The other day my 56 year old papaw got on my sp. This was the first quad he had ever been on. After about ten mins of gettin used to it, he was slinging gravel in the drive way. I think he really liked it, and Ive been trying to talk him into gettin a quad. He lives on about a 500 acre farm with several hundred head of cattle, chicken houses, etc. so I know he can find plenty of use for one, and I would like to spend more time with him. I think this would be a great way of doing that. My question is, what do yall think would be the most practical choice for him. I have heard that the 330 magnums were underpowered for thier size, and I question the utility of the trailboss without low range. I was thinking of the sp 400. I think that he would get the most use of this quad with the low range, AWD, and plenty of power, and probably the smoothest ride. What do yall think about the sp 400. Could this be the bike for him???

 

It could be. I guess it comes down to how important the ride quality is to him. If he liked how your SP600 rode with IRS, then a SP400 or 500 (unless he doesnt need the extra power) would be a good choice. Also take into account how much he is wanting to spend on it.

 

bigbadscrambler,
I had thought about how much each bike cost. I was reading earlier today in a magazine that a sp 400 went for about 6000, but I dont think this is right. I only gave a little over 6000, for my sp 600. So I was wondering what he could get a 400 for. I think that althougt he would be using his quad for farming chores some, the 400 would have plenty of power. If he really needs to move something, he have about 10 tractors, LOL.

 

6000 spounds too high for a SP400. I would think something in the lower 5K range would be more reasonable. Is IRS important to him? If it is then the SP400 sounds like the machine for him. Even though it is the smallest Sportsman Polaris makes, it has the biggest motor (425cc) in the 400cc utility class. It will get the job done, just maybe not as fast as the other big bore machines would.

 

If he is looking for a new one then 6000 out the door is about right, but I am sure you can find them for around 5500.

Chris

 

Does he actually work his farm? If he does not allready have an ATV for his farm than an ATP may work very well for him. Very good farm ranch quad. Plus he can play with you a little.

 

The ATP would likely be a very practical unit for him and it would have lots of power. The 400 Sportsman would likely be more than sufficient though. Unless Pawpa was out there really gettin' jiggy wit it at full throttle, I doubt he'd feel the difference between that or the 500HO. My 400 has plenty of power and I bet he'll want the IRS!

I am a recovering high price payer for a 400. Mine cost me $6500 out the door here in California but just today I received $170 of that back from the dealer because I forced them to give me my Winch installation fee back because their mechanics are f**k**g clueless! So $6330 was more like it, afterall (still too much now that I know better!). My new 500HO came in at $6300 OTD! I have seen the 400 advertised in Tennessee for $4800 I think but they won't ship it. Shop far and wide and you'll find a good deal.

 

Yes. He works his farm everyday. Like i said earlier, he has several hundred head of cattle on about 500 acres and chicken houses. My mamaw is an avid gardener with about 2 or 3 acres of garden planted every year. I always think its funny, b/c people don't believe me, but my 89 year old great grandmother helps with the planting and picking ever year. She still push mows her yard, and is in better shape than most people half her age LOL. But yes he works his farm every day.

 

yep
IRS for sure
sp500 comes to mind
then again I know many guys in their late 40s to early 60s that ride like they are 19 on Raptors, 400ex's, Wr400s and XR400s so you never can tell.

Maybe he would like something more sporty

Get him to log on here,,,,,and we will give him a good quad interview[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

SP500 for sure. The 400 does not come with EBS and the power difference is huge between the 500 and the 400. Worth the extra coin for the 500! $6500 is WAY too much for a 400! A 500 should sell for less than that!