i went to take my official test ride on a scrambler today. i plan on buying a 400. the dealer did not have any 400's in stock for me to test ride, so they said that i could ride a 500 that it was similar to the 400. they were supposed to have put together a 500 for me to test and when i got there, they had not put one together, so they pulled their brand new '00 right off the showroom floor. i was amazed that they did that. so, i got on the 500, very nice feel. hit the gas, now mind you i am used to an '85 Lt250r. very impressive, the thing nearly stood right up, it would have if i pulled back a bit. instead i felt the chassis lift all at once and take off. very, very impressive. i was expecting alot of power, but, wow, that thing has *****!! rode it around a little dirt parking alot, a couple little dirt piles to cruise over. tried the 4 wheel, handled very nice, almost can't even tell its engauged. i love it. the thing is, is that i planned on getting the 400. hmmmmm, at that moment i was contemplating. too bad i really can't afford to go the extra $800 for the 500. the '99 400 is $4925, whereas the '00 500 is $5600, 800 more with tax. well, i still rather the idea of the 2 stroke. can anyone tell me.... are they comparable in power. will the 400 have that massive pull off the start. i know it will be a bit quicker off the start. is there all that much difference in the handling? how about ground clearence? does the extra bit of travel on the '00 make a difference? i tell you what, i can't wait to get one. i didn't want to get off it. very nice machine. no wonder you guys that have them love them. i rode my friends grizzly, and that has power, but i still think the scrambler is more impressive. feels alot more arm-pulling then the grizzly. well i guess you can't compare a spot quad to a utility. well, should have my by the end of the month, can't wait!

bigdevil

 

the 400 should have a little bit more "umph" off of the line, or it should actually feel like it. That is my impression

 

Glad you liked it! I have only heard a few dissapointed people after riding Scramblers, and only one was actualy a owner. Most owners seem to love them!

The 400 will feel faster, and it will be really close the 500 in performance. If you want to compare the Grizzly to Scrambler in the mud as well, I have a video of a Scrambler with stock tires easily run off and leave a Grizzly with Blackwaters in a mud race.

Hope you like your new bike! You won't be dissapointed with the 400.

 

Since you are no stranger to 2 strokes i would get the 400. If you can find a 99 400 that is still new you can probably get a great deal on it plus the 99 comes with aluminum wheels as opposed to the 00 400 coming with steel wheels..an extra 20 lbs or so. The 00 400 and the 500 have a redesigned swing arm for 10.5 inches of travel. There are also a few other minor improvements all for the better. The 500 stock is the faster machine only because the 400 very tame out of the box. If you spend the $800 that you saved on the 500 for 400 mods..Wow..Unleash the raped ape.

Polaris has always been know for their quality 2 strokes in their snowmobiles. The quality does not fall short for their ATV's. Unlike your 250r Polaris uses an injection tank to mix the gas and oil. Most guys i know do not even carry a spare spark plug with them.

The 400 is all about hop ups and there are many upgrades by many manufacturers. ust think about it...a 2 stroke sport 4x4...amazing it even exists. Jim Maloney's 98 400 is proof that these machines can be serious. He is working on 65 HP, a dry weight of 455 lbs and improved handling.

I on the other hand am trying to work on the 500 which is way more difficult and expensive to modify but not out of the question. I need some kind of reliability these days but I keep dreaming of a 400.

Good luck
Chris Picciotto
99 Scrambler 500