Yesterday I rode a scrambler 500 4x4, that thing had nice suspention, power ect... But only got to test drive it.

Can it wheelie?
Whats the reliability like? I heard the worst!
Chain wear?
How do you go into 4wd/2wd?
where is the reverse lever?
Does the belt slip often?

Is there a better quad?

any suggestions! might be buying a scrambler.

 

Can it wheelie? YES
Whats the reliability like? GOOD WITH PROPER MAINTANANCE
Chain wear? Much better with proper adjustment (Concentric drive starting in 99my helped)
How do you go into 4wd/2wd? PUSH A BUTTON
where is the reverse lever? ON THE FWD LEVER
Does the belt slip often? NO

Is there a better quad?
SURE JUST ASK SOME ONE THAT OWNS A DIFFERENT BRAND THEY WILL TELL YOU THEIRS IS BETTER

 

if u want to get a scrammy, go ahead, great quads, but if i were you and was shoping around for a new quad, i would wait and get the new sport quad that polaris is coming out with in few more months....

 

I had the 400 two stroke, not the 500...

Can it wheelie? YES, LIKE CRAZY
Whats the reliability like? NOT 1 SINGLE PROBLEM WITH MINE EVER
Chain wear? AGAIN, NO PROBLEMS
How do you go into 4wd/2wd? A SWITCH ON THE LEFT HANDLEBAR
where is the reverse lever? THE LEVER ON THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER
Does the belt slip often? NEVER

Is there a better quad? A TOUGH QUESTION, HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS....

For a sport quad? Yes there are better quads, just about any of today's top sport quads (Raptor, 400ex, Banshee, etc..) are better SPORT quads than the Scrambler.

For a 4x4 Mudder? Yes there are better quads again, all of the top 4x4 Utilities are probably better in the mud.

For a Utility quad? Yes again, there are better quads. All of the top Utes are probably better than the Scrambler.

For a normal trail quad and everyday rider? This is where the Scrambler shines. I had never ridden a quad that was overall better on the trails than my Polaris. Sure, there are some quads that are faster, some that handle better, and some that go through more mud, but if you want an all around good quad the Scrambler is it.

Now don't take what I said above the wrong way. As a sport quad the scrambler does fine. It's fast, but it's lack of handling ability really hurts it compared to the smaller more nimble ATV's. For a 4x4 it is good as well, but you can't really compare it to a Grizzly with 27" tires all the way around.

The good thing about the Scrambler is that it covers all types of riding. Sure, there are specific quads that are better at certain things, but in my opinion no quad on the market is as versitile as the Scrambler. For instance I'll try to pick a quad from a few different categories...

Honda 400ex : This quad is faster and more nimble than the Scrammy, but it wasn't built for serious trail riding (meaning mud, rocks, logs and etc.). Even a 2x4 Scrambler would be a lot better on the trails than this.

Yamaha Grizzly : The Grizzly is probably a better 4x4 and Utility quad, but get into an area where handling and sportiness comes into play and the Scrambler would be better. Sure, the Scrambler is far from a light weight, but when you compare it to the huge 4x4's it feels it.

Yamaha Warrior: The Warrior is a pretty quick sport quad that goes really good on just about all types of trails, however the Scrambler is faster and when it comes down to it, it is also better in the rough stuff. The Warrior probably beats the Scrambler in the handling department though.

Now I don't mean to offend the owners of the above quads...The Scrambler beats them in categories that they were not even designed to excel in. What I'm just trying to point out is that for an all around good quad the Scrambler is hard to beat.

So to give you a straight answer to your last question you will need to say what type of riding you do. The answer will change depending on that.

-Josh