They are both good machines, and for the purpose you're looking to satisfy both would suit you well. Try to ride both, and give them your own "seat test". Good luck.

Now...onto the rubbish. A SP500 or SP600 doesn't "eat" a Grizzly 660, unless something is terribly wrong with the Grizzly and/or Rider. Nevertheless...I have to agree about pushing those two buttons for 4WD on the Grizzly..it's such a pain in the ****...and quite honestly, somewhat confusing at times...the polaris system of 1 button is so much better, not near as complicated. I guess mathematically speaking, engaging the Grizzly's 2 button 4WD lock system is TWICE as complicated as the Polaris 1 button system.
How in the heck do I manage!!

sheez...

SilverBear

 

Go with the 700 praire, will have both of these for lunch and be much more fun.

 

the sp500 is supposed to be the best selling auto there is. if you dont have to have the most powerfull, (then again when you get up in this size range you prolly do) i would get the sportsman. but me i would go with the grizz beacuse its bigger.

 

Well..I know one Grizzly that eats P700's for lunch, but it isn't stock. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] But back to the original posters choice, it seems that he is specifically looking for IRS quads, not straight axle quads.

SilverBear

 

I would imagine the SP500 is definitely the best selling auto, seeing as they are counting their sales since 1996. Thats like Saying the Big Bear is the best selling in its class. Hell, its been around for 16 years.

Powerwise, none of the Sportsmans (700 included) will outrun the Grizzly. The 500 isn't close. If you can't work the Grizzly 4x4 system, you need to take your a$$ back to school. Polaris' system is much less complicated, but is this really something that matters? Not like you are getting out of a truck in sub zero temperatures to manually lock your hubs in, so its not really that big of a deal. Plus, your Polaris won't have 4wd capability going downhill unless for some reason you picked up a 2001 Magnum 500 RMK edition with the Visco-lock. Remember that Polaris uses an AWD type system that senses wheel slippage and then engages. Hard to do this going down a hill.

The Sportsman line, while much improved over the past 4 years, was a reliability nightmare up until around 1999. Also, your plastic racks and other black plastic parts on the handlebars will dry rot and whiten unless the bike is strictly garage kept. (not that this matters)

Compare the 500 SP to some other 500. Its not in the same league as the Grizzly.

 

U can pick all the bikes out there, load em up with your gear. and I'll take my Grizzly down a hill safely, and easily every time. no one Touches the yamaha's for engine braking.

 

Andy~

Long time, no see! Hows your grizz been treating you? I talked my father in law into getting that new LE Cat. I can't wait to ride the thing. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

SilverBear

 

definitely grizzly, not because my raptor has yamaha on the side but because what i have seen through my eyes in pretty tough trails etc. i havnt been impressed wiyth a polaris yet

 

i think the 700 would have more power, polaris said they were pulling 1700 lbs without breaking traction, with a stock machine. id like to c a grizz do that. im not saying the grizz has no power, in fact it is sportier, but i think the 700 has more power.

 

Hi Rackman,

How do you like your Grizzly? I'm thinking about purchasing the 2004 Grizzly 660 LE early next year. Thanks to SilverBear, I made my mind up towards the Grizzly.

Thank you,

IronBear