I think the person you need to listen to, is yourself, not us!

 

if battery goes bad on an efi machine it wont run even if it had a pull rope, computer needs power to operate,I carry a small, set of jumper cables with me , have never used them ,but I have them ,get the 800 you wont be soryy

 

Haha the problem is that the wifey is saying different...and whenever I don't listen to her I regret it!

 

I'm getting about 18mpg on my 500 HO touring without a passenger, and the touring is a portly 750lbs. I don't cruise nearly as fast as you though... probably 20mph average. Mine might get to 100 miles on a tank, but my tank is close to 6 gallons (exactly 6 according to the manual.) I believe the 500 HO has a smaller tank than the touring model.

Honestly, it sounds like you want to go with the 800 - those things have gobs of power... and based on the condition and price I think I would do the same.

If you wanted to take advantage of Polaris financing and warranty by going with a new 500 you'll need to make a better deal in my opinion (if we're talking about USD.) You should end up right around $5600 OTD. I have a couple of quotes from just a few months ago confirming this, even though I ended up with the touring model.

 

This is one time you shouldn`t listen to your wife. Buy the 800, its the better machine of the two and you will be saving money.

 

I have a 07 500 and sometimes wish I had the 800 just because of more power. And yet today I was out on the trail and thought to myself when would I ever need the extra HP. My buddy on his 800 can never outrun me on trails and I rarely run in an open area where I could get over 40 mph without risking life and limb from the unforeseen hazard. The 800 is priced right and I would probably go with that if it's in as good a shape as you say it is. But go with your gut feeling. As for the EFI vs carb? Pro's and con's to each. Today it was a high of 19f and my bike hasn't been started in 6 weeks. With the EFI it started without hesitation and ran beautifully. But on the other hand I sometimes wonder what's it gonna cost me if the EFI system ever takes a crap. Bottom line is what do want? where are you gonna ride it? what other uses for it? For my type of riding the 800 has no advantage over the 500 except for bragging rights.

 

We ride mostly rail beds and other trails that are similiar to railbeds. Newport, Houlton and Jackman, Maine for those of you who are familiar with the area. Those types of trails the difference between the two shines. When we were in Jackman in the fall I had my 450 and my buddy was on the 800. He would scream way up ahead of us then come back and scream by us again...just to rub in that he could waste us if he wanted lol.

 

You obviously want the 800.

Do you really only get six months warranty with a new machine?

JF

 

I do want the 800...I just want to make sure that I'm not overlooking anything that I shouldn't be overlooking in my lust for the bigger toy.

 

Yea, only six months.