well I owned a 00 sp500 for almost 2 years even back then I knew polaris would come out with a 700 eventually. The HO's came out and while they were faster it was basically the same quad as the 500 which is a good thing. Then reality came and here was the 700. I checked it out compared to my 500 and this is a way different quad, from the front hubs to the engine to the belt drive to the steering, brakes, tires,rims, shifter,even the seat as well as the battery location, speedo, you name it. (and I forgot to mention a few other things,)This thing is fast, smooth, and it handles way better than the 500. Just wait and see what this quad will do compared to the other, just in the mud races alone it is kicking everyone's butt. In vegas they are selling as fast as they get here. I bought mine in Utah, but they are selling as fast as they can get them and even before they get them. I have the first one in our club and cant wait to show the other members. With the 660 and the prarie 650 as well as the rubicon coming out with a 650, none of them can compare to the overall package of the sportsman 500 HO, much less the 700.When these other big quads came out, I looked them over but wasnt impressed. My buds bought them. Well I waited and then the news came. Polaris wanted to be the last one out with the best quad and they have acheived that. Well thats my take on the 700 as a owner.

 

Myself and a friend got the first two in our area on Sept. 28. Overall a great bike. I am a little dissappointed with the performance. It is not that much faster than the 500 HO and when I opened up rolling side by side with a 660 Grizz I got out pulled slightly. I started to catch back up but we ran out of room. Not a fair comparison. Polaris should have left the 40mm carburetor on it and the other exhaust that my dealer said it originally had. He said it was scary fast and Polaris detuned it. The bike has been in the shop since this past Monday with a leaking water pump and for a defective speedometer. The trip meter and the oddometer registers innaccurately. They show only appx. 1/2 the mileage they should. Has anyone else had any problems?

 

700 Guy,
I dont own a 700 but I do own a 00 Xplorer with a speedo problem to.Mine registers about DOUBLE the miles and speed.ALOT of Polaris ATVs have speedo problems,yours is not an isolated problem.Its to damn bad that it has to happen on a brand new 700 though!

Bill

 

I havent checked the 700 yet, but on my 500, I checked the speedo with a gps and it was right on.........................and another friend and I did a 1060 mile trip and we zero'd our trip meters when we started the ride. When we reached 1000 miles both our trip meters read the same, 1000.00 miles believe it or not.............so your situation is not a normal one..............I will check the 700 and report back.

 

Do you think that this speedo problem is something with the way that they calibrate their speedo's and other things? Because if your gauges aren't calibrated right, then they are off bigger than crap.

 

vegasdude, I'm glad you like your Sportsman 700, BUT---
"WITH THE 660 AND THE PRAIRIE 650, AS WELL AS THE RUBICON COMING OUT WITH A 650, NONE OF THEM CAN COMPARE TO THE OVERALL PACKAGE OF THE SPORTSMAN 500 H.O. MUCH LESS THE 700".
I know its been hot and dry in your area for a long time, so maybe you've inhaled too much smoke from grass fires. Just kidding, but it sounds like you've never ridden the competition, (and Honda's new 650 ATV is a Rincon). Get your buds to let you ride the new Grizz and Prairie and then make an unbiased comparison. If you're totally honest, you won't be stating that they can't compare to a 500 H.O. unless you mean in weight. Your 700 is a different story. I'm looking forward to a shootout of the big quads in "Dirtwheels".

 

er geeze, the only thing ive been smokin are the 660's and the 650 prairies. I will stop immediately!! What do you mean dry.........we got rain 2 years ago......I think.....or maybe my sprinkler head busted!! But seriously, ive ridden the 660 yamaha, but i havent ridden the prairie or obviously the Rincon since it wont be out till mid year 2002, but i did sit on one though. I work at the MGM and got to see the 2002 lineup of bikes and quads. But you got to admit everyone is playing catch up to the sportman, independant rear suspension, automatics, ect ect. Now the 700 raised the bar. I didnt like the way the 660 rode it wasnt as smooth as my 500. The 500 just sails along soaking up the bumps, it slides nice around the corners too..........but then I spend alot of time in the saddle............. with the 700 i can dive more aggresively into the corners due to the stiffer front suspension and easier steering. I must admit the 660 did steer better than my 500 and is on par with the 700...........

 

Lucky you! I would have liked to see the 2002 lineup at the MGM. Theres no doubt that the other manufacturers have copied many of Polaris's ideas over the years and have added a few new ones of their own. The machines just keep getting better (and more complex, therefore maybe a little more unreliable). I looked at a 700 yesterday. Its a beast! Nice stock tires too. I didn't ride it yet, but I'm sure its nice. It just seems a bit big for me. I've tried out a Grizzly 660 and a Prairie 650. Between these two, its a tough call. I personally like the looks of the Grizzly more, and the ride is a bit softer, but the engine vibrates more and there is a slight hesitation on take-off when you punch the throttle. There isn't any hesitation with the Prairie, and the engine is very smooth and has a terrific sound even though it is quieter than the Grizzly. I LOVE that engine! OOPS. I'm rambling. They are definitely all great quads. Its a good thing we don't all like the same things. I hope you have good luck with your 700. Don't run over any sprinkler heads with it!