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After researching every dealer within a 50 mile radius I've concluded that I learn more from this forum than anywhere else!!! I've decided to go with the Polaris. While most of the other brands bash Polaris they haven't really explained why. My predicament is as follows. As a new rider the 400 seems to fit my style but will I outgrow the speed? The 400 does not have "ebs". The 500 does have "ebs" and has the same towing capacity as the 400. The 500 is a few more miles per hours faster. Now, the 600 twin is more powerful, has racks, has a "parking gear", but has no "pull start"??? I plan on using this new ride to plow snow and have fun on the trails. I need to decide quickly while my wife is still convinced I need one!
Thanks

 

Keep reading every thread that is related. Then buy the 500.
The gas mileage of the 600 and 700 provides much less range.
The 500 has been tweaked to near perfection for years. They
have made a gazillion of them by now....

 

i have to agree with evensen.
i also think $$$$ plays an important role. if the 500 is close in price to the 600 (which i think it is in most areas of the country, then my pick would be the 600. the park feature, new 4 wheel drive design, and torque of the twin is just impressive!
if COLOR plays a role, say the Mrs. likes RED, then it's between the 400 and the 500. the 600 isn't offered in red. if you ride in hilly areas, then the sp500 will be the way to go instead of the 400. (EBS)

you can't go wrong with either of those models though. Polaris builds a TERRIFIC ATV....ENJOY!

-MT

 

If you intend to plow then the strait line shifting of the 600 is an advantage over the 400 & 500 because it is quicker and easier to shift from FWD to REV. I have had two 500s and they are great machines but my next machine will be a 600. For only a few hundred $$$$$$ more than the 500 you get the park feature, in line shift pattern, chrome rims, rack extenders and a larger engine. I have ridden the 600 and it steers easier than my 500s and it is slighly faster. Do not get this message wrong because my 500s have been excellent machines, but I feel the additional features offered on the 600 is worth the extra $$$$$$$. As for the 400, no comparison to either and by adding EBS it's cost equals the 500.


Recomendation: Sportsman 600

 

I went with the 500 due to no pull start on the 600 which was a big factor for me having had a battery go dead on me before while on a ride. These things are a bugger to pull start. (tow like a manual car). The 400 was not much of a factor in the choice, it is way underpowered compared to the 500. My girlfriend has one and I don't care for it, after mine. The 600 does have a bit more power and speed and the rack extenders which would have been nice for carrying equipment. My chainsaw likes to slide off going through the woods. As I said one of my mail factors was the lack of recoil start. Being towed SUX. No matter which you choose I have found both of my machines to be nice. Good luck.

 

The 500 is a great quad.
(1) recoil back up (I've had to use it several times)
(2) ride all day on one tank of gas (big pluss out in the woods)
(3) great ride and a capable 4X4 system

The 600/700 have the inboard 4X4 system, that is a better design then the hubs on the 500

The gas milage and lack of recoil starter keep me from tradeing in my 500 Sportsman on one though.
In fact, I'm probably going to go with another make in a year or so when I trade in the 500.
Not sure what I'll get. Considering the Kodiak 450. My brother works at a dealership and I should be able to get a good deal on one.

 

I just bought my first ATV last March, and I went straight to the top. I bought the Sportsman 700 Twin. The power and ability of this machine is awesome. My father-in-law has a Suzuki 500 that I rode for awhile, and there is no comparision. It did take a little to get used to due to the power and sitting up a little higher, but after a few miles or trail and error, you'll love it. The only problem I had with mine was I had an O-Ring go bad, it was replaced under warranty, and I have not had a problem since. <Knocking on wood> I would recommend putting a winch on the ATV once you get it, 740lbs is alot to try to move around. Mine is mounted in the front. I kinda wish I would've gotten the multi-mount, but I didn't. The 700 twin engine sounds alot better than the 500HO as well. Sportsman 600 or 700, you can't go wrong.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

As an owner of a SP400 I tell you to go with at least the 500 or 600. I have nothing against my 400, it has been a great quad, but when it comes down to power it leaves me wanting more. I've tried a few basic mods to the tune of $650 to improve handling and power, but as I've learned on this forum..."there is no replacement for displacement." Between the 500 and 600 I think it is coin toss. The 500 has it's bulletproof reliability and the 600 has a few inovative new features mentioned earlier. If I had to choose I would go with the 600 for the extra power and better suspension (you can never have enough of either). Both would be great choices though.

 

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the info. I've narrowed it down to the 500 or the 600. I still like the pull start back up but the extra power for pulling logs, etc might be nice. Anyone have any information on which starts better in cold conditions? Also, I've been reading about a clunking noise on the 600 at certain speeds??? Are the suspensions the same on all sportsmans?
Thanks

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]I would get the 600. I have 950 miles on mine and works just great. I had 4000 miles on my 500HO and never used the pull start. The 600 steers much easier than my 500. A lot more power. All Polaris's make varios noises, don't worry.