I was waiting to see the 2005's. I think I will consider buying the 2004.5 instead.
1. In my opinion the front storage area is to small to be useful and there isn't ample area there now to strap on any containers.
2. The extra suspension travel to me is not useful because my friend with a 2004.5 has never used all the travel on his front end.
3. The new stying is inconsequential.
4. The seat is wider, but doesn't seem very different in softness from the old one.
5. The new tires are nice.
6. I don't know how much and what kind of difference it will make to have cv joints on the front instead of u joints.

I am waiting to see people post comparing the ride of the 2005 to last year's models.

Thanks.

 

I have an 02 sp400 and have bottomed out the front suspension. I would wait and get an o5 for sure.

 

I was like you ... didn't see much difference with the 2004.5 and 2005, i went with the 2004.5. The prices on the 2004.5 are GREAT, i also didn't want to pay a preminum for just having a 2005.

 

go with the 04.5 thats what i got me... cheaper and with the saved money u have have more add ons and even a new exhaust where the 05 u cant. the shocks are nice but there isnt that huge of a difference if u really think about it. when are you gonna bottom out on an 04.5 ... only when jumping right

 

I'm not sure about going with the 4.5. I was going to buy a sportsman this week and can't decide. The main thing I like is the front and not mentioned above, the rear storage. I can put my whole arm in the rear past my elbow. Great for pump, first aid kit, rainsuit, etc.

The 05 also has 1.5" wider stance and bigger tires. One of the dealers here just put 27' tires on the 05 and it clears no problem. I took it through their test track, couldn't bottom it out on the front end. Talk about some ground clearance.

But then again, trying to work a good deal on one of these is tough. I can't get either of the 4 dealers to a half way decent price. One of the dealers still has on '04.5 Hunters Special 700 EFI, I may see what I can do on that. I can always outfit with biggers tires and lift, but the ground clearance is pretty good. Here in New Mexico, its alot of rocks. Mud is not a problem, we have all beach and no water.

Also, the 05 has dual brake lights. The 05 also has work/backup lights. The 05 has a newer brighter upper headlight...and it is damn bright. They also changed the styling of the other two lights. The racks are larger because the whole unit is larger. The main reason that the racks are larger is because of the wider stance, but they also made the fenders wider than would normally be because people were complaining about mud flying up on them.

See what I can work out tomorrow. Friday I'm leaving to go back up elk hunting with the bow....the bulls are starting to bugle really well with the cooler weather in the mountains.

 

I'm picking up a 2005 sp 500 Friday morning. !
I'm going to buy the rack extenders so I can tie $hit down.
I got a killer price from the Polaris dealer in Lake Havasu ARIZONA !
She beat everyones price buy $200.00! Got it under $6300 OTD
Give Lisa a call if you want a no hassle price!

Rick
Las Vegas

 

I'm picking up the '05 700 EFI tomorrow morning also. Just liked the new features of the '05, so went with it. Picked up the Black/Silver one, they were putting it together today as they had to pull it out of the crate. Wanted the Camo, but only one dealer said he was getting one in the next month and thats the only one he is getting until another month. Not a big time dealer.

I was fighting today on the price, got it down some, but nothing great, but what the hell, its only money right?...lol

 

I bottom out my front end alot...when hitting rough stuff going fast....and the width thing = less tippy....rolled mine three times already...all going slow on steep side hills...twice while going over fallen wood...so the width thing would be good. I like the bigger storage boxes always nice to have more dry storage. If you are all about saving cash...buy an 04.5 or better yet an 04 or better yet and 03 or better yet get a used machine. I'd get the latest greatest...as mentioned above it is only money! LOL

 

Here's a little food for thought....

I just picked up a 04.5 Sportsman 500HO, Camo with rack extensions. Included in the deal was a rear dual tube bumper and a front brush guard. I have so far installed new springs from a 700 twin. An inch higher stance, less front end sag and no more bottoming out! Also a new set of ITP type 5's with 26" 589's. IOncluding center caps and new lug nuts. MUCH better traction and, with the wheels, at the very least the same width as the 05's.....

Total cost for ATV + ALL the goodies, out the door...... Close to $400.00 less than a great deal on a TOTALLY STOCK 05 model.....

If you want an 05, that's totally up to you and you're getting one heck of a new ride!!!! Congratulations!!! But for me, the discounts on the new 04.5's were just too good to pass up..... again.... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Moosehunter, I just wanted to say that your SP700 looks like a beast. Those tires and beefy brush guard really make it stand out. You have a very sane machine.