There is a question surprisingly similar to buyers in the market for a middle-of-the-road quad Polaris Utility. With offers only $ 400 difference in price between two strong competitors in the middle of the turn Polaris ATV, the bang for the buck? Candidate A, the Sportsman 400 HO, rides on a newer platform (see the change), while candidate B, the Sportsman 500 HO Quad Token Utility company and one of the best-selling ATV of all time (see experience).
MeetCandidates
How should one decide? Polaris is a convincing argument for the middle class SPORTSMAN 400 HO and its full-size model 500 HO - the 400 is an entry level model with features of Big Boy, while the full-size 500 has a larger engine and a small punishment price increases. With such a narrow difference in fiscal policy (price pseudonym), the choice seems pretty insignificant.
As you dig to see the details, but there are some significant differences that need to be off the air -that is, as the 400 laps of the truth and in fact a 455cc single-cylinder packs by the late Sportsman 450, while 500 met expectations with a 499cc unit served for a decade. As for the dry weight, obesity, an important issue, and all, there is a 91-pound advantage over £ 696 scale 400-605
The pass also offers a strong contrast. The 400 is 4.5 inches shorter than the 500 for a package more manageable for less experienced riders, or loadingin a crowded toy tractor. Let's not get bogged down in conflict - there are many similarities here. Both platforms have the carburetor and cooling liquid are, front McPherson suspension and return from the IRS, vital statistics show a complete instrumentation and share power with the firm selected "true" on-demand four-wheel drive. Sounds even-Steven, but we are nowhere close to naming leaders.
The first debate
It was time for some personal conversations, a realknock-down drag-out debate. Forget Iowa, New Hampshire or the Carolinas, we are here to ATV Magazine and outdoorsmen headed for the snowy slopes of northwest Wisconsin, the candidates head to head well.
Just 30 seconds into our trip, and with only 2 miles on the odometer, we noticed the all-wheel-drive not engage on the 400 we were able to diagnose the problem yourself. A debate lasting a few hours before it was potentially serious character flaw increases with the redCandidates.
Although our goal was covered with snow and slippery 4WD was not necessary and we continued along the hilly, picturesque woodland paths. Off between the two was a clear disparity in the performance balance. Our riding 500 Polaris 500 HO is like so many before - soft. Shocks are absorbed to the point of elimination, one for the hard work without experience. Credit cards, which are abundant on the front and 9.5 inches 8.2 500 Travel and rear, compared to seven eightThe acceleration to 400 is moderate, the body roll is not a problem, the controls are where they expect and it feels like a real full-size car.
Battered but still fighting, drove along the 400, it was like the underdog - lighter and less bulky. Two testers, and bigger, and felt comfortable riding on the thumbnail and appreciate its tossability. The four-beit still offers that comfortable around Polaris trademark, but is firmer damping rates, different suspensionGeometry or the shorter wheelbase, there is less comfort. Instead, drivers will receive a more sporty feel than the 500 Lower fender and the width of three inches less for the 400 new, smaller, playful feel of an unladen weight forward.
This round is a tie.
The power to change
The search for a clear winner is easier when it comes to performance and speed. Polaris says the mill produces 500 hp peak 35.9 and 31.1 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm, while maximum power of 400 is 29.2 and 24.6Pound-feet of torque rises to recover.
And 'put on the weight difference, though, and for this reason, we have the radar gun and has some acceleration test - never kill a bad way to get some time on a lonely country road.
Less weight and smaller size were not sufficient for the 400, drive faster than 500 has been revised. It took 101 feet to 400 to hit 30 mph, while the 500 is the same operation in less than 90 meters. After several miles on it,and often switch between computers, the numbers were a surprise. They are both very close, and the other may depend on trails, but the 500 wins the gear selector.
Kitchen Table Issues
More time with the candidates has led some of the finer points of dispute - issues of power, strength and tone.
On paper, there is nothing different brake packages with the duo. Both offers single-lever hydraulic front disc brake and a hydraulic rear foot -Traditional lever brakes. But then look at the current record. Brakes our 400 was significantly pre-loaded, perceived by almost all the braking force sent to the front wheels. Behind the slippery corners, it was enough to send the car understeer moment. Brakes on the 500, however, is a model of consistency - just what you expect when you expect it, and without the front-heavy distortion.
Ergonomics is another field of battle for any consumer Cross Shoppingthese two. When our testers were both above the barrier of 6 meters, we were surprised to feel comfortable with them. The trimmer 400 felt like a 9/10ths scale developed for small quad riders, but is still roomy enough to appeal to the masses.
With all things being equal, it may sound, vibration and harshness make a big difference to the fickle buyers. Why you should train with less if someone else is annoying? To this end, single-cylinder engine is not all that high-tech or polished.Since this is a debate that eventually we would be remiss if it did not give it to you directly - the old 500 vibrates less, a tribute to years of aging. While the 400 is not difficult, there is more engine and chassis vibrations, which makes the driver. There is no landslide here, but the Sportsman 500 is the smooth operator.
Wedge Issues
Moving beyond the big-ticket issues, it is worth mentioning a few minor differences. You never know what a deal breaker with annoying problemVoters. First, while most full-size features has the 500, the 400 has no low range or parking gear.
If you purchase a Polaris Sportsman, probably excited about the tank under the front rack - we love the function and use it at every opportunity you get. A small room, combined with service access to the radiator and plug the battery charger caused a small cubby on the E 400 'of usable storage capacity yet, but I HAVE 500 buyers can more than a pack of ratsbefore and you get an additional stowage compartment under the luggage rack.
The instrumentation is another area that shows some minor cost reductions on the 400 - to digital indicators are not as readable as analog and digital display on the 500 There is also a pod 500 on the light Hey, this is a campaign, and each little detail counts.
Damage Control
As the sun went down and the road to a dead end, it was time to turn around and get back on track. We gave everything we hadPowerslide for a full return journey and I tried to make the final call on these two contrasting races. The truck is always a good place to think.
Back in business, we decided to dig up some answers to the 400 4WD system is defective. Polaris after service technicians poked, prodded and told us that a ring either spontaneously from his pen in the case of main landing gear, or was ever to sit on the assembly line. When the current was transmitted through, it is pushed against the retaining ring until the pinionSnorkeling equipment on the tree was no longer the contact - so no front wheel into action.
Definitely a problem is necessarily given in a harsh light by the media. Not so! ATV Magazine has a glorious history of objective reporting. These problems are rare transmission closely for any mainstream manufacturer, and we will take him at one time mistake.
Election Day
The attempt to block a winner, treated in the media the same old questions. Who is the ideal buyer for the smaller 400? Who should gowith the larger 500? There is enough difference between them? And we'd go to testers, if we had to ask the question for you?
Our vote? The Sportsman 500 HO, for its size, super-soft ride, low range, more speed, more torque, and the fact that a Sportsman 500 has never been as low as low. If you work or play, and we both like, there are many reasons given to justify the extra $ 400. Store to carry more equipment, more ass, take more stuff.
On the contrary,maybe not the great compromise for those who appreciate a simple operation, more manageable size and less weight Sportsman 400 HO There may be more important than any other feature to offer quad in its class.
What is right for you? This is your call. But if you like and we are looking for a full-sized workers and a pilot run lively brand of voting for the 500 Sportsman HO
