I took my new '00 Scrambler 500 out for the first time last weekend. I can't express my disappointment enough. First, I must say I believe that the 500 was completely out of it's element, I was riding a trail that had technical rock climbing and sudden steep climbs up a twisting trail that was crushed granite over hard packed dirt. There was also some moderate off camber stuff. The Scrambler handled it all poorly, throwing me off the trail several times, while clutching onto the brakes for dear life. Something that rarely if ever, happened when riding my Foreman on the same trail. My friend was riding my Foreman, he walked through this stuff that the Scrambler had trouble with, and this was his first time out !! I've ridden a lot of ATV's and have NEVER had this much trouble? Is the riding style to handle a Scrambler THAT MUCH DIFFERENT? Or did I buy the wrong ATV?
Yes, the Polaris does have real 4wd, and it works great once you get it to lock in. Lot's of times the front tires would slide sideways and not grab anything until it was too late. Full time 4WD would be more desirable. I was told that the 500 has so much torque that you don't need a LOW range, this is wrong. You do need it for trail riding, at least in the Mtns. Off cambers were a joke, I had to walk it across after coming up on 2 wheels several times. That'll scare the poop out of you when it's hundreds of feet down to the bottom of a rock slide area. ALL of my weight was on the uphill side too. On the plus side, when you hit the wide open stretchs and river beds, this machine comes into it's own. It handles fantastic and you have to love all of the power. I think I made an expensive boo boo. It's going up for sell with less than 10 hours on the engine. When is the new Honda due out?

 

Sorry to hear your disappointment. That's an expensive gamble to be unhappy with.

I would like to say that I have had my Scrambler 500 since April and couldn't be happier. And I bet we are riding some of the same trails. I have had mine on the parks trails near Woodland Park, all over the mountains west of Poncha Pass and over Hancock and Tomichi passes (in the rain) 3 weeks ago. So far, no problems.

I came over from riding a 2wd quad (Warrior and Lakota) and had never ridden 4wd before the Scrambler, so my expectations were different. I broke my left ankle on the Warrior and had to buy an automatic, so Polaris got the nod and I wanted to keep up with the boys on the Warriors so it had to be a Scrambler.

Before you give up on your Scrambler, take it out again and give it a try on some different terrain. Maybe you were just having a bad day.

 

Thanks Deskbound, I was at the Texas Creek area. I rode the trails around WP on a Scrambler before I purchased one. It was great, I think I will check the tire pressure and at least break it in before doing anything too drastic. I definetly am not use to the higher profile. Did you ever ride with the Quadduster club ? I remember a guy with a broken ankle that had a warrior. Ken I think?

 

It took me a while to get used to my Scrambler when I got it. There are a few things now that I can do with ease on it (technical 4x4 stuff) that before I thought was impossible on a Scrambler.

The motor has plenty of power, but the gearing, in some cases, is too high and will make the belt slip. If you are running stock tires you shouldn't have a problem with that though. If you just barely are giving throttle, it will slip, and be difficult. You have to give more. After riding a geared machine with low gearing, it's hard toget used to.

But then again, if the Foreman 400 was the ideal machine for your riding area, the Scrambler probaly isn't the machine for you.

 

Making the jump from a 400 foreman to a 500 scrambler is no doubt going to be a transition that will take some getting used to. Give it a little time you are nearly doubling in horsepower plus having to get used to an automatic transmission.

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Kevin Gowdy aka Kagey 1999 Polaris Magnum 500

 

If you have riddin atv's for a while you will also have to admit that it takes time to get used to your new atv. I mean your going from a work "style" atv to a Sport atv. (completly diff. handling,Diff. clutch set up,diff. 4 wheel drive,wider, longer,and Higher Power!!!!)
I mean it's like a Indy car driver crossing over to a Sprint car!!!
What did you expect?

Steve - xpoltech

 

Different Warrior and different ankle.

I got my Scrambler at the dealer on Platte and they had the tires at about 12psi. Fortunately, I checked them before I rode it. I also had to stiffen the rear shock some.

 

Sure you have the power but when you begin to climb something you are better off in low gear.Not so hard on the belt,you can do anything in high.But it will cause belt to slip,and cause premature wearout.You have alot more machine just need to get used to it.Like going from tri-cycle to bicycle.
COB

 

Thanks for all of the replys, I checked the tires last night, they were all about 10psi,
stupid mistake not to check them before the ride. I also stiffened the shock. There is no doubt that the 500 is a competitive machine... I never meant to imply that it is a machine problem. We all could probably use a riding lesson, but that's not the case hear. I need to get used to it, more than anything. I expected a 4X4 sport machine that could kick butt in the open spaces as well as handle some moderate technical stuff..... I was led to beleive that the Scrambler can do it. And it may. We'll see. I just wonder if I shouldn't have been looking at a Magnum 500.

[This message has been edited by atvbbs (edited 10-13-1999).]

 

The scrambler is like no other machine. It definately takes some getting used to but it offers some unique advantages. If you compare it to a sport quad it is probably the largest and heaviest sport quad there is. A poor choice if a sport quad is all you want. If you compare it to a utility or true 4wd machine it is probably the worst performer in that class too and you would be better off with an explorer, sportsman or mangum. The scrambler despite it's weight and size gives you the best of both worlds. An option that i have not seen on any other quad. I personaly would never have bought the scrambler if i was doing just ordinary trail riding or sand riding. A more expensive bike with less parts and options like a 400ex or Banshee would have been better ( Yeah Right ). I perfer the Polaris quads because of the value and options that get regaurdless of any downfalls. I have never seen any 2wd quad that can get through stuff that i could not and i have never seen a 4wd quad that was faster and more nimble in the sand.

The scrambler is a great middle ground bike that can be replaced by no other machine. It sounds like you bought the right machine for the wrong application. Sorry and good luck looking for the right machine.

Chris Picciotto
99 Scrambler 500