300 Hawkeye or 330 Magnum or?

[AZDesertRat]

I am looking at used Polaris ATVs for a first time purchase. I am small myself so the size of the mid size units appeals to me plus the fact I already have a 4x6 trailer and one of the two I mentioned will fit in it without modification.

Pricing for both is similar as is the condition of the ones I have looked at. I'm 52 years old so acceleration is no big deal but I will be using it for archery hunting in the AZ mountains so off road ability is.

The Hawkeye has a smaller engine and no low range gear, has the independent rear suspension and is about 90 lbs lighter so maybe the loss of the low range is no big deal?

The 330 Magnum has the larger engine, has a low range but is heavier, holeds a gallon less gas, has a solid rear axle and is bigger overall so may require modifications to my trailer.

In a perfect world I would love the 2008 Sportsman 400 which is a mid size but there are none for sale in my area.

Any thoughts or ideas for a newbie? I am selling a 2002 Kawasaki KLX300R dirt bike to help finance this purchase so off roading is nothing new to me.

[Bruce!]

First off, welcome to the board!

[AZDesertRat]

Thanks.
Any suggestions?

[chopper89]

Have you looked at the 500 sportman. there the best all around machine for a midsize. great suspension,high and low range plenty of power to do whatever, plus the price is pretty reasonable for used or new.

[AZDesertRat]

The 500 is a foot longer, wider(which isn't a problem as I have 49" clear in my trailer, and heavier. I know it has more power but I am trying to stay with the 71" overall length that the Hawkeye or 2008 and newer 400 Sportsman has so it fits my trailer. Plus I'm only 5'6" on a good day so the mid size fits me well.

[Polaris Bear]

My wife had a Hawkeye and it was a great little machine. The Hawkeye is no speed demon but will climb like a mountain goat. I would go with the Hawkeye for hunting. MY wife traded hers for a sportsman 400 HO same size as Hawkeye just more motor. If you could find a used 400 HO I would go with it. The 400 has more power in the same size package

[Ryano]

My daughter has the Hawkeye 300 and I think it is a great little machine it gets great milage compared to the rest of the familys quads. It s light and even though it does not have low range it still went every where we went with the bigger quads with no problem

[4getful2]

tough decision.......trailers can be bought ,sold or made longer since you're looking at a magnum,that's more along the full size line ,maybe you should take a 500 sportsman for a strole. i'm vertically challenged also and i thought the 500 was big for me but looking back and even now i know it was money well spent. you need to decide, do you want to buy something you might end up getting rid of in a year or so or buy one and end up keeping. the only real advice i can really give you is if it's an automatic ,it needs to have 400 cc minimum. the 330 just didn't have enough ummph in high range

[anjcohen]

I strongly recommend the 550 XP! Nice machine, great ride and plenty of power for us old guys. Spend the extra $$ and get a new one. I just paid 7K plus tax for mine in Washington State last week.

I have been very impressed with the ride (on soft shock setting) and basically the whole machine.

Anyway, my 2 cents............................(<:

A

[AZDesertRat]

My 4x6 trailer fits perfectly behind my 2002 2 door Kia Sportage and will eventually fit behind my 24' fifth wheel and F-150 so a bigger trailer isn't really an option.
I have my 2002 Kawasaki street legal KLX300R for sale to finance the quad so money is somewhat of an issue, probably $3k tops even when I throw extra cash in.
There seem to be some good deals in the $3k range locally. I wish a 2008 400Sportsman would come up for sale at a reasonable price, I would even borrow a little to get one of those since its smaller in size yet powerful enough.