We only have 5 people and one 500 guy participated so far the rest of the 700 guys need to join in. No wonder we have to hang out in the 500 section but somebody has to keep them straight.
Over where I ride often, I spotted a 700-2 at a ranch house back in the spring. Months later, it passed me in a gap between 2 canyons. Obviously driven by ranch hands, hauling welding equipment. Not joy riding, but working. Tinge of oil in the exhaust. Had been worked hard all its life. God knows how many hours it had on it.
If you grew up in rural/farm areas, you know that old pickup with rusted out quarters and sagging bed. Bailing wire in the passenger floorboard, and all sorts of tools taking up space. 220,000 hard miles on the clock...but still going because it has to.
That, to me, is the 700 more that any other pioneer. Yes...1000's can work...but why would a rancher buy a $14k machine when he can buy a 10k machine and do the same jobs. He doesn't know about "high altitude issues". All he knows is it has a bed to haul the feed, and starts when you turn the key, and that's all he cares about. The 700's are out there working ( and trail riding, and...). That's why they aren't here.