Hi,

Right now I'm trying to get a raptor, but for my second quad I would really, really, really like for either the scrambler 500 or the scrambler 400 2X4 to be it.I will be riding in dunes and trails such as Glamis,dumont,and my local trails so are either of the machines good for my riding conditions. I have a lot of other questions (so bare with me)such as:

1. Are they reliable?

2. How is the handling?

3. Whats the stock horsepower and speed for both of them?

4.In stock conditions Can both of them beat a stock 400ex?

5. What are the best aftermarket tires for them, I want something that is 6-ply?

6. Which one has lower maintainance?

7. What are the best aftermarket shocks for them?

8. Does any aftermarket company make a big bore kit for the scrambler 500?

9. I know there is a 440 big bore kit for the scrambler 400, who makes them and for the people who have the 440 kits how much of a horsepower and speed gain did you gain?

10. What other mods gave the best bang for your bucks?

11. Is there any other thing that I have to watch out for on either machine like maintainance problems or anything else?

12. I've seen on some peoples signature that say that their scrambler does over 60 horsepower and what mods did you put on to gain that much horsepower and how much of a speed gain do you gain?


Thanks your info will be greatly appreciated,

Dan

P.S.
Sorry for all the questions but I would really, really like for either one of these machines to be my second quad and I need to know as much as possible about both of them.

 

And also is any one running 23" and 22" tire on either one of the scramblers.If so tell me how it performs.Also what are the best sand paddles front and rear for the scramblers I want some thing that is v-shaped for the rear and what size should i get?One more thing what is everybodies scramblers websites or photo pages(photo albums).

 

1. Reliable, yes, as long as maintained properly.

2. Handling is predictable, heavy compared to a true sport machine, but very good when compared to a utility oriented machine, kind of splits the difference.

3. Don't know actual numbers, but stock they are pretty well matched between the two. Modified, the 400 all the way.

4. no idea

5. Tire choice varies greatly depending on terrain, I like Titan 489 or 589 tires for trail riding. Good dirt/mud traction, and pretty sturdy, might only be 4 ply, though. Sorry, no experience in dunes.

6. The 500 requires oil changes, the 400 will need a watchful eye on the air cleaner - not a whole lot of difference. The 500 WILL last longer between overhauls, though. The 400 should be cheaper to rebuild, though.

7. I don't know, but guys I talk to like Fox and Works, there may be others which are better.

8. Don't know.

9. I THINK you can get them through RCR or HPD. BIG gain in acceleration, but I have no numbers to compare for illistration purposes.

10. Some possible mods - I am no expert here, but I will try...
Change primary spring - better take-off, acceleration
Pipe, reeds - more HP, better acceleration, more top speed
Porting, 440 kit - More HP, speed, acceleration, etc.
Clutch kit - highly recommended if you do any engine mods to better get the power to the ground.

11. Watch out for piston knock in the 400. When it starts to go 'knick, knick, knick' at idle, it is time for a new piston. If left too long, a chunk of the skirt may crack off, and fly around inside the engine, doing all kinds of nasty stuff.

12. Don't know - wasn't me, but I kind of wish it was.

Good luck

 

I have a highly modded Scrambler400 and I will try to answer some of your questions.

My quad is reliable but needs to be pampered a bit. Handling is great compared to the big Utility quads but sucks compared to Raptors, Banshees and the other sportquads. The Scramblers are super heavy and no matter what you do it will always be noticeable.

The way I see it is that they are the best all-around versatile trail quad. My 400 has a ton of mods and is really fast and handles better now...but I have over 3000$ in mods. A modded 400 will easily stick with (or beat) the Raptor and Banshee at the dunes but will not jump or roost as well. Plus the whoops really kill the Scramblers.

If you are willing to invest in mods it can be a real blast... just don't expect it to follow the other sports quads in MX type rides. It can be done but it's tough. If I were to have had a 2x4 400 Scrambler I would have ordered after-market A-arms up front.

I added rear Bearclaws and front Razrs to mine. It is great in the mud and steers great now. The stock tires were too "mushy" in the bumps.

Horsepower is around 34 to 36 for both. Take a 400 and add a pipe you gain about 9 hp. Add some porting, 39mm carb, reeds, etc and you can get a nice, reliable trail modded quad that gets between 55 and 60 hp. Get a race pipe for the dunes with race porting and I hear you can hit the 70 hp.

Speed seemed to be about 60 mph stock. I think I can now hit around 70.

Hope this helped a bit. Ask anything else that comes to mind!

 

Hey,

I have a '98 Sport 400L 2x4. Same thing as the Scramblers, just a different name in '98. To be honest the only reason I bought it was cause I got it cheap from a friend. I was actually looking to get a Banshee, but wanted something in a hurry, so I jumped on this one. I went riding the weekend after I got it and I was very happy overall with it. The automatic took a little getting used to, and the quad feels kinda big and tippy when you first ride it (compared to my old Banshee that is). I ride with a guy who has a '98 Banshee, and I had no trouble staying with him in any terrain (we weren't racing, just cruising at a good speed). After our ride was over and we were on our way back home, my buddy with the Shee pulled onto the paved road and stopped. I knew that he wanted to race so I pulled up next to him. I nodded at him to go first. As soon as he let the clutch out I was on the gas and I really got him good on take-off. We only raced like 500', but he didn't get in front of me. We parked the quads and he didn't say a word of it to me (I think he was suprised). A lot of time has passed now, and it has given us a good chance to race a few times, and I can always get him on take-off until I hit top end. He creeps by me after a while though. Anyway, if someone came up and offered me a Banshee as an even trade for my Sport, I honestly don't think I would do it. I feel pampered from the old dog-o-matic, and reverse is great too. It is still a little bit too heavy for my liking, but I can handle it just fine. I just bought an RcR Stage 1 kit from Ritter Cycle (www.rittercycle.com), and it just arrived today. I'll let you know how I fare against the Banshee after I get it on. Also, I was challenged by a guy on a 400ex, and we are going to line them up this weekend. I'm bringing my video camera, and I plan on putting the race on the net. Another good thing about owning a Polaris is that nobody expects much out of them (like my buddy did), so if you run with somebody and lose it's not a big deal. However, if you win, the guy you raced will probably retire...hehe. Anyway, didn't mean to ramble like this, but I am honestly a very happy Polaris owner, and I'm not planning on getting rid of it any time soon. Take care, and good luck with whatever you choose.

-Josh

Ps. Take a look at HPD's website
and RcR's website for more info
on Available mods.

http://www.hpd-inc.com
http://www.rittercycle.com

Take a look at my site below for pic's
of the old Sport!

 

Thanks for everybody who replied and I have one more questions such as:

1. do they power slide good?

Thanks your info would be greatly appreciated,
Dan

P.S.
I'm still wating to find out is there a after market company with a big bore kit available for the scrambler 500.And this question may sound stupid ,but I'm going to ask any ways is there any way to gain 60 horse power on the scrambler 500 with out losing reliability if so what mods do I need.

 

Four Stroke Tech is releasing a 600cc plus kit for the 500 but it still wont compete with a 400 with the same investment, To get the 500 near 60 hp would take about 4 times the effort and money easy, You can mod a 400 to 60 hp With a pipe, clutch kit, reed cage , wiesco and some port work to your head and cylinder for around $1000, Four stroke power gains are minamal when compared to the 2 strokers, If you want good power and a all around fun ride spare yourself the grief of trying to mod the 500, Its a great bike in stock form but with typical mods your looking at maybe a 5hp gain for around $800 it's just not in the numbers with the SC 500

 

Does four stroke tech havea web site?And if any one has any more info about my questions above or the 600cc big borekit it would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Dan

 

I have a 2001 scrambler 400 2x4 and love it. I have had about 50 4 wheelers in my life time ranging from warriors to old 4x4 over weight hogs. I bought my scrambler about 2 months ago and I would not get rid of it for nothing. I don't know if I just got a good one or what but I raced a 400ex tonight and beat it in a drag and mine is totaly stock. Side by side with my wife driving the truck it will run 68 mph and that is on pavement and with my truck speed-o and it is pretty close. It still will pull a dead stop wheelie so fast that some times you can't shut it down and she goes over. Even at a 10mph roll if you peg it it will still go vertical. With the fox shocks and at only 20 lbs more than the trail blazer and twice the horse power it is one of the funest rides I have ever had.... With the 11" of travel on the rear and the 10" on the front both being fox shocks the ride is great and seems to jump 5 to 6 feet with out noticable pain... and at 47 the ride is very critical. We went to wayne national forest last week and haspin acers this weekend and she handles very steep hills and off camber as well as any banchee and 400ex. The nice thing is it has enough lowend tork to climb a real nasty hill from a dead stop where a lot of 4wheelers you have to be moving and hit them. The 4 gallon tank seems to last all day on a long run. All I have to do is add an $190 pipe from HPD and gain about 9 horse more. Sorry I am rambling on but you realy should give the 400 2x4 a try. My next polaris will be another 400 scrambler for my daughter.

real old guy
smblacknight

2001 Scramber 2x4
2001 Trailblazer
2001 Explore 250 4X4
2001 Honda 250EX

 

Mine powerslides great now that I had the flywheel lightened. Very noticeable!