you really can’t compare a 500 twin rotax to a 700 yamaha single.
It’s like comparing a Maserati engine to a chevy 350.
the rotax 500 uses a 46mm throttle body- the yami 700 uses a 44mm
the rotax 500 engine will put out 40.4 hp / 42 ft lbs tq @5900 rpm
the rotax 600 engine puts out 60 hp / 42.8 fl lbs tq @ 5500 rpm
Dynojet Research labs has the Yamaha 700 engine maxing out at 38.15 hp / 29.32 ft lbs tq just over in the mid 4k rpm range.

all three are far from redlining.
but I'll take the rotax anyday over any other engine- they have proved themselves a force to be reckoned with in the water, air, snow & trail... just amazing engines with a great history; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotax

 

You do know the difference between 39hp and 45hp is 15%. That's large when your talking low number like those.
People pay big bucks on mods to just gain 5%.

A 35hp 500 H.O only has a 10% increase over a (Non H.O) 32hp Sp500 yet that's a well felt real world increase when riding one from the other.

 

Thanks guys for the opinions! I really appreciate it. It sounds like I should go with a bigger engine, which is what I suspected. Thanks!

 

Yea but like I said, the rincons 3 speed loses less than the belt driven cvt and the dyno numbers show that. The rincon dynos at 27 peak hp to the rear wheels, the grizz peaks at 29. Neither one of these are considered fast by today's standards of big bore. The grizz got a slight power increase for 2014 so it probably will be a bit noticeable, the rincon/rubicon will be redesigned for 2015 so we will see how they compare

 

the rincons transmission is horrible- it's not properly matched to the engine.
and don't kid yourself thinking a cvt is any less efficient transferring power to the wheels- the cvt can be easily modified and fine tuned-

every transmission (clutch) works on the same friction principle- whether it's a cvt, friction disks in a basket or a torque converter- it all comes down to friction and surface area. At least you can rebuilt a CVT with minimal tools in under 90 minutes (trailside even!)

 

Yea sure , I guess every Dyno in America has been lying to us

 

The proof is in the pudding. The Rincon is a slowest accelerating and top end 4x4 in the 650-700 displacement class.
A new CVT 550 would give it a licking.

Here is a Video of and Rincon top out on a flat pavement straight road. 95km/hr (58mph) my 500 could do that on those conditions, a 660 Grizzly can hit 65mph in comparison with its CVT.
I know , I know, 4x4s are not about speed ,but shouldn't a 680cc hit over 60mph on pavement with ease?


Heres is a 680 just trying to catch a XP550 on pavement. Same 95km/h top end.

 

I don't know about that, my rubicon tops out at about 58 my rincon has hit 62-63 a few times but I didn't buy them thinkin I would beat a 450r. I bought them to last a long time. I do think that honda will bump the output for 2015

 

Spend some time on a Polaris or a Can am forum. It's shocking how cheap these things are made. Chinese castings everywhere you look. I don't have a bad thing to say about yamaha other than I just don't like CVTs but overall they do make the best atv right now but I still like the reliability/functionality of my Hondas. Reliability is more important to me than overall performance. Even in racing, reliability is #1

 

neither of my (2005 & 2006) 650 rincons would reach 65- not even close.
both were practally new and BOTH had shifting issues- not to mention all my honda atv's & quads run like crap under 20*f
My other 2 honda's (400 ex and 300fw) were also riddled with problems- both had low miles on them. the 400 would overheat despite all the maintenance and aftermarket fixes I did to it- and the 300fw clutch was very weak if you put any tire taller than stock on it.

and don't get me started on yamaha. they tie with kawasucki as having the worst suspension ever!

polaris, can-am & suzuki are the most reliable atv's IMHO- (based on the 20+ 4x4 big bores I've owned over the last 6 years- and the dozen sporties I've owned over the last 20 years)