I have a chance to buy a '99 Sport 400 for $1200. It supposedly has a "new" top-end. I haven't heard it run yet, but it is visually in fair condition for a '99. Questions...(I have zero experience with one of these)...How is the engine performancewise and also reliabilitywise? It looks like it has a pretty fair amount of suspension travel, but looks kinda heavy. Is it a decent cruiser/jumper for a teenager that doesnt' have a lot of cash, or should he spend his money on a Warrior or something else?

Thanks in advance

 

just basically a 2wd scrambler with one of the best engines ever made.Eccellent reliability,as far as performance you should be able to hit 65mph,not very smart to jump them.1200$ is pretty average I would'nt pass it up.

 

So how do they handle/ride? Are they any good on the dunes? General trail riding? Rough stuff?

 

might need to upgrade to an exhaust and clutch kit for dunes but you can do relativly well in the rough stuff and they handle great but can be tippy if your not carefull and a good trail rider.

 

With the right mods these can be a handful for new riders.But with just a pipe and matching clutch kit they will hold their own against any thing out there.They do require some work to maintane them but are well worth it.

 

ftwflh...I see you have a Warrior too. My son is 13 and a pretty good atv rider for his age. I was thinking of a Warrior for him 'til I saw this thing. He likes buzzing around and a little jumping...typical 8th grader stuff. We ride mountain trails and some dunes. Which would you rather have for a 13 to 16 yr old? Having never ridden either one, I'm leaning to the Warrior due to the lighter weight.

Thanks to both for your input...

 

THe only reason we have a Warrior is my son wanted to shift gears.His old 250 Trailblazer was meaner than this Warrior.I would get him the 400 Sport and let him ride it stock then get a pipe and clutch kit and watch him smoke the other sport quads.The 400Ls are very under rated.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ftwflh

With the right mods these can be a handful for new riders.</end quote></div>

What mods would that be, I just bought a scrambler 4x4 and like hand fulls!! LOL

 

Piping,clutching,porting and a good carb.But you have to understand the deeper the mods the more reliability suffers.You can build one of these to pull over 100HP if you have deep enough pockets.