Looking to buy my first ATV- Sportsman 400HO

[defleppardsg]

Hello, new to the forum here.

I'm getting serious about buying my first ATV,and I'm looking at a Polaris Sportsman 400 HO. I chose it because I've always kind of liked the way Polaris ATV's look, they've got a good reputation, the value seems to be the best of all the ATV's out there. I chose this model, because it's probably the cheapest new model that still seems to have a lot of power, ride quality, and ground clearance.

Before now, I have a little experience screwing around on a Kawasaki Bayou, and a 2WD Honda Rancher. Fun, but if I'm going to buy my own, I want enough power and size to have someone on the back and still be relativeley powerful and nimble. The only thing that I wasn't in love with on the Polaris's is that the 4wd is not selectable, it engages on it's own. And it doesn't have a locking differential?

Are my assumptions accurate or do I have my information confused? Will this 400HO fit my needs? Should I not go for a brand new one for my first machine?? Figured I'd get on here and get the facts first.

Thanks in advance.

[800touring]

I never drove the 400 but it dues have a looking front diff. When the bike is in 4x4 mood it will actually be in 2x4 tell the back wheels slip about 2 lugs then the hole front end will look up and have all 4 tiers puling

[tt425]

When you have it in 4wd the moment the rear wheels slip the front wheels engage and all 4 wheels pull. A 400 is a good machine it has a 425 engine on it. Same chassis and ground clearance as a 500.

[defleppardsg]

Thanks guys. What kind of maintenance should I expect to do regularly if I get this quad? I do all of my own auto maintenance at home; I'm not mechanically retarded. But I've never owned or worked on an ATV. Oil changes? Lubes? Intevals?

[Russ C]

this is just my opinion, buy the 500HO, the 400 is the same chassis , frame ect but the people I know that have purchased th 400 wished they would have gotten the 500 within a year, not sure what the diff erence in price is but the difference in power is worth it

[1of7627]

Gotta go with Russ C here. The 400HO (which has the 455cc engine used for several years in various models) is a great machine, but the 500HO for a few hundred dollars more is better suited for general work such as carrying a passenger or plowing. It will also have higher resale. As for doing your own maintenance, the owner's manual has instructions for the common maintenance tasks and they should be well within your ability. - MarkC

[defleppardsg]

Do you guys think the 500HO will really be that much ballsier than the 400HO? 400HO's got a 455cc engine, the 500HO's got a 498cc...

I'm used to riding smaller quads with much smaller engines, so I was thinking a 455cc engine would be throwing me out of my seat in comparison to my past experience. I can get the 400HO for about $500 less, not sure if the 43 extra cc's is worth it.... unless anyone thinks that logic is for shit.

[curtiscapk]

My Bro loves his HO

[1of7627]

I didn't realize the difference was so great. I have to admit I don't have an extra $500 and if I did, it could get me a winch or a plow. - MarkC

(Don't know why they decided to call it a 400HO. The equivalent model in '07 was called the Sportsman 450.)

[defleppardsg]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm on the fence. I guess it depends if the dealer is willing to do better than the listed price for either of them, and if that widens the price gap any more or less. This is an uncharacteristically large purchase for me, so it's a tough decision.

In the simplest terms- will the 400 have plenty of power for me (usually riding solo, sometimes just with my girlfriend on the back)? Or will I truely be lagging and dying for the extra power? I'm not a speed guy, but the last thing I want to be is underpowered...