To only consider one brand is a bit nearsighted, in my opinion. People have their preference but if I were to buy new, I would look at all machines within the price range I was considering. Sometimes obviously you develop a relationship with a dealer and perhaps that is the only dealer close to you, that happens a lot. The Outlander 450L base model, at least in this area, would be close to the same price as the Sportsman 450 as well. A coworker bought a 450L last year and really likes it. The power is quite surprising for a 450. Very torquey too. He opted for the power steering equipped model which adds a bit to the price though, it was right at $6500. One of my local dealers still had some 2014 and 2015 Grizzly 550 models left. If you get a non-eps 550, it would probably be about the same as well. The only one I saw they had left was an eps 550 for $6499, not bad for one with eps but the non eps models were under $6000.

 

As we discussed earlier, the name 450 HO is deceiving. 450 is the model name NOT the engine size. The 450 HO has the same engine as the 570, it is just tuned differently, less HP, and more torque.

 

The old 450 used the same fullsize chassis as the 500HO. The Hawkeye chassis was an entirely different story, 300 & 400(455CC) designation. The Hawkeye midsize was built by Aeon.


The 400HO used the 455cc Fuji single, the NEW 450HO uses the same 567cc engine as the 570 - EFI and DOHC included. He will not regret going with the 450HO, it may be tuned to 31HP, but the torque will amaze you.


To the OP - there is nothing wrong with buying the 450HO, you will be money ahead, and can buy a winch and tires as you have more cash.


The only difference between the 450HO & 570 is the 24" tires on the 450HO.


Watch this video, Luke Lester hit the nail on the head with the "bigger is better" attitude. Yes it is the now gone ETX, but he nailed it.

I cant wait for the 450HO review.

 

OK Polaris does not use the Fuji 455cc dry sump any longer in the 450 sportsman? Is the new 450 EFI? I'm behind the times with Polaris now. I just stick to Japanese because I seen enough.

They put little 24" tires on a full sized 4x4 Utility chassis? That is odd, cost cutting I quess.

 

Yes 567 EFI.
I had seen the videos above. I did not know that they were doing away with the ETX. Last winter I was in one dealership and he said they were putting a 400 CC in the ETX this upcoming year and the price was going to be the same as last year, that must not have come to be.

 

I'm thinking the 450 HO and put the extra $500 toward a winch and plow. It would be nice if I can talk the dealer into a winch and I might shop around for a plow. I have heard a lot of good things on the Denalis plows, for the price. I am in Indiana and a typical winter I might only need to plow 5 or so times a year. It won't be getting tons of abuse.

 

Yes, long story short - Fuji owned shares on Polaris, Polaris bought them all back and phased out all Fuji engines. The dry sumps 455cc, 498cc, and the 550 engine that was in the XP 550 were all Fuji, and are all gone now.


They are using all Polaris Prostar Engines now, which is good. No more carb's, DOHC and EFI are plusses.


The last year of the 500HO (498cc) was 2013, and the last year of the 400HO (455cc) was 2014, which was also the last year of the XP 550.


I'm still scratching my head wondering why Yamaha got rid of the smaller 400cc and 550 cc ATV engines. They should of kept the 550.

 

As long as it has low range the 450 ATV will pull and push the same as a 850 since it will break wheel traction well before wheel turning power.

That's why the 850 and 450 Sportsman always has the same 1200lb to 1300lb tow capacity.

I had a tug of war on dirt with my 500 Sportsman and a 800 sportsman and both ATV just dug themselves 4 wheel ruts into the ground and high centred and neither moved a bit.

Unless you plan on 60mph road riding the 450 will be fine.

 

Yes, thankfully the 450HO has the same transmission as the 570, which includes low gearing.


The 300/400 midsize Hawkeye did not have Low gear, which limited what you could do with them.

 

The new Polaris winches are slick, they have plugs on them, so all you have to do it literally plug and play, run the power/ground up to the switch block under the front cover and you are all set.


Yes, those Denali plows are always on sale too, bide your time and you will be ok.


Give us an honest review on the 450HO once you get it.