Polaris Outlaw 525 IRS -vs- Honda 700xx

Thanks for the replies so far. I already have a 700xx reserved at my dealer for $7160. It is the one that I am planning on getting so far but I still want to keep my options open.

I am planning on trail riding and also having fun at a private 1 mile race track that we have locally. I tried it with my now sold POlaris 800 EFI and had a blast but unfortunatly the first belt only lasted 10 laps in the dry and only about 5 laps on the second belt. We also have a new indoor track called the Sandbox that is not to far from here that is open all year round. I am not planning on racing...yet but just want to have fun on the tracks as well.

The 500 Outlaw is nice but it is nothing compared to the Outlaw 525 from what I have heard. But I am still very interested in what you think of the 500 vs the 700xx in ride quality not just power.

I wish the 700xx would have a hydralic clutch like the Outlaw 525 2008. I also wish it was a little bit lighter like the Outlaw. I also wish the 700xx had more red plastic than Black as black scratches easy when you are trail riding.

Those are about the only few things so far that I like better about the Outlaw without riding them.

I do believe the rear IRS on the 700xx is far better than the outlaw just from the pictures and the fact that Polaris has had allot of issues with the Rims being to small and the IRS wears on the rims really bad when a small rock gets stuck in there. The Outlaw's flat cornering bar also looks very weak compared to the Honda's. Allot of people are giving Honda crap because of the rear rim size. And if you read the Outlaw Forums as I have you will find out why Honda has made that rear rim as large as it is.

Th other problem I have been reading is the fact that you have to go out and get a James Dean Jet kit ASAP to make if run correctly. Not a big deal just more cost.

And yes there is that Honda factor vs Polaris in reliability. I use to own a Honda 400ex and never had a problem with it. We actually had 5 in our group with no problems with any of them.

The good thing is that Honda tests there products before they are released and get most of the bugs out and as we all know Polaris does some testing to but allot of the changes come out in the later years that should have been caught before they were released. A good example is a seat falling of of the 500 Outlaw and not fixed or recalled until the 525 came out so I have been told anyway. If I owned Polaris I think I would embarrassed about that one. "So how did testing go? Oh great except the seat always falls off... Oh no big deal lets mass produce them...lol"

Any ways I still like Polaris but the quality is just not up to the Honda's and that is why I am sticking to the 700xx so far. But nothing is concrete.

Thanks again for your feedback and I look forward to many more good or bad.

I guess it depends on how much track riding and jumping you are going to do. If you rode a Popo 800 hog on the track and had fun with it, either of the XX or 525 would seem feather lite compared to that pig. But the Outlaw will be a good 65-70 lbs lighter (wet) than the XX, so that will have some effect on handling on the track. As far as trail riding, I believe that the XX will be a far better machine, especially from a reliability standpoint. I'm thinking that it will handle better on the trail as well. You should be able to lug down that 700 real low, and it should have awesome torque. Great for trail riding. Yeah, the 525 has a hydraulic clutch, but it also isn't fuel injected, and I personally can't see buying a non-injected machine in this day and age. Buy a hydraulic clutch for 250 bucks when you swap the handlebars out on the XX and you'll be as happy as a clam. I was actually considering an Outlaw, but thankfully Honda came out with this 700XX just in time. We don't know how good this machine will be yet, but I'm literally putting my money on the fact that it will be.

Anyone that has ridden an outlaw or pred 500 will tell you that they lack bottom end grunt because they do even the troy lee pred with the "optimized" trans. gearing. I've heard that the 525 is stronger than the 500 off the bottom by leaps and bounds. But here is the thing...... the 525 is really only 510cc's. I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination but it seems to me that if you take two motors of similar size both show room stock the stronger of the two will get less power gain from a similar mod. Maybe a better way to say it is that all atv motors are watered down to some degree other wise there would be no after market. The stronger motor in stock trim is just less watered down than the other motor of similar size (In most cases). The XX ; if it does lack anything at all compared to the 525 you will get it back and more with your first mod because there is less to be gained from a less watered down 525. Even with the weight difference the XX will have the better mill there is no substitute for displacement. It is not often that you get over 35mph in the wood unless you have some kind of death wish and that 525 may be strong for a 510cc motor but its not magical and will not hold a candle to a 686cc motor off the bottom especially if you involve mods of any kind.

I was torn between the 700 and the 525 but just could'nt wait for the Honda . Bought the 525 two months ago and LOVE it. What you have read about jetting is right waaaaay to lean . I'm in California and the emission standards are tough here . The JD kit cost $62.00 and made a all ready fast quad into a rocket . I see comparisons on this forum to the 500 outlaw power , believe me there is none . The KTM is fast !!! The Honda 700 is way to heavy to me compared to the 525 at 395 pounds . I do mostly trail riding and have had no problems at all , even before rejetting more than enough power WAY MORE !!!. It did great at Pismo beach sand dunes a couple weeks ago also . Be prepared IRS is a totally differant ride , I have a bad back and can ride all day with no pain on the outlaw . Coming out of a slide the first time is an eye opener you will be launched out so hold on !!! Some friends have ridden it and were more than impressed with the power but didnt like the differance in handling . IRS takes some getting used to !!! The out the door price was $6299 at ( OTD MOTOSPORTS ) they have most other brands ( including Honda ) all with fantastic pricing and I checked every where . Don't know what other States there in , but you can get the out the door price right online for comparison , check them out it might help you get a deal .