I am looking for a Polaris 250cc, 2 stroke, 4x4 ATV made in the last 12 years and these seem to be the only choices. Which one is better and why?

 

Actually wasn't referred to as the Trail Boss but was called a 250 4x4 and the last year on these was 1993. The 300 2-stroke 4x4 was made from 1994 and became the Explorer 300 4x4 and discontinued in 1999 when the 2000 325 4 stroke came out. The Explorer 250 was only made from 2000-2002 and had the chain on the rear and cv drive shafts on the front. Confused? So am I, but if you could find an Explorer 250 you had only one chain to mess with compared to 3 on the 250 4x4. It gets my vote and is in your "12" year time frame. OR you could look for something a little newer OPT

 

Was any specific year of the Xplorer better than the other?
Is it just me or have ATVs gotten heavier and heavier?
Does 2 stroke provide more power than 4 stroke?

By the way old polaris tech, thank you very much for your time

 

The Explorer 250 was basically the same during the three short years it was made. 2 strokes can make a lot of power versus 4 strokes,BUT technology has changed a lot to where the 4 strokes are lighter and can produce as much power as the 2 strokes. You can see that just by looking at the evolution of dirt bikes from all the makers. 2 strokes are on the way out because of epa rules and regulations because they just can't pass all the pollution requirements and still produce high output. You can see this on some small lakes that have already banned 2 stroke out board engines, plus almost all atvs now for the exception of kids machines are 4 strokes. They served their purpose and will still be around,but their days are numbered. OPT

 

OPT...What's your opinion (from a mechanical standpoint) on the 2 stoke vs. 4 stroke? I was always under the impression that a 2 stroke was all-around easier to maintain and had a better longevity. Of course I have no idea where that impression came from so your insight would help. Thank-you

Sorry to thread jack Stealth1991

 

Give me a 4 stroke any day as far as longevity goes! And if I owned a Polaris it would have to be a 500 carb model so I could at least still work on it at home OPT

 

No worries bowiesrt8, the more I know the better
So is a 2 stroke easier to maintain?

 

Well you don't have to worry about oil changes and oil filters for one thing.

 

Is their a Polaris that has just as much power or more power than the Xplorer 250 that is just as light or lighter?

 

99 Explorer 300 but you have three chains to keep adjusted. Still a 2 stroke and 4 wheel drive. OPT