I'm starting to wonder if a 400sp or a 500 H.O. may be a little TOO big for what I want. While I really like them, I don't really need all that power or size on a quad. Or Do I?
Smaller models like the Xplorers & Trail Bosses really have caught my eye.
My only dilemmas with them is a concern over 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke engines with the Xplorers and the 2wd vs. the 4wd issue on the Trail Boss.
I also don't want to purchase a smaller quad now and then decide 6 months later that I should've gotten a bigger one.
Oh decisons...decisons...lol

 

Well, the xplorer 4x4, while it is a very well-built machine, may not be quite enough for you if your friends drive Sportsmans and the like. It is a good entry-level 4x4, as the 325 Trail Boss is a good entry-level 2-wd. Both are fun, and easy to drive.
If you want to keep up with the pack, might I suggest the Xplorer 400. I have one, and went about 5000 miles before anything really wore out on it. I replaced the belt, outer tie rod ends, front brakes, and a couple $10 bushings right around the 5000 mile mark. At 5200, I did a top end job, cost right at $200. Mine has been very good to me. I do all kinds of riding, except I don't jump it, and I rarely mud ride, and almost never go through mud deeper than the 'belly' of the machine. I hear if you mud a lot, the chain, brakes, and some suspension/steering components will wear out faster.
The beauty of the Xplorer 400, is for a couple hundred bucks, you can turn it into a machine that will keep up with ANY stock utility machine out there, if you so desire. You WILL wear out driveline parts faster, but they can really get that 400 to scream.
The 2 stroke engines will likely wear out quicker than the 4-stroke (although not by a whole lot), but are cheaper and easier to rebuild, and if you want more power, they are easy and cheap to modify to get more.