One of the local dealers got in a couple of 05's. One was a Magnum, the other a 700 EFI. The front storage area doesn't have alot of room, but for certain items it will work well. The front shocks can be adjusted from within this storage compartment.

The new rear storage comparment is great. You access it from under the rear rack and there is a lot of room, will be great for storing pumps, flat kits, emergency kits and whatever else you like to carry.

The Work lights in the rear are cool also. There are dual brake/riding lights in the rear and also a switch next to the speedo, etc. that controls the Work lights, basically look like backup lights, which you can also use them for.

I would not see the differences in the front suspension. The body work did change though. They squared the front and rear fenders....instead of rounded when the fenders come up from the floor/foot boards, the square off at the top....not really square, but somewhat...just not rounded like the 04's. May make them somewhat more stable, not that there were problems with the old ones.

The new lights are nice, still only flip on the front or handlebar light one at a time. The handlebar light is bright...and I mean BRIGHT.

The front end on the 05 Sportsmans have the same type of mount for the winch as before....well somewhat, the Sportsmans are prewired for a winch. The winch for these units comes with a mounting plate, you can install a new winch in 10 minutes....just bolt it on and plug it in. Same thing if you want to remove, just reverse the process.

One thing about these units, since they are 1.5 inch wider and the racks have changed and are wider, and 26" tires, the machine seems huge.... All larger machines are big, but I was wondering if maybe I should just go out and buy a Suzuki Samurai instead.

So anyways, I held off on buying it, I really want a Camo one, but then again....I'll wait for a bit. Even though I'm in the middle of my elk bow hunting season, I still have an ATV to use for the time being...

dave

 

did you see the 05 predator

 

They had a red predator, but not sure if it was on 05 or a Dale Earnhardt edition, didn't ask. Although I wouldn't mind having one, I was really in there for a 4x4...

 

Went to another dealer today, they have in 7 '05 700 EFIs. More colors than what is on Polaris' website. They have a Dale Earnhardt edition, which just appears to be red and have his number on there with name, there is yellow/black, green/black, and silver/black.

Going to buy something next week, just can't make up my mind yet. I really like the storage compartments on the 05's, so guess its going to be an '05 that I get. The dealer I looked at today shows that they won't have a Camo version until November....