what is the difference betwen the 2004.5 sportsman 500h.o and the 600 twin??
Reliability?
power over 500?
acceleration??
etc?

 

As far as looks and features go they are the same. The 500 is a very proven ATV, and the SP Twins have been much improved since they first came out. I will give a node to the 500 for reliability (but they are very close). As far as power goes they are pretty close, the 600 will have a little more pulling power, and a little more get up. The main thing to like about a SP Twin is the awsome sound they have, kinda like a sports car. If you were going to race the 500 against the 600 the race would go kinda like this almost tied for the first 40 MPH then the 600 would slowly start to pull away. If the price difference isn't to much for the 600 I would go for it, but if there is more than $800 difference at your dealer I would go 500. Either way you go, they are both awsome ATVs!

 

If you can find the money get the 700. If you like torque go with a twin. And with the 700 you get chrome rims F/R rack ext. And you never will have to say should've gone for more power. The 500 has a great power curve from 10 to 25 mph. But I ride with 6 of them and they all like the power of the 700. When you get in to some real deep mud the 700 in low range to the bar. It will make you think to your self sometimes out loud hollys!!t. Its going all the way mud 30 feet in the air. Dont get me wrong I have been stuck Only because I should have hit it harder.As far as a race 700 hole shot mid range about the same 700 top end. what it all comes down to is the dollar. When it comes to CC. CI. Bigger is always better

 

i have both I would go with the 500 HO, most reliable. better handling as well, and proven machine..just my idea

 

As you can see I have both and love them both. I'll be honest with you, when we got our machines the only reason I went with the 600 over the 500 is because I had to have a bigger toy than my father in law (braggin rights!). I've never had problems with any of my machines. What polaris5610 said was dead on. They're the same machine till the top end, but when I pull stuff or try to yank anything out of the ground the 600 shines (even while toting around my 225lb body). I know the power difference between the two isn't much, but wouldn't you rather have the little extra in case you ever needed it? As far as price goes, when we bought ours the price difference was only $400. I'd recommend either one. I know this doesn't really answer your question, but its a perspective to think about.

 

the 500 also has a recoil backup starter while the 600 doesnt have any back up starter so if your battery goes dead and you in the middle of no where ... well u get my idea