2023 Sportsman 450 HO EPS - Everything you need to know!

Hey all! Today we're checking out a 2023 Polaris Sportman 450 H.O. EPS Edition. These are an excellent unit if you're planning on using your ATV for small acre property maintenance, some trail riding, pulling a trailer, plowing the driveway, etc. This unit features a 499cc engine, 33 HP, liquid cooled, fuel injected, 4WD, 11" ground clearance, and loads of storage!
So, is the Sportsman 450 the right machine for you?

[@BigG344]

Just got one and I love it. One of the best improvements in my opinion is the location of the battery. Now it's right inside the front storage compartment. I had the 2014 Sportsman 400 H.O and the battery was underneath the back left fender above the wheel. It was such a pain in the ass to access for a tender or to jump if needed.

[@Buckshot1123]

I didn’t know about Twigg in Hagerstown, I’ll have to check it out, I live in Delaware but I head to western Maryland quite a bit so maybe I can come take a look! Great video as well I was looking at 570s but I might consider a 450 now.

[@dankruger2890]

Just bought a green 450 Polaris for the Wife and its a all around good purchase. Is it better than the Yamaha, Suzuki, or Honda? who really knows. She wanted accessories, and no engine braking. The 500 class ATV market is Huge and the perfect size machine for the average Homestead-woods machine. When tested her ATV, I personally looked at the brakes, 4x4 ease of use, and most importantly comfort of ride.

[@ComfyDadShoes]

I had a 2017 570. I regret selling it, but it was pretty fun while I had it.

[@user-el8bn2vp5w]

How do I check my transmission fluid

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Great. Info

[@benattwiggcycles]

Thank you!

[@devin3156]

“Polaris does not have diff lock is has Polaris AWD system” the Polaris “awd system” is already a locked diff. The rear diff in 2wd is fully locked always and it’s a simple button flip to awd and the front diff is also a locked diff. Polaris has the best and fasted 4wd system in the entire 4x4 atv market.

[@benattwiggcycles]

Thanks for your input!

[@spyder000069]

Same price as the Kodiak 450 EPS SE which gives you the front diff lock, factory installed warn winch, and the best cvt in the industry with a 10 year belt warranty. Plus yamaha reliability. I don't think the storage and few extra HP the polaris has makes up for all that. If the polaris was $500 cheaper it would be more reasonable. CFmoto is starting to take chunks out of polaris sales as well.

[@benattwiggcycles]

You make a very great point with the Yamaha. The Yamaha is a very great competitor with the Kodiak and Grizzly models. You're quite right. I totally agree. Only thing I'll say, CF Moto isn't worth the time and effort...take it from someone who worked at a CFMOTO dealer.....No Bueno. As they say in the Grinch, I wouldn't touch a CFMOTO with a 10.5' pole. lol There's a hidden reason those units are cheaper. Most folks find that out after a few short months of ownership, unfortunately.

[@spyder000069]

@@benattwiggcycles I appreciate the insight. I see a pretty good mix of opinions out there on CF. Seems like people who bought 2020 and later say the build quality is decent. Before 2020 models were a coin flip. I've talked to many CF owners on trails in wisconsin and every one loved their machine but most had something that needed tweaked or replaced to get to that point. In our riding group there are polaris bikes that break down every now and then and two brute force that are garanteed to never make it a full trip without a tow strap. I will stick to my Hondas / Yamahas even if I am the slowest in the pack. :^)

[@PureePlayer]

@@benattwiggcycles CFMOTO engines as of 2020 are being built by KTM and are equipped with Canadian transmission, it's safe to say the core of their machines as far as durability and power go are spoken for.. They are cheap mainly because of their rotors and brakes. I own a Sportsman 850 and a Cforce 1000 and the Cforce is much more comfortable, way more powerful obviously, and tons more features for a cheaper price tag. it's a no brainer.

[@dtruth5769]

NICE QUADS UNTIL EMGINE STARTS MAKING NOISE.

[@user-vr9xh2ch3b]

4 months in and the 2023 polaris 450 ho has electrical problems. Ignition switch flickering the digital dashboard. Wont start, power cuts out. Hind sight, wont get another polaris

[@anthonyg6221]

Polaris is def a couple levels below the Japanese models.

[@stevenbetzinger3430]

Mine does too. Did you figure out the cause?

[@jaywinters2483]

A salesman using KZbin to make a sales pitch. Bean counters at Polaris took away brush guards for front drive axles & characteristic glove box & who knows what else they cheapened. (softer metal in drive system?) Salesman was silent on that.

[@benattwiggcycles]

We’re not all bad people. I’m just doing this for fun and to help answer questions for folks.

[@emilywafford1090]

Im not a Polaris salesman, but I bought a 450HO and its been a great rig and Im a year in with it. Great rig and Im very happy.

[@user-hg8up3eh8d]

How do i check my mileage?

[@benattwiggcycles]

On your display there will be a mode button and arrows. The arrows allow you to scroll through your display to show your unit hours and mileage. Thank you for messaging! :)

[@coyote5.046]

Is this still available

[@benattwiggcycles]

Hey there! This sure is, as of 1/26/2023

[@travisancrum8728]

​@@benattwiggcycles hey there I have the green 2021 450 ho say I want to change my color around how much would the complete orange shell runs

[@mikeryan3188]

No rear storage box no plastic control arm covers front or rear i dont like that my 2012 400ho is better imo it has the OG grease fittings on the control arms and oem control arm guards as well and more storage than 2023 i dont mind the battery by the rear tire on mine at all! If i buy another atv it will be a suzuki king quad 500 ✊🏿

[@johnmullaney3445]

Is it as good as king quad 500?

[@jedeckert8912]

No, polaris is junk

[@stevenmiddagh6265]

Yes, king quads are junk

[@jedeckert8912]

@@stevenmiddagh6265 Yamaha FTW

[@emilywafford1090]

Yes its a very nice machine.

[@benattwiggcycles]

So if we line up the Sportsman 450 to a King Quad 500, the King Quad by far as a better built unit. Every component on the KQ is higher quality AND the KQ models all come with diff-lock which I love.

[@etubrutus3501]

The kodiak 450 has a 10 year warranty on the transmission………

[@benattwiggcycles]

Sure does ;)

[@lucaswade576]

Don't forget to mention all the wheel bearing issues and bushing issues guys are having on these things... Mine is 10 days old and already have a CEL. I may just take it back and get a Honda. I should have known better.

[@benattwiggcycles]

Sorry to hear that! Overall most of the 2022 and current Sportsman models have been fine. Usually it's the badly abused Sportsman 450 and 570s I've heard of the bearing issues. This is the first I've heard of that happening widely. All my folks that I've sold the 450's and 570s to in the past few years haven't had any bearing issues. Even my one guy that mud bugs his Sportsman 450 has had good luck with it. It's like anything, there can sometimes be a few bad bugs out there. Bound to happen with anything. Best of luck!

[@alvinarellano432]

Just bought this unit, very sad about the driving, one of the worst I have ever driven, I drive just trail riding and this unit is the worst driving unit I have drove in 30 years, trys to buck you off and goes off the trail by itself, very uncomfortable and dangerous in my opinion

[@anthonyg6221]

It all looks good on paper and in person but w/ Polaris quality and reliability (Lacking competitors) you're really rolling the dice. Questionable electronics are probably the biggest issue. I'd recommend anyone watching this video consider other manufacturers. Just review the comments. The comments without a heart you should pay particular attention to.

[@benattwiggcycles]

Thank you for your comment! By the way, I am in no way pushing folks any particular direction. I believe every brand, even the ones I sell, have their ups and downs. We all have good and bad experiences with various brands. Myself included. This video was simply made so folks could see what the unit looks like and know a little bit about it. You may notice that's what most of my KZbin videos are. Thank you for watching and happy ATV shopping! :)

[@anthonyg6221]

@@benattwiggcycles For sure. I think it's important to point out my experience as I've owned two Polaris ATVs that have had multiple electronic failures. Speedos, Stators, Failed Reverse limiters that render the machine useless. I would never buy a Brand new Polaris. Maybe used, if the price was right (And I mean REALLY low!) They look good on the showroom floor and I'm sure that sucks in the newbs. They should be left on the showroom floor.

[@mzondi1970]

Honda all the way too many reliable is you stories about Polaris

[@adrian-pm3dt]

Review says they are week in the steering!. Make them better!.

[@benattwiggcycles]

Hey there! Have you heard of the steering rack snapping or that the power steering is weak? I have heard some folks mention that the power steering sensitivity can be surprising sometimes.