Polaris ATP 500 H.O.

Anyone out there with comments/recommendations regarding Polaris' new ATP...looking for a rec vehicle for the high(elevations over 10,000 ft.) mountain country of Colorado...we'll use it for backcountry travel/camping/wildlife viewing...we're both over 50...never owned one of these before, rode them, but this will be our first machine...

Does anyone know anything about this machine? I know it's a new model, but someone must know something about Polaris ATVs in general, and surely someone out there actually ownes one of these particular models...

1. Would the 7"rear clearance, compared to the normal 11" clearance be a problem? Seems that the trade off, hauling capacity of 400 lbs, vs. 180 lbs over the rear axle is worth giving up the 4 inches in clearance. We live up in the rocks of the high country...no mud...some ruts or rutted trails, but the ATVs can't "track" in those trails anyway...so...Your thoughts/experience on the clearance issue...(thank you)

2. Also, how about all that storage, and hauling capacity...would other ATV'rs please comment on the carrying/hauling capacity of their particular model. Polaris says the creation of the ATP model is the result of their surveys of ATV owners who always state that "carrying/hauling capacity" is where the ATV industry needs to improve...so....Your thoughts/experience on the hauling issue ... (thank you)

just looking for information

Thanks [img]images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]

My dad has a new Polaris 330. I know it is not as big as you are looking for but his works great. He is a big guy and can load up to 700lbs on the racks and it still makes it up the mountains without any problems.
Just wanted to let you know.
~Heather

The ATP is a great machine in it's own little niche. Many people don't like it because it lacks the ground clearance, lacks IRS, and doesn't come with the beefy Raw Hide tires that the Sportsmans have. But if you look back even just a few years every manufacture had less aggressive tires, solid rear axles, and not much ground clearance. If it was great back then it should be alright now.

Polaris markets the ATP mostly toward maintance use, like golf courses, yard service, etc. This is mainly because of the "Turf" selection for the rear end and it's hauling/storage capabilities. For an all around machine I think it would work great though. People skoff at it saying it's not meaty enough for real off roading, but I took one through some pretty hairy stuff just last night. The rear end did become a hinderance in some of the very deep ruts (was running mostly mud), but everytime either the front would pull me through, or I could rock side to side and keep enough drive to make it, even while standing on the rear box because the water was so deep.

I'd say for someone that isn't going to try and ride 100% all out, and try to see how far into impassable terrain they can make it, it's a great machine. If rocks get too big you can usually find a line around, and it's not going to hurt it dragging the rear end over a few (but makes for a crappy ride when doing it).

I would say that the ATP would be perfect for you. Even with only seven inches of clearance, you will still make it over most logs and ruts. It will also haul more than any other atv ever made(except the sportsman 6x6). The 500 h.o engine will have plenty of power for any hill, mud, rock or sand dune. I think it would be a very solid choice.