You may have seen my post about the 325 vs. 425, but I had the oppurtunity to ride and SP500HO yesterday and it got my brain thinking about whether I wanted an manual or auto. I can't afford an 500, but was wondering how good the Sportsman 400 is? I will hopefully get a chance to test ride both of them this coming Saturday at the dealer.

I know a lot of it comes done to my final preference, but I was just wondering what you guys thought of it

Thanks,
dan0

 

No one? Come on, I need some advice here [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I rode one yesterday and WOW! I rode the Xplorer 400 and the 500HO and the speed was close to identical. THe 400 is a tad bit faster off the line then they seem even afer that. I have a neighbor who has a 1994 400 and he has had no trouble except for batteries going bad from sitting up over the winter. The place I rode you could get up to about 40 mph but both seemed to have more but not enough room.

 

I've never rode a Sportsman, But it should ride better than an Xpedition.
I bought an Xpedition because I didn't want an auto, but if I was doing it over again I'd get an auto.

 

DJ,

Your a traitor!!!

Seriously though, I'm getting a sportsman for my wife, for when she wants to ride. HeHe
I love my manual shift X, but there are definately times I wish I had an auto.
Brian

 

The sportsman will ride better. The IRS, auto, and headlight pod are the only real difference between them. Ride them both and buy the one that suits you best.

 

I have a 400 Sportsman and it is awesome. Not the fastest machine I have ever ridden but the power it has is very smooth and has no trouble getting my 200lbs around. The ride is as expected and better than most. Only thing I don't like is you sit up higher than some machines. Small dislike. I do like the automatic and the 4wd system that it has.

I did ride a friends Explorer and it is pretty nice as well. Has killer speed for a utility machine and rivals some sport machines for speed. Is lighter than my Sportsman.

IT is a hard decision but I like the 4 stroke type motors and the smoother power at all speeds for me. All in all go with the one you like best. Both are great machines so you would not go wrong with either.