New 2005 Polaris Sportsman 700 EFI

[atvobsession]

Today I stopped by Adrenaline Powersports in Citrus Heights to do a review of the 2005 700 EFI on atvobsession.com. I thought I'd share it here too.

http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/2005Polaris1.jpg

The first 2 700's they received were the Dale Earnhardt Jr. edition. The bright red was awesome!

http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/lile.jpg
http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/rearrack.jpg

The first big improvement is the front box under the rack. A nice place to stow stuff like cables, plug kits, etc.

http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/frontbox2.jpg
http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/frontbox.jpg


The next improvement, is the rear box. Polaris took the box we all know under the seat and extended that out to the frame. It's a lot bigger than the current box, and it's accessable without pulling off the seat! In order to do that, they had to move the rear lights to the left and right. Notice the Red and White lens. Back up light! Put it in reverse, and you have a nice light.

http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/rearview.jpg
http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/rearbox.jpg

They didn't stop there. Polaris put a toggle switch on the Pod, in order to turn the white back up lights on demand. The speedo has an electronic fuel gauge to keep you informed.

http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/guage.jpg


Finally, the Polaris 700 EFT in 2005 comes standard with 26" tires. Polaris changed the front fender design to give PLENTY of clearance for larger aftermarket tires. Frankly, I think the tires in 2004 were a PR disaster. Polaris commissioned Carlisle to make the PTX, Polaris Terrain Extreme. They have a nice aggressive tread and are a real improvement over Badlands.

http://www.atvobsession.com/pictures/2005Polaris/clearance.jpg

I didn't get to ride the quad, but based on the improvements, it's a worthy upgrade for any current Polaris owner or BIG improvement for any Honda Rincon owner.

[smurfsdad]

Go look at the Kawasaki Brute Force or the Suzuki King Quad. Both are fully indepent suspension, the KQ is fuel inj. Niether have much for storage. We ran the 2 in a drag race and they were even to about 45 mph and then the Kawasaki pulled away.

[atvobsession]

Brute Force is pretty good...Kawi FINALLY put out an IRS w/ Locking Differentials.

I rock crawl and camp with mine...so storage, IRS and fully locking differentials is more important than speed....I rarely get into High gear.


We bring an extra speedo, throttle assembly, inner tube, winch cables, misc parts...so the extra storage is a God send.

[CJesse7]

my bro just got a Honda Rincon, and he loves it. lots of power, nice ride, and a strong auto (no belts)......i think honda makes the best 4wheeler you can get, and i know for a fact they will out last any other 4wheeler out there.

http://www.f-body.org/rob/atv/rincon/

[atvobsession]

The MAJOR problem with the Honda, is the limited slip front end. It's a major weakness...fortunately, you can get kits to upgrade it. It's a 3 Wheel drive, until you upgrade it.

[Goldmember]

Ok, I'm going to throw this out there for others opinions. I'm a Yama"haha" fan. So what about the Grizzley 660?

Koko

[atvobsession]

I saw a new Grizzly at the Yamaha dealer on Saturday. Looks good.


If you're looking to actually use 4WD on anything other than mud/snow...then, just like ANY rock crawler....

1) Fully Locking Differentials

2) Good Ground Clearance (this ALWAYS means IRS...no way around it)

3) Good Suspension Travel

4) Torque


If I'm not mistaken, the Grizzly has all of those. They recently added fully Locking Differential switch. It's a manual process, compared to the Polaris Automatic....but I don't personally think there's anything wrong with either. Even though I have a Polaris, I'd never say automatic is better than Manual. The only time having it automatically lock is nice, is to maintain momentum. If you get stuck, then lock the front...losing momentum could prevent you from getting through....but if you lock in advance and go for it...there's no difference.

The Rincon fails on #1, unless of course you pay for the aftermarket upgrade.

If you want to watch the Rincon in "non" action...check out the wheel spin.

Honda Limited Slip (http://www.atvobsession.com/video/pushthehonda.avi) About 4 megs

[LOPPY]

I am just starting to look into this Ken. I was going to get in touch with you and discuss options. Since I'm going to be new to all this, I was thinking about starting out with something slightly used. Something that someone put all the bling parts on and wants the newest ride, getting rid of their old one. I ran into some funding, so now it's just a matter of talking the wife into it. We need to talk one of these weekends. May be time to go shopping. :D

[atvobsession]

I'm in Granite Bay....Come on over on a Weekend and I'll talk for hours and show you all the stuff.


I totally recommend used. I bought mine used...for 5K each...2002 with under 200 miles on each one.

[LOPPY]

Sounds great. I dont dig just going in on something like this with limited knowledge. I like to do my research and go with the best stuff off the bat. Buyers remorse sucks. :D

I'm jammed packed this weekend, mabe next. I'll keep in touch. Thanks man!!

[CaryW]

One of the best things about the new 700 EFI is, it is much quieter. They took 90% of the clunking out.

We have the King Quad and the 700 efi in stock. Both are scary fast and will do easy wheelies. The griz is top notch and they NEVER come back in for work. They are the Maytag of ATV's

Cant wait to see how much faster the 800 efi is.

I wont talk prices or anything here but will answer general questions about units and dealer promos.

[BigDan]

Ok about the Grizzly I own one. The maytag of atv's???? I dont know about that one. They have a knowen problem for breaking CV's Ive broken 2 on my 03. There about $700 to fix. And Ive lost 4 headlight bulbs to overheating and poping out, both at the same time, (not good) As far as rock crawling goes, there's better out there. The IRS sucks as it likes pulling air and very tippy. Its narrow and has a high center of gravity. The lockers are a definete plus but you must be stopped for them to engage.

My 2nd quad is an awsome rock crawler, just ask Lance. Its a 04 Kawasaki Prairie 700 V-Twin. YES it has a solid rear axle but I like it alot better for rock crawling. Way more stable, lower center of gravity, smoother power, more power. The grizzly will roll easier then the prairie, just check out Lance's rubicon write up with a Prairie and a Grizzly. Ill take my Prairie any day over the Grizzly.

Grizzly for sale

[lowrider]

This is a great bike priced at $6600.00. V-Twin power, the same locking difs, sealed rear disc brakes. Kawi also has great financing, that makes buying new attractive over buying used.

[Billy Bob 916]

I just bought e new polaris 700 efi and am very pleased with it but wnt more! has anyone found aftermarket up grades for the 700 yet? such as exaust or cumputer upgrades?

[atvobsession]

I just bought e new polaris 700 efi and am very pleased with it but wnt more! has anyone found aftermarket up grades for the 700 yet? such as exaust or cumputer upgrades?


Get an 800? :) That $500 extra doesn't seem like much now.

I'm sure you can get a boost with a new exhaust. A guy on my site has a Suzuki and he put a new pipe....big improvement.

Here's one for the 800...I would bet they have one for the 700.


http://www.aaenperformance.com/Power800.asp

[TheTonka]

I am looking at getting some quads soon for me, the wife, and the little one. I really am new to all this. I would like something that is very general and a good compromise. I would like to do some trail rides, rocks, and sand. I am sure these guys are great for the trail and rocks but how well do they perform in the sand? I have been thinking about getting myself a bike and maybe a dedicated sand quad but if something like this will do it all I may have to consider it.

[atvobsession]

A utility quad....is definitely not the best suited for sand...that would be a sport quad....much lighter.

It's all about what you're going to do the most.....and think about it hard.


Rocks...IRS, Clearance, postive locking differential, storage for stuff (especially if you go ATV camping)...engine power NOT such a big deal.

Trails...power nice....straight rear suspension will handle turns a bit better...but the IRS will be more comfy. 2WD drive totally fine...well suited for sport quad....but you can have great trail rides on a big bore...just turn off 4WD.

Sand. All about power to weight....sport quads totally win here. If sand is a minor part of your riding....but you still want fun when you do it....the more CC's, the better for a big bore.

If you're buying new quads.....really look at the EFI for Utility quads...especially if you live in cold or ride at altitude....Huge difference and more power for same size engine.

I own 2 Polaris 700's (one is my wifes....you can see pictures of her ride it on hard core rock crawling on my site)...but unless you're insanely brand loyal....just look for features. Don't let some particular brand say they are way more reliable than XYZ brand. All the quads these days are equally likely to be worry free as they would to be a lemon.

[TheTonka]

I have never really been brand loyal for most things. I am going to be building a new rock rig so the rocks are minor. I am more looking for a trail rig that I can take in the sand. Thanks for the advice. :D

[BigDan]

Yes lighter sport quads are better in the sand, but not by much. There are many people that put paddles on big bore 4X4's. I'm not joking, they will wheelie up the face, and beat most smaller sport quads. Not the new Raptor 700 or YFZ450. Its good enough, I took out P700 and tore it up. I can climb the face at sand MTN. no prob.

http://forums.atvconnection.com/i/GalleryImages/57134/DSCF0028.JPG

http://forums.atvconnection.com/i/GalleryImages/57134/DSCF0011.JPG

Face it 4X4's kick ass, there's not much they cant do. I hate when my buddies cant go to
1. The rubicon
2. Through the Box
3. The Snow
3. Cant carry shit

They are so versital and a year round toy unlike a seasonal sport quad

[atvobsession]

I'm not going to argue with you ...LOL. I loved your last 4 points.

[The Jerk]

Yes lighter sport quads are better in the sand, but not by much. There are many people that put paddles on big bore 4X4's. I'm not joking, they will wheelie up the face, and beat most smaller sport quads. Not the new Raptor 700 or YFZ450. Its good enough, I took out P700 and tore it up. I can climb the face at sand MTN. no prob.

http://forums.atvconnection.com/i/GalleryImages/57134/DSCF0028.JPG

http://forums.atvconnection.com/i/GalleryImages/57134/DSCF0011.JPG

Face it 4X4's kick ass, there's not much they cant do. I hate when my buddies cant go to
1. The rubicon
2. Through the Box
3. The Snow
3. Cant carry shit

They are so versital and a year round toy unlike a seasonal sport quad
hmmmmmmm, i think i need to pick one of these up for myself......

[TheTonka]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[CaryW]

Ride the Bombardier 800. Damn it is fast.