Had a 500 HO from the local dealer today on demo. It had covered all of 0.5 of a mile.

So impressed with the whole package. I'm used to riding Hondas and I genuinely felt this was a far better quad in every area.

I've got until Friday to make my mind up, although it's pretty much a done deal.

The list price is around £6800 but I've got him down a good whack and I'm happy with that. By the way, today that's $10,400!!!!!!!!!



My only comments were

• location of the battery
• gear selector (compared to other brands)
• use of only one brake disc on the rear (tight asses)
• lack of rack extensions though I will add them
• width of seat (I see the 550 is narrower due to rotated motor)

I've also just read they are pre wired for a winch which I think is a brilliant idea. Just hope it's true for the UK model.

So what do you think, should I go for it??????????

James

any mods for the battery???

 

That seems pretty steep to us here in the States. You must have some of those nice VAT taxes that Obama is thinking of strapping us with. The narrower seat makes it easier to move around for a "sportier" ride than the previous Sportsman models. Don't know about the other issues. I'm still happy with my 06.

 

I made a mistake, the list price is closer to £6000.

James

 

Yea that is still high for US prices. So it doesn't come with a winch pre-installed? I hope it has Power steering for that cost too?

List some specs so you can bounce it off of the XP crowd here for all your checks and balances.

Regards,

R'

 

I think he is saying that the 500 HO is that price not an XP

 

As for only one disc brake on the rear.........That's all that is needed.

The front has two disc brakes due to the fact the both front wheels are not linked together like the rear axle is.......And remember that most of the breaking pressure is applied to the front as well.........As for the battery location....... not really a issue........Caper..........

 

I have had four SP 500s and brakes are not a problem. I highly recomend the machine.

 

Thanks guys. I'm not worried about the brakes. I'm used to old drums all round! The road legal version of the 550 XP has discs on all four corners, yet the off road version has only three. Presumably this is for SVA/IVA regs.

The model is indeed the 2010 500 HO, carb, not efi. The dealer calls it the base model, no bells, no whistles. And definately no winch.

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy the Lock and Ride expanding toggles on their own??

I'm thinking of installing another receiver on the front and use a de-mountable winch front or rear. Anyone else done this??

All the best


James

 

Caper,

My wife is from Sauble Beach on Lake Huron. We were at Lake Muskoka last year in the fall. I took a canoe out and was drooling at all the water front properties. God only knows why we chose to live over here in Scotland.

James

 

They are available from Polaris but was too expensive. I know I saw on another forum where to buy them from direct for a reasonable cost. I will look around for the info as I'm sure I saved it....some where! LOL

Ok, just found it.....try www.shawplugs.com/