The Sportsman is truely an incredible machine. A new guy in the neighborhood rode the river with us (2 2X4 Polaris' and one 4X4 Kawasaki 300) yesterday and I now see the difference in REAL 4 wheel drive. The Kawasaki was screwed ever time the front wheel would lift off the ground ( one wheel wonder up front). The Sprotsman get incredible traction due to the independant rear. The Kawasaki owner was asking us after the ride how much he thought his machine would bring on a sale. He is seriously considering a Sportsman.
I had concretely made up my mind for an Xploer 400 but now I am half-way starting to think about a Sportsman for my next quad. If only they made the Sportsman in a TWO-STROKE model!!!!!!!
This is the first ride with a Sportsman along with the group and I was impressed.

 

Any Polaris is great in 4wd. The true 4wd is truely a great system. I have a new Sportsman 400 and it is great. A little less power than the 500 HO but the extra money didn't constitute me spending the difference in price for the type of riding I do. I don't mind not having the fastest machine or the absolute most powerful thing but it still kicks a$$ for the money.

 

If I was going to get a new atv I would save the money and get the 400 sportsman,all the same feters less money. 400 scrambler 4x4 hotseat clutch and pipe vforce valve

 

It is really hard to beat Polaris if you want an automatic with true 4wd atv. IF you want a total race machine then you need to look for something else.