Hi folks,
I just wanted to bring up a few observations regarding the 2005 & 2006 SP500HO carb bike. When I reviewed the PDF of the 2006 Polaris ATV brochure I noticed a couple of “downgrades” on the 2006 SP500HO carb bike. It looks as if the EBS is no longer standard on the carb model and the tires are no longer the 26” PXT’s and are back to the 25” standard tires. The EFI has it all! Why make the ’06 carb model a lesser bike than the previous year??
It appears to me that Polaris is looking to make the SP500HO carb bike less attractive and discontinue it in the near future and not have anything between the 450 & 500 EFI. I’m not sure if this makes sense or not, but I was hoping to get a 500HO carb in late ‘06 because I’m not sure the EFI is worth the extra $$ for my riding style. Since my bride & I are looking at a new house we are going to put off buying another ATV until late ’06 and look at getting a SP500HO carb (with EBS & 26”PXT’s), but the way it looks, if I want to get a SP500HO in late ’06 I’ll have to spend the extra $$ & buy the EFI since adding EBS & 26” PXT’s to the carb model will likely cost as much as just buying the EFI. We SHOULD just buy a closeout ’05 model in December or something, but we just don’t want to deplete that much cash right now. Another good thing about us going to the SP500HO carb is the bike & engine are very close to our existing ’05 SP400 we bought in Dec. (which will graduate to the wife’s bike once we get another one.) What do you think the odds are that a blue or red ’05 SP500HO will still be in the showroom in about a year or so from now?? Also, as people discover this I really think the ’05 SP500HO (with EBS & PXT’s standard) will be a hot item until the inventory is gone. --- Just venting & my 2 cents worth... Thanks!

 

You are correct. However, just like the SP400, the 450/500CARB can get the EBS for free as long as it's done while new at the dealer. Your dealer can do a clutch exchange. The only thing it will cost you is time, waiting for the EBS clutches to come in.

As far as tires, I also like the PXT's. But the reason they dropped EBS & PXT's was to try to lower the price to make a bigger price difference between the CARB & EFI model. I would assume the carb 500 will be gone in '07. I don't think there is a need for a 450 & 500 both carb, same tires, frame, suspension, etc. To me the SP450 felt about as powerful as a non-HO 500. It is faster than you're Sportsman 400, but there is a very noticable difference between the 450 and 500 EFI in power.