Yep, after the holidays my wife wants her SP500 HO Ducks Unlimited. I am used to the feel of my Xplorer400 and kind of scared of loosing that "pep". Anybody try both side by side? I really love all the new stuff the SP500 has and that IRS! I was thinking with a bit of clutch mods it should rip.

So convince me it is a good move! Any comparisons/mods that I might have overlooked? I learned a lot through Andy's multiple posts on the SP500HO, but still not sold on the performance factor...

 

I can't help you. All that crap I posted and I still never have got one, though right now, I'm debating the long term cost effect and feasability of owning two 500's. An AC and a Sp500. $125.00 a month I can swing, but do I really want to drop $1300 down? Thats my question.

 

Xplor,
I also concidered the HO Sportsman.But one of the reasons I got rid of it was because of it's weight.I really dont think I miss anything excepet the IRS and shaft drive on the Sportsman.Tht new 4x4 Kaw 650 sounds like a real nice 4x4.

Even if the HO is faster than the Xplorer,it would'nt take much to overcome that with a few mods to the Xplorer.Except for alot of chain adjustments on my Xplorer,Im completely sold on it so far.Im looking forward to seeing it complete a winter in Michigan,
Bill

 

I hope your wife is a strong woman. SP 500 is not for women, my opinion. My wife is 5 7 and my sp is way too difficult to steer/ for her/. Open , wide trail is OK,though.

 

She is 5' 3"...110 lbs! For some strange reason she wants the biggest and most "cumfy" as she says. She really likes her mom and dads Sportsmans with the IRS, no chains and oil to add. Funny thing is, that it's me who does all that stuff on "her" Xplorer.

Plus she wants the Ducks Unlimited color... If she could handle our Xplorer with those huge tires, I think the SP should be about the same if not better. She does not ride aggressive, so she should be O.K.

I tried to have her test a couple models, like the Scrambler500 or something lighter and sportier, but she has her mind set on that one. I can't blame her though, I too really would love to have one!

 

i ride in northern ontario ihave new h o your wife will like it it steers easier than my 99 sp500 ialso had a 95 explorer 400 it worked good but didnt like chains in deap mud irs ride i think is the best yet for me in slow rough trails

 

Xplor,
OH Yah,
I was going to tell you to make sure the wife takes it easy on the Sportsman to.My wife is 5'4 and 120 lbs.As long as she is on a flat trail,she is fine,however,get her into the technicle stuff and she SCARES the hell out of me.

Its just a huge/heavy 4x4 for smaller petite women to man handle,especially in the off-camber hills ect.I sold the Sportsman a while back,but im looking to get another quad for her,she enjoys riding with me.Im looking in the used department right now,perhaps a 2wd Honda?
Bill

 

Tell me about it Bill. When I put the Mudrunners and the V-force reeds on the Xplorer my wife was the first to try it out. We were riding with two other guys. We wanted to get from point A to point B as fast as we could. She scared the pi$$ out of me! She is so light and was going so fast on the bumpy trails that the back wheels were skipping back and forth. They were jolting twelve inches right then another twelve left.

I started yelling through my helmet but to no avail! Maybe I should not have called her a "slow-poke" that morning.

On the slow stuff she is cool, but when she starts going fast...she litteraly back-ends us other riders at least once every two rides! Thats where those new and improved brakes and IRS should come in handy!

Thats why I wish they had a scrambler type vehicle, no chains, IRS and low weight...thats what she needs!

Thanks,
Brian