Looking at a friends Polaris 400 ATV, year and model unknown to him. After reading a LOT of past postings, I have decide to post for more information. Serial is a 7 digit. According to postings, the second and third numbers are the model year. in this case it would be a 97. The model sticker is partially gone. It starts out W9695. Now here is where I get confused. From what i have read, Model W9695 is a Xpress 400 or a Xpress 400L, but for 1996, not 1997. I haven's read anything that shows W9695 to be a 97 model, which goes against the serial year. Which do I follow? Does it really matter? What is the difference between the 400 and the 400L. Any clarification / insight on this would be appreciated.

 

sounds like you have a 1996 year atv, either an xplorer if its red, or a sportsman if it is green, hope this helps.

 

From the partial model number you gave that is a W969540 xpress 400 2x4 which is a 1996 model year the 400L is the liquid cooled version with a diff model number.

 

So the confusion keeps onna coming. ATV is Blue, (Painted over with Camo scheme), and it is Liquid cooled.

 

I'mnot entirely sure but i think the 400L means liquid cooled

 

Vandy,

Is the model a two wheel drive or four wheel drive and is there an engine number on the engine you can give us?

 

It is 2WD. Found A sticker on the pull start housing, but after 10 years of exposure, I can't read more than 3 digits, and they aren't together.

So for now, with everything I have read here, and with y'alls help, and what i have been able to look up on the web, I am going to say it's a 96 400 Xpress. Now that the fun stuff is over....... Time to disassemble and remove the piston. It has a Mini (very mini) skirt. Hopefully i won't have to do the bottom half, but with 3000 miles, it wouldn't hurt it.