I am knew to ATV's, but having just moved in the country I am ready to purchase, except for my lack of knowledge.

Breifly looking at ATV's I feel Polaris offer quite a bit of value for your dollar. I am looking at a a used '08 sportsman 400 H.O. with 10.9 miles on it for $4500 (private party). I really would value others input.....

Live in ND have typically quite a bit of snow and temps often get down to -30º. I really want the 500, but this 400 H.O. price has me really thinking about it.....

 

Welcome to the forum MossyMo. According to NADA it's worth $4,725. Unless it has something wrong with it, I would ****** that up before they change their minds.

Frank

 

welcome. mongrol has his about the longerst(08' 400) on here and has but alot of miles onhis including the use of tracks last winter and can give you the best review about well it works in the winter. my wife likes hers w/ the 25" tires on it. granted i wish it was efi but we dont ride them in the winter. price is about right for it as well.

 

if you can get a 500 go for it. it is much more fun to ride the way the clutch is set up on the mid size really takes away from a good fun launch when you mash the gas. that moter in that frame should be a rocket. but then again if you are just going to use it for slow riding and pulling it is great "just not very fun"

 

I would think the lighter,smaller Hawkeye chassis with the 455cc motor would be more fun than the full sized SP500.

I remember riding with a Full size 2006 450 Sportsman with the same heavy chassis as the 500 Sportsman and it performed very well,to put that exsact same 455cc into smaller Hawkeye 300 frame and name it a Sportsman 400 H.O seems like a ATV that would be a blast to ride.

Not sure why you think a 500 would be better in the winter? We ride with all kinds of ATVs in out norther Ontario Canada winters (see my pics) and have no problems,I,m sure the 400 H.O is no different.

 

thats what i would have thought but it does not have a low range on the tranny it has a three clutch system that i dont care for its like your doing 12 mph at 4500 rpm the motor is screaming and your going no where. when you punch it there is no yank. and that is where the fun is for me.

 

TLC is right on here!
I'm not sure where Jayblazer got his info but the 455cc engine in a frame that is 125# lighter then the 500 is an absolute blast to ride! The new clutching system has quite a bit less lag as the traditional 500 clutch and the 455 has only 5 less HP then the 500 HO engine!
I have yet to find a 500 that I couldn't absolutely smoke!

Before I purchased the 400 HO, I test drove the SP 400 HO, '07, SP 450, 08 SP 500, 08 SP 800 and I chose the 400 HO...

I would suggest test riding all of your options and see for yourself which one fits you the best!

 

brand new that ATV is like 5,500$ so ****** it up!

 

I've got a 1,000 plus mi. on my 400HO and performance, starting, reliability, and economy exceeds my expectation. The new CVT tight belt system has been flawless. No H/L ranges to mess with. Running tracks eats power, but I've never yet run out of get up and go.

You'll get lots of input and opinions and speculation from riders that have no personal experience on this machine but If you listen to the OWNERS, you probably will find very few complaints asnd a lot of positive comments.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDnoi8a99bI


This video may answer some questions.