Army,
Nope. The 600+700 have stronger suspension. Same basic design as the 400+500, but stronger components. IMO the twins have the other Sportsmans beaten hands down when it comes to suspension. I don't know about the 600 but I know my 700 is not very happy when I wake it up in cold weather...I can't seem to find a choke position where it will run as strong as my 400 does when first started.(don't know why. anyone else have this problem?) Once warm all is well.

 

My 700 is very cold natured, the dealer said they all are. They also said you can change the main jet to a larger size and help it some for temperatures under 50 degrees. I live in the south so I am not concerned about it that much. I had another problem the other day, the carb vent hose got blocked by the foam piece between the gas tank and the seat (my fault) and it would barely run. Make sure the vent hose isn't partially obstructed.

 

I'd eat the handlebars off of a 500 to get into a 600. I've riden the 600 and love it. Nuff said.

 

I am also in the process of deciding which Sportsman to purchase. I have narrowed it down to the 500HO or the 600 as well. I was favoring the 500 because of the recoil backup. I have asked a dealer about why the 600 and 700's don't have one (like the Kawasaki Prairie 650 has) and he said because Polaris hasn't integrated a compression release for the recoil on the twin cylinders. It would be like trying to pull a Peterbuilt truck with your teeth. But the idea of having an extra cylinder grunting out power in the 600 is very attractive.

But then I came across a thread somewhere within the jungle of messages on these boards saying that the front axle/hubs in the Sportsmans are of the 'hilliard' design??? How useless is this when going down steep grades and wanting to utilize the Engine Braking System? As I understand it, this design allows the front tires to 'freespin' and will not provide any ebs action. Only the rear wheels get the EBS, but there is no weight on the rear so they lock up. Granted each tire up front has a disc brake, but wouldn't it be a good idea to have the front tires provide as much stopping power as possible? These machines weigh in excess of 700 pounds, then add rider weight!. This would especially become apparent when going down a rough, mogully or big boulder/rocky section and you get one of the front tires in the air for a few feet - better have the brakes clamped tightly with white knuckles!

Maybe this would only happen in extreme cases, but since I would like to get into riding on hard/difficult trails like boulder/rock/mountain climbing - this is a strong consideration of mine. But now I have read Mega Crash's responce on this 700,600,500 delihma and he mentions that this problem has been addressed by an inboard 4wd system instead of using the 'hilliard' hubs.

Does anyone have any helpful comments on this? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

About the EBS.... If you're going down a step hill and the EBS kicks in on the front tires, it would be like using your front brakes going down the hill instead of the rear brakes. I would feel as if the ATV was going to do a flip in that situation. Anyone else see where I'm coming from?

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I've been hearing a lot of threads talk about a new ride coming out. Could this be a sportsman with a fuel injection unit?

 

I guess a lot depends on what you want to do with your quad. I pack enough crapolla to survive several days in bad weather - discreetly (if you know what I mean). My quad has over 300 lbs of gear, racks, boxes, bags and other add-ons and thingamabobs. I wouldnt' mind a bigger motor. Other guys want light weight with no frills - go fast turn rigs. And if your a big guy like me - (over 220) your not 400 material eh.

 

I have a dumb question. Could you carry jumper cables and jump your ATV with another ATV?? I know they use a generator rather than an alternator but maybe you could pull enough juice from the Batt??

Anyway I wouldn't worry about the lack of pull start. Heck, my pickup is an auto w/no pull start and I'm pretty comfortable driving it around. Besides I hear that the Twin Polari have pretty heavy duty car type batteries.

Given the choices I'd take a 600 in that pretty metallic blue.

 

Hey, come to think of it my 6 cyclinder mini-van doesn't have a pull start either.
Thanks maybe I'm making too much a big deal over it or the lack of it?

 

i have not read a single post on this forum about a 700 having a dead battery or needing a jump start.

i think polaris thought this one out well.

i'm sure if guys were having problems, they'd be crabbing all over the place! LOL

hell! if it makes you happy, carry a spare battery! LOL(just kidding)[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

later,
-MT