS is better on the Polaris either. I think this category belongs to Honda.

Rider Comfort – Honda Wins – The ergonomics and seat position are just better.

Features – Honda Wins – Sorry Dirtrax, wrong again. The Honda includes standard brush guards, better tie down options with steel racks, ACG electrical output, auto-mode or manual shift, true diff-lock, and superior build quality. The Sportsman only has more storage and a better digital display. Honda should win the feature category easy with all things considered.

Value – Honda wins – Sorry Dirtrax wrong again. I see the argument that the Polaris is cheaper but that’s because it’s made cheaper. If you want to re-label this category on which ATV is cheaper then sure Polaris will win. If you are talking about value it has to go to the Honda. The Honda will be running with less maintenance and less wear and tear, years after the Polaris is in a scrap yard. Honda is more expensive on the front end but a better long-term value.

[madracki]

you guys are drunk. quality and reliability Honda is the best. shocks can be changed tires also for ground clearance. anyone who knows anything wouldn't compare a Honda to a polaris.

[Ranger]

I'd still get the Honda. I'm orig owner and still have my '77 CT90, '91, CT70 '09 Rubi. All under powered, but all start and run great with no issues, ever!

[eternalthread]

You forgot one segment, durability which the Polaris doesn't have