Andrew, Can you give me more details about you mods? What parts, price and clutch mods? Is it not very peaky?

Thanks, Terry

 

Terry; I thought about your delimma more after I posted the above reply. I know some of the guys who work at the Honda plant and I thought I might ask them about special built quads for people with special needs (it would be some great P.R. for them . I know that the trans from the 400 foreman and the 400ex can,t interchange due to the diffrent engine configurations but thought I,d see if maybe the auto clutch trans from say the 4trax 300 might interchange there are many questions (durability , gear spacings ect) you really seem to want the 400ex so I will ask about it. I ussually see these guys at least weekly. If I get any answer (yes or no) I will be back in touch. for now think about that auto option and if you want to see about the polaris Magnum lineups durability go to the HUGE Polaris forum located here and you may be surprised to find that there is not a single negative comment on the magnums anywhere in that forum not so much as a loose screw. I think the reliability issue has been well taken care of by polaris on this particular lineup, can,t say the same for the others particularly the sportsman they seem to be either really good or have problems. makes you wonder if the diffrent shifts at the plant don,t build diffrent quality machines. Later dude

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Kevin Gowdy AKA-Kagey1999 Polaris Magnum 500



[This message has been edited by Kagey (edited 08-16-1999).]

 

Terry,
My mods to my Scrambler are the RCR (Ritter Cycle Racing) kit. You can find his page on the web at http://www.famtree.com/dg/rcr.htm
Rick is a great guy who helps after the sale.
The kit was $325. It consits of a pipe, silencer, airbox mod, jet for carb, filter & primary clutch spring for a higher engagement. In a drag a couple of weeks ago I "only" got beat by 2 banshees by about 3 quad lengths. I can get them both out of the hole. Now if I could just keep my front tires down ! The pipe is a tight fit & a tad loud but it has a nice tone. Much better than my friends piped Banshee. The 400 although a 2 stroke isn't Toooo peaky. Some of it might be the auto tranny is always in the right spot. I think though because it is such a big 2 stroke (technically only 378cc) it isn't nearly as peaky as a Banshee. The Polaris has one big piston where the Banshee has 2 small ones. I also bought the midrange pipe for mine. You can buy a low-end or high end also, then you can tune your clutch to fit those needs. When I rode the 400EX I could tell it was a little torquier than mine, but it didn't have near the power though. Try to find a Sport/ Scrambler 4X2 to ride. The power might not be all there yet. It took awhile to break in my 400. But I think you will like it. It does weigh a lot though, but if that doesn't bother you...
Polaris's ain't all that bad. My brother had his 2 weeks and whooped a 250R (The GREATEST quad ever !!!!)I'm being sarcastic. I think that guy was a little shocked. My brother & the Sport did lose to another 250R shortly after though. Win some, lose some I guess.
any other questions just ask.
c-ya,

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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 (New & improved with RCR kit and more raisins than ever) & '99 Trailblazer for Baby Butt Cheeks...

 

Kagey, it would be interesting to hear what your contacts at Honda say. I guess in principal everything is possible, but cost would probably start playing a role. Thanks for the offer. I am hoping the Polaris 400 2x4 is reliable.

Andrew, thanks for the desription of your mods. Sounds very interesting. Not that expensive either. Is the clutch spring for higher engagement necessary? Does it make idling around the backyard (for example) difficult? I know nothing about Polaris clutch adjustment (yet!). Can you point me to a board/site with good technical introduction? Thanks.

(Others: I know this is a Honda site!! After this topic is finished will move this kind of stuff to the Polaris board - my excuses)

Terry

 

Terry,
I have noticed in mud that to move slow I have to feather the throttle a bit. I think the thick mud is the reason. It makes drag. It's kind of like a stall speed on a car. You can take off slow and putter or you can rev it up some and launch harder. I can just give it a little gas and barely move or I can nail it hard out of the hole launch harder. I thought I might not like it since I ride wooded trails mostly, but I guess I've grown used to where it's at & I like it now. You can get different springs for a real low engagement if you want. The pipe is kind of the determining factor in spring selection. The pipe moves the RPM's up some, so you usually need to compensate with a different spring. I think it's Rocky Mountain ATV and/or Dennis Kirk that sell the AAEN book or video on Polaris clutch tuning. I don't have it yet but would like to. When I took my cover off to add the spring I was like What is all this??? But all the Polaris guys that know clutches say once you learn it, it's real easy and you'll never go back. To see one of the meanest fastest quads I've ever seen and talk with a Polaris expert go to Jack Shultz's webpage. There is a forum there to discuss hop up parts etc. There is another section with built Polaris's you can browse. Another site is Adam Dowdens Scrambler Domain. It also includes some Sports & even Trailblazers.
Here are those site addresses...
http://www.godigital-design.com/schultzmotorsports/

I can't find Adam's web address. Here is his E-mail, quad_man@hotmail.com.
He can let you know. You'll find most Polaris guys are a Big help.
As far as reliability... I'm not going to preach and/or promise anything. But My brothers Sport & my Scrambler 400 have been trouble free. Not too many people (even diehard Honda & Yamaha guys) knock the Polaris 400. It's a great motor.
anything else E-mail me.
that way we don't bug these Honda guys anymore
c-ya,

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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 (New & improved with RCR kit and more raisins than ever) & '99 Trailblazer for Baby Butt Cheeks...

 

Terry, have you considered a Honda Odyssey or Honda Pilot? If I didn’t know any better, I would say these atv's where made for people in wheelchairs. I too was looking for a replacement for my motorcycle after wrecking it and messing myself up pretty bad a few years ago. I at first considered a conventional quad, but I did not feel comfortable strapped onto something without a roll-cage. If you have enough control over your legs to hold yourself onto the quad with any straps you should be OK otherwise look out.... Earlier this spring I purchased an '85 Honda Odyssey (FL350R) It is the perfect atv for someone who does not command full use of thier legs. They are also very performance oriented and there are tons of after market/high-perf. parts available if you want to modify later on.

If you think you might be interested check out the Pilot/Odyssey forum or you can check out Mike's Pilot Page:
www.off-road.com/atv/pilot

Any questions e-mail me: ezeh@mindspring.com

Eric Zeh


[This message has been edited by Eric Zeh (edited 08-19-1999).]

 

Eric,
That is a good idea. I never thought of mentioning one of those. Like you said though if he can himself on a quad the point in moot.
c-ya,

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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 (New & improved with RCR kit and more raisins than ever) & '99 Trailblazer for Baby Butt Cheeks...

 

Andrew, thanks for the tips, I think I have some homework to do. I have noticed the cult like following for Polaris on the web and I may be bothering the boards down the road with questions. I am going to try and get the video/book too.

Eric and Andrew, when I first had my accident my folks got me a new FL 250 (83) to ride around on. I really loved that thing! I even went in a few races at a local track. I got a pipe and a bigger carb on it and was ready to put on a CR250 barrel. But then I moved to the city and it wasn't really that convenient. I have thought about a Pilot/FL350 and in fact have been checking out the sites you mention. Those stadium ready Pilots look too unreal. But at the moment I am ready to have some handlebars in my hands. The safety issue does make me think, but I plan on getting some quick release straps and perhaps some other mods.

Terry

 

Terry ; Sorry couldn,t really get any answers from the guys at the plant they say that they don,t know of any type of program like that at the plant where they are or the other one They don,t seem to have a lot of knowledge about any machines except the one that they assemble in Florence (Foremans) One guy said he would ask around and see what he could find out from management. The 400 Polaris that you are looking at is a great machine I ride along with several this is one of the Polaris machines that I have heard few complaints about . The guys either get good service or they don,t let on if they do have problems. Good luck on whatever you decide.

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Kevin Gowdy AKA-Kagey1999 Polaris Magnum 500

 

I bought a 400ex at the first of the year and a friend bought a sport 400. We have raced up hill and all out drag race, we even tried different riders and the sport was always 4 to 5 bike lengths back. He even put a racing pipe and a clutch kit in it and still can't come close to beating the ex.