I have a hard time deciding between the two. I have ridden both 600 H.O. and 03
800 Rev. The 600 H.O. ran right with the 800 as far as I'm concerned. My only toss up is that a few of my friends with the H.O. have been having ring problems.
This makes me think that maybe I should pick up a couple of 500ss for the wife and I. I know the 600 in the 500ss is a pretty reliable engine, I'm just wondering if
I will be disappointed with the power after I fork out the dough. Does anybody have both or have ridden both that can give me a comparison. I Don't give a rats about
top end, I just care about low end and mid range. Any thoughts?

I went with the 500ss for reliability and gas mileage. Last weekend I ran pretty close with an HO in a short drag. He beat me 2 out of 3. I did however smoke a f-5, 500xc and 600xc. My gas mileage has been roughly 12-14 miles per gallon.

I have both and on the trail they seem real close, the clutching on the 500ss is spot on and it really pulls hard from 0 to 80 and will run 100 all the time, i've rode 800s in 01 and 02 then bought the 600ho in 03, i now am riding the 500ss and thats what i'm getting again as far as right now. on the lake the ho is a little faster but not much. and the dollar difference is like 700.00 to 800.00 dollars

I agree the 500ss pulls tremendously strong from 0-80. This is where most of ure dominance is gonna come from to win drags. Low end has redicoulos power and throttle response and is very snappy all the sled u really need. As far as the H.O goes the 03s wont be able to touch u because if the new tunnel design and longer chain case. Granite the H.Os are a nice sled but i see no difference i think the ss is a little quicker becasue of its mid range power ecspecially from 20-60 nobody not even big stuff will pull away from u until top end. Mine i had topped out at 105 on my road with a couple inches of powder. Note: they will get more on top end once u get a few hundred miles on em.To me i get more satisfaction beating bigger sleds with mine. Its all how u set em up too which takes time and patience.