My friend has a scrambler 500 and we raced across a field. I started off in second gear and got a pretty good start. He pulled me off the start but I bet I could have could have caught him if the field was longer. I bet he only beat me by about half a quad length. I have a 300ex but it shouldn't be a whole lot different.

 

Ok, this is what I know...I do not have a Polaris 500 nor have I ever even driven one. I do have an Polaris 400 and I have heard they are at least slightly faster, if not moderatly faster (2 stroke vs. 4 stroke). Also, I do not have a 250x, nor have I driven one. I also do not have a 300ex and again, I have never driven one. HOWEVER, my good friend and riding buddy has a 2000 Warrior 350, and I have HEARD that a Warrior can beat a 300ex drag racing and top-end. My Polaris will smoke the Warrior in a drag race and even get's it top end by a few mph or so. So, if you put all of the garbage I just said together it looks like this.....

Since a Polaris 400 is comparable to a Polaris 500, and the Polaris 400 can beat a Warrior (top end and drag), and the Warrior can beat the 300ex, and the 300ex can beat a 250x then the Polaris 500 will beat the 250x pretty bad.

Like I said before, I am just going by what I have heard when it comes to the Honda's. The only thing I know for sure is that my Polaris 400 will Beat a Warrior. So now that I'm done confusing the heck out of everybody, I'll shut up. Later.

-Josh

 

I own a Scrambler as well as a 250X and the 250X just doesn't have enough ponies to hang with a Scrambler in a drag. In the woods it could go either way depending on what type of trails. If there are any stretches where the Scrambler can use it's power it could possibly take the 250X.
What I'm saying is don't assume the Scrambler would lose on trail riding.
Think about it though the 500 has alot bigger engine than the 250X so it should logically be faster. You shouldn't even be trying to drag race a 500 anyway, it's pointless.
My advice is don't put too much emphasis on who can beat who, just have fun riding.
My son rides our 250X and he hangs with me every step of the way when we ride. It's a great quad that really impresses me. Just enjoy it for what it is and don't go out expecting to win alot of drag races with it.

 

Unless the "Woods" you are refering to are actually an old scrambler trail 3" wider than your 250X, you do not have an "Auto Win" in there at all. The 500 scrambler is a very capable machine and if driven well should beat a 250X. It also costs much more and is not a fair competitor for you. The Honda Recon and 250X are very nice quads if you weigh less than 100 pounds, but can not hang with the full size machines in a race. The only race you will win against the 500 Scrambler is in reliability.

 

Its like comparing a fish to a bicycle. No, it's like a Ginzu knife versus a chain saw. Want to win for sure? See who can go longest without replacing brakes, steering bushings, swingarm bearings, any control cables, front shocks, rear shocks...See who still owns the same machine in 3 years. You'll spank the dude in all of those categories. Take it from an old fart, there's more to ATVing, and life, than who gets done fastest. Good luck and have fun.