Just recently a friend and I baught two brand new scrambler 500's from two different dealerships. Right off the bat it was quite obvious that his was faster than mine. Mine is not a dog/lemon by no means, but I would have expexted them to be a little more equal in stock condition. Any thaughts as to why these two would vary so? Is it possible to get two different set-ups from the factory? What can I do to help solve my problem if anything without spending money?

 

I would check your altitude jetting yours maybe different to your buddies. Usually it is on a label next to your air filter box.
Dave Formstone
98 SP500 EBS

 

I just thought I would mention that I am looking for a new Scrambler right now, and when I was down at the Polaris dealership they told me that they rejet and re-clutch every new quad for the elevation here (4500 feet). It is quite possible that your friends dealership did a custom setup while yours just unpacked yours from the crate and sold it to you. I would ask your dealer.
BTW...Can I ask you what you paid? Did you get '00 models?

 

Most likely he has the HO model and you do not, that is the most likely explanation.

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RangerSX 1987 Honda 250X(completely stock)

 

Check your throttle cable adjustment and be certain that it is opening completely before you do anything else. Simple things first!!!

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Kevin Gowdy aka Kagey 1999 Polaris Magnum 500

 

Ranger, You should remove your post. There is only one 500CC 4 stroke motor offered in the Scrambler since 1998. It is the HO.

For Mayhem, I picked up my '00 Scrambler 500 for $5500, and my '99 in November for about $5,200.

I had a deposit on the 400 2x4, but reconsidered in favor of the 500 4x4. The 2x4 may be neat, but in the rough terrain I ride in, the 4x4 is absolutely wonderful.

The price was $4500. for the 2x4.



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Rich Weinssen 1999 Scrambler 500 2000 Scrambler 500 2000 Trail Boss 1998 Magnum 425

 

Ranger,
The last year of production of the Scrambler 500 NON H.O. was 1997. It was purple, had chain drive front end, no concentric drive, and a "regular" 500 cc engine.
Starting in 1998, they kept the purple plastic, went with the H.O., put a shaft drive front end on it, gave it concentric drive... and didn't produce half as many as they could have sold.
From 1999 up, all Plastic on the Scrambler 500 is red.
I would say it has more to do with drivers reaction times/ability, body weight, who is fully broken in with an oil change to synthetic, who's leaving the line in AWD (holeshot) There are A LOT of variables.. almost too many to list... Belt condition, secondary clutch spring preload, condition of sparkplug, freshness of fuel... and on and on and on and on..... But, it AIN'T the H.O. no H.O. thing unless you found a dealer with an old purple 97 model in a crate somewhere..

 

I have noticed that there is a wide margin more power available with the 4wd disengaged. To turn the 4wd takes away power, which will spin more but will actually effect accleration and top speed a great deal. I knock off almost 10mph off my top speed with the 4wd engaged. 4wd is not good for racing, only for more traction.

PS do you know you must back up for a few feet to disengage the 4wd after turning it off?

[This message has been edited by Dominator (edited 01-09-2000).]

 

Mud,

It is clearely the machines, not the drivers.
There is no hole shot, We raced down pavement. Coasted till equal, then gradually sped up. his kept pulling away. Then we switched, Same thing. Both bikes are equal in hours. Also, this is his first ATV, My fifth. I believe the problem most likely lies in the jetting and clutch set-up.

 

It is not normally necessary to do anything to disengage AWD. There are posts elsewhere on this forum that explain how the Polaris AWD works. They (and my experience) indicate that unless the rear tires are slipping and indicating they are rotating faster than the front ones, the front hubs disengage.