I'm a first time buyer and am currently in the process of buying a 2008 sportsman 800. 96 hours and 789 miles. I was able to get it for $4,300 which I felt was a deal. Looked like it was well taken care of. Any feedback would be appreciative.

 

Lower than what KBB or Nada shows for one with low miles,excellent shape. Good machines,but efi can be a little finicky on some with the thin sensor wiring. Not enough to worry about though to keep you from buying it.

 

Would you recommend I take it to a Polaris and have it checked out

 

Nope.. If it ain't broke you can't fix it.. Just read the "sticky" post above in the expert section on 700/800 efi wiring problems.Some would never have a problem,others would have connector or wiring problems. There's a good place that has better harness repair kits than Polaris has should you ever have a problem.These kits are mentioned in the sticky posts and are made by a forum member. Only The Best

 

also know that twins run hotter then the single and make sure the radiator is clean and has the proper amount of coolant. this should save alot of headaches fr you. i had 2 800's and loved them both. a little hard on fuel but plenty of power.

 

yes, gas thirsty for sure is my 06 800. I ended up moving my radiator as i ride through mud alot and it would get caked in between fan shroud and radiator and after every ride take the fan off, clean and replace. that got old every weekend. exhaust is very hot when wearing shorts.

change all the fluids and make sure you use proper fluids especially in front diff, it will not engage properly.
buy a new belt before the current one looks like a ball of yellow yarn and keep the old as a spare. I've tried cheaper belts, my opinion is polaris belt.
and if there's one thing you do, have your motor mounts changed out, not quite yet but keep an eye on the flex when you gas it. i think it was 1/2 to 3/4" of play is normal, i'm sure OPT knows exactly. Anyway, $200 ish parts and labor would have prevented me $2000 in repair from shakey mounts.

good luck with her.

 

700 and 800s should have had a double motor mount on the front like they had on the rear of the engines to handle the torque they put out,but they kept the single front mount and right side mount.