I am going to be adding another quad in the near future and was hoping you folks could give me some info. How does the 400 EX do as a trail quad ? I am in central Pa and the majority of my riding is rocky hills, mud and tighter trail riding. I see very little wide open trails that the speed of the EX could be taken advantage of but like to have a little air time every now and then. Im not interested in being the fastest man on the planet but like having the speed available when I get to some open trails. I will appreciate any input I can get.

 

The 400exes trail riding abilities are yet to be matched. It handles so great in the tight stuff and would make your best choice.......unless you are wanting reverse. In which case I would suggest a raptor (if money isnot a problem) or a 300ex. If you ever do get to an open straightaway, your top speed will be somewhere around 64. If you can never get to the top gear on it I would put a 14 tooth front sprocket on which would give you lots, and i mean lots of extra low end. Get a 400ex, you wont be disappointed.

 

a 400ex would be an ideal quad for your type of riding...i have one and it's perfect on that type of terrain...

 

Rocky,muddy and tight trails sound like the last place a 2wd,low ground clearance,and no reverse quad would be happy.The mud would get the bike stuck or hung up,the rocks would hit the low hanging rear sprocket and fallen trees and any other suprise on the trail will have your arms wishing for reverse after a one day.

 

I live in central PA also. I ride the same conditions as you. Logs, mud, rocks, and winding trails. I am going to get a 400EX in the next 6 weeks or so. I have to wait for the income tax to come back. I choose the 400EX over the Warrior. My cousin has a Warrior and it is awesome on the trails. If you ride correctly and think ahead of time you won't need to back up. I have reverse on my Polaris and I hardly use it. The 400EX is a nice trail quad, and it has a nice top end also, for the straights. Like I said, I ride the same conditions as you and I'm looking for a 400EX. I ride a Polaris 400 4X4 now and I don't like it. I am upgrading to a 400EX in a few weeks.

 

i am upgrading to a 400ex too. i rode one of my friends, and have been hooked ever sence. now i am going to buy it form him. i just need to get $500 more saved up and i am golden. i'll post some picks as soon as i get it (2001 yellow 400ex with razor rear tires)

 

Hubby has the 400ex, and wouldnt trade it for the world. He started out with a Polaris 400 Sport. That was a good quad, the 400 is a great quad. We ride lots of tight twisty trails here in Michigan, and it is perfect for the job.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...970&a=11043178

 

hahaha,tim 1 come to nevada some time, we'll have to hook up you can go riding with us, we can take you up in the mountains an let you see a few 2 wd in the woods/an mud ,an the trick on them logs is you jump 'em/nothing agianst them big heavy 4*4's but after 80 to 100 miles of rough trails you wished you got a better handling wheeler

 

Scram500Mn~
Maybe I'm way off, but a 400ex seems like the WORST machine you could get for your type of riding! For rocks and mud, you want ground clearance and with a 2 wheel drive machine, you'll probably want reverse. You don't need to be the fastest man on the planet, and you like to get some occasional air. Personally, I think a Scrambler 400 2x4 would be IDEAL for you. You have all the power on tap that you'd want, you have some decent ground clearance, reverse, and best of all, a good 500 bucks cheaper than a 400ex! With the Scrambler, you will have a much more capable mud and rocks machine for less money.


Skikke~
Your Polaris 400 4x4 is one of the best machines for mud and rocks! I bet you haven't been stuck much, have you? ok, now take away your 4 wheel drive, your reverse, about 100 pounds, and almost half your ground clearance! There you have a 400ex! You will not be going near the places your 4x4 could go and when you get stuck, you have to get off the machine and push it out...all while trying to feather the clutch and not killing the machine. All I have to say to that is good luck and you'll wish you had that reverse!

OK guys, maybe I am a little pro-Polaris, but could somebody please tell me how/why a manual-clutched sport quad could be ideal for mud and rocks!???

 

Just to clear things up, the Polaris Scramblers only have 1 1/2" more ground clearance than a 400EX. Put 23" rear tires on the EX, and there equal.( Scramblers come with 23s, EX's 20s). If you equal out the ground clearance, the EX is superior in every way to a Scrambler 2x4. Personally I wouldn't change the tires on the EX. I Just wanted to give you some facts, lord knows you won't get any from the Polaris boys.