Okay, by now we all know the HO is faster, but no one has talked about the ride. It is different. Where the SP 500 was "cushy", the HO is a little more taut. This helps when catching some air, it feels less like an airplane with landing gear hanging below. It jumps better and lands better, more controlled, though not as "cushy".
Went on a big ride yesterday with my new Silver HO and my bud who bought my red Sp 500.
72 miles in the Burro Mountains of New Mexico.
Sandwashes, mining roads, rocky trails, we even found one mud puddle! (that's rare out here).
The SP has a white clutch spring and 48 gram weights. It runs great, and though the HO could
outpull it going up the sandwashes there is little real world difference between these two machines. The SP is quieter and has a smoother ride. It is 98% as fast as the HO, though the HO may get faster as it's broken in. The HO jumps better due to the stiffer suspension, but that may soften up too.
I couldn't lose my bud on the SP, and I was having trouble staying up with him when he was in front. I'm saying to myself, "Damn! this guy is a natural, he's blowing me away on my old quad!"
Then he told me he'd been using 2wd and thought it was more fun. So I tried it, I usually just
leave it in AWD. Well it IS better for hot rodding, more controlled slides, better big turns in the sand. That little touch of squirly, floaty, was gone. I think I'll save AWD for the rough stuff and maybe save some delicate drive components in the process. Oh, and once I switched to 2WD I dusted him good. He wants a Cam, bad! We switched rides for a while and both appreciated the merits of the other's new Quad.
The power of the HO, the smoother ride of the SP.
It's the Caddy and the Bimmer.
Silly Later,,,Fourlix

SP 500 "THE SILVER HO!!"
425EXP "I wanna be a HO!"

 

One question? Seville STS or Catera? Would you take a Beemer over a 300hp northstar equipped Seville? 0-60 in 7 flat is pretty fast, especially when you count in all the other aspects.

 

HAH! Good one Andy. Of course BMW has some hot models too. That V-12 sedan and some of the sports cars like the M-1 come to mind. But I was more talking about the feel and ride than numbers and models. I think it is a good analogy that points out the differences between the two quads.
Thanks for the reply, keep 'em coming.
Silly Later,,,,Fourlix

 

how about a Z-3 convertable and an old Fleetwood!

 

i dident think that polaris made any changes to the suspension to the HO. sure that your pre-load isnt adjusted to stiff?? u can use the spanner wrench that came with your quad to adjust the rear springs. this will soften up the ride a bit.


later
jon

 

Can't really understand what haveing the switch in 4or2 wheel drive would affect speed any the only time it would even enter was when you got squirley and began to lose traction in which case the 2wheel would have same problem and be fighting it!CM

 

The rear springs are in their softest position.......The AWD must affect the drift slightly, maybe a front wheel is locking in and out or just grabbing in AWD where it is rolling free in 2WD. But both rigs were faster down the trail, easier, more controlled--somewhat bigger powerslides in two-wheel drive. This is as measured against each other on a pretty competitive fast/hard ride.
I think the H.O. got a H.O. suspension, maybe some more Scrambler parts. My Red 2000, side by side with the H.O. felt and rode softer and quieter. For some, I think the Sportsman 500 is a better choice than the H.O.
Lighter riders for instance, would do better with the lighter spring weights. That includes my wife, and probably yours.
Silly Later,,,,Fourlix

500SP HO-HO-HO
425EXP Wanna be

 

Andy,
I'd like a worn out '73 Fleetwood. Good for pimpin' !

 

I never tried the H.O but I rode a 2000 yellow SP and the ride seem to be the same as mine .I do not think they made many changes on the SP suspension over the years.

 

what would changing the clutch weights do?? will it rev quicker? im also thinking about the white spring on my 99sp.