Can anyone explain what is with all the different HP readings and which are true.
I have seen and heard that the Sportsman 500 HO is 38Hp the,
Rubicon,Texmuds chart says 20.9hp,I have been told that the Honda 450 is 23hp, and the 350 Rancher is 21hp.I was just reading a magazine and it says that the Raptor is 33.8hp and the DS 650 is 41hp this I can believe but what about the difference between the HO and Honda's ratings.There is no way a 500 HO is that much higher,I have a Rubicon and I can run With the Polaris no problem.

Can anyone verify or explain this!!!!!!

 

Yes, that is the correct reading for the Sportsman. The regular Sportsman 500 is about 32hp and the High Output model is around 38hp (although I have seen a chart that said about 36hp). Keep in mind that when they say 38hp they mean 38hp AT THE CRANK. I don't know the exact power loss figures, but if I had to guess it would be about 22hp at the rear wheels.

-Josh

 

You have a few different factors at work, most dyno's for the shops that do use them aren't under any sort of 'certified' testing system. Anotherwords, they could be twenty percent off and no one would be the wiser untill tested against a 'known good one.' ( how many folks keep multiple quality dynos for testing small vehicles like ATV's anyhow? )

Secondarily and already mentioned is the various different testing spots. From the crank, from the PTO out of the tranny, and the one that really counts, at the wheels. The drivetrain and tire losses from a 4x4 machine are HUGE, (that's partly why honda mounts their utility engines sideways, to give approximately 5% more power for 'free' to the rest of the drivetrain.)

Then there is just the plain BS factor...