Hi all, like the title states, I would like to know why I should pick the Suzuki over the polaris and arctic cat. I just returned from WY where I managed to ride for days on my father in law's sportsman 500, and it was great, but since I had no comparison it was time to join a board to hear the verdict from the true off-roaders.

Thanks!!


Sam

 

This is a tough question.
I bought my Zuke because of the price and everything I read said it was a solid machine and the best value in the class.
Now everything I read about the Polaris said it was the best machine or dead even with the Outlander. (the Zuke was rated just better than the AC)

I think what you have to ask yourself is do you want value and function or function with higher price tag?

I do have to say the Sportsman is a sharp vehicle
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2wd works fine on the Zuke and 4WD is just a push of the button away and if I want to lock the front end I just have to flip a switch.
The Polaris has a no brainer system that engages when the wheels slip. "Automatic AWD" with a separate 2wd system.
This is a nice system since you dont have to anticipate needing 4wd on approach if you are in auto mode.
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The Polaris is more of a workhorse than the Zuke but I would think that either one would do what we ask. Now if I was a logger or maybe owned a ranch I would go with the Polaris hands down. But I live in the burbs and look for excuses to use my quad for lawn work.
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The point I am trying to make is both machines will be reliable and will take you anywhere. The question is what do you really want the vehicle for? If it is just for trail riding then either one would work just fine.
If you want to use this vehicle to work with (serious work) and trail ride then I would get the sportsman since there are many set up's available for this platform.
Good luck

 

There is no Suzuki 550 King Quad.

Only Yamaha,Polaris and AC make a 550 Utility. Can,t find a shootout online between them yet.

 

I would have to give reliability to suzuki hands down..Polaris does have a nice ride but their reliability is on the sketchy side.. everything else is pretty much identical. I like the king quads 4x4 system better you push a button and its in simple. The polaris waits for the rear wheels to slip for like a split second then engages. which Im sure works great when it all works good. The polaris atvs also have fluid in the hubs which may or not have to be maintained at some point..

I guess Im saying get a suzuki LOL.. well unless you really don't plan on putting a ton of miles on the machine..those sportmans do ride great but they do weigh alot.

 

Like mentioned...reliability. Nuff said.

 

When Suzuki ever makes a 550 KQ I,m sure it will be a nice ATV. The current 500 KQ would have its hands full against the budget oriented 500H.O let alone higher end XP550,AC550 or Grizzly 550.

The big reason I would not chose a 550 KQ is because it does not exist.

 

KQ 500 for reliability and value. I own the Vinson 500 and wouldn't trade it for 2 of the others. Trails great, muds with them all, hauls logs and works like a rented Missouri Mule!

 

I think a lot of folks would be surprised just how much get-up-and-go that the 500 King has... especially with a few easy mods. It has excellent gearing to start with. Sure, it may not win many races against similar quads, but on the trail, it will hang with any of those quads mentioned.