The Polaris formula is to take several refined 2 and 4 stroke power plants and place them in a variety of 4x2, 4x4 and even 6x6 platforms. All the machines share some basic characteristics. This includes push button starting with a backup recoil pull start system. An automatic Polaris Variable Transmission (PVT) with forward (high and low ranges on the heavy duty utility machines) and reverse gearing. This is not just automatic clutch but a fully automatic transmission. Just put in gear and go. A single lever hydraulic front/rear braking system with a backup rear only mechanical system. Push button shift on the fly 4x4 system for the 4x4?s (and 6x6?s) in the line up. Full running boards instead of traditional foot pegs are also standard on all the machines. Single Rear shock and an automotive type dual MacPherson strut front suspension system softens out the bumps.

Rider controls consist of Start/Stop switch, starter button, override switch and brake lever on the left and push button 4x4 and standard thumb throttle on the right. The hand shifter is also mounted on the right hand side of the machine.

Xplorer 500

It didn?t take long after the quads were unloaded for several of the riders to hit the mud. I seemed like these guys were getting back at their parents for years of being told to "stay out of the mud". One of the worse stucks we had was with the Xplorer 500. We truly tested the limits of this 4x4. For the most part it is a go anywhere machine. However we did find out that quicksand and the Xplorer don?t mix. I don?t think anything could have crossed the section of mud that we tried to traverse with this machine. A full sized truck solidly planted on dry ground was able to finally make the extraction.

The Xplorer 500 has one of the most intricate suspensions of any quad that I have seen. This 4x4 has a 4 wheel independent suspension that was able to smooth out all the bumps we threw at it. The power plant is a 499cc 4 stroke, 4 valve, liquid cooled unit that provided plenty of low end torque. The gear box includes both High and Low ranges to help provide the right gearing for all type of terrain. You really start to appreciate what this quad has to offer when you put it in Low range and crawl over some really rough terrain . It wasn?t a speed demon and because of the soft suspension handling at higher speed was not as tight and controllable as the sportier models. As a work/hunting/Xploring machine it seemed to have all the right features all the way down to the integrated composite rack system. Check out the detailed specs. Note: Use the back button in your browser to return to this page.

Riders Comments:

Gerald Luiz

Very nice ride with the 4 wheel independent. Felt Heavy. Not nearly as responsive in power or handling as any of the other machines. It is a big difference between it and the Scrambler. Like the High and Low range. Would be a great choice for comfort or just cruising.

Todd O?Connor

I?d buy this one. The suspension on this ATV is great. Smoothes out the bumps. Power is much more manageable than on the 400. Great for crawling around.