I am in the market for a 2up. been looking at the Polaris 500 Sportsmen X2 and the Articat TV 500. Any thoughts?
I have a freind that has an articat and it really just seems like a very bulky basic machine alittle cheaper. The Polairs seems like a better build machine with alot more options.

I would go with the Polaris, if choosing between those models.

Polaris for sure..if U are not a Can Am fan

I was wondering is the X2 becasue you want the truck bed feature, becasue if 2 up is all that is needed, then by all means the Can am 500 Max would be my number one choice and the polaris Touring model, and not the X2 would be my second choice. I like the X2 model for myself, seldome would the two function be needed, and the bed might be pretty handy. I also like the polaris turf mode feature that is on both the X2 and the touring model. For the passengers sake the touring model or the Can-am would be far more comforatable than the X2.

Once again //// I agree... the Can Am is just as comfy as any quad out ther........

If just going for the 2up then I would go with the 500 touring by polaris. Having sat on both and owning the X2 the back seat on the X2 is an afterthought. It works good for the occainal second rider but if your going to have a second rider as the norm go with the touring model. As for the Can Am. The back seat will kill a male rider where as the polaris one will not. Just my observations on them.

I have two guys I ride with that have CATS, notice I was careful not call them friends?

Friends don't let friends ride CATS.

Cats seem to be real capable machine both in snow and the rocks. But several things about them I don't care for, the electric/lever locker 4x4 system for one. The seat is uncomfortabl and small/short, the ride was terrible steering is tough when in full locker. The floor boards are small. Stuff just seems unhandy to get to.

I have a friend with the TRV. I really like the rack system cat has but other then that. The rear suspension on the cat is so soft you can't haul any one. with his dog on the back the axle are leval, causing it to drag on everything. then tire tires loose to bead on every ride I'm not sure if its the wheels or the tires but it's a pain. The nit doesn't have a locker. I don't know if the new ones do or not. I got a Max before the TRV. And I'm a Polaris kinda guy so between the two get the Polaris.

I ride with some x2 in AZ .They seem to have their share of problems.The rear seat is an after thought wear at least the AC has a real seat.When it comes to two ups the Can Am is hard to beat.Mine is at 10,500 and still leading if I keep the Oxyen turned up.bear's parking lot

I would jump all over the touring model. I have the X2 and if you aren't gonna carry a passenger it is a great choice also. Just remember the X2/Tourning have turf mode and nobody else has it. With turf mode you can turn under anybody and it also makes the steering much easier. The steering is not hard to begin with but the turf just makes it that much easier. I have 3200 miles on mine and it has been just reliable has anything on the market. All makes and models have issues even the Can Am. The best thing to do is go ride what your are interested in and buy what fits your needs the best.

Ronnie

Just picked up a copy of DIRTY WHEELS usually by pass it, but this month they have an article where they interviewed the couple from QUEBEC. They had a pair of X2 that they drove over 9000 miles both loaded down with food fuel camping gear and pulling a fully loaded camping trailer. Still have original belts on them. With out a problem.

For me the TOURING was an easy choice, I really don't need or want the two up option. But was after the rest the longer WB the larger fuel tank the stability and the TURF MODE.

Last time out I didn't get to ride it much, I wanted POOPSIE to ride and see how well it handled the trail and how well it rode. Well it did as I told her it would and she wouldn't give it back rest of day, I was stuck on the 2002 700. It is the most stable machine I have ever ridden, it tackles the obsticles like they aren't there, it climbs hills giving you an extra good feeling of confidence. Never once has the front felt light, the ADC is awesome POOPSIE told me that. It is like it is glued to the trail hard to explain you just have to experience it for yourself, it is nimble on the trails. Not once have I felt that the extra WB caused me to do any thing different on the trail like worrying about turning radius. Haven't had chance to try the TURF ODE but will get to that. I've not ridden or even sat on a BOMB two up so can't say any thing either way about them. But I have had this TOURING long enough to know that this is one awesome machine.

I had a chance to spend some time on a 500 X2 and also took a quick spin on a 500 T, I will say this, and I use to own a Max 800, I did preffer the Polaris ride over the Outy MAX, it turns sharper as well. I played with the turf mode some, really didn't notice a big difference, I did a bunch of right and left hand turns and a few circles, in both modes, on the X2 I felt the tire slipping, but the main thing I noticed in the steering test was, that I could not believe how tight it could turn, in either mode. Very impressinve machines. I am really wanting to get that 800 X2 I had been eyeing for a couple weeks now.

If you are looking for a more utility, work horse, I would go with the X2. The 2up section on the X2 is horrible, great if you are in pinch, and need to throw someone on back, but to stick someone on the back for extended periods of time is punishment.

If you are going to do a lot of 2up riding, no doubt hands down get the Polaris Touring Edition. Polaris nailed the two up section, because so many people were complaining about horrible X2 section. I rode on the back of the new touring edition this week, the seat is amazing almost like you are in a recliner. But you are committed with the 2up section meaning you really can't use the back of the machine for anything else. You can remove the seat, but it leaves a huge hole in the bottom, that you can't do much with.

Having said all that I still prefer the X2 over the touring just because I love the rear cargo box, I do a lot of work around our six acres, and plus I like to put a hard storage box in back, it just works better for me. Plus, like many extended wheelbase machines its tough to turn in tight areas, but by unlocking the rear diff turning is so much easier, and tighter.

The X2 is my #1 Trail Machine...



As far as the AC TRV, I rode one about a year ago, I ll pass. The 2up section is fine, but the overall machine, I ll pass on.

Polaris has a hard box that replaces the extra seat and is very spacious as it uses the open space under the seat also.

Cob is that new, I have asked about that several times(forums and dealers) , and kept hereing no they didn't have one. Is it a new item. Any pics or links for it. I had ruled out the T becasue hauling that seat around all the time really didn't make a lot of since to me.

No is not new I seen one several months ago. I am sure I have a pic I will check. Here is one I will load more tonight when we get home.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cob,

Thanks for the pic.

WOW, that is a big box. It appears to be a polaris accy item, I think those are lock in ride clamps I am seeing in that pic. I asked the local polaris dealer about this type of thing about 2 weeks ago, and he said no they didn't offer anything. I wish these dealers would look at some of there catalogs from time to time. The dealer that I found the 800 X2 at origianlly e-mailed me back that Polaris didn't make a 800 X2, I had to ask him to check again, turned out they had one in stock.

You didn't happen to get a look at that price tag did ya.

quote:

Originally posted by Cob:
No is not new I seen one several months ago. I am sure I have a pic I will check. Here is one I will load more tonight when we get home.

ah, there you go. I figured Mr. Polaris would find one for the touring edition.

Polaris does like to go big with these storage boxes. Shelby at least you will have your back rest now, lol,

Again, Dealers=Turds.

I know, I had my mind already made up to get the X2, now this just through a bit of a wrench in the works. I am not sure which I like better now. I don't care a thing about the dump feature of the X2, but I do like the padded back rest as compared to the hard plastic box. Also the fact the back seat is always there if you need it on the X2, I would have to be lugging that seat around whenever I had planned to need to ride double. Odds are it might not be a planned thing, and I won't have the seat with me. So there is still a lot for me to think about here. I was thinking last weekend how nice it would have been to had an X2 to lug arournd extra fuel and stuff without worring about anything. That AC having that painted plastic would have been scratched all to **** with what ever I had looked at puting on it, thats why my buddys Outy was packing what we needed for the trail, the polaris really has one of the best rack designs out there. But that truck bed design seems to up that another level. I was thinking Two small (2gal or so) gas cans, a mega sized cargo box and maybe even a small icechest would have fit in that X2's cargo bed. So many pros and cons running though my head on which would be best for me.

How about resale, any houghts which would have better resale the X2 or the T.