I'm looking to purchase a 2008 version ... I want to use the ATV primarily for my wife and I to ride (double) around the mountain community we live. Will there be a noticeable difference between the two machines?

 

What kind of differences are you looking for? The quads are pretty much the same, other than obvious differences. 500cc vs 650cc, struts vs a-arms. Since you want to ride 2-up, I assume you are looking at the Max's?

What kind of experience do you have? Will your wife be driving it as well? What kind of experience does she have? How much do both of you weigh? Will you be carrying lots of gear? Are you a power nut?

Need some more info, the front struts on the 500 aren't adjustable like the a-arms on the 650, but some say it has a smoother ride with better handling than the a-arms.

If you want lots of power, look at the 650 or 800. If you want good power with better economy, look at the 500. Since you want to ride double, and probably will be going with the Max, if you ride up lots of mtns and hills then maybe you will prefer the extra power of the 650. But that is up to you and possibly could be more than satisfied with the 500.

Try them both out if you can, biggest difference is wether or not you want/need the extra power.

Can-am;
500: 40hp @crankshaft
650: 55hp @crankshaft
800: 62hp @crankshaft

If you aren't stuck on Can-am, you could also take a look at the Polaris Touring and X2 models, in 500 and 800 flavour.


-Krait

 

500: 40hp @crankshaft True enough but 40hp at what rpm? There is no way a 500 twin can make the torque of a 500 single thumper at low rpms when slow trail riding or working and mudding.

500 shoot out.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>This machine is built for speed and performance and has tall gearing in high range. The low end of the power curve is weak compared to the rest of the rpm range, but throttle response is instant. While in low range, the power rises sharply into the mid-range power curve, which makes it difficult to finesse in technical situations. A little more refinement, particularly in its gearing, would improve some of its manners at slower speeds in technical terrain. </end quote></div>

I think 500cc is just to small of a displacement to be a twin cylinder on a Utility ATV.

Your just not going to see the 500 Outlander beat the other 500s in pull contests or mud runs. Its advantage it pure fast open country riding.

Once you get to 650cc than a twin has both hp along with torgue all at once.

 

Like I said, he needs to drive them and see which one he likes. Regardless of powercurve, the 500 still makes plenty of power for most ppl. But he might want the 650.

Oh, and I wouldn't go so far to say the Outtie 500 won't be winning any mud runs. The trailing arms lend themselves to lesser drag, and whatever low-end power deficiency it might have can be tuned with clutch kits. Not to mention the Visco-lock is generally great in soupy mud pits.

-Krait

 

I road my wifes 500 the other day, and it had a lot of punch off the line. It felt similar to my 650. When I road my old 330 it felt like the brakes were stuck. My 650 was $700 more than the 500, I think it was $$$ well spent.