I have been looking at all the different manufacturers for about a month and decided on the Polaris Sportsman. Is there a very noticable difference between the 600 & 700? I have heard that the 600 is a more balanced smoother running machine. I this true? I could get a '03 600 for about $1000 less than a '04. Are there any signifigant differences between the two years? This is my first quad and I intend to use it for trail riding and plowing.

Thanks

 

ride them both and that will answer your question. i was between the 600 and 700, after I rode both of the bikes I settled on the 700. I had read a review on the 6 that also said it may be more balanced than the 7. i didn't notice that at all. the 7 is noticably more powerful, throughout the powerband but most of all on top end. for the $400 difference its worth it, plus you get rack extenders too ($185). so basically you are paying about $200 more to have the biggest and baddest that Polaris has to offer. Both are fast and powerful machines.
as far as the differences in the 04 and 03 models, the 04's came with a redesigned front end, light pod and cooling system. the 04.5s have all of the above except they come with an electronic fuel guage instead of a resivor and some super crappy Carlisle tires instead of the Goodyear Rawhides that are on the 03 and 04 models. I went with the 04 700 w/o the fuel guage but with the goodyears. I've only had it a few weeks and have only put about 20 hrs on it, but so far i'm happy with the bike.

 

I've had my '03 Sp 600 for almost a year. It is a great all around machine. Most people, including myself, cannot tell the difference between the 600 and 700. There is a cc difference ( 86cc's )to the 700's advantage, but there is a compression advantage ( 0.5 points of comp.) and a refined clutch advantage ( 300 rpm less stall) to the 600. The clutch has a smoother engagement on the 600.
If you can get a 600 for $1000 cheaper than a 700, then definately get the 600. Trust me and a lot of other 600 owners, you won't be disappointed.

 

The only diffrence is about 5mph on the top end, and I think the 600 is a little quicker in the midrange where you do most of your riding. Actually I'm glad I bought my 600 when I did, I got the racks and the rawhides..... you gotta scratch you r head at what polaris is doing..[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

You can't go wrong with either, have fun making up your mind !

 

For the 1000 I would go with the 03 and get some goodies, winch plow, box. I chose a leftover 03 700 because of the tires, rims, rack ext. and a price break. Missed his last 600 by a few hours.

 

i also could not tell the differents in power between the 600 and the 700 when i was test driving, i ended up buying the 600 because it just felt better riding, i also ride with a guy with a 700 and he can not pull away from me, since then i have added 26 589s and c-cseries alum wheels and a dalto prim. & sec. clutch kit, either 1 im sure you cant go wrong with the two.