Which ATV for the wife?

[DE_Sportsman]

OK guys, I brought home a new 2012 Polaris 500 HO almost a month ago and the wife is wanting a quad now too! Question though is what is most suitable for her. She's on the short side - 5'2" and I was thinking that perhaps the trail boss might be a little better fit then the Sportsman 400/500. Thoughts?

[SMP63]

Welcome to the forum!! Been there gone thru that! Does she ride the 500 you have now? If yes does she like it? If yes buy another 500!! Makes working on the same wheeler easier, only have to buy 1 service manual. My wife loves hers!!!! She got tired of riding 2 up & I asked her what she wanted.
The answer is in my signature.

[bobx2]

I'm leaning towards a 500. You know it would be capable of going anywhere and doing anything you do with yours. It's not an overpowering machine and if needed you can get it through any tough spots if she doesn't want to do them. With me, I look at it as I get to ride the really fun stuff twice. My wife loves her 500.

[midwestcpa]

Perhaps consider the Sportsman 400. If you can find an older 400, they were built on a smaller frame.

[WilliamBos]

Originally Posted by midwestcpa

Perhaps consider the Sportsman 400. If you can find an older 400, they were built on a smaller frame.

For what that will cost, you can get a new 400.

[midwestcpa]

Originally Posted by WilliamBos

For what that will cost, you can get a new 400.

It depends. You can't buy a new one with the smaller frame if that is an important factor. A brand new 400 or 500 is never a bad option if she is comfortable with the machine.

[idler8]

Originally Posted by midwestcpa

It depends. You can't buy a new one with the smaller frame if that is an important factor. A brand new 400 or 500 is never a bad option if she is comfortable with the machine.

I never was a fan of the smaller framed 400, I always thought polaris screwed up with that idea, get her a 500.

[antoniodef]

Not to go against the grain here, but I was in your shoes and went with a Trail Boss. She liked mine, but it was large and she felt like she had to "fight" it.

I bought a Trail Boss and it rocks! I honestly ride it as much as mine. It is so easy to steer and fun to throw around. We have a coney island, a party store and a beach in our neighborhood and I find myself driving hers to these places because it is much more enjoyable to cruise with.

It doesn't have four wheel drive, but she gets stuck less than me. Knowing mine has 4wd and a winch seems to make me pick the bigger mudhole or deeper rut trying to be all technical and get myself stuck. One day the trails were very muddy, I was amazed at what the Trail Bozz could go through, just mash the gas and it plowed right along.

As a loss to Polaris, had there been a small frame 4wd, like a Hawkeye, still available I woulds bought it in a second. Resale is so high though, I refuse to buy used. Shoot, looking at the current prices I could sell the Trail Boss for more than I paid.

[WIscrambler]

My recommendation would be a Scrambler 500. My wife rode one for 3 years and her only complaint was a sore thumb throttle. Easy fix though...added a thumb throttle extender for $20. The scrambler is a lighter, narrower, smaller chassis than the Sportsman. It steers easy and rides comfortable. With 4wd, it goes nearly everywhere a Sportsman will go. The only downfall is your wife would have a faster machine and you might not hear the end of it

[rickcj7]

Forget all that other stuff, 1 ride on a 550 XP with power steering and she will have a new atv!
Heck you will be trading yours in to!
The XPs are waaaay better.


Scrambler is a bad idea, can't putt around or any hard trails on 1 with no low range!