I am thinking about a new Sportsman. I have a 1996 Sportsman 500 and have enjoyed it very much. I am really confused by the larger size engines and am wondering what the difference is in these three models. Seems like the 700 and 800 are so close in size and identical in every other way, that it seems ridiculous to pay the additional money. Any information anyone can provide on these models will be greatlyh appreciated. Thanks

 

'06 500 has smaller 25" tires and NO EBS. 500 EFI is having first year problems. forget 'em!

700 carb and EFI have a few years behind them, EFI has obvious benefits like NO CARB/NO CHOKE!

to me 800 aint worth the extra $$ for fake duals and second to Bomb 800 bragging rights.

summary: get a 700 EFI.

 

Thanks for the response Zerowick. I just stopped by two local Polaris dealers this afternoon and had a chance to see a new X2. Looks like a nice machine, but I am not sure I have the need, plus the back rest for one up riding is too far back to be useful. The dumping bed is pretty cool, though I don't know that I would get much use out of it. I am leaning towards the 700 as you recommend mainly because of the more power over the 500 and less $s than the 800. Dirk

 

ZEROWICK, I could not agree more go with the 700efi. I think it is the best bang for the BUCK

 

each to there own i guess, i perfer the 800 my self and its worth it to some of us to have the biggest. as far as the bombie i've heard there having frame isuuses w/ them cracking. i loved my 02 500 but my 800 makes me have a big smile

 

Dirk,

I have a SP 500 and a SP 500 HO I just bought a 800EFI , its handels better than the older 500 and power is something you need to feel.

 

Ok, I own a 04 700carb, buddy parks his 05 800 in my garage ,and neighbor has a 05 700efi (more polaris than that around here but stick to the issues!) My carb runs strong you can fiddle around with performance mods on a carb. The 700EFI is really nice- great throttle response and updated front suspension. The 800 absolutely smokes everything else in every way except price. what do you intend on doing with your new machine?

 

to me the 500 is the way to go,who needs all that power anyway,unless you plan on racing your buddy on the blacktop just to have braging rights,don't make sense to me you only can go so fast in the woods anyway...as for the efi 500 i think i'd wait and let polaris work the bugs out of them.......

 

some good points wayout, my only problem with the 500 is that external oil tank. never heard of any related
problems, I just like the life blood of my machine inside/under the engine. I also prefer the absense of a pull start, just another component to hold water and debris.

 

Ask yourself if the 500 has all the power you'll need, if it does I'd go with an '05 500. It's proven itself over. Zerowick says it all. You should be able to pickup an '05 at a good price. I picked up an '05 500 for my wife for 5200. out the door and after trying the sp700 got it for 6000. out the door back in august. Efi's are nice but couldn't pass up the price on the carb model and I don't have to be at the mercy of the dealer when the efi acts up, I like working on carbs & it saves me a ton of money to put toward other mods!