Most of us when we buy anything new including side by sides. tend to want to trade " UP " which is almost always bigger and more powerful. I almost fell for it myself but because I like my 520 so much I changed my mind. My question is, have any of you traded a larger more powerful ,machine for a Pioneer 500 or P520. If so explain why and are you happy you did?
I have owned a P500 for 3+ years. Several months ago I decided to buy a second SxS. Tried like hell to build a case for a 60" non-belt-driven machine. End result: bought a 520 to accompany the 500.
My needs are for woods machines, not a large rip-and-tear buggy that can't maneuver on the 4wheeler trails here. Been riding with some of those recently around here and they struggle. I run circles (literally) around them if I want. I wait on them constantly to pick their way and stop/reverse/realign. What fun is that? Wrong application, but sometimes desire overcomes practicality.
Really depends on each person's use case. Some misjudge that . . .
Those big powerful machines shine at the off-road parks. Otherwise, ???
Work vs play decision should be first and foremost, of course.
My machines, while perfect for my application, would be terrible for others.
While large powerful machines are often mistakenly purchased for their cool factor, the P5 quite likely never has been!
My needs are for woods machines, not a large rip-and-tear buggy that can't maneuver on the 4wheeler trails here. Been riding with some of those recently around here and they struggle. I run circles (literally) around them if I want. I wait on them constantly to pick their way and stop/reverse/realign. What fun is that? Wrong application, but sometimes desire overcomes practicality.
Really depends on each person's use case. Some misjudge that . . .
Those big powerful machines shine at the off-road parks. Otherwise, ???
Work vs play decision should be first and foremost, of course.
My machines, while perfect for my application, would be terrible for others.
While large powerful machines are often mistakenly purchased for their cool factor, the P5 quite likely never has been!
I agree, mine is used a hunting and woods machine and it is wonderful. Those big rigs are getting bigger and bigger and cost a fortune. I have a 2018 Jeep Rubicon for that kind of riding.
Cool or Kool it's what you make of it! The p5 and p520 group is "k"cool beans to me..... Just saying. 
lol Happy New Year.🥳
lol Happy New Year.🥳
I wasn’t about to fall for that nonsense either, that’s why I chose the Pioneer 1000-3.
It’s smaller and more maneuverable than the behemoths available. It’s the perfect size with impressive power. It goes anywhere my 94 Kodiak can But with greater payload and stability. I traded down from a Jeep JKU 😏
I tell a lot of people, "there is no perfect ________". You could fill in the blank with car, dog, house or SXS. Each person is going to have different ideas, application and desires..
Like so many here, I need a working machine first. I need it to be small enough to get through the trees on my property and take me to places on the trail the larger machines just can't get. My trade off is low speed, meager suspension travel, loud, rough and amenities... all of which I can work with as long as it can take me to the places I need it to and do the work I expect of it.
Sure, its fun to rip around and toss sand roosters in the air, but that is not what I want my experience to be about.
The bottom line: I can afford any UTV I want and yet I would still buy the same one I have.
Rob
Like so many here, I need a working machine first. I need it to be small enough to get through the trees on my property and take me to places on the trail the larger machines just can't get. My trade off is low speed, meager suspension travel, loud, rough and amenities... all of which I can work with as long as it can take me to the places I need it to and do the work I expect of it.
Sure, its fun to rip around and toss sand roosters in the air, but that is not what I want my experience to be about.
The bottom line: I can afford any UTV I want and yet I would still buy the same one I have.
Rob
That’s a sign of knowing what you want thru research, and not letting peer pressure or others thoughts direct your decision. 👍
R
I wouldn't have anything other than a P500/520. It's the perfect size for my uses.
The only thing is wish it had was a little more power and top-speed....like a 1000cc engine and a 60mph top speed 😆
Mike
The only thing is wish it had was a little more power and top-speed....like a 1000cc engine and a 60mph top speed 😆
Mike
What machine/s were you considering?
Cool or Kool it's what you make of it! The p5 and p520 group is "k"cool beans to me..... Just saying.
Love it!!
I'm off to buy a pack of Kools now! 👍 😆
The now official treat for P5 owners . . .
I've equipped my P500 to be a trail machine that can punch above its weight (@KYgal83 says not many people will do that; she's likely right).
But I vainly believe Critter is kool and looks great! My 520 has a ways to go, however!
But I vainly believe Critter is kool and looks great! My 520 has a ways to go, however!
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BadMechanic
Well-Known Member
DOWN Size </> home made SXS to ATV <>2086
UP Size </> ATV to SxS 6x6 <> 2005
Down Size </> ranger 6x6 to rzr 800 <> 2009
Up Size </> rzr to Honda P700-4 <> 2013
Down Size </> P700-4 to P500 <> 2018
1st.Picture of my <> 1st SXS <> I built Early 1970's
1st.. <> ATV 1986 Honda TRX 350 RED
2nd. <> ATV 2000 Honda TRX 450S YELLOW
3rd. <> ATV 2001 Honda TRX 500 GREEN
Health Reasons Needed Required getting OFF ATV's spent few years on the <>""DARK SIDE"" <> [ Honda was NOT Making SXS. ]
2005 polaris Ranger 500 6x6 Green
2009 polaris RZR Limited Red metalic ( always fixing like old 60's Skidoo ) nice concept POOR Reliability
December 2013 <> ""Back to Honda""
2014 Honda Pioneer P700-4 <> Reliable machine
JUST to BIG <> DOWN SIZED
Need <> Small Reliable /Maneuverable SXS
Honda P500/P520 <> Almost 8 Decades later Allows me to still hunt & fish <> hard to get to places I can no longer walk to in the ADIRONDACKS MTS.
2018 Honda P500 RED <> still have <> RELIABLE MACHINE
2022 Honda P520 Grey / Red <> 2- tone ( Red Hood ) <> present work in progress
Adventure & Work <> then <> Age & Health depicted the changes.
UP Size </> ATV to SxS 6x6 <> 2005
Down Size </> ranger 6x6 to rzr 800 <> 2009
Up Size </> rzr to Honda P700-4 <> 2013
Down Size </> P700-4 to P500 <> 2018
1st.Picture of my <> 1st SXS <> I built Early 1970's
1st.. <> ATV 1986 Honda TRX 350 RED
2nd. <> ATV 2000 Honda TRX 450S YELLOW
3rd. <> ATV 2001 Honda TRX 500 GREEN
Health Reasons Needed Required getting OFF ATV's spent few years on the <>""DARK SIDE"" <> [ Honda was NOT Making SXS. ]
2005 polaris Ranger 500 6x6 Green
2009 polaris RZR Limited Red metalic ( always fixing like old 60's Skidoo ) nice concept POOR Reliability
December 2013 <> ""Back to Honda""
2014 Honda Pioneer P700-4 <> Reliable machine
JUST to BIG <> DOWN SIZED
Need <> Small Reliable /Maneuverable SXS
Honda P500/P520 <> Almost 8 Decades later Allows me to still hunt & fish <> hard to get to places I can no longer walk to in the ADIRONDACKS MTS.
2018 Honda P500 RED <> still have <> RELIABLE MACHINE
2022 Honda P520 Grey / Red <> 2- tone ( Red Hood ) <> present work in progress
Adventure & Work <> then <> Age & Health depicted the changes.
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My brief thoughts from a bit of time in a P7 recently:
The 700 has a much larger bed, and cab. Rides better than the P5, but still not as good as I thought it would. P7 is taller, wider so it scratches more stuff on the trails (ours, anyway). P7 has better ground clearance. I prefer the transmission of the P5. The P7 has more power of course. The 700 I drove did not have the paddle shifters. Both of these on 27s . . .
The 700 has a much larger bed, and cab. Rides better than the P5, but still not as good as I thought it would. P7 is taller, wider so it scratches more stuff on the trails (ours, anyway). P7 has better ground clearance. I prefer the transmission of the P5. The P7 has more power of course. The 700 I drove did not have the paddle shifters. Both of these on 27s . . .
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2014 P700-4 </> WTHOUT paddle shift </> 2018 P500 </> P2022 P520
Please keep in mind all of Pioneers are well built Capable machines.
All equiped as follows for best COMPARISON Information & My Type of USE ( may Not Work for Others.)
K&N APOLO filter / Exhaust opened up
Full Enclosed Cab /Heat - Defrost / Wiper- Washer ( "Heated" rzr Bucket Seats w/ console )
EPS ( almost Required with Tracks )
Shocks <> FOX ( P700-4 ) <> Walker Evans w/ heavier springs ## ( P500/P520 )
Full Size 2nd. Battery under driver seat ( yellow top "Optima " ) tender plug equiped <> only acc. "NOT" on 2nd. battery is EPS
Isolator <> Volt Meter on each battery
For "0" draw when in storage or parked <> Isolator has on/off switch Black ground wire <> Master on/off switch +Pos. 2nd bat.cable to Seperate 2nd Battery from Start Battery if needed.( P520 equiped with portable Solar Panel )
Warn Winch on 2in Receiver plate ( useable Ft.or Rear )
SSS UHMW Skid & A-Arm Guard kit ( extra floor & inner fender protection )
Camso T4S Track kit
Radio <> ft& rear lites <> list goes on
P500 & 520 Have Dynojet PV-3 tuner
P500 has Truck boxliner Dumpbox <> bolted closed never used for dump.
Tires ☆ P700-4 / P500 ☆ ITP XTR 6ply 27 x 12 -- 9ft /11rear <> 4x3 offset ITP wheels ( 54in. Wide )
Tires ☆P520 ☆ Big Horn 8ply 28 x14 -9ft /11rear <> 5x2 Beadlock can am wheels with / 4 on110 to 4 on137 spacers (56in Wide )
Fitz already explained most differences
Summary:
2014 P700-4 ( without Paddle Shift )
++ With FOX -shocks & rzr seats ride is like Baby Carriage Maneuverability is by FER LESS than P500/520 </> ESPECIALLY with
Tracks</> Big Hills give gas & wait
Paddle shifter's would have been nice </> hold in gear when needed </> ESPECIALLY with Tracks
Haul heavier loads ( donot care to do anymore )👉 let tne younger guy's do that now.👈
Need 8ft OH door if running tracks
2018 P500 Paddle shift option
Smaller less weight More Maneuverable </> Floats Better with tracks </> Hills down shift & pulls
👉2 small to haul big loads </> (excuse )👈
Plenty of Sway on curves ( with swaybar attached or disconnected )
With WE Shocks Ride is Definately NOT Even Close to P700-4 with Fox shocks
Along with above: P500 attributes
P520 ( No Rear Sway Bar )
"520 RIDE IS BETTER than P500"
"Sway is Less" ( both equiped SAME with WE- SHOCKS & SPRINGS )
Big horn 2.0 tread smoother than ITP HTR agressive tread pattern
Didn't have to build dumpbox.
You asked :
Sorry there is no short version </> without Description of Equally equiped machines
Pictures P700 &Firewood / P500 side view / P520 Ft view
Please keep in mind all of Pioneers are well built Capable machines.
All equiped as follows for best COMPARISON Information & My Type of USE ( may Not Work for Others.)
K&N APOLO filter / Exhaust opened up
Full Enclosed Cab /Heat - Defrost / Wiper- Washer ( "Heated" rzr Bucket Seats w/ console )
EPS ( almost Required with Tracks )
Shocks <> FOX ( P700-4 ) <> Walker Evans w/ heavier springs ## ( P500/P520 )
Full Size 2nd. Battery under driver seat ( yellow top "Optima " ) tender plug equiped <> only acc. "NOT" on 2nd. battery is EPS
Isolator <> Volt Meter on each battery
For "0" draw when in storage or parked <> Isolator has on/off switch Black ground wire <> Master on/off switch +Pos. 2nd bat.cable to Seperate 2nd Battery from Start Battery if needed.( P520 equiped with portable Solar Panel )
Warn Winch on 2in Receiver plate ( useable Ft.or Rear )
SSS UHMW Skid & A-Arm Guard kit ( extra floor & inner fender protection )
Camso T4S Track kit
Radio <> ft& rear lites <> list goes on
P500 & 520 Have Dynojet PV-3 tuner
P500 has Truck boxliner Dumpbox <> bolted closed never used for dump.
Tires ☆ P700-4 / P500 ☆ ITP XTR 6ply 27 x 12 -- 9ft /11rear <> 4x3 offset ITP wheels ( 54in. Wide )
Tires ☆P520 ☆ Big Horn 8ply 28 x14 -9ft /11rear <> 5x2 Beadlock can am wheels with / 4 on110 to 4 on137 spacers (56in Wide )
Fitz already explained most differences
Summary:
2014 P700-4 ( without Paddle Shift )
++ With FOX -shocks & rzr seats ride is like Baby Carriage Maneuverability is by FER LESS than P500/520 </> ESPECIALLY with
Tracks</> Big Hills give gas & wait
Paddle shifter's would have been nice </> hold in gear when needed </> ESPECIALLY with Tracks
Haul heavier loads ( donot care to do anymore )👉 let tne younger guy's do that now.👈
Need 8ft OH door if running tracks
2018 P500 Paddle shift option
Smaller less weight More Maneuverable </> Floats Better with tracks </> Hills down shift & pulls
👉2 small to haul big loads </> (excuse )👈
Plenty of Sway on curves ( with swaybar attached or disconnected )
With WE Shocks Ride is Definately NOT Even Close to P700-4 with Fox shocks
Along with above: P500 attributes
P520 ( No Rear Sway Bar )
"520 RIDE IS BETTER than P500"
"Sway is Less" ( both equiped SAME with WE- SHOCKS & SPRINGS )
Big horn 2.0 tread smoother than ITP HTR agressive tread pattern
Didn't have to build dumpbox.
You asked :
Sorry there is no short version </> without Description of Equally equiped machines
Pictures P700 &Firewood / P500 side view / P520 Ft view
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