surprised that they pulled this and went back to the 400 model which now looks like a hawkeye. maybe thats why they kept the carb 500.

 

Yes very shocked with Polaris...........Don't forget the New 2008 400 H.O. is really our motor!!!
It is a 455cc..........
Why they put it in a mid-size when they had a very good frame and suspension travel ........I will never know!!!!.........
I would not buy this model (if I was 2006) when I bought the 450SP I do look at all the features and specs and compare to others.........In 2006 my two choices where the A/C 400 Auto and the Sportsman 450.....................Well I picked the Sportsman ....But now in 2008 It would be the A/C no question about it..............To get the "real" sportsman now look how much you need to spend!!!!!.....So much for all the Sportsmans on the same frame!!!!!....Polaris you went downhill on this one!!!!That's my two cents!!!

As for not calling them Hawkeye 450's or 400 H.O. ...Would you buy a Hawkeye now in 2008 after all the reviews???.........That was a smart move .....At least they did something right!!!

I thought they had the Hawkeye trouble all worked out for 2007 model????

 

ok i went and looked at the bike and i see they have 24" tires, no l.range, and price is lowered a little. the only good thing is the 400 class bike now has a 455 cc. oh and it doesnt come w/ the adc.

 

In looking at the 360 view of the Hawkeye 450 (Sportsman) I have to wonder if they are using the 450 Fuji engine. In the picture, the clutch cover is the same as the original Hawkeye, aluminum and hard mounted (bolted) to the transmission making it a solid unit. Unlike the original Sportsman's construction with a plastic clutch cover, less of a solid unit.

In order to do that with the Fuji engine, they would have had to redesign the left side of the crankcase to accept the larger mounting area of the Hawkeye clutch cover. That's what makes me wonder if they use a different engine than the original Fuji Sportsman engine.

I wouldn't buy a Hawkeye Sportsman thinking that it will be like the original Sportsman because it won't. It looks like they are using the same suspension setup front and rear, which is miserable compared to the traditional Sportsman. I have 24 inch tires on mine and it doesn't make it a Sportsman.

 

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

ok i went and looked at the bike and i see they have 24" tires, no l.range, and price is lowered a little. the only good thing is the 400 class bike now has a 455 cc. oh and it doesnt come w/ the adc.</end quote></div>

There is more to add to your list, Towing CAP dropped, Ground Clearance went from 11" down to 9". Smaller front storage now then mine, due to being on the Hawkeye frame, etc...........
.............Caper................