The Coleman 400 is a two-seater UTV that is powered by a 393 cc engine with a claimed 28 horsepower.
It’s appealing to buyers for a number of reasons, with its reasonable price tag being one of them. And you’ll find the Coleman 400 on the list of best used side-by-sides available under $5,000.
But being tuned for low-end torque rather than speed, this model’s recreational appeal is not something that attracts buyers.
So how fast does the Coleman 400 go?
This article will review the top speed of the Coleman 400, along with some factors that may affect reaching this top speed.
Coleman 400 UTV Top Speed
The Coleman 400 UTV top speed is listed at 38 MPH, but a number of owners have reported topping speeds between 40 to 45 mph in these vehicles depending on the load weight and terrain.
Top Speed Reliant Upon Break-In Period
For owners of a brand new Coleman 400, it’s important to adhere to the engine break-in period instructions in the owner’s manual. This break-in period refers to the first 25 hours of operation of the machine, when there should not be any excessive load put on the engine. This includes avoiding continuous operation above half throttle for the first ten hours of use and avoiding continuous operation above ¾ throttle from 10 to 25 hours.
The break-in period is essential in avoiding excessive engine heating while the various parts of the engine wear and polish themselves to their correct operating clearances during these first 25 hours. Failure to properly break in the vehicle may result in neither the engine nor drive components ever reaching peak performance and the Coleman 400 failing to reach top speed.
While the manual states that momentary full throttle operation during the break-in period should not harm the engine, it should be noted that the advertised top speed will likely be unreachable in these first 25 hours of use either way.
Coleman 400 UTV Speed Limiter
An electronic speed limiter does exist under the hood of the Coleman 400. But unlike the speed governors that restrict the top speeds of some other UTV models, this speed limiter only affects the speed of the Coleman 400 when in the Reverse gear. It does not limit the vehicle’s forward speed.
Increase the Speed of the Coleman 400 UTV?
The max forward speed of the Coleman 400 is controlled by the gear ratio of the belt on the primary/secondary clutches. Short of replacing these, there isn’t much way to increase the top speed.
The max engine RPM is controlled by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This ECU is technically adjustable, but is set at a secure limit to keep from blowing the engine. It could be adjusted to give the machine a minimal increase in speed and acceleration, but is not recommended.
Coleman 400 UTV Not Reaching Top Speed
If your UTV was properly broken in but fails to reach its top speed of 38 mph, there are a few ways to attempt to correct this.
Ensure the driver’s side seat belt is buckled. There is a seat belt safety feature in place that will prevent the vehicle from going over 10 mph without the seat belt engaged.
Ensure the tires are fully inflated as underinflation leads to less speed. Per the owner’s manual, the standard tire pressure recommended for the Coleman 400 is 10 psi in the front and 10 psi in the rear.
Check the drive belt and ensure it is not old and/or loose. This could be preventing the Coleman 400 from reaching top speeds. Signs it may be time to replace this belt are the vehicle snapping forward when accelerating rather than accelerating smoothly as intended, or rough acceleration in general. Ensuring the drive belt is fresh and tight should have a positive impact on the top speed of the vehicle.
Check the spark plugs. If the spark plugs are worn or fouled, they may not be igniting fuel in the engine at the proper rate which can result in a lower top speed. If necessary, replace them with a high performance iridium spark plug.
Conclusion
While the Coleman 400 UTV top speed is advertised at 38 mph, it is possible to reach speeds of between 40 and 45 mph in this vehicle according to owners. Though the Coleman 400 is not going to win you any races, it does provide ample power for everyday work tasks along with some light recreational ability when work turns to play.
