Yamaha Grizzly 550 Build Quality

Comparing the Yamaha Grizzly 500 to the Polaris Sportsman

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• Yamaha
• Grizzly 550

[WKHalford]

@mscmatt I didn't used to like much of anything that Yamaha had. Then I bought the'06 Wolverine, my first Yamaha. Although not the greatest performer, it impressed me with it's overall goodness and solid durability.

Then I replaced my '03 Honda ST1300 sport/touring streetbike with an '08 Yamaha FJR1300 sport/tourer. Although the Honda has some advantages, the Yamaha is the better of the two overall. Even in durability.

At one time, I preferred Kingquad over Grizzly. That's changed.

[WKHalford]

@mscmatt I ride a lot too. I stated all of that to make a point. I'm not satisfied to just ride, but to learn all I can. That's one reason I come here.

I don't just own a Grizzly, also a Wolverine 450. Sometime within the next few months I'm either gonna make the Wolverine a project ATV (it's almost stock), or replace it. If replaced, the replacement may be a non-Yamaha, just so I can get experiences with other brands. Maybe a Kingquad, Arctic Cat, or maybe even a Polaris.

[mscmatt]

@WKHalford That's an impressive resume you've got there Mr. Halford. I don't belong to any ATV forum sites; I just ride. I've had something to ride since I was 11 - a couple bikes, a couple ATVs, and a snowmobile... I'm not a certified technician or mechanic by any means, but I've been riding long enough to know what a good machine is. I know you own a Grizzly. Your user name might as well say WKHalfordOwnsAGrizzly.

[WKHalford]

@mscmatt Besides, the advantages and disadvantages of more weight versus less weight has already been discussed more than enough, correct? I think we've agreed on that as much as we are going to, correct?

So it's time to move on, correct?

[WKHalford]

@mscmatt The video itself is about Polaris versus Yamaha. That makes Polaris versus Yamaha a valid discussion. So the CVT differences between the 2 are valid, and why Polaris is getting away from the older design.

Not I'm not a troll. I own a Grizzly 550 EPS, which is one of the ATVs featured in the video. So I have valid things to say, as well as a lot of general experiences with ATVs. And I belong to 3 different ATV forum sites.

If none of that were the case, THEN I'd be a troll.

[mscmatt]

@WKHalford Yes, the actual word is really the point. I never said their clutch design was the best in the world; I simply stated that they were the first to implement an auto transmission on an ATV, along with independent rear suspension, and many other innovations that have been copied (and improved upon) over the years. I'm not slamming Yamaha; they now have power steering (so you can pat yourself on the back for that), and I'm sure that idea will be copied by other manufacturers.

[mscmatt]

@WKHalford Still talking about the clutch (because you have nothing else to talk about)? Once again, I'll explain to you that this discussion isn't about the RZR (even though it is a good machine), or even Polaris vs. Yamaha. It's about whether or not weight can be beneficial for a utility ATV. You're trying to avoid the original point of discussion because you've run out of good points to back up your argument. Maybe you should go troll in the comments section of a RZR video...

[WKHalford]

@WKHalford In fact, I think the new RZR 570, with it's 900-based Pro Star engine, also has the wet clutch. And it's not quite so heavy or powerful as to overcome the older design like the 900 is.

So I can see new design being used across the Polaris line, with the Sportsman's Fuji-built 550 maybe being replaced by the 570, and the 850 maybe being replaced by the 900. I think that's a good idea, don't you?

[WKHalford]

@mscmatt And speaking of ideas, the wet clutch is a better one. Because of that, combined with a one-way sprag clutch, it allows engine braking without any electronic trickery. I'm not sure what the Sportsman uses that's related to the CVT to maintain engine braking until that final moment the machine comes to a halt, but I would imagine that it's probably more complicated, like Kawasaki's KEBC stepper motor.

Yamaha figured it out before Polaris. Now it's Polaris copying ideas.

[WKHalford]

@mscmatt The actual word used isn't really the point. You were pointing out firsts, as if that is significant a few decades later. I'm focusing on what idea is better now, and making a point about why it's better now, with weight being a factor.

This is a Yamaha versus Polaris comparison, correct? And that's what I'm doing.

Yes, I know it made sense to use what they had back then. And I have a certain respect for Polaris' innovation. Time to move on, as evidenced by the RZR 900.