how often do you need to rebuild it? How reliable is it? Whats the top Speed of the Scrambler400 4X4 X? What is the maintance compared to a 4 stroke?
Thanks

 

The two stroke should be "rebuilt"(at least re-ringed) once a year...depending on how often and how hard you ride it. If you don't ride for extended periods of time, and don't "rag" on it all of the time, it should last a long time without a rebuild. My 1996 Sport has been rebiult twice...and I race it, trail ride it, and flat drag it, constantly. If you do the preventive maint. on it, plan on many hours of enjoyment! I'm not sure of the top speed...maybe 60-65? A four stroke is less maint.....again it depends on the riding.....

 

what does the preventive maint mean? Like tighten chain type stuff?
Thanks
any one else?

 

My 400cc engine with 2200 miles has not encountered a single problem since new.

The rest of the quad is a piece of Shi?So many problems,that it would take me forever to type them.My 500cc Sportsman was NO better and it had numerous engine problems as well.

I'd recommend the 400cc engine.But buyer beware,the rest of the quad is allways wearing out parts and in the shop for repairs.

Bill

 

I don't know if you would have to re-ring it once a year. Mine went 5 years on the stock rings and still had decent compression. The only reason I really rebuilt it was to get better performance.

I do agree with the maintance though. The key to keeping the motor in good shape is to keeping your air filter fresh. If you don't, little pieces of dirt get into the motor and turn it into a grinder inside. A good quality oil is also a must. This is true for both types of engines but seems more crutial in two strokes.

As for maintance on two stroke engines, their is no oil to change, no valves that may need adjusted, and are just a very basic motor with alot less parts to break or wear out.

You'll know if dirt is getting into any engine if you remove the air filter and wipe your finger on the inside of the intake going into your carb. It will feel gritty. Keep your air filter doing its job and use a good quality oil and the engine will last just about as long as any four stroke.

One other thing, you can get alot more power and performance on the two stroke than you can on the four stroke. Dollar for dollar the two stroke is alot cheaper and easier to modify.

Good Luck.

 

My Xplorer 400 had 5200 miles on it before I replaced the piston & had the cylinder honed to match it ($200 total cost). Truth be told, I think it would have went a while yet. I am still waiting for confirmation on that matter from the place where I got the new piston & who also did the honing.

The 400 engines don't need re-ringing. The rings will last as long as the factory piston. What they WILL do is start to get piston 'knock' as the piston wears. This is kind of a rattle sound in the cylinder you will begin to hear at idle. When the piston gets loose enough, it is possible that a piece of the skirt will crack off, fall into the guts of the engine, and do some MAJOR damage. I replaced the piston more out of fear of that than I did because of loss of compression. My machine is almost a daily driver on the farm, and once calving starts it MUST run several times a day or I walk about 10 miles checking cows. I put on about 2500 miles a year, and didn't know if I wanted to wait for 7500 miles to roll up (when the next 'slow' time of the year would roll around).
That told, going almost 400 hours, and over 5200 miles with only $200 worth of work done to the engine, I don't feel is so bad. Also, the new piston is a Wiesco, which have a reputation of holding together much better than the stocker does.
If I had it to do all over again, I would definately get the 400 again. The only change I might do would be put in the Wiesco right away (cost is only $100 then, you can drop it right in without the honing I am told). Even if you add $100 to the cost of the machine, it is still a good buy for what you get.

The maintanence the guys were mentioning mostly includes adjusting & lubing the chain, as well as greasing a few zerks on the chassis, and changing the hub fluid every now and again on the 4X4 models. None of these are big chores or very costly, but if you want it to last, you will have to do it.