Why aren't there very many posts on the 450 Sportsman, are they that good that they don't have many problems or just not that popular? Any suggestions on mods or things I should be aware of. I've had mine since 06 and have just recently had to change the battery but other than that it has been great.

Scott

 

Hi Scott, I just recently sold mine 06' SP450 (bought for the wife and she just wasn't getting to ride in much, hard to justify). But I tell ya it is a great bike for the price!

It may be that before 06 as I understand Polaris had the 400 models and then really improved their prices on the 500 after our year 2006 which made the SP500 with EFI and EBS really affordable and Polaris marketed their 500 class well. That is my understanding. Now many 500 owners were upset with the price jack on their class with the XP line up. In all honesty just speaking price nothing else, cuz the XP models look cool, you can buy an SP800 like mine for the same price as the new 550. So it just may be the bigger 500 class customer base Vs. SP450 that was created. I think our SP450 only lasted a couple years right?

Anyways thats my 2cents not sure what others would say!

I really liked our SP450. Would buy one again!

Cheers,

R'

 

they made the sp 450 for 2 years 06-07 which now is called the sp 400 w/ the same 455 cc enigne in the old hawkeye frame. they had massive ecm issues in 06 which they had recalls for alot of them(have a dealer run the vin# to check yours) but for the most part they were good realiable bikes.

 

You should have been around for my ECM posts....LOL......
Yes they were only around for 2006 and 2007....
I bought two of the new in 2006 (yes first year out)
but I did some research and it was just a mod Polaris did up on their 400..(same block)
No major issues I am very happy with them!!
......Caper.........

I have the Factory Manual (paper copy) if you ever need and answers....

 

Thanks for the posts. I did take it in for the ecm warranty. Had it done last May or June I think. I know it took a couple of months for them to call me back after they ordered the part but all is good now.

Scott

 

Also, when you get to the point of doing carb service if its not running right. It was pretty easy to do. After that with replacing the spark plugs and setting the idle just right on the throttle cable man what a big difference. I ran stock, no K&N or pipes or clutch kits but I assume all of that will help a little in the performance.

Great bike!

R'

 

have a 07 for the wife and other than a carb adjustment when we first got it haven't ever had to touch it great bike

 

i would dare say the 450 is just as reliable as the 500 and thats saying alot since its basicly the same bike w/ a little less power.

 

You got that right ,here are there specs side by side
2003 Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. ATVs

Even the motors are the same Fugi motor but the 455 has a different bore or stroke than the 499 and uses a smaller carb.

Polaris quit making the Full size Spotstman 400(455) because it was so close to the SP500 in specs that there was not much point in making both so they stayed with the longer in production 500. Why make two ATVs with just a 45cc difference beteen the two?

 

Back in 2006 the other manufacters started intoducing the 450 mid size class........Yamaha for one............This filled the gap for polaris back then and they just dropped the 400 in 2006 for the 450 .........It did not seem like a big deal for them to do that ..Just to keep up to the others.......

I know when I was pricing back in 2006 the Honda and Yamaha were BIG bucks more.

BTW guys Yamaha was my first choice for a new Wheeler back in 2006,(Kodiak 450) but went with Polaris(Yamaha was about $2000 more and I was buying two Quads)........(great luck with Yamaha sleds all my 20 years Snowmobiling)...........Caper........