She's ridden a Zl550 for last couple of years ,the only downside was the throttle pull got to her after 2 days of riding.The sled was perfect size and weight for her as shes petite.I know how the ZL handles and rides.Does the Sabre Cat ride ,handle better?Is it tippy because of the narrower track?We are considering the 500cc,give me the good the bad ..as always Thanks in advance

Stick with the Zl shes gonna like it alot more, it handles alot better than the Sabercat. I just came off of a Zl which i put about 4000 miles on and moved to a F5 last month and have put on about 500 miles in all types of conditions. The only place the F-cat is better is the big bumps and powder, and it accelerates faster. The sabercat will look better imo, but overall it is more tippy and doesnt handle the bumps as well (unless theyre big). I dont know what type of riding you/she do but overall the Zl is better unless she pounds on the thing.

I came off a ZL and went to a F6 sno pro, and after doing that I went to a Crossfire 7 sno pro...that being said, I would never even think about going back to a ZR chassis, no way!!! The ride IS more tippy, but that is just something to get used to, when riding the ZL I was ready to be done after 80 miles of riding...Once switching to the Firecat, I could ride all day long, no problem, 200 mile days weren't a problem at all...felt great afterward, and I know on the old sled I would have been beat to shit after a 200 mile ride...My Dad has also switched from a ZL and feels the same as I do...I don't trail ride anymore, but my Dad loves his Crossfire on the trails and doesn't plan on switching anytime soon...hope this helps...good luck

sabercat 500 LX is what she needs, she'll love it!

10-4 on the Sabercat 500. I went from a ZL600 to a Sabercat 600 to an F6 LXR. F6 rides better than Sabercat, Sabercat rides better than ZL in terms of ride, comfort, and body fatigue. My wife (petite as well) loved to drive the Sabercat over the ZL, did not really like the F6 since you sit so much higher.

well personaly the sabercat is a little tipsy for my riding style, but my dad loved it. and ive got a z370 which has the same chassis as the ZL and id have to say thats also tipsy for my riding style. id go with the sabercat because it just feels like a smoother ride than the ZL's

I've owned both and in my experience the Sabercat was far superior to the ZL.

Much appreciated guys!We are considering a Sabrecat 500 ,any opinions on that engine?Does anyone know what RPM the 500 engages at?

i think its about 3500 rpm's, but im not sure, its been a while since ive road one

My wife hated my firecat, she loves her Zl 600. If she is not a very aggresive rider she won't like the sabercat. No matter what everyone says even properly set up you have to work harder in the corners than you do on a ZR.

Cat 500's engage at 4500, and after riding my dads ZL again this weekend I would go with that, cornering is 100X better and suspension is alot smoother. But... if she pounds on the thing shell like the F-cat better. I dont know if this is an option but a 2007+ F5 would probly be good to, if money isnt a problem.

Since this is for your girlfriend I would consider something in an EFI, the throttle pull is non-exsistant. This being said I think you would have to bump up to the 600 unless you went new. I don't think they offer efi in a 500 until recently. My girl friend rides an 04 f6 efi and she really likes it, that is unless she gets a chance to ride my buddy's wife's sabercat 600 lxr. If I were to buy her another sled it would be the sabercat lxr with the efi. Just my opinion but when it comes to riding with your girlfriend I know the difference between a 200 mile day and 50 mile day is how comfortable she is. Good luck with your decision.

Here is my $.02 I'm a petite rider and for the past couple of years I rode a ZR 500 then last year my BF got a 05 F7 snopro. I loved how that rode the few times he let me ride it. so late this year i found a buyer for my ZR and bought 08 F6 LXR I couldn't ask for a better ride. We ride mostly trails and I'm not at all a very aggressive rider. yes I can see the sabercat being tipsy but like someone said earlier you get use to it, until she does get use to how it handles and corners just be careful and take it easy for a few rides. I find that my F6 LXR and my BF F7 pretty comparable to ride mine just soaks up the bumps a little more than his does but the riding is very similar and much more comfortable and my throttle thumb doesn't get as tired anymore.
So if you GF is looking for something a little more comfortable then go Sabercat.

100% sabercat and a esr one to boot.

I owned a 2004 Sabercat 500 and I sold it this past fall. It had 10,600 trouble-free miles on the engine without a rebuild. A friend of mine bought it from me and it's still running great. It is a bullet proof engine. My sled's clutch engaged at 3500 RPM's.