Need a few opinions on these two quads. I'm going to get another quad for hunting season and just wanted to know what to expect from these two in terms of maintenance, tractability, good ponits , bad points, and any common problems they may have. I am not trying to start any kind of war between owners of these 2 quads. just looking for info to make a more informed purchase. I just finished rebuilding the top end on my scram today and don't care to do it again any time soon(2nd time in about 1 1/2 years with little riding), but that was my fault as I figured out the hard way after to many beers that a scram can't swim! My dad has a Explorer 300 and he hasn't had to put it in the shop yet. He does however maintain it well even after 5 years of riding. Thanks again.

 

I had a Sport 400 and now have an Xplorer 400. I love the 2-stroke and wouldn't trade it for any 4-stroke. Haven't had it long enough to know about problems, but do a search for 'Explorer' and you'll find several interesting and enlightening threads to read. Most Xplorer owners on here swear it's the best all around atv ever made.

 

Having owned both a non HO Sportsman and now 2 Explorer 400s I'd say go with the Sportsman. I say this because you already have the sport machine. The Explorer is a good mix of the 2 machines. For hunting the Sportsman is not as loud and theres no chain to mess with.

 

Do the late model explorers have shft up front like my 2000 scram 400 with just a single chain in the back or do they have shaft and chains up front?

 

i believe the 1999 and up xplorer"s all have chain rear and shaft front . you won"t be disapointed with either purchase ,it all depends on what power charactristics you like ,i have had both and prefer my 2000 400 xplorer.

 

Trechdigger is correct. '99 and up have shaft in the front and Concentric Drive.

 

well i suggest the polaris 500h.o for hunting amd rough terrian. i havent rode a explorer but i do know the new sporstman 500.ho is the bomb!!! they got plenty of power and exeptional low end power with that polaris ride you cant beat!!! the only problem i would see is there heavy and in tight spaces they feel like a tank!!! that the only problems i have truly found but the feeling of being tippy al little and when you flip there terrible to try to get back over. but if you do flip them, well its nearly impossible "nearly"!!!

 

Only problem is ..Polaris doesn't make the 400 xplore any longer, and that is sad...as the 400 Liquid was a great machine...

I have both a 1995 xplorer and a 2001 500HO... The HO is quieter while hunting, but the ride will bust a kidney at low speeds...the mono shock ride of the 400 is second to none at hunting speeds.

I have had the heavy 500 HO stuck in situations, that the 400 just flew over....there are much other factors to determine between the two,,I love the 2 stroke...but like the quietness of the 500 when hunting ....

For all around every day....I pick the xplorer, as it is funner to ride,lighter and easier to throw around. IMHO

 

I can't say from experience how loud the SP500 is, but I ride my Xplorer with a 2000 Cat 500 (Suzuki motor) and an '03 Vinson and they are both louder than my Xp.

 

i gots a 2000 400 sport want stelth, look elsewhere want to get there, get the expl. i got a stock 400 w/ superswamper and it goes where i want to , getr a repair manual to do regular maint. and you won tregret it in deer camp if you hunt defheartherimpared deer