had the same problem with my sportsman 400. It did exactly how you explained it.  I bought the starter kit for around $40 from the polaris dealer and now it works great.

Thanks.. Sent you PM having a few issues getting to starter and removing it....

starter or solenoid. Actually sound like the brushes or the armature in the starter are bad to me. Pull the starter off & put 12v to the bolt on the side & see if you hear it grinding & or locking up?

Thanks will try that tonight see what happens...

Just a B%$#$% to get to the starter on the bike.....

Thanks but a starter prob no reason to sell it as run like new and only a 2004 so figure prob starter bad I am hoping is all...

Having a problem with my starter on my 400 Sportsman.. I can pull start it no problem but when I try and turn the key starter does nothing click every once while??

I tap on the starter and it starts to spin then just stops like froze? I just replaced the battery thinking it was that still does the same??

Any idea/help???

thanks