I have had my 700 for about three months now and i haven't had a problem with it yet and i haven't had the need for the recoil starter. but i guess the machine is still quite new and when the machines get to be a few years old we might then hear a few people saying that they wished it had a recoil startup as a backup. i guess we will just have to wait and see. i love my 700 and would recommend it to anyone. good luck.

 

I rode in Ocala one night with a griz 660, a 700, a 500ho and my 00 Sp 500 with some very interesting results. The fellas with the high dollars stuff wanted mud so we rode to mud. Started at around 9:00 pm after everybody succesfully making it through most holes the first thing of interest was the bulbs on the griz fell out of the sockets.
This is the second time I have seen the bulbs overheat, melt the solder and fall out. The first time was on a brand new kodiak at night. However both times it was real slow technical riding. I also watched the griz swallow some water that was not even touching the seat yet. It was a pain to get the water out!

The 700 really had no problem with the exception of the rider. I watched him take his brand new 700 with 2 hours on it, flip it on its side, right it. Try to winch it, flipped it again this happened four or five times. Each time half the bike was under water. The engine contiued to run until shut off, the belt never got wet (I was Amazded!!!!!!!!!!!!!) The 2000 lb warn got a real good work out that night (it was also on its maiden voyage) even stalled it several times when the bike flipped while winching and the rotary **** got stuck so the front of the bike was pushing large amounts of mud. He was hitting deep muddy water holes at 15-20mph all night long really abusing the bike by any standards but never had any problem with slipping belt or anything. I wanted to rescue the bike and take it with me but I didn't think everybody would understand[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
Overall the 700 impressed me a little but my 00 Sp 500 stayed with him all night(trails and mud)

Kuntry
2000 Sp 500
ETC..........................
.............................

 

From my experience, polaris makes a good machine..but like any other company, there are design flaws. But overall I've had really good luck if you take care of them. I have a '98 Xplorer 400, have put 7200 miles on it, and haven't stuck more than $500 in normal wear parts...grease what needs greasing, and oil what needs oiling. Beat the **** outta it and take care of it. I've also heard that a Sportsman 700 will outdrag a stock Raptor and take it top end...so that will answer your power question...But with the weight...I recommend a winch.

-----
'00 Scrambler 400 4x4
'98 Xplorer 400...K&N, boysen reeds, clutch spring

 

sure the 700 is only $400 more....but its also 140(or so) pounds heavier than the 500 H.O. and 9 in. longer. Poor engine only 2 valves a cylinder [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] I would go with the 500 H.O. front Polaris brushguard, WARN 2000 lb. winch, 27in Tri/Bi claws(for mud) or 27in 589 M/T's (for mud and hard pack)

 

I'm sure the 20% more HP and 25% more more torque make up for the weight difference. Put us side by side and we'll see! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

BigAL400 it's not 140 pounds heavier then the 500 Ho maybe 50

 

Sportsman 500 H.O. weighs 660 lbs. (source. Oct. 2000 DW)
Sportsman 700 twin weighs 740 lbs. (source. Jan. 2002 DW)

80 lbs. heavier I rest my case.

 

I dont care what DUMB WHEELS says about the weight of the Sportsman 500,its 697lb dry weight,not 660.

Bill

 

StitchZR2~

One of my brother in laws owns a SP700 and it's been a great quad for him. He's endo'd it and it keeps on ticking. Quite honestly, he's not had any problems as he has with his other 2 Polaris's. From what I've seen, I wouldn't have a problem reccomending a SP700.

Elroy~

Yes...as a matter of fact, I have tried the recoil starter on the 660. You're right, it's not easy. I wonder why they didn't put a compression release on it?

Kuntry~

That's really weird. I've now heard about that problem two times. I wonder if the people are running with their lights on w/the switch half way between hi/low beam. I've heard that it makes it brighter, but causes overheating.

Pudljumper~


<< I've also heard that a Sportsman 700 will outdrag a stock Raptor and take it top end. >>


I think you've been misinformed, unless a stock raptor is slower than a stock 660 Grizzly. My brother in law (SP700)and I have dragged many a times and the SP700 has slightly higher top end, but I have to wonder how the Grizzly's max speed limiter effects that too. As far as fastest off the line between the two, it's all rider &amp; luck. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] More often than not his SP700 would beat my 660 by a hands length. Now, we're talking about utes here, I have not ridden a Raptor, but can't believe it's not considerably faster than the Grizzly or SP700, after all it is a sport quad.

SilverBear

 

When you speak of price I'm sure you are speaking of MSRP. If you are going to pay MSRP for the 500HO then go ahead and buy the 700, but with a new quad you will most likely pay the MSRP where as the 500HO you will be able to negotiate some making the 500HO maybe closer to a $1000.00 cheaper if your lucky.
I'm sure the 500HO is plenty big enough but if your like me you would rather have the big toys (I'm just too cheap to upgrade at this point).