my buddy bought a new 500 magnum and both of my friends 500 sportsmans[non ho] will blow it away easy.and it is no comparison for my 400 explorer.i figured it would outrun the sportsman because of weighing less.anyone else noticed this.

 

Well my Magnum has outran every non HO I been up against.Maybe something is wrong with the magnum.

 

It probably just needs to be broken in if its brand new. BK

 

That one needs to go to the shop. They should outrun the standard Sportsman and stay close on the tail of the new H.O.

 

I have the Explorer 500, and ride with a Magnum, and I can't keep up him on smooth straight trails, but in the rocks and bumps, he can't keep up with the IRS. I'd have his bike checked out.

 

Well said BLH, that has also been my experience. On a bumpy trail you just can't keep up with an IRS machine. On the smooth straight aways like you said the Magnum will be out front.

A lot of people don't know it but in high range, the Magnum is geared 5% higher than the sportsman. In low range it is geared 10% lower than the sportsman.