I had an 04 sportsman 400 and it was very slow and heavy, but if your planning on just hunting with it and SLOW trail riding I guess it would work because the ride was very comfortable. I've never driven a 500 but I can't imagine it being that big of a difference in power (it's 425cc vs. 499cc), If your set on buying a polaris you should see if you can get a deal on a Sportsman 700 if you want to keep up with the big boys. Its hard to recommend the 400 when it felt so underpowered, if you get it you WILL very quickly want more power, trust me I did.

 

There is quite a difference in power between the two. After having the 500, I find I have digital throttle syndrome on the 400 (all or nothing, usually the former). It's kind of hard to recommend the 500 when my 400 has been so good to me, but you shouldn't have any regrets either way.

The resale on the 500 will be better, but you're out more to begin with. In terms of what the quads can do for you, the 500 is in no way better than the 400. The 500 is just a little quicker.

Like an escalade versus a suburban, equal but not.



You said you're not an experienced rider -- do what I did, get the 400 and NEVER sit on a 500 or larger. I felt like my 400 was a rocket [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] until I bought my 500. I think its all downhill (walletwise) from here...

 

The 400 sportsman was my first quad and I hadn't ridden anything more powerful, it felt fast at first because I was use to riding a tractor @ 4mph, but after a while it felt underpowered, this is just how it felt to me, I'm not saying it was a bad quad it's just all the weight took away from the power of the engine. So you should get the 500 if other options are out of your budget.

 

Thanks everyone for your comments. I 'm a new rider and I think I will go with the 400sportsman for now until I get use to it and then in a year or so maybe trade up if I think I need. That is unless the dealer gives me a better deal on the 500 for cash. they told me the best they could do the other day was 5300.00 and 6000.00 before taxes and fees. I think I can do better with cash in hand, and in West Virginia I can get away without paying taxes because we don't need a title. At least until resale time. Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

Definitely ride both of them. You may change your mind. The only Sportsman that I actually recommend against is the 400. From personal experience, it is pretty weak. Like I mentioned before, all of the Sportsman's are equally easy to ride.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: Toyeboy
I've never driven a 500 but I can't imagine it being that big of a difference in power (it's 425cc vs. 499cc).

Oh, but there is. Isn't there.

 

Dude, that price is a ripoff! If you're willing to travel to Tennesee or here in NC you can beet the heck outta price. My local dealer here in NC is avertising 4800 for the Sportsman 400. If you're not a nc resident, you don't have to pay taxes on it. If your interested I'll send you the link to there avertisement.

 

You still should ride both. And with the 500, he may throw in a few extras (although he should either way). More money spent = more free stuff.

 

The best I could do was $5700 for the 400 and $6600 for the 500. That was spring of 2004. I could have got the 500 for $5700 if I waited till fall but I wanted to ride that spring, summer and fall so I wasn't about to wait.

I set a $6000 limit on the amount I would spend.....since I'm not independently wealthy I need to control my spending......so I ended up getting the 400. Sure I WANTED the 500 but you can't always get what you want now can you.

Turns out.......my decision was not a bad one. The 400 allowed me to stay within my self-imposed budget and still have $300 left over for registration, helmut, goggles and some accessories. As it turns out I ride with guys that have 660cc Grizzlys. We ride trails through the woods, hill climbs, mud, rocks, power lines etc....... Accelaration and top speed are NOT AN ISSUE. I go everywhere they go and there has been no situation that we have come across yet where I am at a dissadvantage because I have less horsepower. I have plenty of torque and a duel range tranny and that gets it done. Of course if we DRAG RACED all the time then I would lose........but we DON'T drag race..........we trail ride.

After all...... what is the objective here.......drag racing or trail riding??? I saved $900........and I'm glad I did.

 

I have ridden the 400 and ride with several guys that have the 400. Its a very capable machine. It has gone every where we go and keeps up just fine. You wont be disappointed with either machine.