Think after the 1st of the year I will go with the polaris sportsman. I don't know if I should get the 500 or the 600 Their is only about $350.00 difference in price. I live in Arizona and would like to get way off the beaten path. I like the 600 for being a bigger ATV with more power but I don't know how much more. Then I like the idea of the 500 with a backup recoil starter if something happens were the electric starter doesn't work. How much differences in power is their between the 600 and 500?? The few hundred more for the 600 won't make a difference if it will work better for me. I know nothing about the ATV's so I need to go by what I read here from people who ride them. I would put way more faith in what I read here then what a dealer would tell me who odds are if you know nothing about the ATV's would just want to sell you the machine he makes the most money on and not the one best for you. So what do you ridders think? The 500 or the 600? Thanks (Chuck Sedona,Arizona)

 

you gotta remember.... the 500 is a 1 cylinder and the 600 is a two cylinders.... i didn't try the 600 but it's easy to imagine that it's much more powerfull... i drove the 500 very often and it's still very powerfull.

but.... for an extra 350$ i'd go with the 600 twin !!



my opinion

 

My friend has the 600 and it is flat out amazing. For only $350 I would go with the 600. You get a lot more bang for your buck. And it's not that the 500 is weak or not adequate, but it's just that the 600 has that much more. You can always make a 600 slow down (give it less throttle) but you cannot add more power to a 500 when its tapped out. I would rather have plenty of power and moderate it myself, than not have enough when you REALLY need it.

I do like the fact that the 500 has recoil back up, but not sure that will be needed often (if at all). I am sure with a lot of work you could probably wrap a rope / chord around the primary clutch and yank on the 600 if you were stuck in the middle of no where.

 

I went through the same question before purchasing my 600. Just the chrome wheels and rack extenders are worth the $350. You also get a twin, front wheel engagement is now concealed in the front diff, (no more breaking off hub covers, only 1 oil change vs 3)30 amp battery vs 14, newly designed rear diff with drive shaft vs chain driven rear diff. (no more chain breakage problems) New style straight throw drum shifter with park. Probably a better resale value (because there are to many used 500 ho's to chose from) 300watt alternater vs 250. Nice convienient place to put your winch.The 500 HO has been around and refined for many years so its very dependable. The 600 ? the 500 HO has a recoil backup. I carry a compact set of booster cables just in case. It was a no brainer for me but thats me.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

My riding buddy has a HO, their pretty much the same from a dead stop, but once you hit 30 mph, its bye bye HO[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Sportsman 600 ALL the way bro!

 

600!!!

The twin's piston's go up and down in together, so on the way down you get big time torque!

 

Anyone here heard if there is much difference between the 600 and the 700?????? I mean powerwise.

Thanks

 

SteveXplor, i can't tell you from experience but from what i've read on this forum.
i've read the 600 has better and smoother off-the-line power. it has me curious. i think my 700 has terrific take-off power. i can't imagine having (or needing) any more![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]