450/500cc vs big bore atv

[Beendare]

I've ridden the bigger ones but only owned the 400 Honda and currently the 500 Polaris Sportsman.
More power is nice...but it seems wasted unless you tow heavy stuff....I have never felt the need for more power with my 400/500's.

Must haves IMO; Power steering, independent suspension

One consideration; The extra power doesn't really hurt you except that those units are a lot heavier which is a factor sometimes horsing them around.

 

[jmez]

They are plenty big. One question. How fast do you want to get there and back?

 

[Golt199]

Consider the rack capacity. The Can Am racks are excellent for strapping gear and meat. The 500 racks are slightly smaller.

 

[rileybassman]

I don't think you would regret going with a 700. Likely overkill in a lot of cases but having headroom is nice. I have a Yamaha 700 and have family with multiple 450-500s (not yamaha), and the 450-500s will get you where you are going but they can bog down if you are pulling or carrying more than a few hundred lbs... but I have drug an elk whole + 3 people up a mtn. on a small trailer with my 700. Have also carried a deer + 2 people on the unit itself, or a quartered elk + 2 people on the unit.

Transporting yourself and a quartered critter, a 450 will get it done. If you want to pull a decent bit of weight or carry multiple people, a 700 will do better.

Gearing also is important.

Also, physical size isn't that much different between the two.

Have fun!

 

[KurtR]

I have never wished i had less power but times when i wished i had more

 

[IdahoBeav]

I've done 65 mph on my 570SP with myself (#200) and another #100 of gear. I didn't and won't ever need to go that fast. On the trail, I never have an issue being underpowered.

Something to consider is the 4wd engagement system. Can Am uses a slip engage system. The front wheels spin a rotation or two before suddenly engaging. The Polaris system is on-demand. Once the switch is flipped, the front differential engages.