Looking for some honest info from owners of the 450 Sporty. I'm looking to purchase a 450 sportsman (Left over 2007) and am wondering if it will be anything comparable to the 500 Carb model ? All my bud's have the 500 sporty and if I purchase this quad I dont want to be left in the dust so to speak. We do mostly trail riding in northern MI. Looking for an all purpose quad for some trail riding and light work around the house. What can you tell me ?? Pro's Con's ????

 

i had an 06' 450 i bought my wife and it was a good bike that would do around the 50 mph mark and had decent take off. comparing it to the 02' 500 i had it was about 10 mph slower+-, and take off wasnt as good. i would say you would be about 15 to 20 % behind the 500. i would go w/ the efi 500 if you could swing it. oh not sure about the 07's but the 450 doesnt have ebs like the 500 which to me is big bounse having it.

 

I have an '06 450 and an '08 500 HO carb and I can't tell very much difference. The 500 does have a little more power, as it should, with about 10% more displacement. In a straight out drag race the 500 would be quicker than the 450 with most of it coming on the top end, but on the trail there is basically no difference on being able to keep up. For some reason, maybe front end alignment?, my 450 handles better than the 500 and I think I can actually go faster on it.
The 450 would be worth buying if you can get a lot better deal on it than a 500 and if you are going to keep it for a a long time. I think the 500 would be easier to sell when the time comes to get rid of it.

 

I have two Sp 450's both 2006 and am very happy with the power, I am not in any race with my buddies though!!!
But please remember the 2006/2007 Sp 450's have the full size frame,that is the same on the larger cc Quads. The new 2008 Sp 400/with the same motor is now in the smaller (Hawkeye) frame. How much differance in price for the 450/500?..................Caper...........

 

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

I have an '06 450 and an '08 500 HO carb and I can't tell very much difference. The 500 does have a little more power, as it should, with about 10% more displacement. In a straight out drag race the 500 would be quicker than the 450 with most of it coming on the top end, but on the trail there is basically no difference on being able to keep up. For some reason, maybe front end alignment?, my 450 handles better than the 500 and I think I can actually go faster on it.

The 450 would be worth buying if you can get a lot better deal on it than a 500 and if you are going to keep it for a a long time. I think the 500 would be easier to sell when the time comes to get rid of it.</end quote></div>

the 06' 450 has a totally differnt steering geometry to make it steer easier then the 500. this was the main reason i didnt keep my 500 over buying the wife the 450 becuase it steered easier. i agree in the trail the 450 is very nimble and roughly same power.

 

Thanks for all the info. I think I'm going to make the plunge and get the 450. Price is about $800.00 less.

 

as long as its not the 06' you shouldnt have any issues w/ the ecm as well. god luck and enjoy it.

 

I have a 2006 450SP loaded with all the s!@t, I ride with a 450 Honda and a 500 Artic cat. Out of the 3 of us the 500AC has the most power but I can put my 450SP where ever he can with more comfort. If you wamt a quad to hall heavy loads the 450SP will do it but with some efford. If you want an quad for fishing, hunting and all round trail riding then the 450SP is a good choice.

 

Here are some hp # I got from the net.
Polaris (2007)

Hawkeye 300=17
trailblazer 330=19 hp
Phoenix 200=13 hp
sportsman 450=29.7 hp
Sportsman 500 Ho (carB) 34.5hp
Sportsman 500 EFI/x2/Scrambler 500=36 hp
Predator 500 = 48 HP
Outlaw 500 = 48.6 HP
700 EFI= 44 HP
800 EFI/ 800x2 = 50.2 HP

Honda (2007)

250ex = 16.8 HP
300 EX= 17.1 HP
400 ex= 34.2 hp
500 (fm and fe) =26.9 hp
680 (rincon) =38.5 hp

Bomb (2007)

400 = 28.9 hp
500 = 39 hp
650 = 55.3 hp
800 = 61.6 hp

AC (2007)

400 = 24.8
400 DVX = 36.6
500 = 32.0
650 H1 = 39.3
700 EFI = 41.4

KAWASAKI (2007)

KLF 250A7 = 17 HP
750 (PRARIE AND BRUTE)=50.1 hp
360 = 21 hp
700 = 48.7 hp

Yamaha (2006)

450 Kodiak = 26 Hp
350 bruin = 21.3 hp
350 raptor = 26.8 hp
yfz 450 = 38.6 hp
700r = 47 hp
660 = 40.9 hp

suzuki ( 2006)
250 = 17.3 hp (2007)
400 eiger = 22 hp (2007)
a500f=32.4
f500f=33.6


I ride with a 450 SP and it,s a bit slow on aceratation from mid to high rpms with a 5 mph slower top end. 50 mph vs 55mph. Thats the same performance as our 97 Sportman 500 (Non H.O Different carb and cam) which is hard to leave behind also.

On trails you can not tell much differances at all. I would be happy with a 450.

 

What problems does the 06 450SP have or known for?