Just wondering how your machines are doing and what you like, dislike, problems, and mileage ? Ive been looking for a atv since june real hard and do to some hardships have been set back know im with in a couple months of purchasing a atv. Im glad that i have had this much time to research and polaris has nice storage and suspension but is it worth turning down a yamaha 450 ? plus its cheaper than the yamaha. I need a budget friendly atv that will last and get high mileage lots of logging and fire rodes to ride so i figure ill put alot on the machine. Ill be hunting, snow rideing, and lite work stuff like maybe plow snow.

 

Well I have two of them....was going to get one for me and Hawkeye 300 for the wife ....but the price differance was not very much ....and I read some forms on problems with the Hawkeye so I went for the two 450's. I have about 500 miles on hers and about 725 miles on mine..and they are great quads if you want to here that from me. I few of my friends drove them and they keep telling me about the smooth ride they have compared to their quad.......I am happy with the 450 motor it has more than enough power for me and my wife, (others may have a different view) and still has good gas millage. One of the BEST lighting systems (actually the best by Dirt trax T.V.) on a quad. storage,4x4 not 3-wheel drive (If getting Yamaha get Diff lock).I have two Yamaha sleds ....also and they were my first choice to see when I was looking for quads....But the price and features did not hold up to Polaris when I was shopping (the stuff that was inportant to me). I was a Yamaha rider all the way.....But I have no regrets on my Two 450's I bought...................any more questions just post and I will get back to you........Happy searching.....Keep reading and do your homework.....Just find out what YOU want in your quad!!!!!!....Bye for now...........caper...........

 

Oh I forgot to tell you If you get the winch(have two 2.5 warn)from the dealer they are very easy to install yourself....They are pre-wired and come with the 4-post contactor(new not recalled).and only took me about 35-40 min. to put on . Being a Electrican I will tell you they did a very good job color-coating and labeling all connections.and wiring was fully heat shrinked until needed for the ad-on winch......Thanks....caper...

 

the only draw back(and its really not) is there is no ebs breaking but if you've never had it you dont miss it anyways. my wifes 450 will go and do most everything that my 800 will and its even a little better in the tight trails when i push it.the 455 cc engine is plenty of power for anyone and will do at 55 mph so plenty of speed if needed. my friends have the yam 450 and 400 and they dont hold a candle to the 450 in all the aspects expect maybe fuel milage is about the same.

 

I had 03 660 Grizz and now I have 06 500ho carb. and it goes any where the Grizz would go.
Some of the Yamaha 450s only have F,N,R and Polaris has H,L,N,R,P depending on the year, I think Polaris has more problems, so far I really like mine but it has a few small issues, but any way, you wont go wrong with either, but if you go with Polaris look for a 500ho over the 450, because its been around longer.

 

I have owned mine for 6 mo. About 500 miles. I guess I'm not too hard on it. I use it for fishing the creeks and cross lots of water. I have used the 4wd on several occasions. Not one problem or complaint so far. I have owned two Yamahas and there is no comparison in my view.

 

actually the 450 which is a 455 cc has been around more then one yr. people can correct me if im wrong but its basicaly the same engine. now between the 450 and the 500 carb i dont think theres a whole alot of power differnce. straighten me out guys w/ ssome facts if you would like.

 

Craw8101 -

I echo Caper and Stendori.
I have two 2006 450 models
with low mileage, mine is like around
300 and my wife's just broke in reaching
100 miles. Very peppy, strong, well built
doesn't sway even under lots of load and
cornering. I got on my friends 2005 trail
boss and thought I was going to fall of the side
the way it swayed. Smooth ride and I have
gotten my quad w/o no mods (all stock)
at 55+ ran out of road to see how high
I could go. I am 350 lb/s (not proud of it)
and steep hills, rock, gorges, gravel, mud
water it handles great.

I am still learning how to become the expert
season'd Atv'r but I have used mine for utility
moving tree stands, pulling over ton farm tractor tiller
attachment with a tow strap. Pulled out my cousins
stuck Sprtsman 800 in a pond pulling the weight
in water going up through steep rocky water stream
hill with tow strap. Stuck only a few times
in deep mud (over 1 to 2 ft.) I think more so of me
being a Mud'newbie but sucessfully winched myself out, no
worries.

Looking forward to the snow this winter, hopefully to buy
a plow and then snorkel this thing to do serious mudd'in.

Have FUN with searching and determining what is good
for your needs, I highly recommend it! And for the price
US$5400 good deal.

 

One more thing, my love riding mine through
the trails so much she wanted one. So I bought
her one 4 months after owning mine. We ride
together when we can and missed this weekend,
supposed to have gone. Ohh well, Cheers!

R'

 

Thanks for the information im also looking at a yamaha 450 but dont want to spend 6,200 for it but hey its a yamaha ! yeah ill be doing more research on polaris they have alot of storage and accessores. Im just far from the polaris dealers dont want to go back for more than the break in, if i break anything and ill do my own oil changes. I really want a cost effective atv.