I just found out that an Outlander I had placed an order for (green) will not be available at a trusted dealer until the end of the month. I want an ATV for this weekend and all of September. The dealer states that he can get me a camo Outlander however it is $400 more than the green Outlander. My dilemma is this: I can get a 500 ho SP for the same exact amount of money. One side of me says get the 500 cc and the extra torque it offers and better resale I suspect, but another side of me thinks the 400 Outlander will be more fun because of its lighter weight and probably will be as fast and it is more "unique" becaue it is less common. What would you do. All other brands are excluded for this one. My final choice will be between these two.

 

I cannot give you an opinion on the Outlander but I will tell you about the SP 500. We own four as a family (1999, 2001 and 2-2002s) and all 4 have been excellent machines. The ride from the independant rear suspension is tops as is the incredible ground clearance. The power is strong and quick with good throttle response. I ride with alot of different machines and I have not found one yet I would buy over the SP 500 (except possibly the SP 600). I totaled my first SP500 (2001) and rode everything on the market only to buy another SP500. You need to ride both machines and do a detailed comparison. I highly recomend the SP 500 and wish you luck with you decision.

 

Your best bet would be to ride both of them if possible. I do not personally know of anyone with an outlander. I ride with several who own 400 and 500 H.O sportsmans and most of them love them. I looked at an outlander thinking of purchasing one and did not like the radiator. There was nothing to protect it. Sportsmans have been around for a while, had more time to work out the bugs in the system.

 

there both really good machines. If you bought either one you would be happy.
the outlander is about 5 miles an hour faster than 500ho. They both do very well
in the mud and on the trail. I don't really know for sure which one i would pick.
Ive ridden both and they both have a nice ride to them. If you get a 500ho
however get the 2004 1/2 It's got the inline shifter like the 700 has big improvement


good luck on your purchase
John.

2003 500ho modified my toy
2004 grizzly girl friends ride
2003 kodiak 450 sons ride
2003 breeze sons ride

 

A while back I read in one of these that side by side the Outlander 400 was faster than the 5oo. My wife has a 330 outlander (identical to the 400 other than the bore) and we love it.