After one long month of studying quads I decided to go with a polaris, I wanted a 400 yet I couldn't swing the cost so I opted to go with a new 250 explorer. Until I saw a 1999 explorer 400 with many extras and great condition, for $4800.
I went and bought it. When I got home and took it for a ride it stahled when going up an incline and would not re-start until the next day and a new plug. But it seems like it coughs when I hit the throttle to take off. W|hen I pin the throttle it also seems to wobble a little.
If this past owner was a "hard" rider is it possible to bang up a 99 that quick. Is there something I should be looking at? It has 1000 miles and 80hrs on it and "looks" great although I am concerned. Any thoughts? Whats the best deal on a 2000 explorer 400 you have heard about? Thanks for any imput!

 

Well Tim it is hard to say, that might be why you are not getting to many replys to your topic because of the broad area it is, Anybody on any machine be it honda, yamaha,polaris or what, if they didn't go by the proper break in could effect it or it could be just something simple as a fuel filter needing changed or since it is a 2 cycle it might not be getting the proper oil gas mixture. I hope it is something simple and you get it running right, I have over 400 miles on my Sportsman 500 and I am rougher than the usual person on it with no troubles at all I paid $6000 for it brand new.
One good thing you have going for you it is a 99 model and Polaris seemed to have a lot of troubles with there atv's on the pre 97 models...anyway hope you get it running right and get back on the trails....

 

The first thing that I would look at is the fuel system, everything from the tank to the carb. There's no telling what gas the previous owner was using ( old, cheap, stuff drained from other vehicles, you get the picture) Check the fuel filter,(first place to look) the hoses, the selector valve, the tank and finaly the carb. Pull the carb off and make sure that there's no trash in the bowl or in the needle and seat. If the quad has no mods make sure that the clip on the metering needle is in the center (#3) position. Spray some carb cleaner though all of the orifices to make sure that they're not blocked.
My best advice: Keep it clean, from the fuel to the air going through the engine, the cleaner it is the less problems you'll have.

 

Maybe it could be the reeds by the carb. They maybe chipped, if they break off it will not run. I had this problem and had the stock plastic reeds replaced with aluminum ones.
This may be the problem.
Joe

 

I see this lots CLEAN THE AIR FILTER ON THE SNORKLE WITH KEROSENE. REMOVE THE INNER PAPER FILTER AND TRASH IT. BUY A FOAM FILTER AND BEL-RAY FILTER OIL AND APPLY THE OIL AS THEY PRESRIBE. I put that in caps because it is critical to give your 2 stroke clean air all the time. Drain the gas tank too by removing the gas linr from the carb and puttin your fuel switch to reserve and put a new fuel filter on this will solve the problems.
RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT.
QUADMAN ON A 96 SPORTSMAN 400