Ok I sold my 1995 Explorer 400, good 4-wheeler can't complain hopefully I will get as good of service out of the next one. This morning I went to my local dealer and drove a new 500 and 700. First off I am going to have to get use to a 4-stroke, after ddriving a 2-stroke for 9 years the sound is different, also EBS makes a difference but I am not complaining.
The 700 was Mossy Oak and purred like a kitten, had good pickup although I was surprised it really didn't seem to have that much more acceleration than the Explorer and that could also be the EBS. I noticed when I would start there would be a jerk in the transmission. Next I rode the 500, power seemed to be close to the 700, at this point I would probably lean toward the 500. I believe it will go and do anything I need, however the 700 is only a few hundred more and I will probably be riding it for several years. I did like the battery placement on the 700, under the seat.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

All the guys with 500's that I ride with always want to trade.

Nothing wrong with the 500 at ALL,
but ...well I'm glad I chose the big one.Nice to have the extra power .

You really need to take them out for a day to see the true difference. Just my.02

Good luck with your decision.

 

The 700 will definitely have more horsepower, the carburated 700 doesn't seem to have the power right off the line, but when you get into a pulling situation or get up to higher speed it is one smooth and powerful machine. Polaris has worked most of the bugs out of the engine also.
The 500 has been the around for a long time and is very dependable, you can't go wrong with the 500, but if it's only a couple more hundred personally i'd get the 700 for the extra HP. You'll notice if more once you get in the wide open or on a trail, i've ridden both in one after another and you can tell the difference.
All in all can't go wrong w/ either. Could also try the 600, very similar to the 700, little less HP

 

Can't say much on the 700,but I do have a 02 500ho x model sportsman that I love.The battery location on the 500 is in a bad spot,but I've had mine in some wild places and nothing has hit it yet.I use mine for hauling wood and plowing in the winter and have never had any problems with lack of power.Many people say that what you get for extra power in the 700 isn't worth the extra gas you burn compared to the 500.Just hear say, I don't know if it's be proven.I also like the recoill back up starter on my 500 which isn't available on the 600's&700's.Just my two cents worth--good luck on your purchase.Bodean --02 500ho x many mods [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I went from a 97 400 Xplorer to an 02 SP500 to an 03 SP700. Speed wise they are all right about the same , 60 or a bit over. As for power all of them would spin all 4 tires pulling logs out of the woods. The 700 has a bit more low end grunt from a standstill. But in retrospect kind of wish had stayed with the 500. The 700 does suck gas and have about 200 miles on it, and although it has not happened YET I do like the peace of mind with the recoil backup start. I did have to use it on the Xplorer when the battery popped out of the holder and got wedged between the tire for I don't know how many miles and rubbed a hole in 2 cells. While plowing this winter it sounded like was getting weak so either left running or put charger on when got back to garage. As for the EBS, I wish I did not have it on mine, just a personel feel.

 

The 500, 600 and 700 are all nice machines. The choice is a difficult one considering how each one is very close in performance. I have had two SP 500s and both have been excellent machines. I too had a two sroke Polaris before my Sportsmans and I can tell you that the 4 stroke Sportsman with independant rear suspension is the way to go! I would choose the 600 over the 700 unless you got the new EFI which has excellent starting and throttle respose. The 500 WILL GO THROUGH anything so it too would be a good choice.

 

You also might want to consider the machine's fuel range. I have a 700 Prairie, and a SP500. The 700, although fast, is a gas sucking pig. The 500 gets almost double the MPG. For a long distance ride, I'll have to carry an extra fuel cell on the 700.

 

I just traded my trusty 2000 xplorer in on a 04.5 500 hated to do it but the old girl was starting to get a little frail ,I considered a 700 because my brother has one and i have rode it a few times and it has tons of power but i don"t like the extra weight especially after riding my 400 xplorer for so long,so i went with the 500 ,I had a 500 ho in 2001 and it was a good machine heavier than my 400 but not bad I sold it to a friend and it has been real reliable for him, like upnort I am not real big on the EBS but I kept a comet 103 hpq clutch I had on my 400 and when the warranty is off i will put it on and that will take care of that problem,I also like the better fuel economy of the 500 my brothers 700 really likes the fuel especially on the deep swamp runs when you are really running the guts out of them.