This is kinda what my wife and I have concluded I can dump another $4 or $5k into this and still not be happy or swallow my pride admit I failed to research properly and go get the 1000. I did not want that big of machine but by the time I've modified the 700 to get the ground clearance and stability needed for my environment I am taller and wider than the 1000 with non of the benefits.
Just sucks to start all over again!
This is my first SXS so a learning curve should have been expected. I've never had a need for a bigger machine my 450 atv's have always been able to go and do anything I ever asked. But they all have low range. Not having low range is a major fumble on Hondas part IMO.
You kind of sound like me when I first got my 1st 700...also my 1st SxS. I'd owned mostly Honda ATVs to that point, and the thing that was always amazing to me about Hondas was that they always seem to perform better than the spec sheet indicated. The 700 was a different animal.
There had been mumblings about this engine and it's too-tall gearing since it debuted in the Rincon back in 03, and I heard more about the big red that first used it in a side by side, but those didn't sell very well so it was difficult to gauge the truth. People assured me that the 700 had plenty of power...And then that's because for most people it does. But like you, I lived at relatively high elevations in central Arizona, typically riding at 5,000 ft Plus.
I quickly discovered the shortcomings of a lack of a lower range on this machine, and was furious that Honda and put this out. There's simply no way they couldn't have known about these issues unless all they did was drive a thing around the test track in South Carolina. Sometimes I confess I'm starting to wonder if that was actually all they did with it...
I put it on Craigslist for sale, but the fact is I probably wasn't going to get out of it what I owed, so I bit the bullet and just used it since I couldn't afford to trade it. And it ran. And ran. And ran.
Some 9,000 mi later I ended up getting into a tight spot and had to sell it, but in those miles the only thing I had to do to it was a two-dollar output shaft seal it right around 8000 Miles. That is certainly a persuasive argument. I ended up picking up a used 500 which I enjoyed but the ride and capability wasn't quite up to that 700, so I always plan to trade it when I could...and to be honest, I kinda missed the old 700.
Last summer I came very close to picking up a 1000, but I didn't want the price and the size...and the fact is you see a great number of people with overheating issues at these elevations, so in a sense, my whole reason for buying the 1000 was just trading one problem for another. I had misgivings about it from the start, so when the deal fell through, I actually felt some relief and knew I was picking up my second 700, this time of two seater. I should note that I no longer ride at those elevations and the highest I'll probably ever be with any regularitiy probably like 5,600 ft for a brief period. So here, the 700 does all I need it to do, but I confess someday I may give that 1000 a try...or maybe another machine.
Sounds like you're well on your way to selling the 700 so it probably doesn't matter, but just for reference, reverse is actually slightly lower geared than first, so you can often back through things that you can't drive through forward. And yes that sucks, but it gets you through.
Just ran out to my friends house. Who has the 1000 limited addition Comes with almost every add on I want for less $$$ than I can by and install them for. Seams like kind of a no brainer now I know.
Was able to find a used 1000-3 limited edition 2021 300 miles away with 350 miles on it hard top, hard front and rear window for $18,500 sounds like a good deal to me?
What kind of trade in price should I expect to be fair for my 2021 700-2 deluxe 650 miles with 8k worth of add on's?
'
With limited supply right now you'll probably get a good price on your machine, so selling it outright and picking up a used one might be the way to go.
I mention this only because you said you're a side-by-side rookie... But do some research here on the i-4wd setup on the LE.
