Hi
I'm looking to buy my first used 4 wheeler and this is the model I'm looking at. I will only be using the machine a couple of weeks a year to go hunting and feel I do not need a brand new machine. My question is. What year did the Sportsman 400 get independent suspesion and is this a worthy feature? Or I'm a better with an even older model with a swing arm style setup?
Thanks.

 

I'm not quite sure as to when, maybe year 2000 or a bit earlier, but I'm sure you won't regret either choice. I have a swingarm on mine and I have no complaints about it. Never tried IRS so I can't really comment on it but I imagine the ride is even smoother with it.

 

Grizzly Mike,

The old Sportsman 400 had the 378cc Fuji two stroke motor in it. The newer (2001-) Sportsmen have the 425cc four stroke motor in them. The two stroke Sportsmen haven't been made for a while, but depending on where you live, you might be able to pick one up cheap.

 

The Sportsman400 started making them in 2001 (the IRS) I would choice the IRS over the swingarm ANYDAY! and Please correct me if I'm wrong but the older(swingarm) Sportsman's have chain drive all the way around (6 Sprokets,3 chains).