I am about to purchase a new quad. I have ridden both the 400ex and the polaris 500 scramber.My freind has a somewhat new 400 ex. he has put some really ugly plastic on it, basically it looks like s---. Other wise it's bone stock (his wife rides it too, actully better then he can, away) The 500 scramblers look really nice and rides very comfortable, but, they feel very heavy. The polaris can beat this Honda 400ex on a flat out run but can't jump as well. Can you get the Honda 400ex to run faster without spending a ton? or should I stay with the polaris

The polaris will not beat a 400ex in a dead heat, I have both, at top speed on the 500 the 400ex has two gears left. My 500 is 4wheel drive though I guess a 2 wheel drive might be faster.

As for which is better, it depends on what your doing... I have no complaints on either

Your deciding factor should be do you want 4x4. If not, go with the 400ex.

I also was recently in the same situation you were which quad should I buy. After riding the Polaris 500 4x4, 400 4x4, and the 400ex, the answer was easy. RIDE RED, the true red, Honda 400EX

For me it was easy 400EX because thats what I wanted. If you drive in mud alot 500 Scrambler. But I gotta say a500 Scrambler is not faster than a 400 EX unless modified!

Proud Owner: Honda 450ES
Honda 400EX

A 400ex cant beat a scrambler in third gear.

Hey Dave, who is Mitch and why the name? We all know that the 400ex is 10 times the machine of any other bike. I know a guy that spent almost $3000 on his new Ban**** and can BARELY get around me. Oh well, it usually takes double HP for anyone to be competitive. Talk at ya later.

Hackmazter2, Keep your thoughts on the 500 being faster all the way around. You are right and don't let these RED-HEADS tell you different. Go buy a 500 and scream LIAR-LIAR when you blow by them with all 542+lbs of your machine. If they want to beat you, it will have to be on a tight turn MX track. The 400EX has it's place like all quads do, so don't think I'm a basher, I bought an '89 250R white w/red seat brand new. It was great bone stock w/racing tire/wheel combo I put on. My advice is to consider the 400 Srambler 2x4 or 4x4. That's the ride if you just want to pull out your wallet for a new mod and GOFAST! But if it's 4-stroke you want, I hear the 500 may come in 2x4 in '01.

GETREALRED400EX

Oh, and by the way toyman,
Don't toy with this guy's head. (1)A 4-stroke doin' 67+ mph in 3rd gear...GET REAL...A DHOC like a Mojave don't have the RPM's for that...maybe parked in 3rd in the back of a streetrod pickup.(2) If you really had a S 500 4x4 you would know that they don't even offer a 2x4 in it yet.

GIVE REAL ADVISE TO THESE GUYS...PLEASE

Let them choose the best ride from facts. The best ride may be the 400EX depending on what they are looking for. But don't sell them on your quad as a Dragdaddy, Woodsripper, or Easyrider. Sell'em on it for what it is, Goodlookin', Fun, Great handlin' and a good overall package (Woodsripper even) if it had reverse.

I recently bought a 400 ex. I had it narrowed down between the 400 ex and the scrambler 500. After doing extensive research, I decided on the 400. It all depends on what type of riding you want to do. They are both great bikes for different types of riding. If you want to ride in the mud or climb tough high terrain, then the Scrambler would be better. I like to jump and ride trails and decided on the 400. Get some 4 wheeler magazines like Dirt Wheels and read up on them. I have seen lots of articles rating both. Good luck on the search.