Both of these machines are very capable rides. The Grizzly does weigh less than the SP700. The Grizzly is a little smaller. However, we had both of these machines out Friday for test riders. One guy weighed about 150lbs the other guy about 250 lbs. They switched back and forth on each machine. This is what they had to say.

The SP700 won every drag race. Immediatally off the line, the Grizzly had the best jump but the SP700 quickly over came it and pulled it the rest of the way. At the end, it wasn't a slother but the SP700 did win everytime. The SP700 handled better at high speeds. They said the Grizzly felt a little twitchy compared to how the SP700 felt. At low speeds the Grizzly seemed more manuverable. They both seemed to have equal feel in the suspension.

From eveything they had to say, it leads me to think this. If you want a machine that you are just going to basically trail ride ecspecially on tricky tight trails then the Grizzly is better suited. If you are going trail riding and fire road riding then the SP700 would be the choice. For playing in the mud, they would be about the same. I must say though, you'll be able to do more mods to the SP700 then the Grizzly. Like someone else already said, if you put the SP500 clutching on the SP700, you'll have yourself one hell of a wheelie machine. This would definately give the SP700 the torqey bottom end pull the Griz has over it now. In fact this would probably give the SP700 the edge it needs to flat out beat the Grizzly. Not to mention that the SP700 is an existing sled motor that has been dwon sized. I'm sure you could up size it to the sled motor(800cc) and could find a way to use its fuel injection and you would have created the monster of all time.

I am a service manager at a Polaris/Yamaha dealer. I personaly ride a Polaris but love Yamaha sport bikes. I am not blind to the obvious, I like both Polaris and Yamaha.