I'm purchasing a new ATV in a month and have decided on Polaris. It's to be used primarily around our property as a ranch quad towing a small trailer & hauling stuff with a little fun/recreation thrown in. I live in mountain country in northern California. I'm looking for a recommendation and pros/cons between the 500 H.O. and the 600 Twin. I looked through the specs and the only real differences I've found are:

600 has bigger engine (by 100cc's or so)
500 is lighter than the 600 by about 50 lbs.
600 surprisingly has a tighter turn radius but only by a few inches
600 has slightly better carrying/towing capacity
500 has a pull-start backup as well as electric start
500 is cheaper (MSRP is about $400 cheaper than the 600)

Specs are fine but what can people really tell me? Do the extra 100cc's and slightly higher carrying/towing capacities make up for the heavier weight, lack of backup pull-start and higher price?

Very interested in feedback.

Mike
bcsar@saber.net

 

I own a polaris 700 and I think If I were going to buy new It would be the Arctic cat 650.

 

I think I would stick with the 500. The 600 has alot of obnoxious drive line noise. Between my 500 and 700 there is little differance in top end. 500 will pull about anything a 700 will, if you have enough power to spin all wheels can't pull much more and my 500 done that. I can feel those extra 50 #'s on mine. Use the 400$ to get a winch.

 

I owned an 01 HO (should be same power as 04) for 3,200 miles and have now owned an 03 700 (very close to performance of 600) for 1,300 miles. For trail riding, I prefer the 700 b/c of the extra get up and go in high range, but cudos to that remark about driveline noise. The twins do have more quirky noises than the 500 ever had. I would think that for what you are going to be using it for (towing), you will most likely be in low range alot and I just don't think that you would even notice the difference. But, like I said, for trail riding, I'd never go back to a 500 just b/c I like the extra power.

 

Hi Mike,
I had the same dilemma you had. I decided to go with the 600 Twin over the 500HO only because my dealer made an offer I could not resist. I just took it out for my first long weekend ride (I rode about 350 miles). My friend has a '02 500HO so we were able to compare both machines. Here is my feedback:
I- I love my 600. It rides super smooth. I was worried about the weight (740 lb) before I bought the 600 but I must say I am impressed with the light handling. So you can throw the weight variable out as the 600 is as easy to handle as the 500HO.

II- Power: The 600 has more guts at higher speeds and revolution. However, the 500HO is much smoother at low RPM'S. I also agree tha the 600's drive line is alot noisier than the 500HO.

III- Price: $400 when your investing that much money should not be a deciding factor.

Here is my advice. If you will use your machine mostly for work, go with the 500HO based on it's smooth engine at low RPM's. The 600's drive line noises will drive you nuts. The 600 is a machine made for all day cruising and trail riding at mid to high RPM's.

 

I have owned two 500HOs and highly recomend the machines. We currently own four as a family (1999, 2001 and (2) 2002s) and all have been outstanding-trouble free machines. I have ridden the 600 and agree with your findings about the tighter turning radius and the lighter steering feel. The 600 does have more power and I could not feel the additional weight you claim on the SP600. If you plow snow the in line shifting of the 600 is also a big plus (quicker shifting from fwd/rev). I have never used the pull starter in the three years I have own my Sportsmans but it may be a factor if you let your machine sit for several month without running the machine. Either way, you will love the Sportsman. The ride, power and off road capability is awesome.

As for your decision, ride both machines and decide which ride works best for your application. As for the 500, I have never been in a situation where I was needing more power. Heck, I even pulled out my 1/2 ton Chevy pickup once when my wife stuck it in a pair of ruts. Send me a mesage if you would like more details.

 

$400 would not be a deciding factor for me. That is not enough of a price difference for a $6-7K machine. Choose which one rides the best for you. The 600 was not out when I purchased my second 500 so I have not been faced with your decision..

 

I made the same decision this spring, I went with the 600 and never looked back, (except at the 500's behind me[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I've loaded a two place 10' trailer with stumps and the 600 pulled like a mule. I've added a heelclicker clutch kit and that made the low end ideal for work and putting around the yard as well as better trail manners. I like the sound too, it doesn't thump - it sorta howl's, very cool sound.
Pull start?? who cares, I never use it on my 400 either.....

 

I really like the 500.........I had one a year ago and it was awesome......I really liked the smooth ride on a machine that big.......but that would be the same as the 600
I went and drove a 600 while I still owned the 500 ( was thinkin bout trading up) and I don't think that the 600 had enough extra power to upgrade......I couldn't tell much difference

I think I would stay with the 500

 

The HO is a great machine. I have about 1700 miles on mine and still going strong. You won't go wrong with either. I just love the HO, it's proven.