Hey Guys~
I've been thinking about this for a while, but cannot figure out any reasoning! I have heard the Sportsman 500HO's will do roughly 67 mph, and I have also heard that the Scrambler 500 will also do about that. How's that possible?? A utility machine that's carrying an extra 150 pounds plus worse aerodynamics!?! The engines are the same, so is it the gearing? That is the only thing I can think of, or it would be physically impossible! Anybody know why this is?

 

To me 67 sounds kinda high for the SPHO. Maybe the bigger tires have an effect on top speed. I have always heard that 25" tires will give a bit more mph on top than 22" or 23". Opposite effect on acceleration though...

 

Go see the thread entitled shootout

Snowride

 

Aerodynamics do not play a SIGNIFICANT part at only 67 mph.Up to a point neither does weight.Top fuel motorcycles as well as funnybikes frequently as much as 1000 lbs.More important is overall gearing.If it is geared too"high" it won't pull high gear.If it is gaered right,it will top out no matter how much it weighs(up to a point).67 sounds a little high for a sportsman given its "short gearing.I can't help but wonder if that figure came from a less than accurate speedometer. SEC

 

Hey Guys~
The reason I thought aerodynmics would be a bigger factor is experience with trailering. I use a Geo Tracker for towing, not the most powerful vehicle, so a small difference in aerodynamics is noticable. My Explorer tends to pull a lot harder than the scrambler. I know the explorer is 100 pounds heavier but I put about 100 pounds of extra weight with the scrambler just to find out, and it still pulled a little easier. I understand now how weight won't play as big a role in top speed now, but a huge role in aceleration. Thanks for making that clear to me guys!