I’m surprised nobody has made mention of the 2 latest quad reviews in ATV connection. One was a Hot Seat clutch kit for the 500 Scrambler and the other was an FMF Megamax pipe for the Honda 400EX. They quote a stock 400EX running a 150 yard sprint in 9.8 seconds and the piped and jetted version doing 7.9 seconds. I always said FMF made a fine product.

The Scrambler runs a 200 yard sprint in 9.27 seconds 2WD and 8.89 4WD stock. With the clutch kit it is 8.53 and 8.30 respectively. What I see is a stock Scrambler can run 200 yards faster than a stock 400EX can run 150 yards. The 400EX was in a grassy field and the 500 was on hard pack/gravel. I don’t think that would have a great affect on times.

Can this be true? Will a stock 500 Scrambler out accelerate a 400EX? If so, how can the 400EX possibly out accelerate a 400 Sport as Dirt Wheels quoted in their Banshee, 400EX and 400 Sport shootout?

The final question, why can’t ATV connection test quads at the same strip? I know temp and humidity would play a role but at least we would have a decent basis for comparison.
Scott.

 

The weather could play a part... Even the grass could. When my brother and I race in the neighbors dirt feild we have different results. (He has a 400EX, I have a Scrambler 400 w/RCR kit) In the thicker, softer dirt I always get him out the hole but by his 4th gear he can catch me. If we race on the side with hard packed dirt or the grass lane. He can't catch me. If we start from say his 3rd gear, we are dead even on hard pack, but in soft dirt he will eventually go around me. I attribute it to his light quad doesn't "push" as much dirt in front of the wheels. As for the test in Dirtwheels... You really think they are gonna have a precious Honda get beat by a junk, auto , old man Polaris??? That just doesn't sell magazines, nor does it sell ads to Honda. My thoughts anyway...
c-ya,


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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 & '99 Trailblazer, both with RCR mods.

 

Boys, boys, boys and finally boys...
When is everyone going to stop talking about which machines is faster? or I can beat a 400EX in a drag race? Who really cares??? Honda did not release the 400EX to be the fastest quad on the planet. If they wanted to make a quad that would beat everything in a strait line, don't you think that they would have put a two-stroke in it? Anyone that is anyone knows that Honda very rarely makes mistakes. And they did not make one with the 400EX. The EX was created to be the best handling thumper on the planet. And it is. It's light weight, with good power, a great suspension package, awesome handling and everything a sport quad should come with. Now I sound like a preacher here talking up the 400. But I don't even own one. Go and put some hard miles on this quad for a day and you will see why all of the magizines give it high marks. It's what sport quads are about, and beleive it or not. It's what they are all going to have to be to keep up in today's industry.
Don't get me wrong. I love all of the quad makers and about 90% of the models out there. I'm just tired of everyone talking about drag races, and who is faster. Every quad is different and will be better in it's own element. It's hard to compare machines that are better in two differnt areas.

Chris "00" 300EX

 

The 400EX is a great quad. I know I ride my brothers a lot. I believe the point he was trying to make though was that to read/hear everyone talk about it you would think it's unbeatable. When the truth is slow, overweight auto's can run with it. Also, while it's no MX track the trails around my place aren't straight & flat and my brothers "worlds greatest handling" quad hasn't got away from me yet. If the 400EX was as great as everyone says it to be I would have bought one.
c-ya,

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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 & '99 Trailblazer, both with RCR mods.

 

I wish I could claim the Scrambler victory, but I don't think in anyway that is a fair comparison. It doesn't state much about where his runs were.

For all we know he could be a 800lb guy who can't hardly work a clutch, on takeoff spun the rear tires for 100 yards of the 150, and lived at an altitude so high that the motor could hardly breathe. I am exagerating, but you can see my point.

That's why the clutch kit article is says for "comparison purposes only."

 

Yeah, You can't really compare the two because they are totaly different. I don't feel bad about spending the $5299 plus tax for my 99 500 when my friend just bought a 2000 400ex for $6100 ( plus tax i guess ) and he's got no reverse, 4wd or backup start ( Ha..Ha..Ha ).

The PVT system is truely amazing to me. I haven't seen any machine out there that can beat me for the first 50 feet. They just spin tires as i pull away. The off the line gain is the trick. If you raced moving at lets say 15 mph the 400 would pull away. The key is never race anyone moving. My freind is so mad that his 400ex can't bet me in a drag. PVT...PVT...PVT !

I used to have a 69 Firebird with a 428 HO ( built ), 4 speed, 3:73 rear and i used to drag race down at a quater mile track. The quickest time i could run was high 13's a little over 100. I switched to an automatic with a 3500 stall an shift kit and i dropped a full second in the quarter mile. PVT..PVT..PVT !

Chris Picciotto
99 Scrambler 500

 

Yep, Chris --your right, in drags most guys just cant grab the concept of while they are sitting there spinning, you hook up and leave. They are just wasting time with their burn outs.

Billy
'79 Z-28 350 (slightly modified) 4:10 posi, 4 speed close ratio Muncie. !!for sale!!