I looking at getting a 500SP, my thinking is that the 04.5 and 05 models are a lot stronger than the earlier ones. So, is there an obvious way to tell the difference between the 04 and the 04.5 (like park position on the gear shift?)

Thanks

 

The 2004.5 has the Carlisle Bandlands XTR tires.

 

2004.5 also had the POD flash "FUEL" when low on gas.

 

2004.5 has electronic fuel gage in pod, 2004 does not.

 

the only thing that makes it an 04.5 is if it has an electronic fuel gauge with low fuel level flasher. that's it!!!! All 700EFI's came with this from the start, it really bugs the heck out of me when people say I have a 04.5 when really some of them are probably just an 04'. why not just say it's an 04' and be done with it, maybe it makes them feel better or feel like they own a newer machine than they really do.

 

Oh stop your belly achin', it's all Polaris' fault. They can't let us enjoy our new machines for 30 seconds before they are putting out something bigger and badder. I'm still happy with my 04.5 Sp600, it's big and bad enough for me. Did I mention it's a 2004.5? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Hey Bullet, where did you get those spacers and how come there are four?

 

Ok, you made them yourself, nice job. Was the smaller size not enough so you went bigger? Is that about as high as you can go without damage to the machine? Is it a pain to install them?

Thanks

 

There are a couple other differences between '04 and '04.5 SP500. Besides the electronic fuel guage, the '04 has an H-pattern shifter with no Park and the '04.5 has the inline shifter with park. Also, the '04.5 went to the central Hilliard clutch where the '04 has the external hub on each front wheel. Supposedly there is also an 'improved' cooling system on the '04.5 (not sure what that means). Another small difference is the rear trans. The '04 has a dipstick just behind the right rear wheel to check fluid level, the '04.5 does not. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks, My understanding was that in 04.5 the 500 got the same chassis as the 600/700. Which is to say larger eveything underneath it, am I wrong ???