P700 Pioneer 700 a Dud?

[Jbird]

Trying to choose between the 500, 700, and 1000. Reading these forums and reading between the lines it seems that the 700 is not as popular as the 500 and 1000 and the main reason is the 3 speed transmission. Do you think next years model will get the transmission set up that is in the 1000. I think that would influence me to save a little money over the 1000. Another change that would influence my thinking is a dump bed on the 500.

 

[ckhenshaw4]

I have ZERO complaints on our 700-4. It has had plenty of power to do anything I have asked it to do. And it also easily pushes a BOSS V blow that weighs 400 pounds.

 

[Plumber32]

I really like mine. The 1000 appeals to me for 2 reasons. 1-5 seats I have 5 in my family now. 2nd not so much that it's faster but it probaby cruises at 40 quieter . The 700 has been a great machine. Its safe. Reliable, and well built for the money it's very hard to beat.

 

[Tflynn]

They are three very different machines, your application is what will really decide which is best. I have no problem with the transmission on the 700, although there are times a manual would be fun (interestingly, I see the 500 guys wishing for an automatic transmission quite often). You just have to decide which features are must haves for how you will use it. If you need a 50" width, you're getting a 500. If you're using this as more of a "sport" ride, you need a 1000. If you want the jack of all trades with proven reliability, the 700 is a good choice.

I believe Honda will announce new models in April sometime, might be worth waiting a couple weeks to see what they say. We might see some game changers, I have heard people predicting the 500 will get a bed or the 700 might get a manual. Who knows?

 

[Jbird]

We live on a mountain with 17 cabins behind a locked gate. We use ATVs to visit each other's cabins, trail ride on a bunch of mountain trails, haul firewood that we cut, and to put our flat bottoms in and out of the Quachita River that goes through the property here. We also live 15 miles from Wolf Pen Gap which is a
well known ATV/UTV trail system with hundreds of miles to trail ride on. Our friends up here have various ATVs, RINOs, Mules, Polaris Rangers, and our best friends just bought a new P1000. The 1000 is real nice but pretty big for some of the trails and pretty pricey with PS which I think is a must for that large of a vehicle.

 

[scott]

The 1000 is going to be talked about the most cause it's the new thing. I wouldn't get any of them right now. Wait until new models come out. The 1000 needs some fixing on a few issues. The 500 needs a front locker and better suspension. The 700 could use a low range, more gears or even manuel shift better suspension too. Honda might change some stuff. I love my 700-4 It's prefect for what i do, but i mostly use it for working and hunting. ON the few trail rides i have done it did everything i tried. Never any issues. I don't think the 500,700,or the 1000 are great trail riding SxS if that is what your getting one for. Yea, they'll do most things trail riding, but honda needs a sport for the guys that wants a pure trail riding SxS.

 

[bkduckworth]

Another satisfied 700 owner here. We use ours for working around the property and for trail riding on the weekends. It's not the biggest or the fastest, but it's a very competent all arounder, and it's affordable!

 

[Tramguage1]

I also am a satisfied 700-4 owner. It may not be the most powerful, fastest or coolest looking UTV. But for working around the property and trail riding ,this machine has worked flawless for us. Sure I would like a 1000 but am VERY satisfied with our purchase.

 

[legend]

I also am a satisfied 700-4 owner. It may not be the most powerful, fastest or coolest looking UTV. But for working around the property and trail riding ,this machine has worked flawless for us. Sure I would like a 1000 but am VERY satisfied with our purchase.[/QUOT

Trying to choose between the 500, 700, and 1000. Reading these forums and reading between the lines it seems that the 700 is not as popular as the 500 and 1000 and the main reason is the 3 speed transmission. Do you think next years model will get the transmission set up that is in the 1000. I think that would influence me to save a little money over the 1000. Another change that would influence my thinking is a dump bed on the 500.

I really like my 700 I just wish Honda would come out with some nice looking fender flares cause they sure need it
E]

 

[500oneer]

Trying to choose between the 500, 700, and 1000. Reading these forums and reading between the lines it seems that the 700 is not as popular as the 500 and 1000 and the main reason is the 3 speed transmission. Do you think next years model will get the transmission set up that is in the 1000. I think that would influence me to save a little money over the 1000. Another change that would influence my thinking is a dump bed on the 500.

I don't think the 700 will ever get the 1000s transmission,maybe a 3 speed auto/paddle choice but I doubt it. I sometimes ratchet strap firewood on the rack of my 500 but a trailer is easier and the 500 pulls like a champ. Welcome to the club future 500 owner!

 

[joeymt33]

I don't think it's a dud. I had a lot of fun with mine. It pulls well with 28" tires but pulls a lot better with stock 25".

 

[joeymt33]

Trying to choose between the 500, 700, and 1000. Reading these forums and reading between the lines it seems that the 700 is not as popular as the 500 and 1000 and the main reason is the 3 speed transmission. Do you think next years model will get the transmission set up that is in the 1000. I think that would influence me to save a little money over the 1000. Another change that would influence my thinking is a dump bed on the 500.

I forgot to mention that if you live in high elevation, the P700 may not be a good choice.

 

[Jbird]

Was just reading about the clutch issues with the P1000. Not very confidence inspiring and I have not read of an official production change to cure the problems. I am tempted to go with the P500 and put a golf cart cargo box with a tail gate on it and call it good. Looks like it would be better for riding the trails up here. Will pull anything I need to pull and someone is bound to come out with an aftermarket suspension upgrade.

 

[Springer]

Was just reading about the clutch issues with the P1000. Not very confidence inspiring and I have not read of an official production change to cure the problems. I am tempted to go with the P500 and put a golf cart cargo box with a tail gate on it and call it good. Looks like it would be better for riding the trails up here. Will pull anything I need to pull and someone is bound to come out with an aftermarket suspension upgrade.

Fox has already come out with a shock upgrade for the 700, works real good. By no means is the 700 a dud, it's an awesome machine. I just happen to want to go faster on the trails, so I got a 1000, it's a bit sportier.

 

[DGann]

I am a satisfied 700-4 owner, it does everything I want it to do.

 

[PonchoLejeune]

Took my new 700-4 out this weekend. Very happy with it. Put 120 miles on it.

 

[CumminsPusher]

We sold our 700 with 2900 trouble free miles in just 9 months great machine. When we heard it came out we ran for it. Tired of belts!!!! Never again. Hated the suspension biggest complaint we added shocks and omg. Power steering would have been nice but really was good without definitely better then Polaris we did finally add it and was nicer but not totally necessary. Could have used more gears and power for us I had it revved out so much I was worried it would blow but never hiccuped! Always so good and impressed many of our "got to have maximum power maximum travel " friends. Engine braking power at the right times was good. I do feel we will get more motor life with 1000 because of the lower revs. We started on Rzrs and Commanders never go back. For us 1000 is more machine and by the time you did some add ons that we wanted a lot closer in price. It's a little wider and bangs a little more where we go but love it too.it is really nice when doing heavy things especially if you were to plow to be able to choose gears and low range helps. The 500 is a total different machine with different abilities. ALL OF THEM ARE HONDA! Find your needs and go with that one. Tight trails with only a buddy and small loads general maintaining around the the farm load in any truck 500. Heavy jobs family general trail riding easy of auto farm load in long bed truck 700. Heavy jobs big family or three people with bed slightly less heavy trail ability high speed ultimate power smooth more comfortable ride 1000. All have their place and will do a little of everything.

 

[walexa07]

I don't think the 500,700,or the 1000 are great trail riding SxS if that is what your getting one for.

I've never driven a 500 or 700, but for my use the 1000 is a great trail riding SxS and trail riding is the primary reason we bought it. Good power, speed, traction, suspension, turning radius, etc. We've ridden 4-5 hours at a time and not gotten beat up even though the terrain was pretty rough. I guess it just depends on what each person's definition of "trail riding" consists of.

Waylan

 

[d_b]

I forgot to mention that if you live in high elevation, the P700 may not be a good choice.

Curious on why you would say that... I live and ride at high altitude and don't have a single problem. As far as a sportier ride there is always upgrades, just saying. By the way love my 700-1234 haul all.

 

[joeymt33]

Curious on why you would say that... I live and ride at high altitude and don't have a single problem. As far as a sportier ride there is always upgrades, just saying. By the way love my 700-1234 haul all.

I also really enjoyed my 700. But at 36 HP the engine really suffers at very high elevation. I don't have much experience with this though. I just know that when you get to 10,000' you loose 30% power. A naturally aspirated engine will lose approximately 3% power for every thousand feet of elevation. I have ridden around 4000 feet elevation and experienced times when I could put the pedal to the floor and it would not spin the tires at all. Of course that's with 28" tires and 3 people total. Also, I had a full size battery, large bumper, winch, etc, etc. it was heavy.

Even with that said, the 700 is one hell of a machine. It's reliability has been proven and I would be proud to own one again. I have been trying to talk my father into getting one to keep around our place because it will work all day long and not have to worry about clutch problems.