I AM LOOKING INTO BUYING A SC 500 4X4. I MOSTLY TRAILRIDE, AND I DO SOME JUMPING + HILLCLIMBING. I CURRENTLY OWN A 250X, AND I HAVE NARROWED MY SEARCH FOR A NEW QUAD DOWN TO A HONDA 400EX OR A POLARIS 500 SCRAMBLER. I LIKE THE FACT THAT THE SCRAMBLER HAS 4X4 AND REVERSE THE ONLY HESITATION I HAVE IS BECAUSE I ALSO DO SOME JUMPING. NOTHING CRAZY, NOTHING OVER 6-8 FEET IN THE AIR, MOSTLY JUST SCREWING AROUND. ALSO HOW ARE THEY AT HILL CLIMBING. DOES THE AUTOMATIC TRANS MAKE IT EASIER OR MORE DIFFICULT, OR IS IT A WASH? LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS DOES THE WEIGHT IT LESS MANUVERABLE WHEN TRAIL RIDING? THANKS IN ADVANCE.

 

To answer the jumping question, the Scrambler can take a few 6 to 8 foot jumps. After a few of them you would probably start ruining the front struts. You can get aftermarket struts that would allow you to do this on a regular basis.

As for hill climbs, nothing is easier or better than an automatic. I love doing the gravel yard hills by my house after watching someone miss a gear or spin them selves into a hole. On mine I can start at the very bottom of the hill at wide open throttle and have to start letting off before I get to the top or I would be jumping over the opposite side of the hill. The automatic will keep you in the right gear all the time. It never misses a gear or forgets to pull the clutch before shifting. I would hate to have to shift gears again.

They are heavier as for trail riding but it is still a managable weight. You'll still be able to through it around, partially because you won't have to worry about shifting or pulling the clutch. This makes it really easy to focus more on riding the quad. After a days ride, you'd see what I mean.

 

I bought a '99 Scrambler 500 4x4 about a month ago. It is the best thing on four wheels that I have rode in a long time. It is not as sporty as a 400EX but it has a utility side to it with the true four wheel drive and reverse. That combo is just awesome. I have gotten about two feet of air with it so far (I'm still getting used to it). The landing is real soft and seems to take up very little suspension travel. I think it would take some major air time to bottom out/damage the suspension. It might put some hard wear on it over time like Elroy said, but if you play you gotta pay.

 

I have an 01 SC and love it. I've rode with guys on 400ex's an had no problem keeping up with them on what ever terrain. I do have to say though, you can smoke em on hill climbs. As for jumping it, I havent had a problem with it yet. 5-6 feet is about all I like to get air wise, any more than that and the landing can be harsh if its not a level landing. You also gotta watch out for those off camber jumps. Landing on one wheel hurts sometime. One more thought to throw at ya, you will never see a 400ex going through mud and muck two feet deep, cross a stream thats seat deep, and as for going through snow....think about it. I do have to add that not shifting gears is also a nice plus like the guys mentioned above. You can concentrate on the trail instead of shifting. If you have anymore questions, just ask.

 

I dont think I could add anymore. A great quad that can do most everything very well.

 

I will have to agree with Scram500Man.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

After reading several posts of broken tranny's while jumping, I would be a bit leary. I have had mine a couple of feet off the ground.

For trail riding and general dunning, I am very happy with it. As for maintenance, a lot of parts to maintain and replace.

Rainman

01 SC 500 4x4

 

6-8 feet of air is not a problem if done right. I do that on a regular basis and have not had any problems. Let me tell you though, if your not an experienced rider then don't do it. It has the suspension to soak up the jumps but Scram is heavy and you have to launch and land perfect, or its gonna hurt you or the quad. The 400ex is very forgiving and much easier to straighten out once in the air if you have a bad launch. The Scram hillclimbs like nothing else, you will be amazed at its ability. To be honest, when I'm tearing down the trails the scram doesn't feal heavy to me at all, but the best thing you can do is ride one first, for some people the scram is just to big.