SP500 vs SP700 EFI

[RobG]

After giving lots of quads consideration for my second ATV, I've concluded that the 2005 Sportsman is the way to go. What's left to decide is which one? The 500 or the 700 EFI.

My first ATV was my 2002 Grizzly 660. I still have it, and I love it. I will probably never get rid of it. It has so much aftermarket stuff on it that it's now customized exactly the way I want it.

Since then, I've had two other 4x4s... a 2003 Arctic Cat 400 5sp, which I ended up hating because the handling was awful and it had too much bump-steer. I sold it and got a Honda Rincon, which while it had better handling, it was almost incapable of anything technical due to that silly transmission and no locker. So it's gone too.

The Sportsman will serve two purposes... it'll serve as my backup quad (e.g. something to ride if the Grizzly isn't available, or if I just want something different), and it'll also be my girlfriend's machine. See, she likes the technical stuff too, and that's one of the reasons the Rincon just wouldn't work for us.

Anyway, so the question is this... SP500 or 700 EFI? Two concerns... fuel economy, and price.

Here in Reno, thanks to connections, I can get a SP500 out the door for approx $6100. ($6400 if Camo). A 700 EFI will run $1000 more.

Power isn't such a concern, as I know the 500 has good power and will beat my old Rincon both in a drag race and in top speed (it happened more than once). Fuel mileage is my #1 concern. I've ridden with people on SP500s and they generally get within 1/2 mpg of what I get on my Grizzly. If the 700 EFI doesn't do VERY close to that, I'd probably pass on it. I don't want to have to worry about carrying two flat fuel packs for longer rides, when one will do on the Grizz or the SP500.

So far, nobody anywhere on any forum has been able to provide concrete MPG numbers for the 700 EFI.

So I'm kinda stuck in deciding which way to go. I have time to decide, as I'm trying to raise the funds and it'll be at least another month or two before I can take the plunge.

Thanks!

Rob

[Mr. Miyagi]

Why not buy another Griz? and... What kind of mileage do you get with your Griz?...

Last weekend... We went about 54 miles on 3.5gal. in about two to three feet of snow and (I think) between 4500 and 6500 ft in altitude, So 70 miles isn't to far off....

However, I think one of the most difficult things in gauging fuel economy is the variables involved including but not limited to; altitude (sea level or 10,000 ft), type of tires (ITP 589's vs. ???), gear packed (day trip vs. 4 day trip), type of terrain (mud, sand, rocks or flat smooth trails) and weather (sunshine, rain, snow, etc).

My own experiences.... That seems to change from ride to ride....

[RobG]

If I can find a used '02 Grizz for a good price ($4k), I'll grab it... likewise if I can find a used SP500 in that same range, I'll grab it... but if I'm gonna buy a new machine, I want something different.

I know mileage is very subjective.. I'm looking for a range of what to expect depending on various conditions. For example:

General trail riding... slower, mildly technical, 10-15-ish mph average, I'll get 15-16 mpg.

Slow, rutted trails, 5-10 mph, 12-ish.

Very slow, e.g. Rubicon or Fordyce, 10 at best.

Fast trails, fire roads, 25+ mph, 25+ mpg.

All of this is at 4000-10,000' elevation. I don't think my Grizzly has ever been run below 4000'. It's jetted for 6000 and seems to run well between 4-10k.

Rob

[Gregg]

2005 Polaris Sportsman 500Ho, I've gotten 55 to 80 miles from a tank. I carry a flat pack but have not had to use it yet. On one technical trip the gauge was flashing empty after 47 miles. It was lots of rocky trails in low range and deep sandy washes. According to the manual if it's flashing you are going to run out very soon. I got another 8 miles uphill to my truck and was still running when I drove it off the trailer at home. Most of my riding is desert mountain terrain at 3000 to 6000 feet

If memory serves correctly, the Grizzly holds at least one more gallon then the Sportsman's 4.25 gallons. I too am in the market for a second full size utility. Either a Sportsman 700 or I am considering the Grizzly as another alternative. I just missed a low miles 2004 Grizzly for 5k.

My Polaris 500HO does everything I ask and then some but after 400 miles I just don't get that quality feeling that the Jap bikes give you. It has an inordinate amount of noises and rattles. My daughters Suzuki is silent compared to both of our Polarises (and its air cooled to boot). I hope to trade off on a ride with a Grizzly owner sometime to see if the Grizzly handles on par with a Sportsman and also feels better built.

[RobG]

Hey Gregg... thanks for the input.

If you find yourself up this way, I'd be happy to trade off with you to compare machines... however my Grizzly isn't the best for comparing to a stock machine, given stuff like the Works Performance Shocks, Maxxis Bighorn radial tires and lots of clutching, but still, it'll give you a good idea what a Grizzly is like.

Rob

[Gregg]

Rob, don't get me wrong, I am not bashing Polaris. Our 2002 has been the most reliable toy we have ever owned. They just have all kinds of rattles and noises. My 2005 is by far the most comfortable quad I have ever ridden (my wife wants it, that is why I am looking for another bike). I don't think its ability to climb a steep and loose hill or go down solid rock ledges can be duplicated by any other machine.

We were riding at the Burro Schmidt mine today and some guy on a Honda went straight up the hill behind the old miners shack and got all out of shape and sideways about 100 feet from the top. His wife begged us to help him. I went up the hill on my 500HO and stopped below him to help him get his Honda pointed downhill. He then watched awestruck as I jumped back on my Sportsman and drove around him to the top of the hill from a standstill without any problem or fuss. The hill was steeper then 30 degrees and a mixture of loose dirt and shale, nothing solid (of course coming down was a slip and slide fest with the engine braking only on the rear wheels).

I would strongly suggest a test ride on any Polaris you are going to buy (my dealer in the middle of L. A. could not accommodate that request). Some of the 500's have an engine knock at idle (only after it warms up) which the dealer, and every ATV forum says is normal (supposed to be a hydraulic noise in the two stage oil pump). I hear it on mine and on others but do not like the fact that paid over 6k for that knock.

[Ken]

Rob,

If you rock crawl...I suggest the EFI. I can't TELL YOU how much I've wanted one in whacky situations with a flooded, dead Quad.

Also...with altitude where we live....it's a natural.


I love the 2005 design....and the extra storage.

[RobG]

The Sportsman does seem to be an incredible machine. I'm pretty much sold on one.

As far as a test ride goes, that's not a problem. I've been told I can take one out anytime. I may just make arrangements to take out a 500 and 700 EFI for a direct comparison... but I want to have my funds lined up before I do.

Ken... EFI is w wonderful thing. I have it on my snowmobile and won't ever own another non-EFI sled.

Rob

[Mr. Miyagi]

Noises of the Polaris.....

Not while your riding. lol.......

[Ken]

Ken... EFI is w wonderful thing. I have it on my snowmobile and won't ever own another non-EFI sled.

Rob

Agree...Sleds are a natural for it too..especially where we live/ride with crazy inclines/decents/cambers.

You look at those wheelie photos on the front page. A) Those weren't staged or planned. B) All 3 Quad's flooded and died. Jack was F*(IKED, but I could have easily backed down if the bastard was still running.

[RobG]

I was just looking over the specs of the 500 HO and 700 EFI and discovered something very interesting...

On all of the EFI models, the gas tank is 4.13 gallons.

On the carb models, the gas tank is 4.75 gallons.

WTF?

Here I was pretty much set on the 700 EFI but now I find out the gas tank is .62 gallons smaller than the 500, on a machine that I'm already concerned about fuel economy issues. Ugh!!! What the heck is with Polaris and these wimpy tiny gas tanks? Why can't they be like Arctic Cat and put a BIGGER tank in there? I noticed that even the 500 gets the big 6.5 gallon tank, not just the 650.

It may not seem like a big issue to some, but here's the way I see it... given the exploring type trips I go on, we'll ride an average of 60-100 miles a day. On my Grizzly, that's about 84 miles out of a tank (5.25) gal, and the rest would be coverd by my 3.25 gal flat pack (approx 52 miles' worth).

Assuming a 700 EFI will average 13 mpg instead of my Grizzly's 16 (and I'm being very generous here because I'm not sure the 700 EFI will do even that well), I can figure on maybe 55 miles out of its one tank, and maybe another 45 out of the flat pack, which means I use up ALL of my fuel for a 100 mile ride. That leaves no margin for error (wrong way, found something else to check out on the way back, etc). Not without carrying even more fuel.

I know a SP500 will get the same mileage as my Grizzly based on prior experience. But as Gregg pointed out, above 35 there isn't much "oomph." My Grizzly definitely has oomph above 35, though maybe not as much as a 700. And there's a lot of fun to be had with "oomph."

Dang... decisions, decisions.

Rob

[Mr. Miyagi]

Actually, a new (used) 04' 700 EFI might be your answer... Tha't's what I'm looking to buy.

[RobG]

That's an idea... but I'm too picky for my own good. Example... I really like the new 05 look (the 04 isn't bad though), plus the wider front stance and extra wheel travel. AND, I really don't like the black/silver color... I want either olive green or camo.

Still, if I find a good deal on a used machine, I won't let those issues stop be from buying.

Rob

[Mr. Miyagi]

lol... We all have our issues. I love the 05' however my concern are the footwells.... Way to much plastic for the way I ride. Check em out... you'll see what I'm talking about. With the 04 we have a way to add and install metal footwell guards.

[Ken]

The EFI models are supposed to get 20% better gas mileage...that's why the reduced tank size.

Do I know it's true? No.

Do I agree with them going smaller with better gas mileage? No.


But that's why they did it.