I think of the Sportsman as the Cadilac of ATVs. Big, powerful and with a cushy ride. It just reminds me of something my grandfather would have driven.

I'm biased toward the Polaris Magnum line of ATVs. I like my 325 4x4 but would like to have the 500. I have had mine for over a year and had zero problems (except for the plastic fender vs tree thing).

The Magnum and Sportsman share the same frame and front suspension and drive train. The Sportsman uses the independent rear suspension which tends to increase body-roll in the corners. Some folks say that the Sportsman's suspension makes it a better mud-machine and rock-crawler.

I like the shaft drive and solid rear axel on the Magnums, but that is just me. If you are looking for an automatic, check out the Magnum line also.

If you don't have to have the bigger (read more fuel-hungry) machines, the Rancher will be a good choice. I haven't seen too many of them around here, but from everything I've read, they are very good machines. And I happen to love orange, GO VOLS!!!

I would problably stay away from the Foreman because of the suspension and turning radius. They ride a little rough and seem to take quite a bit of room to turn around. They are good machines, reliable, with good power, I just think the rancher is a little nicer. My opionion, your mileage may vary.

Feel free to disagree with me, the first amendment says you have the right.

 

From my experiances
The rancher is alright, the ride is rough, and the improved limited slip didn't seem all that improved to me, its been stuck multiple times.
Also, if you want a sportsman, but don't want so much the extra price, get the 335. Its slower, but the rancher is no speed demon either. i've rode 2 differant 335's, and there nice machines. THe ride is 40 times better than that of the rancher i rode. Also, AC makes a good 300, with IRS (rode that), and the Polaris Xpeditions are nice too, the 425 is at least (i've rode it) Thats all i got to say, see ya

 

Sly, ATV MAG has done a shootout on the 400's. You may want to check this out. They really like the Kodiak and Bigbear. The kodiak seems to be the better trail machine. Just a thought.

 

sorry it posted twice.