Formula 500 vs. Indy 500
MH1228
Please help. I'm looking at buying one of these sleds next year, and
can't decide. The one magazine article I've read comparing the two picked
the Indy as the winner, but the Formula was much faster. If you own
either of these sleds, please let me know how you like it (pros, cons, top
speed, trail riding, powder riding, etc.), and if you're at all
disappointed in your purchase. Also, if you were to do it over again,
would you buy the same sled or a different 500? Any and all replies
appreciated.
Thanks, Mark
'93 Phazer w/AAEN pipe
Dennis Barbier
Mark, I put a fair share of miles on my 96 indy 500, before it was
ripped off. I cant complain about the sled, not anywhere.
However, next year, I dont plan to buy another one. I will most likely
be on a formula 500. Why am I switching? Aproximately 12-15 more
ponies, and I guess its just nice to have a change. As far as I know,
Polaris doesnt have a model that would be interesting to me that I
could afford, other than the Indy 500. IM not interested in Xtra-12,
so that there narrows it down to the 500, the XC 600 from what I
understand. MAybe im wrong. Anyways, THe indy is great, but it was
never meant to compete with sleds like the F5 and the ZR 500.
I still say, dollar for dollar, the Indy 500 is about the best sled
you can buy. I did some clutching to mine, and was quite pleased.
Hope that helps some.
DEnnis
Brad Gilmour
(700 trouble free miles). I have ridden with a few different 600 class
machines and have not had any trouble at all keeping up in the tails. As
far as the lake goes, if you want a lake racer don't buy a 500 class
sled.
However, I have raced across lakes and open fields against the 600 class
machines and I was pretty happy with the results. A '94 Ski-Doo Formula
Z 583 probably had a top speed of 2-3 MPH faster since he steadily
walked away over a long distance, but that was before I changed my jets.
I changed the jets from 350s to 340s because it was running way to rich
for my conditions and had a mid range bog. Most of my riding is done at
about 1000 ft and between 10 and 30 deg. F. According to the jetting
chart in the owners manual I could go to a 330 jet but I played it safe
with a 340. Anyway, the 340 fixed the bogging and increased top end
significantly when the temperature is in the 20s F.
Against a '97 Yamaha xtc 600 his top speed was less than 1 mph faster
since I was able to stay within about 2 sled lengths across a long
field. There was also a 94 V-max 600 in the same race and I beat him by
about 3 to 4 sled lengths by the end of the field. The '94 600 was not
able to keep up in the trails either probably due to suspension since
the trails were VERY choppy that day.
As far as top speed goes, on a lake with about a foot of fresh snow I
was able to go between 70 and 75 mph. On a groomed trail about 85 mph.
On ice with a dusting of snow I hit 95 mph and was still accelerating
when I let up.
As for Dennis' statement that the Indy 500 was not meant to compete with
the F5 or zr 500, I disagree and apparently so do the magazines like
American Snowmobiler who voted it the best in class. And at $4600 OTD
with $650 in accessories it is definitely the best bargain in
snowmobiling. Not to say that I don't like the F500 but around here I
would have had to pay about $500 more and not got the $650 in
accesseries. All in all I would say I am very happy with my decision.
Dennis Barbier
>As for Dennis' statement that the Indy 500 was not meant to compete with
>the F5 or zr 500, I disagree and apparently so do the magazines like
>American Snowmobiler who voted it the best in class. And at $4600 OTD
>with $650 in accessories it is definitely the best bargain in
>snowmobiling.
Just like I said.
Not to say that I don't like the F500 but around here I
>would have had to pay about $500 more and not got the $650 in
>accesseries. All in all I would say I am very happy with my decision.
THats okay, you can disagree if you want.
Snow Goer had a shoot out between the SPX, MACH 1 and SX 700 yamaha -
think that the SX 700 was ever aimed either of those two sleds?
Defenetly not.
The Indy 500 has been with us since 1989 (?) and the motor has been
left relatviely the same since then. It is defenetly a bulletproof
sled. But, in terms of performance, the ZR 500 and the MXZ 500 both
are better sleds. Also much more expensive sleds. Both brand new
compared to the Indy, and both are about 15 more hp. We know that the
ZR will be a better handling machine.
When Polaris comes out with a case reed 500 with VES and close to 100
hp, and in the XC 600/700 chassis, then they wil have a sled meant to
compete with the ZR 500 and MXZ 500.
Dennis
Chet Cognigni
MH1228 wrote:
>
> Please help. I'm looking at buying one of these sleds next year, and
> can't decide. The one magazine article I've read comparing the two picked
> the Indy as the winner, but the Formula was much faster. If you own
> either of these sleds, please let me know how you like it (pros, cons, top
> speed, trail riding, powder riding, etc.), and if you're at all
> disappointed in your purchase. Also, if you were to do it over again,
> would you buy the same sled or a different 500? Any and all replies
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks, Mark
> '93 Phazer w/AAEN pipe
Hi Mark
If you are performance oriented, I would say the Rotax 500 is a
later technology choice and the 98 Ski Doo will have the rave exhaust
which should make it pull harder down lower and the Ex port will be .060
higher which more HP, Ski Doo is claiming 96-98 hp I have heard both,
The next best thing is Case reed and this is where the ZR 500 and 600
Cats come in and I like Case reed engines too, as fas as the present
Indy 500 the motor is a piston port which went out in the late 70's and
early 80's on bikes and is finally fading in the sled market. Rotary
Valve and Case reed is the trend to make horsepower and the rotary Valve
being the more fuel efficient of the 2. I presently own a Formula 500
and I am Impressed with it, I would like to try a ZR 500 or 600, maybe
next year a 99 if the prices were more competitive I may consider a Cat,
but when i was shopping the Formula 500 was the best price in my area.
I rode the Indy 500 if you are a tall rider, i advise sitting on one
first.
Chet
Tom T
Good points Dennis....500 indy great sled..but not in hp race with the
doo and neither in cross country segment like the zr..mxz500 yes..indy
and f500 no...Suprised polaris doesnt have a version in the 500 class...
T>T
Brad Gilmour
I agree with you when you say, in terms of performance the zr500 and
mxz500 are better sleds, but I dont think it will be by much. That is
why I included my comparisons with the 600 class sleds. Sure the Indy
500 is only rated at 75-80 hp but it was able to "perform" close to
sleds with 104 hp (formula Z 583) and 96 hp (yamaha 600). Based on that
alone I would say that it is probably not likely that the ZR or MXZ 500s
are going to be a lot better performing sled than the Indy. And, to many
people like myself, the extra 1-2 MPH on the lake is not worth the extra
$1500. I am hoping to go on one last trip this year with a guy who has
one of the '97 zr440s which I am told is rated in the mid 90s for horse
power. I'll be sure to let you know how I do.
Markus1068
<<<< I am hoping to go on one last trip this year with a guy who has
one of the '97 zr440s which I am told is rated in the mid 90s for horse
power. I'll be sure to let you know how I do.>>>>
On your 500 Indy you are down about 20hp, and maybe 10MPH. You will take
a pretty good beating. Kinda like taking a knife to a gun fight....(
maybe you could leave on "2" ).
Markus
Tulimieri1
I decided to go with the F500 for the more sporty performance. I am
definately happy with the machine. I dont think the price difference was
that much, maybe 400 bucks. Id say thats worth it when you look at how
much more modern the technology is in the f500. The polaris is a nice sled
too though. I guess it depends on how you are going to use it. The F500
likes to be ridden hard. This is when the motor works best.
good luck
K bruno g
MARK
I own a 96 sls and a 96 indy 500. The machines are well tuned and I have
put 1600 miles on the doo and about 1000 miles on the Polaris. Each
machine has its own personality. The Doo has more snap which I attribute
to a higher engagement 5000vs 4000. Ie higher horsepower at engagement.
The polaris does ride better more"ride in" and more control a high speeds.
Don't assume that the F500 is any faster the machines are virtually side
by side in all conditions and i give the polaris the edge in top speed.
The major drawback for the doo is the starting(primers suck) the polaris
is a one pull easy pull. The major drawback on the polaris is the evolved
chassis has the front bumper angled down and it can frequently hit the
ground when negotiating over grader banks. I have seen many new sleds
already without their front bumper. Buy the sled in which you get the
best deal. I find the doo a little more fun to ride but i find the polaris
a little more friendly. This size of sled is the best HP/fun/$$$ to be
had, but one and enjoy.
K.Gartner
96 sls
96 indy 500