Now that some of you folks have had a chance to run your 500 EFI’s, I’m curious how it compares to the 500 HO Carb model in terms of performance. Acelleration? Top Speed? Is a power band noticed? Mileage? In a ¼ mile race how many lengths would the EFI win by? Etc. Thanks guys!

 

99Farmboy

I have narrowed my search down to the 500 HO. Looked at all the ATVs out there and decided that the 500 would suit me best.

I am debating the same issue. I cant decide between the EFI or Carb. Most fo my riding is going to be trails, not high altitude and a little snow plowing. Prolly wont ride a whole bunch so the machine will sit at time for awhile. With work and such I am hoping for at least once a month at worst case.

The difference between the two, as far as i know. The EFI has better tires on it 26" PXT radials vs 25" Bias . It gets better mileage, and operates smoother. I have a carb atv now and am fine with that. I dont know if the advantage it worth spending an axtra $700 for the EFI and better tires. I had my old atv sit for a long time and it gummed up the carb, i assume this wont happen with the efi.

What happens on a EFI if you submerge it? A carb you can drain out, pull the spark plug and blow out the cyl.. But I have no idea on a EFI.

 

For $700 yes. You'll not only get the efi and larger 26" tires for the money, but will also get the new 800efi style clutch and ebs. All the polaris EFI machines will come with the same clutch that's on the 800efi. It alone would sway me towards the efi and away from the carb. I have an 05 500H0. It came with the 26" pxt tires and ebs, but not the 800 clutch. I have tried both the epi and heelclicker clutch kits, but it still has a higher engagement than I like. The 500efi engages at throttle, and feels much better.

 

I too bought an '05 500HO carb back in January for the same reasons. Tires, EBS, foot brake shifting thing, fuel shut-off, etc. and I could not justify the extra cost for the 500EFI since I found a good deal on a left-over '05 500HO carb. I'm still wondering from a performance standpoint how the two compare. Someone mentioned the 800EFI clutch. I do not know enough about the how the 800EFI clutch differs from the 500HO carb clutch.

I have yet to hear anyone say that the performance of the 500 EFI is greatly improved over the 500HO Carb, and in what areas.

Jump in if you have any comments.

Thanks!

 

I have riden both back to back, but not side by side. The efi has a better throttle response, due to the efi and alot to do with the 800 clutch. In high range it will engage right off idle, where the carbs have to raise the rpm a few hundred above idle to engage. It just has a better feel. It is not any faster on topspeed, but will get there a little faster, again due to efi and new clutch. It would have to be more than $700 diff to make me sway towards the carb, after riding them both.

 

The 500 EFI also has the big battery thats in the 700 and 800.

 

We bought 2 500EFI's in Dec. The main reason that we went with the EFI over the carb is the cold starting that Polaris has always had. The EFI starts and runs perfect when cold and you don't have to sit around palying with the choke until its warmed up some. The second reason is that we ride in high altitudes alot and it was a real pain on our old ones(trail boss 330's) to rejet to go for a weekend jaunt. I have a friend with a 05 500 HO and after riding his and then getting back on mine, yes the throttle response is much better, they do run about the same speed but as was stated the EFI gets there a lot faster. EBS is also a wonderful thing to have. In my opinion it would take a lot more of a difference than $700 to get me to buy a carb version. Also forgot to mention that the fuel mileage is about 1/3 better on the EFI than my friends carb version.

 

We have a couple of carb polaris machines that start very easily without using the choke, however, it never really gets below 30 degrees here. It's usually in the 40's at the lowest, and averages 40-60 in the winter. the 80-100 in the summer, spring and fall. Now our yamahas are an absolute pain to get to run in the winter, when they're cold. We have a couple of Honda's that start right up without choke too. I don't kow if it's the type of carb used or how they're jetted or what makes some brands start easier than others.

 

The EFI will start easier in cold weather and on average it will run just a bit better. There would be no huge difference between the two in a drag race or in top speed. In fact a good running 500 with a carb could even run as good or better than a EFI 500.

Mine has a carb and it will outrun the EFI a friend has.

The EFI has a huge advantage on the carb model if one rides in vastly different elevations.

The disavantage of the EFI is the FACT that it will cost you a lot more over the long haul on repairs than one with a carb.