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Posted by: Kawi650
Scott be carefull with an old polaris. I think that sportsman is 3 chain driven (not sure). I would recommend looking at a newer bike or a different brand unless you are willing an able to work on it. Typically new ATVers should be on a newer atv because you are not watching for what could go wrong or that's hard on my bike etc... The 400 is also a 2 stroke and 4 stroke is much better now. Also you have to be very friendly with a greese gun with the old polaris. I would look at a 2000 or newer like a Magnum 500 if you what a Polaris. Do your homework on an older machine; also be aware that a day of cleaning a bike can put the looks into showroom but that's doesn't mean the machine is show room conditions. The 4WD tire thing is could be an easy fix, just change the fluid, but if it's that it would tell me the bike wasn't propperly mantained.
Posted by: Kawi650
means serious headaches to me... been there thank god I can say that set up was a thing of the past. How it worked was the middle chain ran the both front and back chains which ran on axles from there
Posted by: Kawi650
"downgraded the trade in price by $1500. " come on... unless it was really abused maybe... well no not even then. I had 24000km on a 400 kawi and I sold it privately and got 4300 for it, I never asked my dealer but I know he wouldn't gave me that for it. Now when I sold mine it was in top shape thou.... and it is still running today.
Posted by: natron1
My neighbor just traded his 2000 500 sportsman in on the new 700 fuel injection. Anyhow the 500 was in such disrepair that the dealer downgraded the trade in price by $1500. Cause it was so bad and claimed it would cost him this much to repair it for resale. To which my neighbor agreed cause he knew how bad he beat it and did little mantinence. Only buy whats in front of you even if its a little more.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
Be very careful with the old polaris's. They had a lot of problems about 6-8 years ago. Now days, the are very good machines since they worked the problems out. I have a friend who had a sportsman 500 with a lot of problems and he sold it. Another friend of mine bought a newer 500 HO had he loves it and had had any problems. Just my thoughts......Good luck.
Posted by: scottso
Greetings. I was hoping somebody could give me some info. I am looking to buy my first ATV. I am looking at a '96 Polaris Sportsman 400 on Ebay. Pretty old machine, but my first purchase I am not going extravagant. Anyway, I emailed the seller for info and asked about the condition of the motor and drivetrain. Within his response was "It appears that only one front wheel spins in 4WD". Did this year have a differential which would cause this, so is it normal? ..or is there most likely something else going on with the front drive train here? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by: scottso
I think you are right about three chain drive - from what I see. I have looked on partsland.com at exploded views to try to get an idea about how the drivetrain works, but I can only tell so much from there. So, does that mean that one chain drives each wheel? And if that's the case the transfer case might be the issue? ...and no differential per se.
Posted by: bilt4speedP700
If you are looking for a good used bike ,let me recomend somthing like a 98 honda forman 450s.they are very reliable and easy to work on.Tons have been sold so there are a lot of aftermarket parts available.You should be able to pick one up pretty cheep or at least worth the money.Its not the fastest or the smoothest but its rock solid dependable. Just my opinion
