Finally made up my mind and bought a 500 Sportsman in Camo with a 2500 lb Warn winch. It was between the 500 and 700, to be totally honest I thought the power and speed of the 500 was more than adequate for me. Now the 700 was nice and there really wasn't that much price difference between the two. For me I feel as though I made the right choice.
I had a 1995 Explorer 400 for 8 1/2 years and it was a good 4-wheeler, sold it for $2500. I was amazed at the changes, I am really looking foward to enjoying this quad, have about 4 hours on it now.

 

it is a good quad i had a chance to ride one a while back. It had lots of power and was good in the mud. You should have lots of fun with that quad, it's nice to get something new that you can rip up dirt with.

 

GREAT CHOICE man!

ENJOY![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

As long as your happy with it, then that's all that counts.

 

I just changed my 2004 600sp for a 500sp today i was fed up whit all the problemes i was having the 500 idles smooth i think it will be more reliable

 

i have a new 2004 polaris scrambler 500

 

I also have the 500 sp HO. Have you noticed the engine being noisey? You don't notice it unless your on the road at a steady pace. I really love mine though. Noble

 

I have about 1hr on it now i did not hear any sounds but i just drove around my propety ,man this machine is nice and fun to ride i love atving again night and day compared to the 600[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

You will be happy with your choice. I have had two (totaled the first HO) and we have had 5 as a family 2000 - 2002s and all have been OUTSTANDING machines. If I were to upgrade I would have to opt for the 700EFI but the price keeps me happy with my 500.

Break in you machine properly and change the oil around 20 hours and you will have years of solid performance. I have only replaced two batteries in the five we have owned. Now that is an outstanding reliability record!

Dobie,
Yes the 500 HO is a little noisy but it is nothing to be alarmed about.

 

Weedy, I love my sportsman500 HO. I do find mine noisey. When driving down a road is when I notice it. When I keep on the gas say 20mph and up it has a steady knocking sound. When I let off the throttle it then has a uneven knocking sound. It sounds like something inside the engine is rattleing. Can you describe your 500? Does it sound like what I'm trying to describe? When I'm standing in the yard and my kids ride it I can't hear the knocking sound as they go by. Maybe its okay. I'm very paranoid though I had a 04 400 sp and had nothing but trouble so I traded for a 04.5 500 HO. Dobie