I currently own an '01 Polaris Xplorer 400 4x4. I have no complaints about it. It was my first ATV purchase and I'm just ready to move up to a 4-stroke utility quad. I like the looks of the new Polaris Sportsmans and I would really like the EFI. I live in South Dakota so the temperature varies from day-to-day as well as some pretty damn cold winters. Last year was the first year I went out west trail riding for a week and it's going to be an annual thing; riding in the mountains, desert, cold, warmth all within a day. I will also be plowing with it and playing in mud and snow when available, nothing too extreme though and also using it around the yard. I'm looking for a selectable 4x4 with a locker (if it's not Polaris) with IRS and at least a 450 or bigger. I keep telling myself EFI would be the best solution but is there anyone out there with a carb in these different extremes that hasn't had to do much rejetting? The reason I ask that is when I went out west last year, one guy had an '04 Grizzly and the other two were '02-'03 Sportsmans and they had no problem with jetting and the different elevations (5,000 to 11,000 ft) yet I did. I don't want those problems. I'm not brand specific and I don't want any brand bashing, just honest opinions and thoughts.

Thanks.

 

efi is a lot of help but it isnt very nessecary. It is easier to start up in cold weather. on the otehr hand a carb. is easyer to work on. The sportsman 700 and 800 are both efi. but i cannot tell you how they preform because i hav never had any experience with either or

 

Hey new2atv. There is some rumblings in the Polaris forum that Polaris will introduce a 500 EFI this year sometime. From a purely technical standpoint the Polaris EFI compensates for the altitude change. Also, your 400 is more sensitive to altitude changes than the others because it is a two stroke.
I hope this helps you
BryceGTX

 

Yup, I agree the problems you are having are related to fuel mixture on the two stroke in altitude. EFI is going to adjust for that automatically. If you really feel comfortable with Polaris, and your local dealer... I'd say go that direction. Another really nice machine is the Kodiak 450.

Arctic Cat, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki all have fine machines in this class too.