We've been shopping around for a Polaris Sportsman X2 and going back and forth between the 500 and 700 or 800 (depending on year). 3 dealers have told us the 500 was more than enough for what we're doing (pulling trees in the woods, light work around 100 acres and possible trail riding where my husband and I (about 360 lbs total) would be on the machine together. All mentioned a concern with the 700 and 800s where they might have too much power to be smooth in tight quarters like the woods where you don't want to be on and off the throttle.

I have a local dealer who just gave us a price of $7,500 on an 07 leftover Deluxe 500 in Blue with the following accessories:
Winch (2,500lbs), Bed Mat, Front rack extender, rear brush guard, deluxe front brush guard, work lights (came on the deluxe model already), 1" drop hitch and pin.

I think for around the property, 500 is more than enough, my concern is if we did trail riding, 2 people plus a bit of gear (we're not campers so don't think tents, thing more like a few sodas and some sunscreen) would be too much. But then, if we did go on trails, we don't plan to cross through feet of water or go up really steep hills..... more pleasure vs technical riding.

What do you guys think? For a leftover with the full warranty and all those accessories, would you do it for the $7,500?

thanks!

Its a fair price not a great deal.

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YZ's/XT's/KLR
Raptor
Scrambler
Sportsman 500X2

For an 08 500 x2 with all those options, they gave us a price of 8,230. I figure they're wanting to move the 07 but which one strikes you as a better deal?

Also - I noticed you have a 500... how do you like it? Enough power for what you do?

i have a 07 sportsmen 800x2 bought last year got a $1400 rebet on it it has pleanty of power when me & wife ride together on it would buy the 800

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07 sportsmen 800 x2 dlx

The 500 has 3/5 the power of the 800 and gets almost twice the fuel mpg. My 500 will run 55 and that is plenty fast on an atv trail.

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YZ's/XT's/KLR
Raptor
Scrambler
Sportsman 500X2

I'm concerned about too much power (though I'm really not sure if that's possible) being in tight spaces with a touchy throttle.

Rick - I definitely never plan to hit 55 on this thing (my husband wouldn't get on it with me!!) but do you think a 500 is enough for "normal" trail riding (nothing too technical) for 2 full sized adults (husband is about 200, I'm around 160) and some light gear?

A few dealers seem to be steering us away from the 800 for being too touchy in tight spaces where you might want something more smooth. And I didn't get the sense the one last nite was saying 500 because he wanted to move the 07 leftover, he said the same thing if we went with the 08.

I think it's a really good deal. MSRP is $8599 and it looks to have around $800 worth of accessories. You just saved $1800. It's exactly the same machine as an '08. I love my 500. It has plenty of power to do what you expect it to do. I use mine for pulling a 5x8 utility trailer loaded down with wood/brush. A couple of times I have WANTED more power but have never NEEDED more.

Good Luck!

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2007 X2
Vision 160 Wheels
Xtreme 3000 Winch
3 Headlight Mod.
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XR70R - "The Clown Bike"

Yeah the whole want vs need.... I just want to be 100% sure that my husband and I can get on this and so some trail riding, but again, we're not daredevils so it's not like i want to scale 45 degree terain....

You won't have any problems. I'm 230 and my wife is 115.

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2007 X2
Vision 160 Wheels
Xtreme 3000 Winch
3 Headlight Mod.
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XR70R - "The Clown Bike"

We all like more power! but do we all drive big block v-8 cars?
The 500 has enough power to do anything you want it to do! Except to wheely and drag race big bore atvs. The 500 with the 6 gal tank you can easily run over 100 miles between fillups!

Yes on the throttle response! I've bumped the throttle on some tight trails and just managed to get under control, I'm sure I would be hurting if I did this on an 800!

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YZ's/XT's/KLR
Raptor
Scrambler
Sportsman 500X2

Ok cool, thanks! I haven't ridden anything other than my 200 (which honestly, I still love and it runs great for a 21 year old machine but it just can't do what we need utility-wise ow) except for test drives in the parking lot on these new machines.

Hoping to have this decision wrapped up tonite.

A test ride in the parking lot the 500 and 800 will feel about the same. When you open them up at speed is where you'll notice a big differance.

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YZ's/XT's/KLR
Raptor
Scrambler
Sportsman 500X2

Wanted to throw my 2 cents in here, I understand the problem of attempting to not spend too much but get a little more than you need. We ride trails all the time as a family of five with two other families. Our kids are getting somewhat older so we"ve gone to larger ATVs like 300 or 400 cc. The 500 will work just fine as you describe, my wife and I started on a Polaris 325, worked great. The big thing for us is having a 4X4, we love mud and some water so the trial tend to rut out. Getting high center is our biggest issue, but if you don't get stuck once in a while there's no picture oppertunities (sp). We rarley go over 15 MPH so we want some power with the bigger bikes to pull out the smaller 2 wheel drives that high center. We have recently gone to wenches that work great for control pulls.
The deal seems good but not great, the 500 will work just fine, go for it and ride the trails. The only thing I would change is go for the Honda, but I'm partical. Have fun

Can't go Honda the japs don't build 2 up atvs.

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YZ's/XT's/KLR
Raptor
Scrambler
Sportsman 500X2

OK you lost me on that reply, I'm old so It went right over my head, kinda of slow. I owne both brands so I like Polaris but my Honds seems much better to me. Granted the polaries is 325 cc and the honda 680 EFI so the comparison is not equeal. My concern is polaris lack of seal for the belt, otherwise great riding machine. Please explaine, you got me curious. Aslo if I could type and spell I would be dangerlkncvkjnetvkjbn.

I'd vote for a Honda anyday. I love the company and the reliability of a Honda. That being said, there are a lot of people who love Polaris so you really can' go wrong.

Trust me, I tried to go Honda, not even thinking about the 2-up. I have an 86 200SX Honday that still runs faithfully and it completely stock. I've had it since day one when I started riding. We went to Honda and tried to find something but the utility of the X2 with that dump body really grabbed us. PLUS it had the 2-up option which made it even better. I would have loved to have gone Honda, but unfortunately, the utility ease we need it for just isn't there.

Re: the belt slippage when wet, I've asked all dealers about that as well as read some things on these boards. Apparently they've gone from a 5 screw to a 9 screw sealing system and the dealers said they understand my concerns but be assured it is a much more improved system over what they used to be. Basically, I've been told I can put it in water up to the snorkle which is tank height and it should be fine. I have NO intention of getting into water that deep but it's good to know.

This last weekend I bought a new leftover 2007 sportsman 800 x2 (not deluxe) upgraded with the 2008 aluminum wheels/tires and a 36mo warranty for $7200.
That was the best price I could find with about three weeks of shopping

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2007 sportsman 800 x2

wats the x2 mean?

well heres what id say....
it really doesnt matter how much power.
your not going to make it so touchy that u smash into a tree or something.
if it were me id get the bigger atv

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honda recon 22" mudlites
foreman 500
1985 big red 250

cant figure out how to make pics smaller to fit on my page? pm to help plz?