I am looking at purchasing one of these machines and have gotten the price down to $6200 on the 2000 SP. Then after reading some of the reviews of the HO I am second guessing aboout getting the Ho instead. One of my main concerns is the belt on the tranny slipping and or shredding. I am not an expierenced rider at all and will probaly just ride around the pasture, woods and some creeks. Also I plan to hook up a snow blade to blade the snow this winter. Which machine do you think is better for my needs and what kind of prices would I expect to get the HO for?

P.S. I have also seriously thought of getting the Expidition 425 because I feel it might be more maintenance free. Any comments

 

I thinks ifwould be worth the diff to get the HO. I have a 2000 500 and I love it but if someone offered me 5400 for mine I would jump on the HO. I have had 0 problem with my 500. It is a wonderful machine. You should be able to pick up a slightly used 500 when every one wants to upgrade.

Good luck

Hugh

 

I had the same questions before I bought my HO.

I found a new 2000 for $5999. Add $300 for tax, and $400 for a winch, and we're talkin $6700 out the door. I found the HO for $7100, out the door with winch installed. For the $400 difference, I chose the HO.

If you are worried about belts, they are only $35, and I hear only takes 30 minutes to change. But then again, if you buy the HO, the belt is warranteed for life. I have ridden in lots of water, and my belt hasn't gotten wet yet. I think the new waterproofing works well.

My advise is to get the HO. Not because it's a better machine, but the improvements and because it's the latest model year, makes it worth the price difference to ME. If I already had a Sportsman, that was in good condition, I would not trade it in for the HO. There is nothing that the HO will do, that a 2000 SP won't.

Dave

 

If the price is not much different than you might as well ge the newest.The SP only has more maintenance because of the rear end has many more grease fittings ,but thats the price for the smoothest ride out there.The ride is worth the gease work though,I have rode many of my fiends quads and the ride is not even close in comfort.
I have a plow on my bike which I use for snow and dirt and I have not even looked at the belt (1700 miles).These belts and trannies are the same as the Polaris snowmachines which have 3 times the power of there 4 wheelers so the belts last a long time.

 

I know 3 places in SW Missouri that will sell you a 2000 SP500 for $5950 (maybe less by now).
Drive south if you are considering the 2000. $6200 is a not a good deal. Personally, I'd consider the 2001 HO if you can do better... but don't talk to the dealer that wants $6200 for the 2000...

You can do much better.

 

I got my 2001 HO for 6199 in Stacy, MN. It's about an hour or so north of Mpls/St. Paul.

 

Another difference besides the power is the new "heavy duty" brake pads which are new for 2001. These pads should last a bit longer than the pads that came on the 2000 model.

 

Ditto what everyone has said here. I got my H.O. for $6400 no tax no setup. 2000's are going for $6100. The H.O. has a host of improvements including stiffer springs front and rear to go with the more aggressive riding expected from the increase in power. That would be a plus for plowing. Plus steering improvements, clutch cover, brake lines and lever/master cylinder. The H.O. is hot. I just put a white clutch spring in mine. Where the white spring really woke up my 2000, the H.O. is already awake. I can barely tell the difference.
My 12 year old son has a 425 Expedition.($5500) It is okay, but... it's a toy compared to a Sportsman. The Sportsman is SO much faster, quicker, smoother, stronger, bigger. I bottom out the front shocks on the EXP easily. It is great for someone who likes to shift, but for the money get a Sportsman, even a 2000, and put a white clutch spring and 46 gram clutch weights in it.
Remember, it is the Sportsman's Independent Rear Suspension that sets it apart from, and above, everything else out there. Combine this with the rest of the machine which is well thought out and executed and constantly improved, then compare it with the cookie cutter japanese quads which almost never see development once they hit the showroom floor. You gotta have a Sportsman.
Silly Later,,,,,,Fourlix

 

I'm glad someone posted this topic. Since I brought home my 2000 Sportsman last night, I've been wondering if I should have gotten the HO. But now, it sounds like I got a pretty good deal on my 2000 Sportsman for $5,699 at Nicholson's in An Arbor Michigan.

 

i just paid 6245 for my 01 500 HO,and i love it.