As far as the 400's "flaw in the front diff" is concerned, I read a post from lksyotas who works for the company that makes them for Polaris and says there isn't a flaw at all. A vent hose attaches to a fitting in the hole in question. Someone else said it looks like a blind hole that doesn't go all the way through. Either way there's not just a hole leading to the inner workings from outside that lets dirt and water in. http://forums.atvconnection.co...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

I like what I ride and recommend it to anyone who wants a utility quad. I'm not bashing anything else. I'm just saying the Sportsman 500 is the best quad <u>for me</u> and has been for 11 years straight. Out of a half-dozen or so ATVs, the only one I had that wasn't a Sportsman 500 got traded in for one. They've been around more than a few years too. When they came out in 1996 they had the world's first IRS and lots of other things that most of the other companies came out with several years later. They've had 12 years to work out the bugs and get everything right. It's the best selling utility ATV in the world for a very simple reason; it's a great ATV. The brand new H.O.s are the same price the original non-H.O. 500 was in 1996. You can't beat that. It's the best value in an ATV IMO and was named as such by at least one ATV magazine. $1,000 more gets you EFI, 26" radial tires, and EBS with ADC (4-wheel engine braking). Polaris is the best-selling automatic too. They've sold more than all other brands combined. Some people say Polaris is too heavy. It would be if you had to pick it up and carry it, but I ride mine. The solid steel skidplates welded to the frame are worth the weight.

 

I laugh when the reviews for the sportsman say that the suspension is "outdated" and that polaris needs to "upgrade" it! What are they talking about? Would you mess with something that works great and is the best in the industry? Thtats like saying the old honda chassis is outdated and no good, yet everyone has tried to copy it because it is excellent! So, the point is don't believe everything you read!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: firehog

I laugh when the reviews for the sportsman say that the suspension is "outdated" and that polaris needs to "upgrade" it! What are they talking about? Would you mess with something that works great and is the best in the industry? Thtats like saying the old honda chassis is outdated and no good, yet everyone has tried to copy it because it is excellent! So, the point is don't believe everything you read!</end quote></div>


Those mcpherson struts have been used since the late 80s I believe. If it aint broke(and works real good) don't fix it.

 

i will give you popo guys something, the sportsmans are damb comfy to ride

 

as of today im a proud owner of a 2008 polaris sportsman 400 h.o.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: cowboy9from0hell

as of today im a proud owner of a 2008 polaris sportsman 400 h.o.</end quote></div>



CONGRATS!!!!!

 

Congrats cowboy. A 455 engine in a 300 frame sounds like a winner to me. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] My previous post was a little defensive but I get tired of so many threads that start like this, then a few people who don't own or ride Polaris say it's a POS. One out of five ATVs sold is a Polaris so they can't be too bad. I like to get some real information out there instead of just name-calling.

 

Congrats Cowboy, post some pics and let us know how you like it!

 

will do! plan on taking it out all day friday or saturday