I just found out that the new sportsman 400 (455cc) doesn't have a low range. Why would polaris do this? Giving it a low range helps in so many situations and increases it's usefulness. And, it doesn't add really any more weight.

Also, with the motor actually a 450 class motor, if it did have low range, it would probably be the best buy of any quad in that class range. If this has been talked about already, sorry but I haven't been on the forum in several months.

 

I had to look on the website...your not kidding!! If so, it has to be one of the DUMBEST moves! So much for my next machine being the 400, I was going to wait for a used 08 in the next year or two...not any more.

 

Guys don't panic, the new clutching with the starting clutch that keeps the belt tight really eliminates the need for low range. I have hooked my Hawkeye (same thing as a Sportsman 300 now) to a fence post and tried to bog it down or slip the belt, it didn't do either, it just sat there and dug 4 holes on very hard ground.

You can bash it it you like, but I am very pleased with mine. Mongrol on this forum runs tracks on his in the snow without low range. I'm quite certain that puts a heck of a load on the CVT and is well pleased with his without Low.

The new clutching greatly reduces the chances of belt slipping as the belt is always tight.

 

Maybe they don't want to make all the parts to fit a mid-sized quad. As long as they keep a low range on the 500 and up full-size quads I'm happy because I use mine for plowing. I know a 400 would also work, but I'm very fond of 500s and don't want anything smaller. A mid-size quad is too small for a jumbo-sized man.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TennesseeTider

Guys don't panic, the new clutching with the starting clutch that keeps the belt tight really eliminates the need for low range. I have hooked my Hawkeye (same thing as a Sportsman 300 now) to a fence post and tried to bog it down or slip the belt, it didn't do either, it just sat there and dug 4 holes on very hard ground.



You can bash it it you like, but I am very pleased with mine. Mongrol on this forum runs tracks on his in the snow without low range. I'm quite certain that puts a heck of a load on the CVT and is well pleased with his without Low.



The new clutching greatly reduces the chances of belt slipping as the belt is always tight.</end quote></div>

I think you misunderstood me as I am not bashing. I was just wondering why. That is great that the clutching is done that way. However, I would personally still like to see a low range for the extreme situations, that's all.

 

I think all utility quads should have a low range for work.

 

to keep the cost down polaris retooled one half of the crankcase of a 500 so the motor would attach to the transmission of a HAWKEYE. if they retooled everything for a different trans to fit in the HAWKEYE chassis, then the cost would have put it around the price of a full size sportsman. if you want a full featured machine you have to pay the price.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>if you want a full featured machine you have to pay the price. </end quote></div>

I don't think that's a problem...some want a "full featured" machine on the smaller wheelbase/width 400 and are willing to pay for it. Not everyone wants a 800 or even a 500 for that matter. NOT having low range on a ATV, were talking a sportsmans here, not a mid level machine.

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking a sportsmans should be a full featured machine? Why not leave the lack of low gear for the other machines, not their top selling line. Scrambler, trailboss, trailblazer, pheonix or the outlaws, fine don't put a low gear but the top selling sportsmans line? Kind of takes the man out of sportsman.

 

quote

You can bash it it you like, but I am very pleased with mine. Mongrol on this forum runs tracks on his in the snow without low range. I'm quite certain that puts a heck of a load on the CVT and is well pleased with his without Low.


However, I would personally still like to see a low range for the extreme situations, that's all.</end quote></div>

end quote.

The CVT/PVT does not need L/range to do the job. The guys are right about pulling my Tracks with the 400 in heavy wet snow in excess of 7,000 ft. Alt. with no slipping. After 30+ hrs of this type of slugging, I took it in for a belt inspection by the dealer. NO MEASUREABLE WEAR.

It works like your car with an automatic trans mission pulling a trailer. The trans will select the proper gear and range and will not shift into high if it can't pull it.

To make it easier, if you were pulling a trailer with your automatic, would you be concerned if it did not have a low range like a 4x4?

Have faith, they really did their homework.

I can crawl rocks, slowly, like the big boys do with their H/L and anything else. Its pretty bulletproof.

 

I guess its kind of like thinking Mike Tyson would be a better boxer if he just had one extra arm and fist.