just want an opinion of someone that has both, dragged em yet??? what was result?

I can't decide on which one i want

 

Both bikes are pretty much identical as far as what they will do, The 700 is faster though.

 

The 500HO is quicker until about 35 to 40 mph then the 700 takes over. At least thats what I have noticed. Get the 600, cant go wrong with it.

 

Dragraced them across a snow covered parking lot, packed snow from snowmobiles using it all winter. both in AWD, about a 75lb weight disadvantage to me, plus the winch. I dug a lot more and thought the wife was actually going to beat me! She pulled about half her machine ahead off the line but after about twenty feet of digging way harder thru the packed snow than the 500 did, I began to pull a few feet ahead. We ran about to 45-50 mph before we ran out of room, but I think I would have pulled ahead a few more feet. The 500 stayed with me, though, pretty close all in all. This is with 700+ hard miles on the 700, and the 500 was brand new. I think if the 500 had the winch, the hard miles and my fat *** on it, for a completely fair race, I think the 700 would have had just a little bigger advantage. They are close enough I can't even see where there is room between the two for a 600 model. I kind of wish I had gotten a 500ho for myself instead of the 700, but if I hadn't I probably wouldn't be happy because I would always want one. And I think the twin is better suited to turn the bigger tires, which by the way weren't on there when we raced. I had the stockers with abouth 3/4 tread left.

At least it wasn't a replay of the time she blew me away on the Scrambler, which I thought the 700 would beat, or at least hang with.

 

Northstar, how do you like your Mud Lites ? I'm debating between a set of those or 589's for my 500HO.

 

Well from what I've seen the 700 is $1000 more and will go 5 mph faster. I don't that that justifies all the disadvantages of the 700 like how the 500 will 200 less lbs can handle better on trails. I'm sure you can tweak a 500 so that it will top out with 700

 

I just wrote a long post replying to you guys and now it's gone! I hate when that happens. I'll try it again.

Kblazk- I agree with you there. The 500 is a great well proven machine, now they come with great tires stock, and with the money you save you can buy a winch and a clutch kit, still have some left over. I've often thought I should have bought one for myself, but I saw the 700 and HAD to have it. Just because the 700 is bigger and faster, doesn't mean the 500 is little and slow. I don't think the 700 is 200 lbs heavier though. I don't think the 500 will handle better on the trails, they're both pretty much the same size, and they both soak up bumps like a Cadillac. Maybe at high speed you may see a slight difference. The 700 seems to have a slightly lower seating position, which I like better. When I ride the 500 I feel like I'm considerably higher up and the center of gravity must be higher. Like I said before, the 500 and the 700 are so close in performance I don't see where the 600 fits in.
Anywho, considering the problems I've had with the 700, and how great everybody knows the 500 is, I would recommend you buy the 500.

 

bjn644-
I just mounted my Mud Lites last weekend and didn't get a chance to really try them out. I rode around the yard a little and climbed over some snowbanks. They pull like a bulldozer. One thing I noticed was the torque steer, which I thought was bad with the Rawhides, is now wicked. It's to be expected with that much traction. You just need to remember it and be ready when the front tires try to pull the handlebars out of your hands. When they grab something, thats the direction you are going in, regardless of which way you want to go. I also narrowed it down to the 589s and the Lites, the fact that they are cheaper, lighter and more directional helped sway me (especially the cheaper part.) From what I've read the Lite is a little better in the mud than a 589. They ride good on hardpack, at first they are real bumpy when you take off, up to 3 or 4 mph then it smooths right out. Kind of weird actually. I was afraid of buying them having only seen them in pictures, I thought maybe the light weight would meant they were soft or more vulnerable to punctures, but they are nice and hard, really seem rugged. And the lighter weight means more horsepower left over. I think they put more thought into the design, and really tried to make them competitive. I think they are more advanced than the older stuff, I think I'm going to be pleased with them.