I currently have a 2006 Sportsman 450 which I love, but have been thinking of upgrading to a 500 efi since you can get a pretty good deal on the 07 and 08 models now. My question is will I see much of a power increase from the 450 to the 500? I know the efi should give a little better throttle response but if there's not much more power then I don't think it would be worth the $$$. Any thoughts?

 

I went from a '03 400, which is the same engine just rebadged as a 450, to an '08 500 EFI and i can tell the difference in power. When I bought the 400 in 03 my friend bought a 500. After I rode the 500 I was sorry I didn't spend the extra $. Unfortunately my wife had me on the five year new ATV plan or I would have moved up sooner [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

The 500 gets out of the hole quicker and definately has more top end. Don't get me wrong, when the 400 was running 100% it had pretty good power but... a slightly clogged air filter, hot temps or an old plug would make a world of difference.

If you have some extra cash laying around and wanted a new toy - the '08 500 or even the 800 would be a good buy right now.

 

SP400 in 2003 is not the same as a Sp 2006 450..........Same block only.......The motor in 2006 is a 455cc...............
1.15% increase in H.P.over the older 400....
2.Higher top speed over the older 400 App. 10%
3.Better acceleration than the Sp 400 a 30% increase up to the speed of 30 MPH
...........Caper..........

 

I have an '06 450 and an '08 500 HO.
The 500 does have a little bit more power but that is the only thing that is better. It doesn't handle as well, doesn't ride as smooth, and isn't as fast on the trail because of the handling and steering. I bought it thinking that the two were the same except for the motor. Not! The faster I go the more I notice the difference in the handling and steering. I wish I had two 450's if they are all like my '06 model.
I ride the 450 and my super sexy spousal unit rides the 500, until she gets tired of the heavier steering and stiffer ride and then we trade off for a while.
The only differences I can find as far as part #'s are the front springs (55/90# vs 52/90#) and lower strut carriers (difference there being the elimination of the zerk fittings, I think). There might be a difference in the camber/caster? I have set the toe on both at 1/4" out. The front shocks on the 500 seem to have too much compression damping and not enough rebound, but they are the same part #.
I would try to ride them both together on some real trails to compare before buying.

 

The 500 efi will be the better machine of the 2, The 450 Sportsman with a carb is no match on Power compared to the 500 efi and you will regret not getting the 500 efi, It is an execellent machine and will run just as fast as on the trails as the bigger cc machines, Plus you get PXT radial tires and ebs, those old 450sportsmans are good but getting a little outdated IMO get a 450 and its okay, then Like so many others you will wish you had a 500 efi beacuse its so smooth and refined trust me on this one, even top speed is 60 MPH if you push it and still has 500 RPM to redline, It outruns Kodiak 450s and Honda 500s all day long and a grizzly 700 only beats it by 20 feet in a drag race. I only paid 5999.00 for mine and im sure you could get one cheaper if you look . Oh One more thing it is smoother than all the others put together, I had a freind that traded in her 700 prairie because of the smoothness.

 

so smooooooooooooooooth !

 

The X2 is also a very smooth ride!