What exactly is a Polaris Hawkeye? The Polaris site says it's made for the Australian and New Zealand markets. There's one for sale near me and it looks interesting. What can you tell me about them? I see a few references on the site here, but not much info. Did (do) they sell them in the U.S.? Are parts readily available? It sort of looks like a Sportsman, are they similar? It looks smaller.
Polaris Hawkeye - What is it?
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They are a 300/400 sportsman on a mid sized chassis. They had no low gear, but were clutched accordingly.
The 300 is air cooled, the 400 is liquid, with the 455cc engine.
If the price is right, dont be afraid of them, especially the 400.
They were built by AEON for Polaris.
The 300 is air cooled, the 400 is liquid, with the 455cc engine.
If the price is right, dont be afraid of them, especially the 400.
They were built by AEON for Polaris.
That's my thinking. I want something easier to handle. My 500 with mud bugs and wheel spacers really requires some manhandling, especially in tight spots. Same goes for my Honda Foreman. I also have an '02 Honda Rancher and it's just a really sweet ride. Easy to handle and maneuver. However the solid axle is hard on your butt after a long day and it's only 2 wheel drive.
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I hear ya,
If my wife wanted to go riding now she would have to saddle up on the 1986 Yamaha Moto4. 2 wheel drive 5 speeds shifter, its time to upgrade her!!!! I just sold my xplorer 400 4x4 recently (which is what she would ride) so I wanna get her something small but nice and 4x4 so the hawkeye fits the bill. I see them on CL around here every now and then if VERY nice shape for about $2500 bucks asking price, can't beat that!
EDIT I wouldn't be afraid of the 300 either, but the 400 would be the way to go.
If my wife wanted to go riding now she would have to saddle up on the 1986 Yamaha Moto4. 2 wheel drive 5 speeds shifter, its time to upgrade her!!!! I just sold my xplorer 400 4x4 recently (which is what she would ride) so I wanna get her something small but nice and 4x4 so the hawkeye fits the bill. I see them on CL around here every now and then if VERY nice shape for about $2500 bucks asking price, can't beat that!
EDIT I wouldn't be afraid of the 300 either, but the 400 would be the way to go.
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1,330 Posts
brother has 2 300 hawkeye's an 08 and an 09. both run great and for him and his wife they work. he has a hard time hanging with the rest of us. 1 800 twin and 3 850's but we keep him in the middle and its stilla good time. they run up to about 35-40 MPH
Midsize frames are the way to go for most women. It simply fits them better.
If 4 x4 and major ground clearance absolutely necessary, Arctic Cat 300 dvx is a great machine. midsize frame, auto, light, very nimble, front end heavyish which makes it a great climber and gives gals confidence. Their clutch locks in at low rpm. You can stop it on a steep hill and easily get rolling again without high revs....more confidence for gals.
I have two of them for the gal and her kid. Very reliable we've never had one issue with them in 5 years. You'ld be surprised how well they go thru the woods and mud. Pretty fast too. I enjoy riding them.
The AC DVX is better than the Kymco mongoose, cuz it's a little wider, more stable.
If 4 x4 and major ground clearance absolutely necessary, Arctic Cat 300 dvx is a great machine. midsize frame, auto, light, very nimble, front end heavyish which makes it a great climber and gives gals confidence. Their clutch locks in at low rpm. You can stop it on a steep hill and easily get rolling again without high revs....more confidence for gals.
I have two of them for the gal and her kid. Very reliable we've never had one issue with them in 5 years. You'ld be surprised how well they go thru the woods and mud. Pretty fast too. I enjoy riding them.
The AC DVX is better than the Kymco mongoose, cuz it's a little wider, more stable.
Be cautious of the hawkeye 06 model year, they were built with a weak rear subframe the tabs that hold the rear a arm in place were too thin and tear off the frame. In 07 they beefed em up.
I drove 200 miles to get a deal on a 06 Hawkeye the owner said needed a new axle, it wasn't the axle it was the frame. I looked it up on the web and very common problem with 06 models.
I drove 200 miles to get a deal on a 06 Hawkeye the owner said needed a new axle, it wasn't the axle it was the frame. I looked it up on the web and very common problem with 06 models.
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In 06 and 07 they put the 300 in the midsize frame and called it a Hawkeye. At the same time the 400 was still called a sportsman and was in the full size frame.
08-10 they put the 300 and 400 in the midsize frame and called them sportsman.
I think there was a recall for weak bearing carriers on some of them. And like mentioned, a weak subframe on some 06s. I think the one I changed cost less than $200 and took about 3 hours to change.
I think $2250 is a bit steep unless it is like new. I paid $2500 for an 08 with 25 hours on it about a year ago.
Sean
08-10 they put the 300 and 400 in the midsize frame and called them sportsman.
I think there was a recall for weak bearing carriers on some of them. And like mentioned, a weak subframe on some 06s. I think the one I changed cost less than $200 and took about 3 hours to change.
I think $2250 is a bit steep unless it is like new. I paid $2500 for an 08 with 25 hours on it about a year ago.
Sean
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My wife started out on a new 06 300 Hawkeye rode it for two years trouble free. The 300 is a little underpowered for sand riding but works fine for most trails. She went from the 300 to the 400 HO mid size and it was a great machine plenty of power even for the sand. This last year she moved up to a 550 XP EPS because she wanted power steering. She still misses the nimble size of he 400HO. My mom is still using the 06 300 and it is still going strong.
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