500ho, how long do you plan to keep your machine? If you value it and expect it to last DO NOT try to figure out how fast it will go with only 30 miles on it. Aside from the possibility of damage, its performance will likely improve as it breaks in, so you’re not actually finding out anything. Your machine, your call.

 

This somehow became a double-post. Why won't the forum software let us delete a duplicate post if we are the author? I don't mind doing a little of my own housekeeping.

 

Of course you’re right Bob, on both counts. The difference in clutch engagement to compensate for the change in the power band was something I “felt” on the HO right away, although I have no way to verify or measure it.

So if this “shift” in the power band was compensated for by adjusting the clutch engagement then why did the article’s authors feel the need to mention it? If their intent was to be “thorough” their efforts would have better served the readers if they’d been devoted to accuracy.

I’ll admit, there may be one riding situation out of 50 that you could say “ah ha, my HO doesn’t have the grunt my old 500 did!” But in the VAST majority of riding situations we’ll encounter the HO is a superior performer, if increased power is your definition of superior. And for those situations where you need more low-end torque there’s a little lever on the right side of the tank that moves out and forward. Of course, they didn’t like the way the Sportsman shifted (in fact I think they broke it didn’t they?). Maybe we just stumbled on the reason they criticized its low end performance, they couldn’t find low range.

On the subject of fuel economy, Bob’s premise that you have to give something to get something is once again applicable. I’ve no doubt you could ride an HO (or even a non-HO) in such a way as to get only 60 miles or less to a tank. As an example, breaking trail in deep snow consumes an enormous amount of gas. But that’s the exception, not the rule. I haven’t kept track of actual numbers but our experiences between the different motors indicate roughly about a 20% reduction in range (gee, what a coincidence. 20% more power, 20% less range). It’s winter now so were using more fuel and it’s hard to get accurate numbers when we’re riding part open trail and part breaking trail but I’d say range has gone from 90-100 to 70-80.

 

I like the Rim and tires! I also lanch our bout with the bike instead of the tuck now.

 

mine will bury it's speedo at 60mph still has more to go. i dont know what the real speed is but it has gotta be over 50!! also i cant stand it up from a stop but once u get going a little i can get it to come right up. thats with a winch, mount, and double tube bumper on the front. have fun.

 

First of all I'm gald to here the new SP still has a 100 mile range.In that stupid review you were talking about they sure did get the Polaris in low range,infact they said they did not like the low range of the H.O because it was geared to low for trail riding?They said the other quads could go down the trail in low range without the need to stop as often to put in back in high range because there low gear was geared higher!Now is that not the stupidest thing you ever heard of.The SP low range is not as good for scooting down the old happy trail but would be better if you wanted to pull a stump out of the ground.

Floodrunner,are those picture of your old Sportsman or your new one you have now? Can you put up a pic of that 6x6 you just bought.

 

Tim, those pix are old, from a few Sportsmans back I’m afraid. I forget how many, time flies. I’ve had at least two RSEs since then. Yeah sure, I can post some pix of the SP 6x6 (we’ve christened it the Mule) I just took some last weekend to show the inserts I’ve made for the box. One insert is a divider creating storage compartments for some specific camping items (and Woody the camp mascot) and the other forms both a cover and a deck providing more “open” cargo capacity. Both these pieces use the stake pockets Polaris provided in the sides of the box to stay in place. I’ll be painting them black but took the pix before the paint job so they’d show up better. Enjoy!

 

Your Sportsman you have now is your 4th! You sure do not keep them long,you could not of had trouble with them or you would not keep buying them,is it a trade in value reason? I was looking at a 2000 sp last fall but it just was not different enough to warrant the extra money but the H.O seem to be a different animal all together and maybe worth it.

 

I get about 85 miles out of a tank depending on riding conditions(use of 4x4 and low range)and another 10 out of the reserve.
I'm not sure if this would be considered good or not but I didn't buy a SP500HO for fuel economy.If the range isn't enough buy a gas can to take along.

 

Tim, I sent a response to your personal email address and it bounced. If the address you have listed here is wrong or you don't want to share your correct address publicly email me back through the email link on one of my posts, it works.