Are the new 2008 500's with EFI noticably better than a 500 from a year or 2 ago?

I've been looking at a ATP type of a few years ago or are the new X2's so much better that it pays to spend $1,500 - 2,000 more?

My brother has an 04 330 ATP and it is a nice machine, but I would like more of a 2-up model. So, I'm thinking about the X2 or a touring with the added Swisher type of dump box.

I've also come across a Ranger for around $7700 new, so that is in the price ballpark too, but it is more machine than I really need on a daily basis. I want to use it around the yard for doing odd chores, hauling my log splitter, firewood, moving my trailer and some general rock/dirt moving.

Dale

 

I love my X2 and its great little work truck!
08 has EFI and better clutching! The X2 also is IRS and has turf mode to use in the yard. Can ride 2 up!
WOW if you add it all up I guess its worth the extra$$$$.
500 will run circles around the 330.

 

SOUNDS WORTH IT TO ME JUST FOR THE EFI ALLONE!

 

So the EFI is a noticable improvement for the Polaris 500 line? I'm not looking for something fast, but rather flexable in what it offers in features. I've read one X2 owner who's wife does not like the back seat, which is one of the reasons I'm looking at the touring model with the add on dump box for passenger comfort.

How is the fuel economy on the 500's with EFI, I see the 800cc are real bad, sub double digits in some cases (8mpg) according to the owners.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Dande

So the EFI is a noticable improvement for the Polaris 500 line? I'm not looking for something fast, but rather flexable in what it offers in features. I've read one X2 owner who's wife does not like the back seat, which is one of the reasons I'm looking at the touring model with the add on dump box for passenger comfort.



How is the fuel economy on the 500's with EFI, I see the 800cc are real bad, sub double digits in some cases (8mpg) according to the owners.</end quote></div>


Polaris makes a rear box for the touring but it doesn't dump!
Have your wife sit on the X2 seat before you count it out!
Touring is for mostly riding double, X2 for mostly riding single with option to haul passenger. What will yours be used for?
I hear the X2 700 is only a couple $$$ more, sounds like a good buy!
Yes the bigger the engine the worse it is on fuel but the more on power!!!! A 500 will use 1/2-2/3 the fuel of the 800!

 

My use is for Hauling my log splitter & firewood, moving my 12ft trailer during the summer and in the winter it will be used to tow my portable ice shanty while my pass rides with and may be get a plow blade too.

I want it for general yard work too, you know the rocks/dirt stones type of thing, but this in a small yard so I don't want it to tear up the grass either.

I don't see us on trails, we don't have time for that, but we do go camping (not tent) and boating.

 

05 vs 08 SP500 specs.


By the looks of it it got worst not better,the 05 is lighter with a larger gas tank.

I,m really not sold on the EFI yet. I rode a 500 efi and drag it down a gravel road and it did not out accurate or have a faster top end ,in fact I was ahead by a bike length.

My ATV has been sitting in a barn for the last month and half in our cold Norther Ontario Canada winter and it fired up instantly like it came off a long summers ride. I could not see a cold start get much easier.

If I was looking at a new 500H.O or 500EFI I would just go by price,I just dont see the EFI advantage in the real world.

 

The newer one has bigger tires,EFI,and ADC
Other than that the size and weight should be very close.
Most parts are interchangable.

Would the tires weigh 15 lbs more?

EFI should out run an HO any day of the week!

 

Maybe thats why the Efi was slower turning those larger 26" wheels.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>EFI should out run an HO any day of the week! </end quote></div>

LOL with that 1.5 hp advantage? My weed wacker has that much power.

The 08 Sp500 h.o is also 35lbs lighter than the 500 EFI and 134 lbs! lighter than the 500X2 08 500 H.O vs 08 500 EFI weight so there goes the whooping one and half a horse power advantage.

Number from the internet.

Polaris (2007)

Hawkeye 300=17
trailblazer 330=19 hp
Phoenix 200=13 hp
sportsman 450=29.7 hp
Sportsman 500 Ho (carB) 34.5hp
Sportsman 500 EFI/x2/Scrambler 500=36 hp
Predator 500 = 48 HP
Outlaw 500 = 48.6 HP
700 EFI= 44 HP
800 EFI/ 800x2 = 50.2 HP

Not sure how the Scambler has a little more power since it has the 500 H.O motor also. Pipe maybe?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TLC
Maybe thats why the Efi was slower turning those larger 26" wheels.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>EFI should out run an HO any day of the week! </end quote></div>
LOL with that 1.5 hp advantage? My weed wacker has that much power.?</end quote></div>

I have an 07 EFI X2 and my buddy has a 07 HO both have 25" tires, my EFI will out start his! out accellerate his, and now with my rpms closer to the limiter I have a 2 mph faster top end. Feels more like as 5 hp advantage! My x2 probably weighs 100 lbs more.
I'm sure an HO with 25's would out run an EFI with 26s!
Gotta compare apples to apples! 1" bigger tires make a big differance.