looking at buying a sportsman 500 h o or 700 EFI. with the clearance on 04s announced and rebates, I am leaning toward them as there is not much change in the 05 that I am really interested in waiting for. I plan on using it to haul elk and dear out of the woods (towed or carried) and scouting for the same. dont care about top speed, mostly low end grunt. is the extra $1200 worth it ?

how about all the reports here on them being noisy, sounding like they are going to blow up. what is a good price to pay for them ? rebates are $400 off either one

thanks.

marc

 

no opinions or advice ??

 

If I had to do over again would go back to a 500. Not really much more with the 700, yes some, but when either will spin all 4 tire pulling something what more do you need? Use the extra 1200 for accessories.

 

I have owned the 500 and currently have the ranger. In my opinion is go with the 500. The 700 is cool but no one really needs a 700. Its all about what you want though and its cool to have the big and baddest one.

 

i had a 500...and ill be totally honest with ya....it did everything my 700 does.....or did [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]..........or howeever u want to take it ahaha........i can honestly say i worked both my machines very hard on the farm and played them hard on the trails and in mud....the only dif is that the 700 will do 70 and i can go up hills faster........

but if ur not intrested in the speed the 500 will be just fine........and use the extra 1200 for accessories just like upnort
suggested

 

thanks to all,

I am going with the 500. the EFI was intriuging, but after finding out you have to swap clutch weights for altitude anyway it is not more convenient. I dont need the extra power. I am getting a smoking deal, including 75% off accessories. my list is about $1300, if nothing changes by tomorrow that will be $325 for all those accessories. thanks again for confirming my initial thoughts.

marc

04.5 Sportsman 500 H.O on the way......

 

i think the 500 and 700 top out at the same speed, i never rode a 500 but i did ride a 700 they are a very nice machine

 

Looks like the 2005 500 has gained a little weight, (from 677 to 715 lbs.) along with the rest of the Sportsmans, I would def. take advantage of the 2004 clearance and get the 500 HO. If anything the 2005's would be slower machines with the added weight.

 

Ya i totally agree with the other guys.. the big bores are nice if you live in the midwest and want 28 inch tires driveline problems and everything else that comes along with that style of riding. But if you dont tow a trailer or do serious mudding the 500 is an excellent machine. I went through the same ordeal with my dad on which would be best for him to buy he went with the 500 and we couldnt have picked a better machine for california terrain, plenty of power great engine great handling suspension everything a much easier machine to drive in tight terrain
than the 700. And proven reliability is a nice piece of mind. The efi is a nice machine and the power is there for sure but take this into consideration you can just either take the snorkel off the top of the airbox and run a tpi valve to be able to adjust airflow at higher altitudes for 25 bucks or just get a dial a jet for your carb and your set at any altitude in the time it takes for you to reach in there and turn a **** [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. Our main concern was with efi. We go deep and camp a carb problem is something that can be torn down and looked at. if your fuel pump goes out your tps gets wacked out or any part of the electronics your done have a nice tow. But of course its not like that all of them will break or anything like that every manafacturer will have issues with new models. Go for the 500 . Your smile will be just as big when you get it home the extra power is either nessesity or ego. you can have a trick 500 that will outperform the 700 in "overall" performance or a plain 700 for the same cash. Id take the 500 any day.

 

changed things around a little , but still went for te 500 with the hunter package. I got such a good deal, I decided to buy a sportsman 400 for my wife. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] 500 will be perfect for me....thanks for all the responses