Im looking into get a pair of atvs for me and my wife, not much experiece on atvs but want to get into it, I have been looking at a bunch of atvs in the class of the sportsman 300's and seem to be favoring all there specs over the others, Basically wanted to see peoples opinion on these units and how they hold up mechanically, we would be doing most of our riding around 2,000 - 3,000 ft elevation in west texas and mostly trails and dirt roads not to much mud or sand or step hills just easy going recreation trails for now till we get use to it. im looking at a pair here at my local dealer and can get two 08's new OTD for $8,500 also not sure if that is a good price for em or not. but would like to get into 4-wheeling and looking for a good set of atv's to get us started. all comments appreciated.

heres the specs on the 08 sportsman 300
FEATURES

Independent Rear Suspension
Liquid-Cooled 300cc Engine
Storage
Instrumentation
On-Demand AWD
SPECIFICATIONS

Engine
Engine Type: 4-stroke
Displacement: 299 cc
Carburetion: 34mm CV Mikuni
Cooling: Air/Oil
Starting: Electric w/recoil back-up
Drivetrain
Final Drive: Shaft
Transmission: F/N/R
Drive System: Automatic PVT 2WD/AWD
Engine Braking System: Standard
Active Descent Control: N/A
Suspension
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut with 7 in / 17.8 cm travel, w/ adjustable Preload
Rear Suspension: Fully Independent, progressive rate with anti-roll bar, 8 in / 20.3 cm travel with adjustable Preload

Brakes
Front Brakes: Single Lever Hydraulic disc
Rear Brakes: Hydraulic rear foot brake
Tires/Wheels
Front Tires: 22x7-12
Rear Tires: 22x10-12
Wheels: Stamped Steel
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 46 in /116.8 cm
Dry Weight: 550 lb./249.5 kg. / 520 lb. / 235.9 kg.
Length/Width/Height: 72 in, 182.9 cm / 42 in, 106.7 cm / 45.5 in, 115.6 cm
Seat Height: 32 in/81.3 cm
Ground Clearance: 8 in/20.3 cm
Capacities
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal./17 ltr.
Front-Rack Capacity: 70 lb./31.8 kg.
Rear-Rack Capacity: 100 lb./45.4 kg.
Hitch: Std / Receiver
Hitch Towing Capacity: 750 lb./340.2 kg.
Braked Trailer Towing Capacity: 1,213 lbs/550 kg
Instrumentation
Digital Gauge, Speedometer, Odometer, Tripmeter, Hourmeter, N/R Lights, Fuel Gauge

 

I tell people to buy at least a 500, cause most who buy smaller want something bigger within one year.

 

Incorrect info. The 300 is air cooled. I have an 06 and think its a great quad 1500 miles and it'll do anything the bigger ones will except mud (lower clearance). Fantasic trail bike. Cheap to operate. I also have a 400HO. The 300 is an entry level bike for the most part. Not great for jumps or wheelies, just a fun simple machine.

Need the liquid/air cooling clarified. Po website contradicts itself by saying liquid in one place & air in another. 06&07ARE AIR COOLED.

 

if you like the 300 style bike, i would go w/ the sp. 400 instead at least you wont out grow the power as fast. to me there stiff to ride compared to say like the 500 or bigger bikes. but it has a proven engine for sure.

 

I have to disagree completely with Kerbbirds, we have a 300 and 400 HO and just haven't seen any reason to move up to a bigger machine, PERIOD! They are VERY simple to maintain, are wonderful trail machines, the 300 will reach 45-50 MPH, will go anywhere the bigger machines go and will do it cheaper with less rider fatigue! The SP 300s have turned out to be excellent quads and are rock solid dependable! My wife wouldn't trade hers for anything bigger!
Now if you are at all concerned about needing any more power the 400 HO serves that need in spades! it weighs more then 100# less then the full size machines yet has the 455cc engine that puts out close to the same horses as the 500 engine! It will hit 60+ mph and will get there faster then the full-size SP500

It really comes down to what you want...the full size machines are going to give you a bit more cushy ride, more space to stretch out and haul gear, While the mid-size 300s will give you a lighter, more nimble handling feel, easier to handle in tight trails and a pretty significant savings in initial and operating costs

I would suggest a test ride on both the mid-size AND full-size bikes to give you a better idea of what is right for YOU! What ever Polaris machine you choose, they are all great quads!

Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of ATVing!

 

I have two Sportsman 450's from 2006 and very happy with them.
The 455 cc motor is very good for trail riding IMO.
Never did ride the 300 air cooled, ........But I bet the 400H.O (455cc) is a great choice if I was looking right now!!
.......Caper............

 

jokout how if the differance between the two?

You would be the person to give him a great review about differances from the 300 to the 400 HO?

I would be intrested in reading your comments also.....Caper..........

 

My father loves his Hawkeye (now the called Sportsman 300). It is fully capable of doing everything the rest of us do on our bigger 500's. Some of our friends who have ridden our different quads have commented that they actually like the 300 better. It's a wonderful machine if that's the size/class you're looking for.

 

In my opinion I would always go bigger vs smaller. With the 400 being liquid cooling it will last longer. As heat rises on an air cooled engine the power drops off were as a liquid cooled engine the power stays about the same. Sounds like you would do mainly trail riding where the 300-400 will work but if you are doing work (pulling,pushing, plowing....) go 500 with low range and much more weight!

 

Make sure you buy as much as you can afford (size) - a500 hase three time the comfort and capability as the 300. I have 500 HOs and they do everything well. DO NOT BUY A 2X4 and independant suspension is a must. A four wheel drive machine is a must unless it is for a kid's starter machine.

That being said, the Sportsman 300 is a good machine but bigger is better if you can spend the $$$$.