I know the topic was covered in the past but I was out riding today and my local dealer came with me to run-in a new demo bike.

He had the new 2011 Sportsman 400HO and we were both suitably impressed. I was riding my 2010 SP 500HO which did everything his did however the the handling on the 400 was superb.

I love my bike but I have always found the steering too heavy when performing tight turns at low speeds. The 400 had more of a sports atv feel about it at slow speeds steering.

When I bought the 500 the dealer also had the 2010 400 in stock and there was no question, the 500 was the far better deal. The 400 looked then like it was far too small and unstable. Had I gone in now I would have had the 2011 400 without doubt. It's also a better looking bike now and Polaris must have done away with the gloss finish racks on the prototypes.

My only ********le after today is that, due to the slightly smaller chassis, the rear rack overhangs the rear wheels just too much. I wouldn't want a lot of weight on there going up steep banks.

We didn't race them as the 400 was fresh out the box.

Does anyone know why they are badged as 400 rather than 450?? It seems to us they are being undersold.

JF

 

The 400HO is a sports car! Ride is a little stiff but its pretty nimble. Eats my 550XP alive for acceleration.

 

we had an 08' 400 HO(first year) and it has the old sp 450 engine(455cc) and it had good power, but due to it being narrower it was alot more unstable in the turns at higher speeds. still a very nice bike, but wife never could get comfortable on it.

 

The 2011 400HO is really a missed opportunity for an entry level machine. I mean...it has a GREAT engine...and is now the same FULL size as the 2011 500HO. Super price and value for that machine. Polaris really should push the 400HO more...IMHO.


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