Just built a house on some acreage and will need something to put around the property, drag some firewood from time to time..spray...maybe plow a short driveway.

I really don't want to spend more than 2k for what it will be used for. Looking at a 99 Polaris Explorer 300. Terrific, condition, not been rode much by an older guy...trusted guy of the community I'm from.

Main part of my question is how reliable are these machines, how much maintenance do they need and is that enough power for what I plan on doing? Thanks for any help.

 

imo, not really a heavy enough bike do do that sort of work. I would look at a sportsman 500 size bike for better results and its also a liquid 4 stroke which would be better again for that work. again just my .02

 

Hi Ryan,
I agree with Stendori that the Xplorer 300 might be a little light. I have a 88 Trail Boss 250 4x4, 94 Trail Boss 300 2x4 and they are great for riding around but any smaller displacement air cooled 2 cycle will not be good for any kind of serious work. Note, I also own a 2003 Honda Rancher 350 (air cooled 4 cycle), and a 1995 Polaris Xplorer 400 (liquid cooled 2 cycle).

If you are just pulling a small amount of firewood, with a trailer, a short distance, and on a very occasional basis, then the 300 would be fine. I certainly wouldn't plow any serious snow with it.

When I purchased the 250 it came with a plow and I wasn't happy with how it moved the snow so just took it off. Later I was using the 250 just for food plot cultipacking (not tilling or plowing) and overworked the motor and had to rebuild it. Note, I was religious about ensuring there was always 2 cycle oil in the machine and the oil pump ran fine. As it was a 2 cycle the rebuild was simple and relatively inexpensive even with a Wiseco piston but now we just use it for riding. A lesson in using the right tool for the job.

Now that I know a lot more about smaller displacement 2 cycle air cooled engines I wouldn't spend $2000 for even an excellent condition 20 year old Xplorer 300. Look for something that is 4 cycle and liquid cooled that is 400 or larger. You will be happier in the long run.

Good luck!