I am going to buy a quad in the next week and have narrowed it down to either the sp 500 or 700. I'm not interested in waiting for efi and such, I need to get this purchase complete. I'm a big guy at 6' 4" 300lbs.

This quad will be used in the following applications:

Work around the farm/rural property
Property is very swampy in many places
Will skid smallish sized trees after falling out of the tree stands
Install fence lines, tote tools, pull a small trailer with gear etc.
Spray insecticides around property

General use for hauling humanoids and required tools and equipment around property while clearing and building a house.

Jockey trailers around front yard - car trailer, travel trailer etc. very short distance, level ground - lots of maneuvering back and forth in a tight area. Also used to push/pull my 3400lb. race car in and out of the shop.

There is an outside chance that I will take the atv riding on the fire roads up in the mountains occasionally, but that will be a distant second to the above applications. I will be installing 2" receivers front and rear for all of this pulling and towing etc.

I've been doing as much research as possible and checking out the machines at the dealers. The engine in the 500 seems to enjoy a well deserved reputation for reliability. I have not heard so much about the 700, but of course it has not been out as long.

I noticed the 700 only weighs about 50lbs. more than the 500. Does anyone have the actual horsepower and torque numbers for these two engines?

They are clearing out the carb 700's around here for a little less than 7K out the door. The 500 seems to be about $1500 less at one place.

I'm not so much concerned about the money as I am of making the right choice for a long term atv. We generally keep our equipment for 10 or so years before upgrading. Lots of positive input on the reliability of the 500. Is the 700 engine just as bullet proof? Any horsepower/torque numbers for these two?

Any input on which of these two models would be the best choice for the above applications would be appreciated.

Thanks
Wayne

 

I have an 02 700 carb. It is a heck of a workhorse.
push lots of snow in the winter, pull a 10 ft. drag plane and pull stumps, trailers, wagons around.
treated me good.

 

the 500 and the 700 are about the same in power, the 700 eats alot more gas though and is alot more torquie. if you go for the 700, get the EFI, its worth it.

 

I'm struggling to justify the extra cost of the efi. It is $700+ more expensive than the carb models they are trying to liquidate. Especially for how I will use this atv - no elevation change, it does not get really cold or hot here in WA. I suppose the instant start without choke is good, or I could just take another sip of my coffee while the carbed model warms up...

Better fuel mileage is good, although this thing is used around the farm so long distance rides are a rarity, and $700 buys a lot of fuel...

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an anti-technology type of guy. In fact, my road-race car is fuel injected and I tune it with a laptop - change fuel curves etc.

I'm just struggling to see how efi would provide that much of a real benefit given my listed applications for $700+ more coin?

Wayne

 

I have ridden a 03 SP500 HO and a 04 700. I like the 700 better. I like that when Im running through a field at 45mph I can nail it and get it to 65 in no time. I know youre not gonna use it for that, but I would get it anyway for just in case reasons. Plus if it has more torque, its obviously the better choice for your pushing pulling applications. Carb vs EFI - Thats your call. I like the carburated ones just fine, I dont see the EFI helping a whole lot in your situation.

 

Hello:

I own a 'o3 SP 500 and purchased an '05 700EFI about 3 month ago. I just got back from putting a 1000 miles on the quads and found myself riding the 500 more than the 700. The 700 is a excellent machine but for everyday riding I would buy the 500 any day. The 700 is noisier, not as easy to get around on and the engine is rougher at low speed by at least 2 or 3 times. If I were you I would go with the 500. If I had to do it again I would have gone that route rather than the 700. Next spring and if Polaris comes out with a 500EFI the 700 is a goner. I usually ride at 6500 ft.+ and EFI is a nice feature but that is about the only thing I like better in the 700EFI over the carbed SP. As far as I am concerned the 400 and 500 are a better quad than the 700EFI all things considered. I am a die hard Polaris guy but having ridden both of these quads extensively I would get the 500. No second thoughts.

 

Here's a graph on the 700 power. There's no question that Polaris detunes the 700, but it's still got more power than a 500. I own a 700 and have access to my old 500, a 97 that is modified, and an 04.5 500. It outruns both easily. There were a few issues with the early 700s, but Polaris appears to have these issues resolved. The machines are rather similar IMO, just more torque and hp with the 700. I think either one will do what you want. Make sure and use low range for your towing needs.

 

What spyder 6 said.

 

Interesting link for performance upgrades, $800 for 6 ftlb increase in torque. Looks like the most they've got out the 700 is 5 more hp mid range, and 3hp low range.

So the 700 makes 45hp, and the 500 makes what, 40hp?

The cheapest I've found these things is in OR.
sp500 - 5649
sp700 efi - 7649 (they are out of carb 700)

So that's a $2,000 uptick for 5 more horsepower and 50lbs. more weight? The missing ingredient is the torque numbers...

Please note, I'm not trying to bash the 700 here, just trying to make sense of the numbers is all. I really like the Polaris machines and will end up with one here shortly. I suspect either the 500 or the 700 would work, I'm just confused about the apparent lack in performance differences between the two.

Wayne

 

if your stuck between the 2, get a 600