I own a 2001 5ooho and I have that itch to move up to the 700 twin sportsman. From talking to many people many say not that much difference in power between the two. Is this true and is it worth moving up? Any comments would be helpful.

 

I own the 700 and my 3 other riding friends have the 600. Whatever very small difference there is is not worth the extra money. Go buy yourself the 600 and use the extra money on a winch.

 

I have a 02 700 and wife just got a 03 500ho. The power difference between the two is very negligable. The 700 will win in a drag race, but not by a lot. IMO the 500 HO is the best buy out there.

 

Not sure what you are calling power but the 700/600 has WAY more torque than the 500 H.O. Speed is similar for all but BIG difference in torque. I own both & 700 is way more powerful in extreme conditions...

 

your right Wolfie, I havent ridden the 500 much in extreme conditions. I know my 700 will turn 28s in knee deep thick goo, upside down, uphill while pulling a house, with out a problem, I imagine that is the type of situation where the torque would really shine. The 500 does have more than enough power to move itself on stock tires through just about anything, and for regular trail riding it feels really strong. I have had the 500 spinning through deep snow and never ran out of power. I am just saying I don't see a vast difference between the two. The 500ho goes everywhere I go on the 700, it just has 6 inches less ground clearance and a small percentage less torque. With the big tires on my unmodified machine, its probably pulling me down into the same power range anyway.

 

okay, heres what you want to consider.Are you going to leave it stock or mod it and lift it? I think the twins handle the mods better, if you just want a stock machine the 500ho will do you fine. The money should help make the decision too.
Here's your biggest problem: you said you "have that itch"... I'm here to tell you, that itch doesnt go away, so maybe you shoud just do what I did and buy the 700. I had a ton of problems with mine, and many times I wished I had gone for the reliable 500, but I know deep down I would have always yearned for the big dog!
Good luck with your decision!

 

i have a 2002 500 ho and a 2002 700 i find the 500 will go through mud hole better because it doesnt dig it self a grave i put a clutch kit jetted it and put a k&n filter on my 700 i break things all the time gone through rear wheel bearings lost mechanical seal ,starter,right front shaft and im always breaking roll pins in rear drive shaft other than expencive up keep ive had a lot of fun on it as for 500 ho the most thats happend to it is cv boots

 

I know the '02 700s have had more problems than newer 700s. No problems here but only a 1000 tough miles so far. I hardly ride the 500 since getting the 700 as it is awesome in comparison. Arizona has all types of terrain (not much mud!) but mostly rocky/sandy in the desert & great mountain stuff. Very few do mods for more lift as it is not needed here nor larger tires so I can't comment on mods like these except to say they will cause axle problems/ ripped boots... Best bet is to spend some time on one...

 

If you can swing it...go for it. I own both machines and like them both very much. The 700 is really not much faster acceleration-wise than the 500, but the difference is the type of power the 700 Twin makes. Way more torque and punch down low...I love it. I also like the way the Twin sounds in comparison to the 500 single. If I had to sell one of them, the 500 would go....

 

Do you plan on having a passenger ride with you ?? ..I have a 500 and it great but sometimes i have a passenger..and then I wish it had more power..